Foley Advises Hansoh Pharma on Licensing and Collaboration Agreement with OliX Pharmaceuticals to Develop and Commercialize siRNA Therapeutics in Greater China

Foley & Lardner LLP served as legal advisor to Shanghai-based research and development company Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co, Ltd (“Hansoh Pharma”) in their licensing and collaboration agreement with South Korean RNAi therapeutics company OliX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“OliX”). The deal is for the discovery, development, and commercialization of small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics in key targeted indications in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

Through this collaboration agreement, OliX will leverage its therapeutic RNAi platform, GalNAc-siRNA, to discover lead compounds and secure development candidates for targets in cardiovascular, metabolic, and other diseases associated with the liver, while utilizing Hansoh’s strong R&D, manufacturing, and commercialization capabilities in China. Hansoh will have exclusive commercial rights to these therapeutics in China, and OliX will have rights in the rest of the world. OliX will receive an initial upfront payment of $6.5 million with up to $450 million plus royalties based on key milestones.

Founded in 1995, Hansoh Pharma is one of the largest biopharmaceutical companies in Greater China and Asia, whose mission is to improve human health through continuous innovation. With over 20 years of research and development (R&D) experience, Hansoh Pharma has fully integrated R&D, manufacturing, and commercial capabilities, supporting leading positions across a broad range of therapeutic areas, including oncology, central nervous system (CNS) disorders, infectious diseases, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases.

The Foley team was led by Partner Andrew Rawlins and Associate Chloe Talbert.

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