Roche Enters RNA-Editing Pact With Shape Therapeutics Worth Over $3 Billion

Roche has entered into partnership with Shape Therapeutics to use the Seattle, Wash.-based company’s RNA-editing technology to develop new gene therapies for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Under the deal, Shape will receive an initial payment from the Swiss drugmaker and is eligible to receive more than $3 billion in milestone-based payments as well as royalties on future sales.

In addition to potential Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s therapies, Shape said it may use its adeno-associated virus platform to help identify other gene therapy targets, including for rare diseases.