Vivo Capital Co-founded! Xinrui Won Exclusive Rights to 4 RNAi Drugs in Greater China

On April 25, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals announced that it had formed a joint venture with Vivo Capital, Visirna Therapeutics, which will be headquartered in Shanghai. At the same time, Arrowhead also signed a licensing agreement with Visirna. Under the agreement, the joint venture will gain exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Arrowhead's four RNAi drugs under investigation in Greater China (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) for the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases.

Drugs developed by Arrowhead can treat intractable diseases by inhibiting disease-causing genes, according to public information. RNA interference (RNAi) is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of specific genes, thereby affecting the production of specific proteins. Arrowhead's RNAi therapy takes advantage of this natural pathway for gene silencing. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient delivery modes, the company develops therapies that trigger RNA interference mechanisms to induce rapid, deep and durable targeted gene knockout.

This time, Visirna, a company established by Arrowhead and Vivo Capital, is committed to bringing Arrowhead's innovative medicines to patients in Greater China. The company's headquarters will be located in Shanghai. According to the press release, Vivo Capital’s affiliated funds provided initial funding of $60 million to the joint venture, while Vivo Capital will also use its resources in Greater China to support the joint venture, especially to help the joint venture recruit leadership teams, and Actively participate in company development, clinical and regulatory strategies. Vivo Capital Managing Partner Dr. Hongbo Lu and Vivo Capital Managing Director Dr. Gaurav Aggarwal will join Visirna's Board of Directors.

Under the terms of the agreement, Visirna received an exclusive license to develop and commercialize four investigational RNAi therapeutics in Greater China for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and will be solely responsible for the clinical development and commercialization of these products. Arrowhead will be eligible to receive royalties based on future net sales of licensed products.