SanegeneBio Announces $1.2 Billion Strategic Collaboration with Eli Lilly for RNAi Drug Development Targeting Metabolic Diseases
SANEGENEBIO
Small Nucleic Acid Drug Developer
▷ This collaboration aims to jointly develop RNAi drugs targeting metabolic diseases.
November 8, 2025Proxima Centauri's invested company — SANEGENEBIO, focusing on innovative RNAi drug research and developmentSANEGENEBIO today announced a global research and development collaboration and licensing agreement with Eli Lilly and Company ("Lilly"). The two parties will jointly advance the development of RNAi drug candidates targeting metabolic diseases based on SANEGENEBIO's proprietary LEAD™ platform.
LEAD™ (Ligand and Enhancer Assisted Delivery), a tissue-selective delivery technology independently developed by SANEGENEBIO, enables highly efficient and specific delivery of RNAi drugs to extrahepatic tissues and cells. Based on this platform, a breakthrough therapy for metabolic diseases requiring only two subcutaneous administrations per year could be developed.
SANEGENEBIO will be responsible for screening and identifying the optimal RNAi active molecules for the collaborative projects based on the LEAD™ platform, while Eli Lilly and Company will handle the subsequent drug’s IND application research, clinical development, and commercialization.
According to the terms of the agreement, SANEGENEBIO will receive near-term payments including an upfront payment and equity investment. In addition, SANEGENEBIO is also entitled to receive subsequent development, regulatory, and sales milestone payments of up to $1.2 billion, as well as tiered royalties on commercial sales.
This collaboration fully validates the outstanding performance of SANEGENEBIO's innovative and differentiated LEAD™ platform in tissue-selective delivery of RNAi drugs. As a global leader in the field of metabolic diseases, Lilly looks forward to working closely together to unlock novel therapeutic strategies for metabolic disorders, accelerate the development of durable, disease-modifying breakthrough therapies, and benefit patients worldwide.
About Metabolic Diseases
Metabolic diseases refer to a category of diseases caused by abnormalities in human metabolic functions, including diabetes, obesity, and hyperlipidemia. These diseases lead to imbalances in the body's substance metabolism, affecting normal physiological functions, and can even become life-threatening in severe cases. With the increasing incidence of metabolic diseases in recent years, they have become a major chronic condition that seriously impacts public health and social development.
SANEGENEBIOSANEGENEBIO is a globally integrated clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of RNAi therapies. Relying on its proprietary GalNAc liver delivery platform and the industry-leading LEAD™ (Ligand and Enhancer Assisted Delivery) extrahepatic delivery platform, the company is committed to addressing significant unmet clinical needs in the fields of obesity, cardiometabolic diseases, and immune-mediated disorders. Founded in 2021 and led by a pioneering team with deep expertise in the RNAi field, SANEGENEBIO has research and development centers in Suzhou, Shanghai, China, and Boston, USA, and has received support from well-known venture capital firms. The LEAD™ platform can efficiently deliver siRNA specifically to extrahepatic tissues such as fat, muscle, immune cells, and the central nervous system, achieving efficient, safe, and long-lasting silencing of disease-causing genes while significantly reducing dosing frequency. SANEGENEBIO has established a rapidly growing pipeline of investigational products, including four clinical-stage drug candidates (one in Phase II and three in Phase I clinical trials) and multiple preclinical programs. With a clear vision, we aim to develop innovative therapies with "Best-In-Class" and "First-In-Class" potential, advancing RNAi therapies as standard clinical treatments across a broad range of disease areas, and bringing transformative treatment options to patients worldwide. For more information, please visit SANEGENEBIO’s official website: www.sanegenebio.com
