Boehringer Ingelheim Partners with Ribo for Liver Disease Therapies in $2 Billion Deal

Boehringer Ingelheim partners with Suzhou Ribo Life Science and Ribocure Pharmaceuticals to develop new treatments for NASH, a severe liver disease affecting over 440 million globally. Their collaboration focuses on siRNA therapeutics, targeting disease-causing genes in hepatocytes. The deal, potentially worth over USD 2 billion, aims to create innovative medicines for a disease currently lacking approved treatments.

This collaboration unites Ribo’s prowess in small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics with Boehringer’s extensive experience in addressing cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases (CRM).

NASH, a severe inflammatory liver disease, is a growing global health concern, affecting over 440 million people worldwide. Characterized by an excessive accumulation of fat in the liver, NASH often escalates to liver cirrhosis, liver failure, or even liver cancer due to the formation of scar tissue over time.

Søren Tullin, Senior Vice President at Boehringer Ingelheim, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing its alignment with the company’s commitment to tackling CRM diseases. “We look forward to working with the scientists from Ribo to develop new breakthrough medicines for patients with NASH. Our goal is to develop the next wave of innovative medicines that will lead to a holistic health gain for patients.”

Ribo's innovative RIBO-GalSTAR™ platform is a game-changer in this scenario. This technology focuses on the development of RNAi therapeutics that target disease-causing genes in hepatocytes. By silencing these genes' messenger RNAs (mRNAs), it offers a promising approach to treat diseases by reaching previously inaccessible drug targets.

Zicai Liang, CEO of Ribo Life Sciences, acknowledged the collaboration as a testament to the years of scientific investment and discovery integrated into Ribo’s platform. Liang, said, “This collaboration represents a strong endorsement of the many years of investment and scientific discovery built into Ribo’s platform. We are very pleased about the opportunity to work with Boehringer Ingelheim to develop new solutions for people living with NASH.”

Li-Ming Gan, CEO of Ribocure, also expressed optimism, lauding Boehringer Ingelheim’s unmatched expertise in CRM conditions and its track record in pioneering medicines in this domain.

Financially, the agreement entails an upfront payment to Ribo, with additional success-based milestones related to clinical, regulatory, and commercial achievements. The overall deal, potentially exceeding USD 2 billion, also includes tiered royalties. This partnership marks a hopeful juncture in the fight against NASH, offering a ray of hope to millions affected by this disease.