Under a strategic partnership with Astellas, Uniphar (formerly RRD) created ClearPath Development Company to build a portfolio of vaccine candidates targeting infectious diseases for future in-licensing. The partnership was established to support Astellas’ goal of building a global vaccine franchise utilizing Uniphar’s highly efficient development model to enhance the company’s ability to bring innovative vaccines to market. ClearPath drove research and development activities for the portfolio, allowing Astellas to focus on building its internal vaccine development infrastructure. Astellas exercised its option to bring two products from the portfolio in-house for further development resulting in significant milestone and success fee payments to ClearPath.

Uniphar (formerly RRD) had a multi-year product development partnership with Neurovance to develop a novel triple re-uptake inhibitor for patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Uniphar supported development through the End of Phase 2 Meeting (EOP2) with FDA and initiation of Phase 3 clinical studies. Uniphar provided senior development leadership for the program including serving as acting Chief Medical Officer of the company and had an active role in supporting Neurovance’s exploration of strategic options and follow-on investment. Ultimately, Neurovance was acquired by Otsuka for $250 million. Uniphar worked closely with Otsuka to transition the program from Neurovance.

Uniphar (formerly RRD) had an eleven-year development partnership with Nitto on multiple assets utilizing its novel siRNA technology to develop antifibrotic medicines targeting advanced hepatic fibrosis due to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Under the product development partnership Uniphar supported advancement of Nitto’s assets through Phase 2 clinical trials. The partnership enabled Nitto to enter into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb which included a $100 million upfront payment and subsequent development milestones and royalties.

Private equity firm, Symphony Capital selected Uniphar (formerly RRD) as their strategic development partner for their $400 million fund. Over the course of the ten-year partnership, Uniphar created seven individual development companies (C corp biotechs) to in-license assets from public biopharma companies with the objective of accelerating asset development to human proof-of-concept. Uniphar diligenced over 100 assets during the partnership and in-licensed 17 across multiple therapeutic areas and 21 indications into the 7 development companies. Uniphar had an equity position in each of the DevCos, managed the individual companies, and was responsible for execution of development plans including oversight of all CROs and vendors. The partnership resulted in three FDA approved products to date.

Uniphar (formerly RRD) initiated a development partnership with SmartCells for the company’s platform technology in endocrine disorders. The partnership began as the company was being formed as a spin-out from MIT. Uniphar worked closely with the SmartCells’ team on strategy, development planning for the lead asset, and had an active role in securing initial and follow-on investments to advance the program through IND. The value created in the program enabled SmartCells acquisition by Merck & Co. in a deal of more than $500 million.

Symphony GenIsis was a DevCo created and managed by Uniphar (formerly RRD) and funded by Symphony Capital with $75 million. Three cholesterol and diabetes assets were in-licensed from Isis Pharmaceuticals (now Ionis Pharmaceuticals) to advance through human proof-of-concept clinical development. Ionis exercised its buy-back option at a pre-negotiated price of $120 million. The products were then partnered with Genzyme and J&J, resulting in over $500 million in licensing fees. Genzyme and Isis Pharmaceuticals announced FDA approval of KYNAMRO (mipomersen sodium) for the treatment of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.