Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, a prestigious global law firm, has successfully advised Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals in forming a significant global licensing and research collaboration with pharmaceutical giant Novartis. This partnership is poised to leverage Arrowhead’s innovative ARO-SNCA, a cutting-edge siRNA therapy currently in the preclinical stage, targeting alpha-synuclein. This protein is heavily associated with Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, marking a substantial step forward in treatment possibilities.

The collaboration will also explore future programs utilizing Arrowhead’s proprietary Targeted RNAi Molecule (TRiM™) technology platform, which has shown promising preclinical results, especially in delivering to central nervous system (CNS) regions critical for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis will provide Arrowhead with an upfront payment of $200 million. Additionally, Arrowhead may receive up to $2 billion in milestone payments, alongside tiered royalties on future sales. The deal is set to finalize in the second half of 2025, conditional upon regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Christopher Anzalone, Ph.D., President and CEO of Arrowhead, emphasized the significance of the partnership, noting Novartis’s robust commitment to neuroscience and genetic medicines. “Our TRiM™ technology has demonstrated impressive delivery capabilities to the CNS, and we are eager to accelerate ARO-SNCA into clinical trials for treating synucleinopathies such as Parkinson’s Disease,” Anzalone stated.

Echoing the enthusiasm, Fiona Marshall, Ph.D., President of Biomedical Research at Novartis, highlighted the transformative potential of the collaboration. “Neurodegenerative conditions impact millions globally. We are committed to advancing treatment options that could significantly alter disease progression. Arrowhead’s TRiM™ technology promises to enhance RNA medicine delivery across key brain structures, an essential factor in combating neurodegeneration effectively,” Marshall added.

The Gibson Dunn team advising Arrowhead includes notable partners such as Karen Spindler and Ryan Murr, with support from Pamela Lawrence Endreny, Benjamin Fryer, Sophia Hansell, and associates Michael Dziuban, Ryan Rott, and Anna Searcey.

Gibson Dunn, headquartered in Los Angeles and founded in 1890, operates from over 20 offices worldwide. The firm is renowned for its expertise across various legal disciplines and its commitment to delivering innovative solutions to complex legal challenges.

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