Roche Agrees to $100 Million Deal for Obesity Drug Targeting Fat Cells

Roche has agreed to pay $100 million to license an experimental obesity drug from Shanghai-based Rona Therapeutics. Under the deal terms, Roche gains global rights to the molecule whose name was not disclosed. The Swiss company could end up paying just over $1 billion overall if the therapy hits development and regulatory goals. This includes near-term milestone payments and royalties from sales if the drug reaches the market.

The new drug uses a method called RNA interference to silence specific genes that drive disease. It targets a protein called activin receptor-like kinase 7, or ALK7, which is primarily expressed in fat cells. Unlike current peptide drugs designed to mimic gut hormones and affect appetite, this treatment acts directly on the biology of fat tissue. Rona claims its therapies offer the potential for longer duration and improved tolerability compared to existing options.

Roche jumped into obesity drug research with a major acquisition that one report dates to 2024 and another to 2023. These reports describe the purchase of Carmot Therapeutics for $2.7 billion, which gave Roche access to drugs targeting GLP-1 and GIP receptors. The Swiss firm is trying to catch up to Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk in metabolic medicines by building its pipeline through various deals.

Several other companies are testing RNA interference therapies in obesity as well. Wave Life Sciences has a drug designed to silence a gene that activates ALK7, while GSK licensed an ALK7-targeting agent from Siran Biotechnology earlier this year. Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals also have candidates targeting related genes or proteins in development.

Details about the company behind the drug vary between reports regarding its founding and the announcement timing. One report states Rona Therapeutics was formed in 2021, while another says it launched in 2022 with a Series A round. The deal announcement was also reported on as happening on Tuesday by one source and Thursday by the other.

Experts say obesity requires differentiated treatment options to address significant unmet medical needs. Roche executives stated they are committed to delivering next-generation metabolic therapies to complement their cardiovascular and renal disease pipeline. The new approach offers potential for use as a standalone treatment or in combination with established obesity drugs.