Secarna Pharmaceuticals, a German biopharmaceuticals company focusing on the discovery and development of next generation antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies to address challenging or previously out-of-reach targets has signed a research, development and transfer agreement with Sweden’s Lipigon Pharmaceuticals.

With the deal, for which financial terms were not disclosed, Lipigon – a spinoff from Umeå University– is acquiring certain antisense drug candidates developed with the Secarna’s LNAplus platform, including the corresponding patent portfolio.

As the research progresses, Lipigon will fund and continue the development of the acquired assets, with Secarna receiving customary payments customary for such a transaction.

“Antisense-based therapeutics have gained strong industry interest over the past five to seven years as evidenced by major licensing and acquisitions transactions, noted Stefan K. Nilsson, the Swedish company’s CEO and co-founder.

Inhibiting the ANGPTL gene family members ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL4 will positively affect plasma lipid levels, Lipigon said.  Drugs targeting these gene products could be used for treating orphan indications such as Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome or Homozygote Familial Hypercholesterolemia, but also more common diseases such as cardiovascular, metabolic liver and kidney diseases, the partners believe.