Roche Holding AG has licensed an experimental obesity drug from Chinese biotechnology firm Rona Therapeutics, securing exclusive worldwide rights. The deal could be worth up to $1.16 billion.
Roche will pay Rona $100 million upfront. Rona could receive up to $1.06 billion in milestone payments, plus tiered royalties on sales.
The RNA interference (RNAi) therapy candidate targets ALK7, a protein expressed in fat tissue and associated with metabolism. The treatment aims to reduce fat while preserving lean muscle mass, potentially complementing existing incretin-based drugs.
The agreement adds to Roche’s pipeline in the competitive weight-loss market, where Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are currently dominant.