Gilead Sciences, a leading biopharmaceutical company, has announced a 12-year partnership with Assembly Biosciences, a biotechnology company focused on antiviral therapeutics. This collaboration aims to advance the research and development of novel antiviral therapies targeting serious viral diseases.
Assembly Bio is known for its innovative work in herpesviruses, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis D virus (HDV). The company’s portfolio includes clinical and preclinical programs, such as next-generation core inhibitor ABI-4334 for HBV, long-acting helicase-primase inhibitor ABI-5366 for herpes simplex virus (HSV), an orally bioavailable HDV entry inhibitor ABI-6250, and a pan-herpes polymerase inhibitor program.
Gilead is committed to addressing the unmet needs of patients affected by serious viral infections worldwide. The company’s partnership with Assembly Bio is a significant step towards achieving this goal. By combining Gilead’s expertise in developing and commercializing antiviral medicines with Assembly Bio’s advanced virology research capabilities, the collaboration has the potential to deliver significant advancements in the field.
Under the terms of the agreement, Assembly Bio will receive $100 million from Gilead, consisting of an upfront payment of $84.8 million and a $15.2 million equity investment. Gilead will also have the option to purchase up to 29.9 percent of Assembly Bio’s outstanding voting stock at a premium. In return, Assembly Bio is eligible to receive up to $330 million per program in potential regulatory and commercial milestones, as well as royalties ranging from the high single digits to high teens.
Both companies will work together on the research and development efforts for the collaboration programs. Assembly Bio will be primarily responsible for these efforts before Gilead potentially exercises its option to take control of discovery, research, development, and commercialization on the optioned program(s). Gilead will also have the right to appoint two individuals to Assembly Bio’s Board of Directors.
The partnership between Gilead Sciences and Assembly Biosciences represents a significant opportunity to address the unmet medical needs in herpesviruses, viral hepatitis, and beyond. With the shared expertise and promising investigational therapies of both organizations, there is hope for significant advances in antiviral therapeutics. This collaboration marks an important milestone for Assembly Bio, as it moves towards becoming a fully-integrated biotechnology company.
Overall, the partnership between Gilead Sciences and Assembly Biosciences holds great promise for the development of novel antiviral therapies. By leveraging their respective strengths and capabilities, the companies aim to make significant advancements in the treatment of serious viral diseases.
