Alnylam, Sanofi Announce Restructuring Deal For RNAi Products

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALNY) and Sanofi (NYSE:SNY) announced a strategic restructuring of their RNAi therapeutics rare genetic diseases alliance. The companies entered into the agreement to optimize the development and commercialization of certain products for the treatment of rare genetic diseases.

Shares of Alnylam have increased 193.7% against the industry’s decline of 1.7% in the past one year.

Per the agreement, Alnylam will fund all the development and commercialization costs for its investigational RNAi therapeutics candidates — patisiran and ALN-TTRsc02 — that are being evaluated for the treatment of ATTR amyloidosis. Meanwhile, Sanofi will continue to be responsible for the completion of the transition of its patisiran activities in regions outside the United States, Canada, and Western Europe by mid-2018. For patisiran, Sanofi Genzyme — the specialty care global business unit of Sanofi — will be entitled to receive royalties, increasing over time to up to 25% on sales in territories, excluding the United States, Canada, and Western Europe.

Following the restructuring initiative, Sanofi will undertakefull responsibility for the development and commercialization of pipeline candidate, fitusiran, including costs. Notably, fitusiran is being developed for the treatment of people with hemophilia A and B. Once approved, the candidate will be globally commercialized by Sanofi Genzyme. Sanofi will pay Alnylam a milestone of $50 million following dosing of the first patient in the ATLAS phase III program for fitusiran. In fact, Alnylam will receive royalties based on net sales of fitusiran products.

Sanofi will retain the right to opt into other Alnylam rare genetic disease programs for development and commercialization in territories outside of the United States, Canada, and Western Europe as well as right to a global license.

The restructuring, once approved, will enable Alnylam to strengthen its ATTR amyloidosis business to maximize its value and also increase revenues based on newly obtained rights to commercialize patisiran around the world. The latest move also demonstrates Sanofi’s interest in Alnylam’s portfolio of genetic medicines. The new structure will make the medicines available to patients as soon as possible.

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Price

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Alnylam carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked health care stocks are Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) and XOMA Corporation (NASDAQ:XOMA) . Both Exelixis and XOMA sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Exelixis’earnings per share estimates have moved up from 72 cents to 73 cents for 2018 in the last 60 days. The company delivered a positive earnings surprise in all the last four quarters, with an average beat of 572.92%. Share price of the company surged 79.9% in 2017.

XOMA’s loss per share estimates have narrowed from $1 to 42 cents for 2018 in the last 60 days. The company came up with a positive earnings surprise in one of the last four quarters, with an average beat of 47.92%. Share price of the company skyrocketed 567.2% in 2017.

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