GSK adds liver candidate from Wave RNA partnership

Why it matters: The decision shows that the companies’ RNA drug discovery alliance continues to deliver candidates, despite GSK relinquishing rights to Wave’s lead RNA editing therapy earlier this year. It also adds to GSK’s work in liver disease, where its own small interfering RNA (siRNA) candidate gatuzosiran is already in Phase 2 development.

Zoom in: The candidate was developed using Wave’s PRISM RNA medicines platform, specifically its SpiNA siRNA technology. These drugs silence selected RNA messages to reduce production of a target protein.

• Wave has not disclosed the candidate’s molecular target or specific liver disease indication. The announcement concerns its transfer into GSK’s development pipeline, with no clinical trial start date provided.

By the numbers: The $12 million payment is a milestone under the existing partnership. Wave says each collaboration program carries potential development, launch and commercial milestones of up to $330 million to $375 million, plus tiered royalties on sales.

Backstory: The companies signed their alliance in December 2022, combining Wave’s PRISM RNA platform with GSK’s expertise in human genetics. GSK committed $170 million upfront, comprising cash and an equity investment, with scope to advance up to eight discovery programs.

• The original agreement also included WVE-006, Wave’s RNA editing candidate for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, an inherited condition affecting the lungs and liver. GSK decided not to take over that program in February, leaving Wave with full rights.

What’s next: Wave is advancing three additional collaboration programs toward potential candidate selection. For the newly selected liver program, disclosure of the target and development timetable will be needed to assess how it fits into GSK’s broader pipeline.