Biogen and Sangamo BioSciences have entered into a global exclusive licence agreement for the development of therapeutics for haemoglobin-based disorders resulting from inherited abnormalities in structure or production of blood cells. Under the terms of the agreement, Biogen will gain access to Sangamo's zincfinger nuclease (ZFN) genome-editing technology, which can target specific molecular players involved in the various pathways implicated in sickle cell disease (SCD) and beta-thalassemia, in return for an upfront payment of USD 20 million. Biogen will also cover all internal and external research and development (R&D) costs associated with the programme, and provide Sangamo with the potential to receive up to USD 300 million in development, regulatory, commercialisation, and sales milestone payments.

Under the terms of the licence agreement, Sangamo will also be entitled to receive double digit royalties on product sales. With this collaboration, Biogen anticipates to strengthen its portfolio in blood disorder indications and benefit from Sangamo's proprietary gene therapy technology to address underlying causes of these genetic disorders.