Key Highlights
- $70 Million Upfront Payment and $315 Million Milestones Reflect High Confidence in Viridian’s TED Portfolio
Viridian licenses exclusive rights for veligrotug and VRDN-003 to Kissei, leveraging Kissei’s rare disease development expertise to bring breakthrough therapies rapidly to Japanese patients. - Two Promising Anti-IGF-1R Antibodies Targeting Thyroid Eye Disease with Positive Phase 3 Data
Veligrotug and VRDN-003, including a potential best-in-class, subcutaneous candidate, offer hope for patients with significant unmet needs in TED, a debilitating autoimmune condition. - Tiered Royalties and Strategic Partnership Set to Unlock Revenue Potential in Japan’s Rare Disease Market
The deal includes lucrative royalties in the 20s to mid-30s percentage range, underpinning Viridian’s financial upside upon product commercialization.
Strategic Collaboration Combines Strengths to Advance TED Treatment in Japan
Viridian Therapeutics partners exclusively with Kissei Pharmaceutical to develop and commercialize veligrotug and VRDN-003 for thyroid eye disease in Japan. This alliance taps into Viridian’s innovative stage 3 clinical assets and Kissei’s proven rare disease track record, aiming to expedite regulatory approvals and market launch.
Veligrotug and VRDN-003 Represent Potential Best-in-Class Therapies
Both candidates are antibodies targeting the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), critical in TED pathology. Veligrotug has demonstrated strong efficacy and safety in global THRIVE and THRIVE-2 trials, while VRDN-003 is being developed as a convenient, long-acting subcutaneous therapy evaluated in REVEAL-1 and REVEAL-2 trials.
Robust Financial Framework to Support Development and Commercial Success
Viridian receives a $70 million upfront payment plus up to $315 million in milestone payments contingent upon development, regulatory, and commercial achievements. Tiered royalties aligned with net sales ensure ongoing revenue participation tied to market performance in Japan.
Advancing Care for Patients with Thyroid Eye Disease (TED)
TED causes inflammation and tissue damage around and behind the eyes, leading to discomfort, vision impairment, and impact on quality of life. This collaboration advances treatment options in Japan, a critical market with limited effective therapies, addressing urgent unmet medical needs through innovative biologics.
About Viridian Therapeutics
Viridian Therapeutics, based in Waltham, Massachusetts, focuses on discovering and developing best-in-class antibody therapies for serious and rare diseases, including multiple candidates in late-stage development for thyroid eye disease and autoimmune disorders.
About Kissei Pharmaceutical
Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a leading Japan-based R&D-oriented company specializing in rare and intractable diseases, with extensive expertise in regulatory affairs and commercialization within Japan’s pharmaceutical market.
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