Delaware
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33-0336973
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(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
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2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, CA
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92010
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
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(Zip Code)
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Title of each class
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Name of each exchange on which registered
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Common Stock, $.001 Par Value
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The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC
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Large accelerated filer
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Accelerated filer
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Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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rr
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Smaller reporting company
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Emerging growth company
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* |
Excludes 22,738,285 shares of common stock held by directors and officers and by stockholders whose beneficial ownership is known by the Registrant to exceed 10 percent of the common stock outstanding at June 30, 2017. Exclusion of shares held by any person should not be construed to indicate that such person possesses the power, direct or indirect, to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of the Registrant, or that such person is controlled by or under common control with the Registrant.
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PART I
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Page
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Item 1.
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Business
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4
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Item 1A.
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Risk Factors
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37
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Item 1B.
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Unresolved Staff Comments
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46
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Item 2.
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Properties
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46
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Item 3.
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Legal Proceedings
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46
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Item 4.
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Mine Safety Disclosures
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46
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PART II
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Item 5.
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Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
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46
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Item 6.
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Selected Financial Data
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47
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Item 7.
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
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48
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Item 7A.
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
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69
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Item 8.
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Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
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69
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Item 9.
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Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
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69
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Item 9A.
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Controls and Procedures
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69
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Item 9B.
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Other Information
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71
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PART III
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||
Item 10.
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Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
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71
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Item 11.
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Executive Compensation
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71
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Item 12.
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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
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71
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Item 13.
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Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
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71
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Item 14.
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Principal Accounting Fees and Services
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71
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PART IV
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Item 15.
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Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
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72
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Signatures
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● |
SPINRAZA for SMA – one of the most successful orphan drug launches in history
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o |
SPINRAZA, commercialized by Biogen, generated 2017 global sales of $884 million
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o |
Results from the ENDEAR study and CHERISH study, in which people with infantile-onset and later-onset SMA, respectively, were treated with SPINRAZA, were published in The New England Journal of Medicine
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o |
Prestigious 2017 Prix Galien USA Award for Best Biotechnology Product awarded to us and Biogen for SPINRAZA
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o |
New collaboration with Biogen initiated to discover new antisense drugs with enhanced properties to treat SMA
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● |
Inotersen for hATTR – potential to transform the lives of people with hATTR
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o |
Marketing applications accepted, no FDA Advisory Committee recommended, Priority Review in the U.S. and Accelerated Assessment in the EU
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o |
Preparations for global launch, planned for mid-2018, progressing
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o |
Phase 3 NEURO-TTR study met both primary endpoints demonstrating benefit compared to placebo in multiple measures of quality of life and disease severity; 50 percent of inotersen-treated patients experienced improvement from baseline in quality of life
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● |
Volanesorsen for FCS and FPL – potential first treatment for people with FCS
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o |
Marketing applications accepted in the U.S., EU and Canada with Promising Innovative Medicine designation in the UK and Priority Review in Canada
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o |
Preparations for global launch for FCS, planned for mid-2018, progressing
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o |
Phase 3 APPROACH study met primary endpoint of reducing triglyceride levels in people with FCS
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● |
Pipeline Programs (early and mid-stage) – advancing wholly owned and partnered programs
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o |
Positive results from seven Phase 2 studies reported, including:
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o |
Robust, dose-dependent reductions of mHTT observed in people with Huntington’s disease treated with IONIS-HTTRx
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o |
Positive clinical data on five LICA drugs reported, demonstrating consistent, positive performance and sustained target reduction with potential for monthly or less frequent dosing
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o |
Positive results from six Phase 1 studies reported
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o |
Nine Phase 2 studies and four Phase 1 studies initiated across multiple therapeutic areas to treat people with both broad and rare diseases
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● |
Direct intervention in the disease process at the genetic level by targeting RNA: antisense technology represents a direct route from gene to drug. The explosion in genomic information and RNA biology has led to the discovery of many new disease-causing proteins and RNAs, and has created new opportunities that are only accessible to antisense technology.
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● |
Precise specificity: we design antisense drugs to target a single RNA, which minimizes or eliminates the possibility our drugs will bind to unintended targets which can cause unwanted side effects.
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● |
Good drug properties: antisense drugs distribute well throughout the body without the need for special formulations or vehicles. They also have a relatively long half-life of approximately two to four weeks in most tissues outside of the brain and spinal cord and three to four months in brain and spinal cord, which means patients and/or healthcare providers can dose our drugs weekly, monthly or even less frequently depending on the drug and target tissue.
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● |
Ability to combine with other drugs: because antisense drugs do not interact with the enzymes that metabolize or break down other drugs, physicians can use our drugs in combination with other drugs.
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● |
Broad applications to multiple disease targets, multiple tissues and multiple mechanisms: there are virtually no “undruggable” targets with antisense technology.
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● |
Efficient discovery and early development: because of the efficiency of our antisense technology, our drug discovery and early development costs and success rates compare favorably to small molecule or antibody drug discovery and development.
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● |
We have strategic partnerships through which we can broadly expand our drug discovery efforts to new disease targets in specific therapeutic areas. Our partners provide expertise, tools and resources to complement our drug discovery efforts. For instance, we established a broad strategic alliance with Biogen that pairs Biogen’s extensive resources and expertise in neurodegenerative diseases with our antisense technology. Together we are creating a franchise of novel drugs for neurodegenerative diseases that has the potential to expand both our pipeline and Biogen’s pipeline with promising new drugs. Most recently, we entered into a new collaboration agreement with Biogen to identify new antisense drugs for the treatment of SMA.
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● |
We have partnerships with companies that bring significant expertise and global resources to develop and potentially commercialize drugs for a particular therapeutic area. For example, in January 2017, we and Akcea initiated a collaboration with Novartis to develop and commercialize AKCEA-APO(a)-LRx and AKCEA-APOCIII-LRx. As a leader in the cardiovascular disease space, Novartis brings significant resources and expertise that should support the development and commercialization of these two drugs for significant high-risk patient populations. The collaboration with Novartis should enable us to accelerate the development of these drugs for broader patient populations as Novartis plans to conduct a cardiovascular outcome study for each of these drugs.
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● |
We also form early stage research and development partnerships that allow us to expand the application of our technology to new therapeutic areas. For example, we established a collaboration with Janssen in December 2014, which brings together our RNA-targeted technology platform and Janssen’s expertise in autoimmune disorders and therapeutic formulation to discover and develop antisense drugs to treat autoimmune disorders in the GI tract. Thus far, Janssen has licensed two drugs under our collaboration.
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● |
We also work with a consortium of companies that can exploit our drugs and technologies outside our primary areas of focus. We refer to these companies as satellite companies. Through our satellite company collaborations, we expand the reach and potential of RNA-targeting therapeutics into disease areas that are outside of our core focus. For example, in October 2017, Achaogen submitted an NDA to the FDA for plazomicin. Plazomicin is an aminoglycoside Achaogen discovered based on the technology we licensed to Achaogen and we are eligible to earn milestone payments and royalties under our licensing agreement.
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Type of Patent Claim
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Description
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|||
1. Chemically Modified Nucleosides and Oligonucleotides
2. Antisense Drug Design Motifs
3. Therapeutic Methods
4. Antisense Sequence
5. Drug Composition
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1. Target and sequence independent
2. Sequence independent
3. Chemistry independent
4. Specific claim to drug candidates
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Jurisdiction
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Patent No.
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|
Title
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|
Expiration
|
|
Description of Claims
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|
United States
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7,101,993
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|
OLIGONUCLEOTIDES CONTAINING 2’O-MODIFIED PURINES
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2023
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Covers certain MOE nucleosides and oligonucleotides containing these nucleotides.
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United States
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7,399,845
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6-MODIFIED BICYCLIC NUCLEIC ACID ANALOGS
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2027
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Covers our cEt nucleosides and oligonucleotides containing these nucleoside analogs.
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United States
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7,741,457
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6-MODIFIED BICYCLIC NUCLEIC ACID ANALOGS
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2027
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Covers our cEt nucleosides and oligonucleotides containing these nucleoside analogs.
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|
United States
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8,022,193
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6-MODIFIED BICYCLIC NUCLEIC ACID ANALOGS
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2027
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Covers oligonucleotides containing cEt nucleoside analogs.
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United States
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7,569,686
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COMPOUNDS AND METHODS FOR SYNTHESIS OF BICYCLIC NUCLEIC ACID ANALOGS
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2027
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Covers methods of synthesizing our cEt nucleosides.
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||||
Europe
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EP1984381
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6-MODIFIED BICYCLIC NUCLEIC ACID ANALOGS
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2027
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Covers our cEt nucleosides and oligonucleotides containing these nucleoside analogs.
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||||
Europe
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EP2314594
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6-MODIFIED BICYCLIC NUCLEIC ACID ANALOGS
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2027
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Covers our cEt oligonucleotides and methods of use.
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||||
Japan
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JP5342881
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6-MODIFIED BICYCLIC NUCLEIC ACID ANALOGS
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2027
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Covers our cEt nucleosides and oligonucleotides containing these nucleoside analogs.
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Jurisdiction
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|
Patent/
Application No.
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|
Title
|
|
Expiration
|
|
Description of Claims
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United States
|
|
7,015,315
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GAPPED OLIGONUCLEOTIDES
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2023
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2’-O-alkyl-O-alkyl gapmer oligonucleotides.
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Europe
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EP2021472
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COMPOUNDS AND METHODS FOR MODULATING GENE EXPRESSION
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2027
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Short gapmer oligonucleotides, having wings of 2 bicyclic nucleosides, and a gap of 10 deoxynucleotides for the treatment of cardiovascular or metabolic disorders
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United States
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7,750,131
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5’-MODIFIED BICYCLIC NUCLEIC ACID ANALOGS
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2027
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5’-Methy BNA containing gapmer compounds
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Europe
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EP2092065
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ANTISENSE COMPOUNDS
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2027
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|
Gapmer compounds having wings comprised of 2’-modifed and LNA nucleosides
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Europe
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EP2410053
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ANTISENSE COMPOUNDS
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2027
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Gapmer compounds having wings comprised of 2’-MOE and bicyclic nucleosides
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||||
Japan
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JP 5665317
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ANTISENSE COMPOUNDS
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2027
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Gapmer compounds having wings comprised of 2’-MOE and bicyclic nucleosides
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||||
Europe
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EP2673361
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OLIGOMERIC COMPOUNDS COMPRISING BICYCLIC NUCLEOTIDES AND USES THEREOF
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2032
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Gapmer having at least one bicyclic nucleoside, 2’-modified nucleoside, and 2’-deoxynucleoside in either the 5’- or 3’-wing.
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Jurisdiction
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|
Patent/
Application No.
|
|
Title
|
|
Expiration
|
|
Description of Claims
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United States
|
|
9,127,276
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|
CONJUGATED ANTISENSE COMPOUNDS AND THEIR USE
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|
2034
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|
Covers our primary THA LICA conjugated to any group of nucleosides, including gapmers, double-stranded siRNA compounds, and fully modified oligonucleotides
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United States
|
|
9,181,549
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CONJUGATED ANTISENSE COMPOUNDS AND THEIR USE
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2034
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Covers our primary THA conjugate having our preferred linker and cleavable moiety conjugated to any oligomeric compound or any nucleoside having a 2’-MOE modification or a cEt modification
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Jurisdiction
|
|
Patent No.
|
|
Title
|
|
Expiration
|
|
Description of Claims
|
United States
|
|
6,210,892
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|
ALTERATION OF CELLULAR BEHAVIOR BY MODULATION OF MRNA PROCESSING
|
|
2018
|
|
Altering mRNA processing with a fully modified 2’MOE oligonucleotide.
|
United States
|
|
8,361,977
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|
COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR MODULATION OF SMN2 SPLICING
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|
2030
|
|
Sequence and chemistry (full 2’-MOE) of SPINRAZA
|
Europe
|
|
1910395
|
|
COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR MODULATION OF SMN2 SPLICING
|
|
2026
|
|
Sequence and chemistry (full 2’-MOE) of SPINRAZA
|
United States
|
|
7,838,657
|
|
SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY (SMA) TREATMENT VIA TARGETING OF SMN2 SPLICE SITE INHIBITORY SEQUENCES
|
|
2027
|
|
Oligonucleotides having sequence of SPINRAZA (chemistry independent)
|
United States
|
|
8,110,560
|
|
SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY (SMA) TREATMENT VIA TARGETING OF SMN2 SPLICE SITE INHIBITORY SEQUENCES
|
|
2025
|
|
Methods of using antisense oligonucleotides having sequence of SPINRAZA to alter splicing of SMN2 and/or to treat SMA
|
United States
|
8,980,853
|
COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR MODULATION OF SMN2 SPLICING IN A SUBJECT
|
2030
|
Methods of administering SPINRAZA
|
Jurisdiction
|
|
Patent No.
|
|
Title
|
|
Expiration
|
|
Description of Claims
|
United States
|
9,624,496
|
MODULATION OF APOLIPOPROTEIN C-III EXPRESSION
|
2023
|
Antisense compound specifically hybridizable within the nucleotide region of apoCIII targeted by volanesorsen
|
||||
United States
|
|
7,598,227
|
|
MODULATION OF APOLIPOPROTEIN C-III EXPRESSION
|
|
2023
|
|
Methods of treating hyperlipidemia, lowering cholesterol levels or lowering triglyceride levels with volanesorsen
|
United States
|
|
7,750,141
|
|
MODULATION OF APOLIPOPROTEIN C-III EXPRESSION
|
|
2023
|
|
Antisense sequence and chemistry of volanesorsen
|
Europe
|
|
EP1622597
|
|
MODULATION OF APOLIPOPROTEIN C-III EXPRESSION
|
|
2024
|
|
Antisense sequence and chemistry of volanesorsen
|
Europe
|
EP2441449
|
MODULATION OF APOLIPOPROTEIN C-III EXPRESSION
|
2024
|
Antisense compound specifically hybridizable within the nucleotide region of apoCIII targeted by volanesorsen
|
||||
United States
|
9,157,082
|
MODULATION OF APOLIPOPROTEIN CIII (APOCIII) EXPRESSION
|
2032
|
Methods of using APOCIII antisense oligonucleotides for reducing pancreatitis and chylomicronemia and increasing HDL
|
||||
Japan
|
JP 6203707
|
MODULATION OF APOLIPOPROTEIN CIII (APOCIII) EXPRESSION
|
2032
|
Methods of using APOCIII antisense oligonucleotides having the sequence of volanesorsen for treating pancreatitis
|
||||
United States
|
9,593,333
|
MODULATION OF APOLIPOPROTEIN C-III (APOCIII) EXPRESSION IN LIPOPROTEIN LIPASE DEFICIENT (LPLD) POPULATIONS
|
2034
|
Methods of using APOCIII specific inhibitors for treating lipoprotein lipase deficiency
|
Jurisdiction
|
|
Patent No.
|
|
Title
|
|
Expiration
|
|
Description of Claims
|
United States
|
|
8,101,743
|
|
MODULATION OF TRANSTHYRETIN EXPRESSION
|
|
2025
|
|
Antisense sequence and chemistry of inotersen
|
United States
|
|
8,697,860
|
|
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF DISEASE
|
|
2031
|
|
Composition of inotersen
|
United States
|
9,061,044
|
MODULATION OF TRANSTHYRETIN EXPRESSION
|
2031
|
Sodium salt composition of inotersen
|
||||
United States
|
9,399,774
|
MODULATION OF TRANSTHYRETIN EXPRESSION
|
2031
|
Methods of treating transthyretin amyloidosis by administering inotersen
|
||||
Japan
|
JP5896175
|
MODULATION OF TRANSTHYRETIN EXPRESSION
|
2031
|
Composition of inotersen
|
||||
Europe
|
EP2563920
|
MODULATION OF TRANSTHYRETIN EXPRESSION
|
2031
|
Composition of inotersen
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Drug
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Company
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Drug Description
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Phase
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Admin/Dosing
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Efficacy(1)
|
Safety(1)
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AVXS-101
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AveXis
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Gene therapy that corrects the SMN1 gene using the
AAV9 Vector
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Pivotal
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Infusion
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As of January 20, 2017, in the Phase 1 OLE, the 12 patients taking the proposed therapeutic dose of AVXS-101 were event free and were a median age of 20.2 months at their last follow up appointment. Additionally, 10 out of the 12 patients achieved the ability to sit unassisted for at least 5 seconds, including one patient whose achievement of this milestone was confirmed after January 20, 2017.
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Generally well tolerated to date, no new treatment-related SAEs or AEs observed
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RG7916
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PTC Therapeutics/ Roche/ SMA Foundation
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A small molecule drug that modulates splicing of the SMN2 gene
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2
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Oral
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None reported
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Safe and well tolerated at all doses and had no drug-related or safety-related study withdrawals.
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LMI070
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Novartis
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A small molecule drug that modulates splicing of the
SMN2 gene
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1/2
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Oral
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None reported
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Study was placed on clinical hold in May 2016 due to safety findings reported in animal studies. The clinical hold was removed in September 2017 and dosing resumed along with additional monitoring.
|
(1) |
Taken from public documents including respective company press releases, company presentations, and scientific presentations.
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Drug
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Company
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Drug Description
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Phase
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Admin/Dosing
|
Efficacy(1)
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Safety(1)
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Metreleptin
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Novelion Therapeutics
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A synthetic form of the hormone leptin
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3
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Reconstituted subcutaneous injection
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44.4% mean reduction in triglycerides at four months in patients with abnormal triglyceride levels
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Anti-metreleptin antibodies, hypoglycemia, hypersensitivity, risk of T-cell lymphoma
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Gemcabene
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Gemphire Therapeutics
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Monocalcium salt of a dialkyl ether dicarboxylic acid
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2
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Oral, once-daily
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In a post hoc analysis (n=9) of patients with triglycerides >500 mg/dl, reductions of 59% and 60% from 150mg and 300mg doses, respectively, were observed
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In a recent study, in the gemcabene-treatment group, the
most frequently occurring adverse events were headache and infection
|
(1) |
Taken from public documents including respective company press releases, company presentations, and scientific presentations.
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Drug
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Company
|
Drug Description
|
Phase
|
Admin/Dosing
|
Efficacy(1)
|
Safety(1)
|
Patisiran
|
Alnylam
|
An RNAi drug formulated with lipid nanoparticles to inhibit TTR mRNA
|
Registration
|
Infusion every 3 weeks with pre-treatment with steroids
|
84.3% mean reduction in TTR at 18 months
|
Most common adverse events more frequently observed in patisiran arm vs. placebo were peripheral edema (29.7% vs.
22.1%) and infusion-related reactions (18.9% vs. 9.1%)
|
Tafamidis
|
Pfizer
|
A small molecule drug to stabilize TTR Protein
|
3 to support refiling in the U.S., Approved in the EU
|
Daily oral capsule
|
In 45% of people taking Tafamidis, nerve function either improved or stabilized, compared with 30% of patients taking placebo
|
Urinary tract infection, vaginal infection, upper abdominal pain and diarrhea
|
Diflunisal
|
N/A Generic
|
A non-steroid anti-inflammatory agent
|
Approved (but not for ATTR)
|
Daily oral capsule/doses
|
Improved nerve function as shown by lower Neuropathy Impairment Score plus 7 nerve tests, or NIS+7. The NIS+7 score increased by 25.0 points in the placebo group versus 8.7 points in the diflunisal group
|
In two studies repurposing diflunisal for use in TTR amyloidosis, drug-related adverse events that led to discontinuation were: gastrointestinal bleeding, low platelets, deterioration of renal function, congestive heart failure, glaucoma and nausea.
|
Tolcapone
|
SOM Biotech
|
Small molecule repurposed generic drug
|
2
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Daily oral dose
|
Shows binding and stabilization of TTR in humans
|
No drug related adverse events reported
|
ALN-TTRsc02
|
Alnylam
|
An RNAi drug conjugated with GalNAC to inhibit TTR mRNA in liver cells
|
1
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Monthly or quarterly
|
In healthy volunteers, a single dose showed mean max TTR knockdown of 97%
|
Injection site reactions were reported
|
(1) |
Taken from public documents including respective company press releases, company presentations, and scientific presentations. Diflunisal efficacy and safety came from the published papers of two investigator sponsored studies, Berk JL, Suhr OB, Obici L, et al. Repurposing Diflunisal for Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2013;310(24):2658-2667 and Sekijima YS, Toja K, Morita H, et al. Safety and efficacy of long-term diflunisal administration in hereditary transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis. Amyloid. 2015;22(2):79-83.
|
Name
|
|
Age
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|
Position
|
Stanley T. Crooke, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
72
|
|
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
|
Brett P. Monia, Ph.D.
|
|
56
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Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President, Drug Discovery and Corporate Development
|
|
C. Frank Bennett, Ph.D.
|
|
61
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|
Senior Vice President, Antisense Research
|
Sarah Boyce
|
46
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Chief Business Officer
|
||
Richard S. Geary, Ph.D.
|
|
60
|
|
Senior Vice President, Development
|
Elizabeth L. Hougen
|
|
56
|
|
Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
|
Patrick R. O’Neil, Esq.
|
|
44
|
|
Senior Vice President, Legal, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary
|
● |
receipt and scope of marketing authorizations;
|
● |
establishment and demonstration in the medical and patient community of the efficacy and safety of our drugs and their potential advantages over competing products;
|
● |
cost and effectiveness of our drugs compared to other available therapies;
|
● |
patient convenience of the dosing regimen for our drugs; and
|
● |
reimbursement policies of government and third-party payors.
|
● |
priced lower than our drugs;
|
● |
reimbursed more favorably by government and other third-party payors than our drugs;
|
● |
safer than our drugs;
|
● |
more effective than our drugs; or
|
● |
more convenient to use than our drugs.
|
● |
fund our development activities for SPINRAZA;
|
● |
seek and obtain regulatory approvals for SPINRAZA; and
|
● |
successfully commercialize SPINRAZA.
|
● |
the clinical study may produce negative or inconclusive results;
|
● |
regulators may require that we hold, suspend or terminate clinical research for noncompliance with regulatory requirements;
|
● |
we, our partners, the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities could suspend or terminate a clinical study due to adverse side effects of a drug on subjects in the trial;
|
● |
we may decide, or regulators may require us, to conduct additional preclinical testing or clinical studies;
|
● |
enrollment in our clinical studies may be slower than we anticipate;
|
● |
people who enroll in the clinical study may later drop out due to adverse events, a perception they are not benefiting from participating in the study, fatigue with the clinical study process or personal issues;
|
● |
the cost of our clinical studies may be greater than we anticipate; and
|
● |
the supply or quality of our drugs or other materials necessary to conduct our clinical studies may be insufficient, inadequate or delayed.
|
● |
conduct clinical studies;
|
● |
seek and obtain marketing authorization; and
|
● |
manufacture, market and sell our drugs.
|
● |
pursue alternative technologies or develop alternative products that may be competitive with the drug that is part of the collaboration with us;
|
● |
pursue higher-priority programs or change the focus of its own development programs; or
|
● |
choose to devote fewer resources to our drugs than it does for its own drugs.
|
● |
successful commercialization for SPINRAZA;
|
● |
marketing approvals for volanesorsen and inotersen;
|
● |
the profile and launch timing of our drugs, including volanesorsen and inotersen;
|
● |
changes in existing collaborative relationships and our ability to establish and maintain additional collaborative arrangements;
|
● |
continued scientific progress in our research, drug discovery and development programs;
|
● |
the size of our programs and progress with preclinical and clinical studies;
|
● |
the time and costs involved in obtaining marketing authorizations; and
|
● |
competing technological and market developments, including the introduction by others of new therapies that address our markets.
|
● |
interruption of our research, development and manufacturing efforts;
|
● |
injury to our employees and others;
|
● |
environmental damage resulting in costly clean up; and
|
● |
liabilities under federal, state and local laws and regulations governing health and human safety, as well as the use, storage, handling and disposal of these materials and resultant waste products.
|
Property Description
|
Location
|
Square Footage
|
Owned or Leased
|
Initial Lease Term End Date
|
Lease Extension Options
|
|||||
Ionis laboratory and office space facility
|
Carlsbad, CA
|
176,000
|
Owned
|
|||||||
Ionis manufacturing facility
|
Carlsbad, CA
|
28,700
|
Owned
|
|||||||
Ionis manufacturing support facility
|
Carlsbad, CA
|
25,800
|
Leased
|
2021
|
Two, five-year options to extend
|
|||||
Akcea office space facility
|
Cambridge, MA
|
6,100
|
Leased
|
2018
|
None
|
|||||
Akcea office space facility
|
Cambridge, MA
|
3,100
|
Leased
|
2020
|
None
|
|||||
239,700
|
Item 5. |
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
|
|
HIGH
|
LOW
|
||||||
2017
|
||||||||
First Quarter
|
$
|
56.91
|
$
|
37.29
|
||||
Second Quarter
|
$
|
55.73
|
$
|
37.26
|
||||
Third Quarter
|
$
|
60.01
|
$
|
43.75
|
||||
Fourth Quarter
|
$
|
65.51
|
$
|
50.02
|
||||
2016
|
||||||||
First Quarter
|
$
|
62.68
|
$
|
30.93
|
||||
Second Quarter
|
$
|
46.75
|
$
|
19.59
|
||||
Third Quarter
|
$
|
40.82
|
$
|
23.26
|
||||
Fourth Quarter
|
$
|
57.00
|
$
|
24.58
|
|
Dec-12
|
Dec-13
|
Dec-14
|
Dec-15
|
Dec-16
|
Dec-17
|
||||||||||||||||||
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
|
$
|
100.00
|
$
|
381.61
|
$
|
591.38
|
$
|
593.20
|
$
|
458.14
|
$
|
481.80
|
||||||||||||
Nasdaq Composite Index
|
$
|
100.00
|
$
|
141.63
|
$
|
162.09
|
$
|
173.33
|
$
|
187.19
|
$
|
242.29
|
||||||||||||
Nasdaq Biotechnology Index
|
$
|
100.00
|
$
|
174.05
|
$
|
230.33
|
$
|
244.29
|
$
|
194.95
|
$
|
228.29
|
(1) |
This section is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC, is not subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act and is not to be incorporated by reference in any of our filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||||||||||
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue
|
$
|
507,666
|
$
|
346,620
|
$
|
283,703
|
$
|
214,161
|
$
|
147,285
|
||||||||||
Research, development and patent expenses
|
$
|
374,644
|
$
|
344,320
|
$
|
322,292
|
$
|
241,751
|
$
|
184,033
|
||||||||||
Net loss attributable to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. common stockholders
|
$
|
(5,970
|
)
|
$
|
(86,556
|
)
|
$
|
(88,278
|
)
|
$
|
(38,984
|
)
|
$
|
(60,644
|
)
|
|||||
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. common stockholders
|
$
|
0.08
|
$
|
(0.72
|
)
|
$
|
(0.74
|
)
|
$
|
(0.33
|
)
|
$
|
(0.55
|
)
|
||||||
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. common stockholders
|
$
|
0.08
|
$
|
(0.72
|
)
|
$
|
(0.74
|
)
|
$
|
(0.33
|
)
|
$
|
(0.55
|
)
|
||||||
Shares used in computing basic net income (loss) per share
|
124,016
|
120,933
|
119,719
|
117,691
|
110,502
|
|||||||||||||||
Shares used in computing diluted net income (loss) per share
|
126,098
|
120,933
|
119,719
|
117,691
|
110,502
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||||||||||
Consolidated Balance Sheet:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
|
$
|
1,022,715
|
$
|
665,223
|
$
|
779,183
|
$
|
728,832
|
$
|
656,761
|
||||||||||
Working capital
|
$
|
943,243
|
$
|
664,148
|
$
|
688,127
|
$
|
721,265
|
$
|
637,698
|
||||||||||
Total assets
|
$
|
1,322,024
|
$
|
912,467
|
$
|
947,900
|
$
|
946,471
|
$
|
843,267
|
||||||||||
Long-term debt and other obligations, less current portion
|
$
|
678,564
|
$
|
679,118
|
$
|
598,234
|
$
|
588,896
|
$
|
367,065
|
||||||||||
Accumulated deficit
|
$
|
(1,187,398
|
)
|
$
|
(1,181,428
|
)
|
$
|
(1,094,872
|
)
|
$
|
(1,006,594
|
)
|
$
|
(967,610
|
)
|
|||||
Stockholders’ equity
|
$
|
418,719
|
$
|
99,565
|
$
|
200,790
|
$
|
257,780
|
$
|
378,390
|
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
||||||||||
Total revenue
|
$
|
507,666
|
$
|
346,620
|
$
|
283,703
|
||||||
Total operating expenses
|
$
|
483,132
|
$
|
392,936
|
$
|
359,465
|
||||||
Income (loss) from operations
|
$
|
24,534
|
$
|
(46,316
|
)
|
$
|
(75,762
|
)
|
||||
Net loss
|
$
|
(17,296
|
)
|
$
|
(86,556
|
)
|
$
|
(88,278
|
)
|
|||
Net loss attributable to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. common stockholders
|
$
|
(5,970
|
)
|
$
|
(86,556
|
)
|
$
|
(88,278
|
)
|
|||
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
|
$
|
1,022,715
|
$
|
665,223
|
$
|
779,183
|
|
Assessing the propriety of revenue recognition and associated deferred revenue;
|
|
Determining the proper valuation of investments in marketable securities;
|
|
Determining the appropriate cost estimates for unbilled preclinical studies and clinical development activities;
|
|
Estimating the impact of the Tax Act and our net deferred income tax asset valuation allowance;
|
|
Determining the fair value of convertible debt without the conversion feature; and
|
|
Valuing premiums under our and Akcea’s Novartis collaboration.
|
● |
The exclusive license we granted to Bayer to develop and commercialize IONIS-FXI-LRx for the treatment of thrombosis;
|
● |
The development services we agreed to perform for IONIS-FXI-LRx and IONIS-FXIRx; and
|
● |
The remaining undelivered IONIS-FXIRx API that was part of the original agreement.
|
● |
Estimated future product sales;
|
● |
Estimated royalties on future product sales;
|
● |
Contractual milestone payments;
|
● |
Expenses we expect to incur;
|
● |
Income taxes; and
|
● |
An appropriate discount rate.
|
● |
The number of internal hours we will spend performing these services;
|
● |
The estimated cost of work we will perform;
|
● |
The estimated cost of work that we will contract with third parties to perform; and
|
● |
The estimated cost of API we will use.
|
● |
$64.9 million to the IONIS-FXI-LRx exclusive license;
|
● |
$11.0 million for development services for IONIS-FXI-LRx and IONIS-FXIRx; and
|
● |
$0.4 million for the remaining delivery of IONIS-FXIRx API.
|
● |
We recognized the portion of the consideration attributed to the IONIS-FXI-LRx license in the first quarter of 2017 because we delivered the license and earned the revenue;
|
● |
We are recognizing the amount attributed to the development services for IONIS-FXI-LRx and IONIS-FXIRx over the period of time we are performing the services; and
|
● |
We are recognizing the amount attributed to the remaining API supply as we deliver it to Bayer.
|
● |
Designation of a development candidate. Following the designation of a development candidate, IND-enabling animal studies for a new development candidate generally take 12 to 18 months to complete.
|
● |
Initiation of a Phase 1 clinical trial. Generally, Phase 1 clinical trials take one to two years to complete.
|
● |
Initiation or completion of a Phase 2 clinical trial. Generally, Phase 2 clinical trials take one to three years to complete.
|
● |
Initiation or completion of a Phase 3 clinical trial. Generally, Phase 3 clinical trials take two to four years to complete.
|
● |
Filing of regulatory applications for marketing authorization such as a New Drug Application, or NDA, in the United States or a Marketing Authorization Application, or MAA, in Europe. Generally, it takes six to twelve months to prepare and submit regulatory filings.
|
● |
Obtaining marketing authorization in a major market, such as the United States, Europe or Japan. Generally it takes one to two years after an application is submitted to obtain authorization from the applicable regulatory agency.
|
● |
First commercial sale in a particular market, such as in the United States or Europe.
|
● |
Product sales in excess of a pre-specified threshold, such as annual sales exceeding $1 billion. The amount of time to achieve this type of milestone depends on several factors including but not limited to the dollar amount of the threshold, the pricing of the product and the pace at which customers begin using the product.
|
● |
Substantive uncertainty exists as to the achievement of the milestone event at the inception of the arrangement;
|
● |
The achievement of the milestone involves substantive effort and can only be achieved based in whole or in part on our performance or the occurrence of a specific outcome resulting from our performance;
|
● |
The amount of the milestone payment appears reasonable either in relation to the effort expended or to the enhancement of the value of the delivered items;
|
● |
There is no future performance required to earn the milestone; and
|
● |
The consideration is reasonable relative to all deliverables and payment terms in the arrangement.
|
● |
$28.4 million for the premium paid by Novartis for its purchase of our common stock in the first quarter of 2017; and
|
● |
$5.0 million for the potential premium Novartis would have paid if it had purchased our common stock in the future at a premium.
|
● |
$118 million in milestone payments from Biogen, including $90 million in approval milestone payments for SPINRAZA, $15 million in milestone payments for validating two undisclosed neurological disease targets and $10 million for initiating a Phase 1/2a study of IONIS-MAPTRx;
|
● |
$65 million from Bayer for the license of IONIS-FXI-LRx;
|
● |
$48 million from Roche primarily for the license of IONIS-HTTRx;
|
● |
$10 million from Janssen for the license of IONIS-JBI2-2.5Rx and initiation of a Phase 1 study of IONIS-JBI1-2.5Rx:
|
● |
$115 million from the amortization of upfront fees; and
|
● |
$29.6 million primarily from services we performed for our partners.
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
Ionis Core
|
$
|
305,352
|
$
|
260,233
|
||||
Akcea Therapeutics
|
146,332
|
73,363
|
||||||
Elimination of intercompany activity
|
(54,527
|
)
|
(12,768
|
)
|
||||
Subtotal
|
397,157
|
320,828
|
||||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
85,975
|
72,108
|
||||||
Total operating expenses
|
$
|
483,132
|
$
|
392,936
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
Research, development and patent expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
$
|
310,123
|
$
|
289,221
|
||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
64,521
|
55,099
|
||||||
Total research, development and patent expenses
|
$
|
374,644
|
$
|
344,320
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
Ionis Core
|
$
|
246,390
|
$
|
238,106
|
||||
Akcea Therapeutics
|
118,260
|
63,883
|
||||||
Elimination of intercompany activity
|
(54,527
|
)
|
(12,768
|
)
|
||||
Subtotal
|
310,123
|
289,221
|
||||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
64,521
|
55,099
|
||||||
Total research, development and patent expenses
|
$
|
374,644
|
$
|
344,320
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
Antisense drug discovery expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
$
|
56,160
|
$
|
51,028
|
||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
15,203
|
13,589
|
||||||
Total antisense drug discovery expenses
|
$
|
71,363
|
$
|
64,617
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
SPINRAZA
|
$
|
10,996
|
$
|
43,868
|
||||
Volanesorsen
|
22,524
|
26,285
|
||||||
Inotersen
|
24,880
|
22,939
|
||||||
Other antisense development projects
|
70,009
|
42,999
|
||||||
Development overhead expenses
|
43,784
|
39,398
|
||||||
Total antisense drug development, excluding non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
172,193
|
175,489
|
||||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
25,737
|
20,116
|
||||||
Total antisense drug development expenses
|
$
|
197,930
|
$
|
195,605
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
Ionis Core
|
$
|
122,163
|
$
|
132,418
|
||||
Akcea Therapeutics
|
98,425
|
43,071
|
||||||
Elimination of intercompany activity
|
(48,395
|
)
|
—
|
|||||
Subtotal
|
172,193
|
175,489
|
||||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
25,737
|
20,116
|
||||||
Total antisense drug development expenses
|
$
|
197,930
|
$
|
195,605
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
Medical affairs expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
$
|
9,097
|
$
|
3,568
|
||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
2,588
|
1,264
|
||||||
Total medical affairs expenses
|
$
|
11,685
|
$
|
4,832
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
Ionis Core
|
$
|
1,771
|
$
|
—
|
||||
Akcea Therapeutics
|
7,326
|
3,568
|
||||||
Subtotal
|
9,097
|
3,568
|
||||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
2,588
|
1,264
|
||||||
Total medical affairs expenses
|
$
|
11,685
|
$
|
4,832
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
Manufacturing and operations expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
$
|
43,526
|
$
|
30,148
|
||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
6,904
|
6,113
|
||||||
Total manufacturing and operations expenses
|
$
|
50,430
|
$
|
36,261
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
Ionis Core
|
$
|
39,098
|
$
|
27,341
|
||||
Akcea Therapeutics
|
10,440
|
15,455
|
||||||
Elimination of intercompany activity
|
(6,012
|
)
|
(12,648
|
)
|
||||
Subtotal
|
43,526
|
30,148
|
||||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
6,904
|
6,113
|
||||||
Total manufacturing and operations expenses
|
$
|
50,430
|
$
|
36,261
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
Personnel costs
|
$
|
11,432
|
$
|
11,560
|
||||
Occupancy
|
8,236
|
7,891
|
||||||
Patent expenses
|
2,095
|
3,945
|
||||||
Depreciation and amortization
|
249
|
245
|
||||||
Insurance
|
1,735
|
1,344
|
||||||
Other
|
5,400
|
4,003
|
||||||
Total R&D support expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
29,147
|
28,988
|
||||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
14,089
|
14,017
|
||||||
Total R&D support expenses
|
$
|
43,236
|
$
|
43,005
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
Ionis Core
|
$
|
27,198
|
$
|
27,319
|
||||
Akcea Therapeutics
|
2,069
|
1,789
|
||||||
Elimination of intercompany activity
|
(120
|
)
|
(120
|
)
|
||||
Subtotal
|
29,147
|
28,988
|
||||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
14,089
|
14,017
|
||||||
Total R&D support expenses
|
$
|
43,236
|
$
|
43,005
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
$
|
87,034
|
$
|
31,607
|
||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
21,454
|
17,009
|
||||||
Total selling, general and administrative expenses
|
$
|
108,488
|
$
|
48,616
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
Ionis Core
|
$
|
58,962
|
$
|
22,127
|
||||
Akcea Therapeutics
|
28,072
|
9,480
|
||||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
21,454
|
17,009
|
||||||
Total selling general and administrative expenses
|
$
|
108,488
|
$
|
48,616
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
Development and patent expenses
|
$
|
118,260
|
$
|
63,883
|
||||
General and administrative expenses
|
28,072
|
9,480
|
||||||
Total operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
146,332
|
73,363
|
||||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
17,539
|
10,149
|
||||||
Total Akcea Therapeutics operating expenses
|
$
|
163,871
|
$
|
83,512
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
Convertible notes:
|
||||||||
Non-cash amortization of the debt discount and debt issuance costs
|
$
|
32,536
|
$
|
25,115
|
||||
Interest expense payable in cash
|
7,090
|
6,684
|
||||||
Non-cash interest expense for long-term financing liability
|
3,352
|
6,693
|
||||||
Interest on mortgage for primary R&D and manufacturing facilities
|
1,103
|
—
|
||||||
Other
|
671
|
303
|
||||||
Total interest expense
|
$
|
44,752
|
$
|
38,795
|
|
$170 million from Biogen for FDA approval, licensing and advancing the Phase 3 program for SPINRAZA;
|
|
$53 million from AstraZeneca for advancing and licensing IONIS-KRAS-2.5Rx and selecting IONIS-AZ4-2.5-LRx to move into development;
|
|
$15 million from Janssen for licensing IONIS-JBI1-2.5Rx and selecting an additional development candidate;
|
|
$7.5 million from Biogen for advancing IONIS-SOD1Rx, IONIS-BIIB4Rx and IONIS-BIIB6Rx;
|
|
$61 million from the amortization of upfront fees; and
|
|
$19.4 million primarily from the manufacturing services we performed for our partners.
|
|
During 2016, we were conducting five Phase 3 studies and three open-label extension studies for SPINRAZA, inotersen and volanesorsen. We completed target enrollment in four of these Phase 3 studies at the end of 2015, and as a result, these studies were in their most expensive stage during 2016.
|
|
Akcea’s operating expenses increased as it continued to build its commercial infrastructure and advance the pre-commercialization activities necessary to successfully launch volanesorsen, if approved for marketing.
|
|
Our non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards increased due to an increase in the exercise price of the stock options we have granted over the past several years.
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2016
|
2015
|
|||||||
Ionis Core
|
$
|
260,233
|
$
|
256,674
|
||||
Akcea Therapeutics
|
73,363
|
46,252
|
||||||
Elimination of intercompany activity
|
(12,768
|
)
|
(2,775
|
)
|
||||
Subtotal
|
320,828
|
300,151
|
||||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
72,108
|
59,314
|
||||||
Total operating expenses
|
$
|
392,936
|
$
|
359,465
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2016
|
2015
|
|||||||
Research, development and patent expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
$
|
289,221
|
$
|
278,654
|
||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
55,099
|
43,638
|
||||||
Total research, development and patent expenses
|
$
|
344,320
|
$
|
322,292
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2016
|
2015
|
|||||||
Ionis Core
|
$
|
238,106
|
$
|
240,061
|
||||
Akcea Therapeutics
|
63,883
|
41,368
|
||||||
Elimination of intercompany activity
|
(12,768
|
)
|
(2,775
|
)
|
||||
Subtotal
|
289,221
|
278,654
|
||||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
55,099
|
43,638
|
||||||
Total research, development and patent expenses
|
$
|
344,320
|
$
|
322,292
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2016
|
2015
|
|||||||
Antisense drug discovery expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
$
|
51,028
|
$
|
49,331
|
||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
13,589
|
11,914
|
||||||
Total antisense drug discovery expenses
|
$
|
64,617
|
$
|
61,245
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2016
|
2015
|
|||||||
SPINRAZA
|
$
|
43,868
|
$
|
35,164
|
||||
Volanesorsen
|
26,285
|
21,348
|
||||||
Inotersen
|
22,939
|
19,560
|
||||||
Other antisense development products
|
42,999
|
59,599
|
||||||
Development overhead expenses
|
39,398
|
36,117
|
||||||
Total antisense drug development, excluding non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
175,489
|
171,788
|
||||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
20,116
|
16,108
|
||||||
Total antisense drug development expenses
|
$
|
195,605
|
$
|
187,896
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2016
|
2015
|
|||||||
Ionis Core
|
$
|
132,418
|
$
|
137,092
|
||||
Akcea Therapeutics
|
43,071
|
34,696
|
||||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
20,116
|
16,108
|
||||||
Total antisense drug development expenses
|
$
|
195,605
|
$
|
187,896
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2016
|
2015
|
|||||||
Medical affairs expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
$
|
3,568
|
$
|
429
|
||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
1,264
|
100
|
||||||
Total medical affairs expenses
|
$
|
4,832
|
$
|
529
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2016
|
2015
|
|||||||
Manufacturing and operations expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
$
|
30,148
|
$
|
28,588
|
||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
6,113
|
4,563
|
||||||
Total manufacturing and operations expenses
|
$
|
36,261
|
$
|
33,151
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2016
|
2015
|
|||||||
Ionis Core
|
$
|
27,341
|
$
|
25,632
|
||||
Akcea Therapeutics
|
15,455
|
5,611
|
||||||
Elimination of intercompany activity
|
(12,648
|
)
|
(2,655
|
)
|
||||
Subtotal
|
30,148
|
28,588
|
||||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
6,113
|
4,563
|
||||||
Total manufacturing and operations expenses
|
$
|
36,261
|
$
|
33,151
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2016
|
2015
|
|||||||
Personnel costs
|
$
|
11,560
|
$
|
10,210
|
||||
Occupancy
|
7,891
|
7,854
|
||||||
Patent expenses
|
3,945
|
2,785
|
||||||
Depreciation and amortization
|
245
|
2,911
|
||||||
Insurance
|
1,344
|
1,320
|
||||||
Other
|
4,003
|
3,438
|
||||||
Total R&D support expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
28,988
|
28,518
|
||||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
14,017
|
10,953
|
||||||
Total R&D support expenses
|
$
|
43,005
|
$
|
39,471
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2016
|
2015
|
|||||||
Ionis Core
|
$
|
27,319
|
$
|
28,005
|
||||
Akcea Therapeutics
|
1,789
|
633
|
||||||
Elimination of intercompany activity
|
(120
|
)
|
(120
|
)
|
||||
Subtotal
|
28,988
|
28,518
|
||||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
14,017
|
10,953
|
||||||
Total R&D support expenses
|
$
|
43,005
|
$
|
39,471
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2016
|
2015
|
|||||||
General and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
$
|
31,607
|
$
|
21,497
|
||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
17,009
|
15,676
|
||||||
Total general and administrative expenses
|
$
|
48,616
|
$
|
37,173
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2016
|
2015
|
|||||||
Ionis Core
|
$
|
22,127
|
$
|
16,613
|
||||
Akcea Therapeutics
|
9,480
|
4,884
|
||||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
17,009
|
15,676
|
||||||
Total general and administrative expenses
|
$
|
48,616
|
$
|
37,173
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2016
|
2015
|
|||||||
Development and patent expenses
|
$
|
63,883
|
$
|
41,368
|
||||
General and administrative expenses
|
9,480
|
4,884
|
||||||
Total operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
73,363
|
46,252
|
||||||
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
|
10,149
|
6,496
|
||||||
Total Akcea Therapeutics operating expenses
|
$
|
83,512
|
$
|
52,748
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
||||||||
2016
|
2015
|
|||||||
Convertible notes:
|
||||||||
Non-cash amortization of the debt discount and debt issuance costs
|
$
|
25,115
|
$
|
23,208
|
||||
Interest expense payable in cash
|
6,684
|
6,683
|
||||||
Non-cash interest expense for long-term financing liability
|
6,693
|
6,665
|
||||||
Other
|
303
|
176
|
||||||
Total interest expense
|
$
|
38,795
|
$
|
36,732
|
|
Payments Due by Period (in millions)
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Contractual Obligations
(selected balances described below)
|
Total
|
Less than
1 year
|
1-3 years
|
3-5 years
|
After
5 years
|
|||||||||||||||
Convertible senior notes (principal and interest payable)
|
$
|
712.9
|
$
|
6.9
|
$
|
13.7
|
$
|
692.3
|
$
|
—
|
||||||||||
Building mortgage payments
|
$
|
83.2
|
$
|
2.4
|
$
|
4.8
|
$
|
5.1
|
$
|
70.9
|
||||||||||
Financing arrangements (principal and interest payable)
|
$
|
13.0
|
$
|
0.3
|
$
|
12.7
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
||||||||||
Other obligations (principal and interest payable)
|
$
|
1.1
|
$
|
0.1
|
$
|
0.1
|
$
|
0.1
|
$
|
0.8
|
||||||||||
Operating leases
|
$
|
2.1
|
$
|
0.9
|
$
|
1.1
|
$
|
0.1
|
$
|
—
|
||||||||||
Total
|
$
|
812.3
|
$
|
10.6
|
$
|
32.4
|
$
|
697.6
|
$
|
71.7
|
1 Percent Convertible
Senior Notes
|
||||
Outstanding principal balance
|
$
|
685.5
|
||
Original issue date ($500 million of principal)
|
November 2014
|
|||
Additional issue date ($185.5 million of principal)
|
December 2016
|
|||
Maturity date
|
November 2021
|
|||
Interest rate
|
1 percent
|
|||
Conversion price per share
|
$
|
66.81
|
||
Total shares of common stock subject to conversion
|
10.3
|
(i)
|
a floating rate equal to the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, in effect plus 1.25 percent per annum;
|
(ii)
|
a fixed rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.25 percent for a period of one, two, three, four, six, or twelve months as elected by us; or
|
(iii)
|
a fixed rate equal to the LIBOR swap rate during the period of the loan.
|
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
|
|
|
|
San Diego, California
|
|
February 28, 2018
|
|
(1)
|
Any information that is included on or linked to our website is not part of this Form 10-K.
|
Plan Category
|
Number of Shares
to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options |
Weighted Average
Exercise Price of Outstanding Options |
Number of Shares
Remaining Available for Future Issuance |
|
|||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders(a)
|
9,396,796
|
$
|
44.52
|
8,158,366
|
(b)
|
||||||||
Total
|
9,396,796
|
$
|
44.52
|
8,158,366
|
|
(a) |
Consists of four Ionis plans: 1989 Stock Option Plan, Amended and Restated 2002 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan, 2011 Equity Incentive Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or ESPP.
|
(b) |
Of these shares, 668,232 remained available for purchase under the ESPP as of December 31, 2017. The ESPP incorporates an evergreen formula pursuant to which on January 1 of each year, we automatically increase the aggregate number of shares reserved for issuance under the plan by 150,000 shares.
|
Exhibit Number
|
Description of Document
|
|
3.1
|
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed June 19, 1991.
|
|
3.2
|
Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed June 17, 2014. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 25, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
3.3
|
Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed December 18, 2015. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 18, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
3.4
|
Amended and Restated Bylaws. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 18, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
4.1
|
Certificate of Designation of the Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock. - Filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K dated filed December 13, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
4.2
|
Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
|
|
4.3
|
Indenture, dated as of August 13, 2012, between the Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, including Form of 2¾ percent Convertible Senior Note due 2019. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K filed August 13, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
4.4
|
Indenture, dated as of November 17, 2014, between the Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, including Form of 1.00 percent Convertible Senior Note due 2021. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 21, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.1
|
Form of Indemnity Agreement entered into between the Registrant and its Directors and Officers with related schedule. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.2*
|
Registrant’s 1989 Stock Option Plan, as amended. - Filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 16, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.3*
|
Registrant’s Amended and Restated 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. - Filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 20, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.4
|
Form of Employee Confidential Information and Inventions Agreement.
|
|
10.5
|
Patent Rights Purchase Agreement between the Registrant and Gilead Sciences, Inc., dated December 18, 1998. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.6
|
Collaboration and License Agreement between the Registrant and Hybridon, Inc., dated May 24, 2001. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s report on Form 10-Q as amended for the quarter ended June 30, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.7
|
Amendment #1 to the Research, Development and License Agreement dated May 11, 2011 by and between the Registrant and Glaxo Group Limited. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.8
|
Amended and Restated Collaboration and License Agreement between the Registrant and Antisense Therapeutics Ltd dated February 8, 2008. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.9
|
Amended and Restated License Agreement between the Registrant and Atlantic Pharmaceuticals Limited dated November 30, 2009. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report as Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
10.10
|
Amended and Restated Strategic Neurology Drug Discovery and Development Collaboration, Option and License Agreement between the Registrant and Biogen MA Inc. dated October 20, 2017. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment.
|
|
10.11
|
Stock Purchase Agreement among the Registrant, Akcea Therapeutics, Inc. and Novartis Pharma AG dated January 5, 2017. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.12
|
Amendment #1 between the Registrant and Bayer AG dated February 10, 2017. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.13
|
Registrant’s Amended and Restated 10b5-1 Trading Plan dated September 12, 2013. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.14*
|
Registrant’s Amended and Restated 2002 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan, as amended. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 25, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference.
|
10.15*
|
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Restricted Stock Units granted under the Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 2002 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.16*
|
Amended and Restated Severance Agreement dated December 3, 2008 between the Registrant and Stanley T. Crooke. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 5, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
Research Collaboration, Option and License Agreement between the Registrant and Biogen MA Inc. dated December 19, 2017. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment.
|
||
10.18*
|
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Notice of 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on April 28, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.19*
|
Form of Option Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.20*
|
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Restricted Stock Units granted under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on August 8, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.21
|
Loan Agreement between Ionis Gazelle, LLC and UBS AG dated July 18, 2017. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 21, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.22*
|
Form of Option Agreement under the 1989 Stock Option Plan. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.23*
|
Form of Option Agreement for Options Granted after March 8, 2005 under the 2002 Non-Employee Director’s Stock Option Plan. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.24
|
Research, Development and License Agreement between the Registrant and Glaxo Group Limited dated March 30, 2010. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.25
|
Loan Agreement between Ionis Faraday, LLC and UBS AG dated July 18, 2017. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 21, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.26
|
Research Agreement dated August 10, 2011 between the Registrant and CHDI Foundation, Inc. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.27
|
Guaranty between the Registrant and UBS AG dated July 18, 2017. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 21, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
10.28
|
Development, Option and License Agreement between the Registrant and Biogen Idec International Holding Ltd. dated January 3, 2012. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.29
|
DMPK Research, Development, Option and License Agreement between the Registrant and Biogen Idec MA Inc. dated June 27, 2012. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.30
|
Amendment #2 to Research, Development and License Agreement between the Registrant and Glaxo Group Limited dated October 30, 2012. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.31
|
Collaboration, License and Development Agreement between the Registrant and AstraZeneca AB dated December 7, 2012. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
10.32
|
Neurology Drug Discovery and Development Collaboration, Option and License Agreement between the Registrant and Biogen Idec MA Inc. dated December 10, 2012. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.33
|
HTT Research, Development, Option and License Agreement among the Registrant, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd and Hoffman-La Roche Inc. dated April 8, 2013. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.34
|
Letter Agreement between the Registrant and CHDI Foundation, Inc. dated April 8, 2013. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.35
|
Strategic Neurology Drug Discovery and Development Collaboration, Option and License Agreement between the Registrant and Biogen Idec MA Inc. dated September 5, 2013. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.36
|
Amendment #1 to Collaboration, License and Development Agreement between the Registrant and AstraZeneca AB dated August 13, 2013. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
10.37
|
Letter Agreement Amendment between the Registrant and Biogen Idec International Holding Ltd dated January 27, 2014. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.38
|
Amendment No. 3 to the Research, Development and License Agreement between the Registrant and Glaxo Group Limited dated July 10, 2013. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.39
|
Amendment #4 to the Research, Development and License Agreement between the Registrant and Glaxo Group Limited dated April 10, 2014. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.40
|
Amendment #5 to the Research, Development and License Agreement among the Registrant, Glaxo Group Limited and GlaxoSmithKline Intellectual Property Development Limited dated June 27, 2014. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.41
|
Exclusive License Agreement between the Registrant and the University of Massachusetts dated January 14, 2010. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
10.42
|
Amended and Restated Collaboration and License Agreement between the Registrant and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory dated October 26, 2011. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.43
|
Amendment to Amended and Restated Collaboration and License Agreement between the Registrant and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory dated March 14, 2014. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.44
|
Amendment #1 to the Development, Option and License Agreement between the Registrant and Biogen Idec International Holding Ltd. dated December 15, 2014. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.45
|
Research Collaboration, Option and License Agreement between the Registrant and Janssen Biotech Inc. dated December 22, 2014. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.46
|
Amendment No.2 to the Collaboration, License and Development Agreement between the Registrant and AstraZeneca AB dated October 15, 2014. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC with a request for confidential treatment. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.47
|
Strategic Collaboration Agreement between the Registrant and AstraZeneca AB dated July 31, 2015. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.48
|
Amendment #6 to Research, Development and License Agreement between the Registrant, Glaxo Group Limited and GlaxoSmithKline Intellectual Property Development Limited dated September 2, 2015. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.49
|
Amendment Number One to the Second Amended and Restated Strategic Collaboration and License Agreement between the Registrant and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. dated July 13, 2015. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.50
|
License Agreement between the Registrant and Bayer Pharma AG dated May 1, 2015. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
10.51
|
Line of Credit Agreement between the Registrant and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association dated June 16, 2015. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.52
|
Second Amended and Restated Strategic Collaboration and License Agreement between the Registrant and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. dated January 8, 2015. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.53
|
Amendment #1 to HTT Research, Development, Option and License Agreement between the Registrant, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd and Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. dated January 9, 2015. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.54
|
Amendment No.1 to Loan Documents between the Registrant and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association dated December 30, 2015. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 5, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.55
|
Amendment No.2 to Line of Credit Agreement between the Registrant and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association dated February 24, 2016. Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.56
|
Amendment No.3 to the Collaboration, License and Development Agreement between the Registrant and AstraZeneca AB dated January 18, 2016. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
10.57
|
Amendment #7 to the Research, Development and License Agreement among the Registrant, Glaxo Group Limited and GlaxoSmithKline Intellectual Property Development Limited dated March 4, 2016. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.58
|
First Amendment to Research Collaboration, Option and License Agreement between the Registrant and Janssen Biotech Inc. dated December 21, 2016. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC.
|
|
10.59
|
Letter Agreement between the Registrant and Biogen MA Inc. dated October 28, 2016. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC. Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the SEC.
|
|
10.60
|
Guaranty between the Registrant and UBS AG dated July 18, 2017. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 21, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.61
|
Environmental Indemnity Agreement among the Registrant, Ionis Gazelle, LLC and UBS AG dated July 18, 2017. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 21, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.62
|
Environmental Indemnity Agreement among the Registrant, Ionis Faraday, LLC and UBS AG dated July 18, 2017. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 21, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
10.63*
|
Amendment to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. - Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 10, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
14.1
|
Registrant’s Code of Ethics and Business Conduct.
|
|
21.1
|
List of Subsidiaries for the Registrant.
|
|
23.1
|
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
|
|
24.1
|
Power of Attorney – Included on the signature page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
|
|
31.1
|
Certification by Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
31.2
|
Certification by Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
32.1+
|
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
101
|
The following financial statements from the Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, formatted in Extensive Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) consolidated balance sheets, (ii) consolidated statements of operations, (iii) consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity, (iv) consolidated statements of cash flows, and (v) notes to consolidated financial statements (detail tagged).
|
* |
Indicates management compensatory plans and arrangements as required to be filed as exhibits to this Report pursuant to Item 14(c).
|
+ |
This certification is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 133, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
|
|
IONIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ STANLEY T. CROOKE
|
|
|
Stanley T. Crooke, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal executive officer)
|
Signatures
|
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ STANLEY T. CROOKE
|
|
Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
February 28, 2018
|
Stanley T. Crooke, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
(Principal executive officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ ELIZABETH L. HOUGEN
|
|
Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
February 28, 2018
|
Elizabeth L. Hougen
|
|
(Principal financial and accounting officer)
|
|
|
/s/ B. LYNNE PARSHALL
|
|
Director and Senior Strategic Advisor
|
|
February 28, 2018
|
B. Lynne Parshall, J.D.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ SPENCER R. BERTHELSEN
|
|
Director
|
|
February 28, 2018
|
Spencer R. Berthelsen, M.D.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ BREAUX CASTLEMAN
|
|
Director
|
|
February 28, 2018
|
Breaux Castleman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ JOSEPH KLEIN
|
|
Director
|
|
February 28, 2018
|
Joseph Klein, III
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ JOSEPH LOSCALZO
|
|
Director
|
|
February 28, 2018
|
Joseph Loscalzo, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ FREDERICK T. MUTO
|
|
Director
|
|
February 28, 2018
|
Frederick T. Muto, Esq.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ JOSEPH H. WENDER
|
|
Director
|
|
February 28, 2018
|
Joseph H. Wender
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
F-2
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and 2016
|
F-3
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
|
F-4
|
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
|
F-5
|
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
|
F-6
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
|
F-7
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
F-9
|
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
|
|
December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
ASSETS
|
||||||||
Current assets:
|
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents
|
$
|
129,630
|
$
|
84,685
|
||||
Short-term investments
|
893,085
|
580,538
|
||||||
Contracts receivable
|
62,955
|
108,043
|
||||||
Inventories
|
9,982
|
7,489
|
||||||
Other current assets
|
72,332
|
17,177
|
||||||
Total current assets
|
1,167,984
|
797,932
|
||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
121,907
|
92,845
|
||||||
Patents, net
|
22,004
|
20,365
|
||||||
Deposits and other assets
|
10,129
|
1,325
|
||||||
Total assets
|
$
|
1,322,024
|
$
|
912,467
|
||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
||||||||
Current liabilities:
|
||||||||
Accounts payable
|
$
|
24,886
|
$
|
21,120
|
||||
Accrued compensation
|
25,151
|
24,186
|
||||||
Accrued liabilities
|
66,618
|
36,013
|
||||||
Current portion of long-term obligations
|
1,621
|
1,185
|
||||||
Current portion of deferred contract revenue
|
106,465
|
51,280
|
||||||
Total current liabilities
|
224,741
|
133,784
|
||||||
Long-term deferred contract revenue
|
72,708
|
91,198
|
||||||
1 percent convertible senior notes
|
533,111
|
500,511
|
||||||
Long-term obligations, less current portion
|
12,974
|
15,050
|
||||||
Long-term financing liability for leased facility
|
—
|
72,359
|
||||||
Long-term mortgage debt
|
59,771
|
—
|
||||||
Total liabilities
|
903,305
|
812,902
|
||||||
Stockholders’ equity:
|
||||||||
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized, 124,976,373 and 121,636,273 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively
|
125
|
122
|
||||||
Additional paid-in capital
|
1,549,904
|
1,311,229
|
||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
|
(31,759
|
)
|
(30,358
|
)
|
||||
Accumulated deficit
|
(1,187,398
|
)
|
(1,181,428
|
)
|
||||
Total Ionis stockholders' equity
|
330,872
|
99,565
|
||||||
Noncontrolling interest in Akcea Therapeutics, Inc.
|
87,847
|
—
|
||||||
Total stockholders’ equity
|
418,719
|
99,565
|
||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
|
$
|
1,322,024
|
$
|
912,467
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
||||||||||
Revenue:
|
||||||||||||
Commercial revenue:
|
||||||||||||
SPINRAZA royalties
|
$
|
112,540
|
$
|
883
|
$
|
—
|
||||||
Licensing and other royalty revenue
|
9,519
|
19,839
|
2,343
|
|||||||||
Total commercial revenue
|
122,059
|
20,722
|
2,343
|
|||||||||
Research and development revenue under collaborative agreements
|
385,607
|
325,898
|
281,360
|
|||||||||
Total revenue
|
507,666
|
346,620
|
283,703
|
|||||||||
Expenses:
|
||||||||||||
Research, development and patent
|
374,644
|
344,320
|
322,292
|
|||||||||
Selling, general and administrative
|
108,488
|
48,616
|
37,173
|
|||||||||
Total operating expenses
|
483,132
|
392,936
|
359,465
|
|||||||||
Income (loss) from operations
|
24,534
|
(46,316
|
)
|
(75,762
|
)
|
|||||||
Other income (expense):
|
||||||||||||
Investment income
|
7,805
|
5,472
|
4,377
|
|||||||||
Interest expense
|
(44,752
|
)
|
(38,795
|
)
|
(36,732
|
)
|
||||||
Gain on investment in Regulus Therapeutics Inc.
|
374
|
—
|
20,211
|
|||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of financing liability for leased facility
|
(7,689
|
)
|
—
|
—
|
||||||||
Loss on early retirement of debt
|
—
|
(3,983
|
)
|
—
|
||||||||
Other expenses
|
(3,548
|
)
|
—
|
—
|
||||||||
Loss before income tax benefit (expense)
|
(23,276
|
)
|
(83,622
|
)
|
(87,906
|
)
|
||||||
Income tax benefit (expense)
|
5,980
|
(2,934
|
)
|
(372
|
)
|
|||||||
Net loss
|
(17,296
|
)
|
(86,556
|
)
|
(88,278
|
)
|
||||||
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in Akcea Therapeutics, Inc.
|
11,326
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||
Net loss attributable to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. common stockholders
|
$
|
(5,970
|
)
|
$
|
(86,556
|
)
|
$
|
(88,278
|
)
|
|||
Basic net income (loss) per share
|
$
|
0.08
|
$
|
(0.72
|
)
|
$
|
(0.74
|
)
|
||||
Shares used in computing basic net income (loss) per share
|
124,016
|
120,933
|
119,719
|
|||||||||
Diluted net income (loss) per share
|
$
|
0.08
|
$
|
(0.72
|
)
|
$
|
(0.74
|
)
|
||||
Shares used in computing diluted net income (loss) per share
|
126,098
|
120,933
|
119,719
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
||||||||||
Net loss
|
$
|
(17,296
|
)
|
$
|
(86,556
|
)
|
$
|
(88,278
|
)
|
|||
Unrealized losses on investments, net of tax
|
(960
|
)
|
(17,219
|
)
|
(33,101
|
)
|
||||||
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included in net loss
|
(374
|
)
|
447
|
(20,211
|
)
|
|||||||
Currency translation adjustment
|
(67
|
)
|
(21
|
)
|
—
|
|||||||
Comprehensive loss
|
(18,697
|
)
|
(103,349
|
)
|
(141,590
|
)
|
||||||
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in Akcea Therapeutics, Inc.
|
11,421
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||
Comprehensive loss attributable to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. common stockholders
|
$
|
(7,276
|
)
|
$
|
(103,349
|
)
|
$
|
(141,590
|
)
|
Common Stock
|
Additional Paid in
|
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
|
Accumulated
|
Total Ionis
Stockholders'
|
Noncontrolling
Interest in Akcea
|
Total
Stockholders’
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Description
|
Shares
|
Amount
|
Capital
|
Income (Loss)
|
Deficit
|
Equity
|
Therapeutics, Inc.
|
Equity
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2014
|
118,443
|
$
|
118
|
$
|
1,224,509
|
$
|
39,747
|
$
|
(1,006,594
|
)
|
$
|
257,780
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
257,780
|
||||||||||||||||
Net loss
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(88,278
|
)
|
(88,278
|
)
|
—
|
(88,278
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of tax
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(53,312
|
)
|
—
|
(53,312
|
)
|
—
|
(53,312
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock in connection with employee stock plans
|
1,908
|
2
|
24,888
|
—
|
—
|
24,890
|
—
|
24,890
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense
|
—
|
—
|
59,314
|
—
|
—
|
59,314
|
—
|
59,314
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation awards
|
—
|
—
|
396
|
—
|
—
|
396
|
—
|
396
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2015
|
120,351
|
$
|
120
|
$
|
1,309,107
|
$
|
(13,565
|
)
|
$
|
(1,094,872
|
)
|
$
|
200,790
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
200,790
|
|||||||||||||||
Net loss
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(86,556
|
)
|
(86,556
|
)
|
—
|
(86,556
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of tax
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(16,772
|
)
|
—
|
(16,772
|
)
|
—
|
(16,772
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(21
|
)
|
—
|
(21
|
)
|
—
|
(21
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock in connection with employee stock plans
|
1,285
|
2
|
13,706
|
—
|
—
|
13,708
|
—
|
13,708
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
2¾ percent convertible senior notes redemption, equity portion
|
—
|
—
|
(128,888
|
)
|
—
|
—
|
(128,888
|
)
|
—
|
(128,888
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
1 percent convertible senior notes, equity portion, net of issuance costs
|
—
|
—
|
43,335
|
—
|
—
|
43,335
|
—
|
43,335
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense
|
—
|
—
|
72,108
|
—
|
—
|
72,108
|
—
|
72,108
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation awards
|
—
|
—
|
1,861
|
—
|
—
|
1,861
|
—
|
1,861
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2016
|
121,636
|
$
|
122
|
$
|
1,311,229
|
$
|
(30,358
|
)
|
$
|
(1,181,428
|
)
|
$
|
99,565
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
99,565
|
|||||||||||||||
Net loss
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(5,970
|
)
|
(5,970
|
)
|
—
|
(5,970
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of tax
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(1,334
|
)
|
—
|
(1,334
|
)
|
—
|
(1,334
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(67
|
)
|
—
|
(67
|
)
|
—
|
(67
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Novartis stock purchase
|
1,631
|
2
|
71,737
|
—
|
—
|
71,739
|
—
|
71,739
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock in connection with employee stock plans
|
1,709
|
1
|
22,931
|
—
|
—
|
22,932
|
—
|
22,932
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense
|
—
|
—
|
85,975
|
—
|
—
|
85,975
|
—
|
85,975
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Akcea Therapeutics, Inc. common stock in conjunction with initial public offering
|
—
|
—
|
157,270
|
—
|
—
|
157,270
|
—
|
157,270
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Noncontrolling interest in Akcea Therapeutics, Inc. in conjunction with initial public offering
|
—
|
—
|
(90,351
|
)
|
—
|
—
|
(90,351
|
)
|
90,381
|
30
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Noncontrolling interest in Akcea Therapeutics, Inc.
|
—
|
—
|
(8,887
|
)
|
—
|
—
|
(8,887
|
)
|
(2,534
|
)
|
(11,421
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2017
|
124,976
|
$
|
125
|
$
|
1,549,904
|
$
|
(31,759
|
)
|
$
|
(1,187,398
|
)
|
$
|
330,872
|
$
|
87,847
|
$
|
418,719
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
||||||||||
Operating activities:
|
||||||||||||
Net loss
|
$
|
(17,296
|
)
|
$
|
(86,556
|
)
|
$
|
(88,278
|
)
|
|||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
|
||||||||||||
Depreciation
|
6,708
|
7,481
|
6,984
|
|||||||||
Amortization of patents
|
1,641
|
1,552
|
1,381
|
|||||||||
Amortization of licenses
|
—
|
—
|
1,873
|
|||||||||
Amortization of premium on investments, net
|
6,752
|
6,813
|
7,812
|
|||||||||
Amortization of debt issuance costs
|
1,616
|
1,225
|
1,133
|
|||||||||
Amortization of convertible senior notes discount
|
30,920
|
23,890
|
22,075
|
|||||||||
Amortization of long-term financing liability for leased facility
|
3,659
|
6,693
|
6,665
|
|||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense
|
85,975
|
72,108
|
59,314
|
|||||||||
Gain on investment in Regulus Therapeutics Inc.
|
(374
|
)
|
—
|
(20,211
|
)
|
|||||||
Loss on extinguishment of financing liability for leased facility
|
7,689
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||
Loss on early retirement of debt
|
—
|
3,983
|
—
|
|||||||||
Non-cash losses related to patents, licensing, property, plant and equipment and strategic investments
|
3,302
|
2,297
|
1,881
|
|||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
||||||||||||
Contracts receivable
|
45,088
|
(96,687
|
)
|
(7,453
|
)
|
|||||||
Inventories
|
(2,493
|
)
|
(590
|
)
|
(609
|
)
|
||||||
Other current and long-term assets
|
(58,367
|
)
|
1,603
|
(4,394
|
)
|
|||||||
Long-term income tax receivable
|
(9,114
|
)
|
—
|
—
|
||||||||
Accounts payable
|
1,784
|
(10,677
|
)
|
9,211
|
||||||||
Income taxes
|
435
|
1,069
|
—
|
|||||||||
Accrued compensation
|
965
|
8,121
|
3,763
|
|||||||||
Accrued liabilities and deferred rent
|
28,564
|
4,720
|
(2,140
|
)
|
||||||||
Deferred contract revenue
|
36,695
|
(59,150
|
)
|
22,118
|
||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
174,149
|
(112,105
|
)
|
21,125
|
||||||||
Investing activities:
|
||||||||||||
Purchases of short-term investments
|
(877,810
|
)
|
(300,912
|
)
|
(493,467
|
)
|
||||||
Proceeds from the sale of short-term investments
|
557,369
|
364,572
|
419,584
|
|||||||||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
|
(34,764
|
)
|
(7,107
|
)
|
(7,692
|
)
|
||||||
Acquisition of licenses and other assets, net
|
(3,093
|
)
|
(4,421
|
)
|
(4,056
|
)
|
||||||
Purchase of strategic investments
|
(2,500
|
)
|
—
|
—
|
||||||||
Proceeds from the sale of Regulus Therapeutics, Inc.
|
2,507
|
4,467
|
25,527
|
|||||||||
Proceeds from the sale of strategic investments
|
—
|
—
|
52
|
|||||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
|
(358,291
|
)
|
56,599
|
(60,052
|
)
|
|||||||
Financing activities:
|
||||||||||||
Proceeds from equity, net
|
22,931
|
13,417
|
24,888
|
|||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in Akcea Therapeutics, Inc. from its initial public offering, net of underwriters' discount
|
110,438
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||
Proceeds from building mortgage debt, net of issuance costs
|
59,750
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock to Novartis
|
71,737
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||
Proceeds from borrowing on line of credit facility
|
—
|
4,000
|
8,500
|
|||||||||
Proceeds from the sale of Akcea Therapeutics, Inc. common stock to Novartis in a private placement
|
50,000
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||
Offering costs paid
|
(2,037
|
)
|
(818
|
)
|
—
|
|||||||
Payment to settle financing liability for leased facility
|
(80,133
|
)
|
—
|
—
|
||||||||
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation awards
|
—
|
1,861
|
396
|
|||||||||
Principal payments on debt and capital lease obligations
|
(3,599
|
)
|
(7,066
|
)
|
(9,058
|
)
|
||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
229,087
|
11,394
|
24,726
|
|||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
44,945
|
(44,112
|
)
|
(14,201
|
)
|
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
|
84,685
|
128,797
|
142,998
|
|||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
|
$
|
129,630
|
$
|
84,685
|
$
|
128,797
|
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
|
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Interest paid
|
$
|
8,035
|
$
|
7,313
|
$
|
6,800
|
||||||
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
|
||||||||||||
Amounts accrued for capital and patent expenditures
|
$
|
1,983
|
$
|
3,439
|
$
|
1,162
|
||||||
1 percent convertible senior notes principal issued related to our December 2016 debt exchange
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
185,450
|
$
|
—
|
||||||
2¾ percent convertible senior notes principal extinguished related to our December 2016 debt exchange
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
61,099
|
$
|
—
|
||||||
Unpaid deferred offering costs
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
291
|
$
|
—
|
Year Ended December 31, 2017
|
Weighted
Average Shares
Owned in Akcea
|
Akcea’s
Net Loss
Per Share
|
Ionis’
Portion of
Akcea’s Net Loss
|
|||||||||
Common shares
|
20,669
|
$
|
(2.82
|
)
|
$
|
(58,332
|
)
|
|||||
Preferred shares
|
15,748
|
(1.55
|
)
|
(24,344
|
)
|
|||||||
Akcea’s net loss attributable to our ownership
|
$
|
(82,676
|
)
|
|||||||||
Ionis’ stand-alone net income
|
92,336
|
|||||||||||
Net income available to Ionis common stockholders
|
$
|
9,661
|
||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding
|
124,016
|
|||||||||||
Basic net income per share
|
$
|
0.08
|
Year Ended December 31, 2017
|
Income
(Numerator)
|
Shares
(Denominator)
|
Per-Share
Amount
|
|||||||||
Net income available to Ionis common stockholders
|
$
|
9,661
|
124,016
|
$
|
0.08
|
|||||||
Effect of dilutive securities:
|
||||||||||||
Shares issuable upon exercise of stock options
|
—
|
1,619
|
||||||||||
Shares issuable upon restricted stock award issuance
|
—
|
459
|
||||||||||
Shares issuable related to our ESPP
|
—
|
4
|
||||||||||
Income available to Ionis common stockholders, plus assumed conversions
|
$
|
9,661
|
126,098
|
$
|
0.08
|
|
percent convertible senior notes;
|
|
2¾ percent convertible senior notes;
|
|
Dilutive stock options;
|
|
Unvested restricted stock units; and
|
|
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or ESPP.
|
● |
The exclusive license we granted to Bayer to develop and commercialize IONIS-FXI-LRx for the treatment of thrombosis;
|
● |
The development services we agreed to perform for IONIS-FXI-LRx and IONIS-FXIRx; and
|
● |
The remaining undelivered IONIS-FXIRx API that was part of the original agreement.
|
● |
Estimated future product sales;
|
● |
Estimated royalties on future product sales;
|
● |
Contractual milestone payments;
|
● |
Expenses we expect to incur;
|
● |
Income taxes; and
|
● |
An appropriate discount rate.
|
● |
The number of internal hours we will spend performing these services;
|
● |
The estimated cost of work we will perform;
|
● |
The estimated cost of work that we will contract with third parties to perform; and
|
● |
The estimated cost of API we will use.
|
● |
$64.9 million to the IONIS-FXI-LRx exclusive license;
|
● |
$11.0 million for development services for IONIS-FXI-LRx and IONIS-FXIRx; and
|
● |
$0.4 million for the remaining delivery of IONIS-FXIRx API.
|
● |
We recognized the portion of the consideration attributed to the IONIS-FXI-LRx license in the first quarter of 2017 because we delivered the license and earned the revenue;
|
● |
We are recognizing the amount attributed to the development services for IONIS-FXI-LRx and IONIS-FXIRx over the period of time we are performing the services; and
|
● |
We are recognizing the amount attributed to the remaining API supply as we deliver it to Bayer.
|
● |
Designation of a development candidate. Following the designation of a development candidate, IND-enabling animal studies for a new development candidate generally take 12 to 18 months to complete.
|
● |
Initiation of a Phase 1 clinical trial. Generally, Phase 1 clinical trials take one to two years to complete.
|
● |
Initiation or completion of a Phase 2 clinical trial. Generally, Phase 2 clinical trials take one to three years to complete.
|
● |
Initiation or completion of a Phase 3 clinical trial. Generally, Phase 3 clinical trials take two to four years to complete.
|
● |
Filing of regulatory applications for marketing authorization such as a New Drug Application, or NDA, in the United States or a Marketing Authorization Application, or MAA, in Europe. Generally, it takes six to twelve months to prepare and submit regulatory filings.
|
● |
Obtaining marketing authorization in a major market, such as the United States, Europe or Japan. Generally it takes one to two years after an application is submitted to obtain authorization from the applicable regulatory agency.
|
● |
First commercial sale in a particular market, such as in the United States or Europe.
|
● |
Product sales in excess of a pre-specified threshold, such as annual sales exceeding $1 billion. The amount of time to achieve this type of milestone depends on several factors including but not limited to the dollar amount of the threshold, the pricing of the product and the pace at which customers begin using the product.
|
● |
Substantive uncertainty exists as to the achievement of the milestone event at the inception of the arrangement;
|
● |
The achievement of the milestone involves substantive effort and can only be achieved based in whole or in part on our performance or the occurrence of a specific outcome resulting from our performance;
|
● |
The amount of the milestone payment appears reasonable either in relation to the effort expended or to the enhancement of the value of the delivered items;
|
● |
There is no future performance required to earn the milestone; and
|
● |
The consideration is reasonable relative to all deliverables and payment terms in the arrangement.
|
Years Ending December 31,
|
Amortization
(in millions)
|
|||
2018
|
$
|
1.6
|
||
2019
|
$
|
1.4
|
||
2020
|
$
|
1.3
|
||
2021
|
$
|
1.3
|
||
2022
|
$
|
1.2
|
December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
Clinical expenses
|
$
|
16,347
|
$
|
23,428
|
||||
In-licensing expenses
|
33,790
|
6,430
|
||||||
Other miscellaneous expenses
|
16,481
|
6,155
|
||||||
Total accrued liabilities
|
$
|
66,618
|
$
|
36,013
|
Estimated Useful Lives
|
December 31,
|
|||||||||||
(in years)
|
2017
|
2016
|
||||||||||
Computer software, laboratory, manufacturing and other equipment
|
3 to 10
|
$
|
66,558
|
$
|
63,287
|
|||||||
Building, building improvements and building systems
|
15 to 40
|
92,770
|
48,909
|
|||||||||
Land improvements
|
20 |
2,853
|
2,853
|
|||||||||
Leasehold improvements
|
5 to 15
|
26,748
|
41,736
|
|||||||||
Furniture and fixtures
|
5 to 10
|
6,161
|
5,937
|
|||||||||
195,090
|
162,722
|
|||||||||||
Less accumulated depreciation
|
(87,676
|
)
|
(80,075
|
)
|
||||||||
107,414
|
82,647
|
|||||||||||
Land
|
14,493
|
10,198
|
||||||||||
Total
|
$
|
121,907
|
$
|
92,845
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
||||||||||
Beginning balance accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
|
$
|
(30,358
|
)
|
$
|
(13,565
|
)
|
$
|
39,747
|
||||
Unrealized losses on securities, net of tax (1)
|
(960
|
)
|
(17,219
|
)
|
(33,101
|
)
|
||||||
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (2)
|
(374
|
)
|
447
|
(20,211
|
)
|
|||||||
Currency translation adjustment
|
(67
|
)
|
(21
|
)
|
—
|
|||||||
Net other comprehensive loss for the period
|
(1,401
|
)
|
(16,793
|
)
|
(53,312
|
)
|
||||||
Ending balance accumulated other comprehensive loss
|
$
|
(31,759
|
)
|
$
|
(30,358
|
)
|
$
|
(13,565
|
)
|
(1) |
There was no tax expense for other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 or 2015.
|
(2) |
Amounts for 2015 and 2017 are included in the separate line called “Gain on investment in Regulus Therapeutics Inc.” on our Consolidated Statement of Operations.
|
At
December 31, 2017
|
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
(Level 1)
|
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
|
||||||||||
Cash equivalents (1)
|
$
|
86,262
|
$
|
86,262
|
$
|
—
|
||||||
Corporate debt securities (2)
|
647,461
|
—
|
647,461
|
|||||||||
Debt securities issued by U.S. government agencies (3)
|
136,325
|
—
|
136,325
|
|||||||||
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury (3)
|
30,818
|
30,818
|
—
|
|||||||||
Debt securities issued by states of the U.S. and political subdivisions of the states (4)
|
93,932
|
—
|
93,932
|
|||||||||
Total
|
$
|
994,798
|
$
|
117,080
|
$
|
877,718
|
At
December 31, 2016
|
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
(Level 1)
|
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
|
||||||||||
Cash equivalents (1)
|
$
|
54,137
|
$
|
54,137
|
$
|
—
|
||||||
Corporate debt securities (3)
|
396,221
|
—
|
396,221
|
|||||||||
Debt securities issued by U.S. government agencies (3)
|
55,179
|
—
|
55,179
|
|||||||||
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury (3)
|
29,286
|
29,286
|
—
|
|||||||||
Debt securities issued by states of the U.S. and political subdivisions of the states (5)
|
109,111
|
—
|
109,111
|
|||||||||
Investment in Regulus Therapeutics Inc.
|
2,414
|
2,414
|
—
|
|||||||||
Total
|
$
|
646,348
|
$
|
85,837
|
$
|
560,511
|
(1) |
Included in cash and cash equivalents on our consolidated balance sheet.
|
(2) |
$11.9 million included in cash and cash equivalents on our consolidated balance sheet, with the difference included in short-term investments on our consolidated balance sheet.
|
(3) |
Included in short-term investments on our consolidated balance sheet.
|
(4) |
$3.5 million included in cash and cash equivalents on our consolidated balance sheet, with the difference included in short-term investments on our consolidated balance sheet.
|
(5) |
$9.3 million included in cash and cash equivalents on our consolidated balance sheet, with the difference included in short-term investments on our consolidated balance sheet.
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2017
|
||||
Beginning balance of Level 3 instruments
|
$
|
—
|
||
Value of the potential premium we will receive from Novartis at inception of the SPA (January 2017)
|
5,035
|
|||
Write-off of premium to other expenses
|
(5,035
|
)
|
||
Ending balance of Level 3 instruments
|
$
|
—
|
One year or less
|
71
|
%
|
||
After one year but within two years
|
23
|
%
|
||
After two years but within three and one half years
|
6
|
%
|
||
Total
|
100
|
%
|
Gross Unrealized
|
Estimated
|
|||||||||||||||
December 31, 2017
|
Cost (1)
|
Gains
|
Losses
|
Fair Value
|
||||||||||||
Available-for-sale securities:
|
||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities (2)
|
$
|
500,599
|
$
|
2
|
$
|
(752
|
)
|
$
|
499,849
|
|||||||
Debt securities issued by U.S. government agencies
|
83,926
|
—
|
(212
|
)
|
83,714
|
|||||||||||
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury
|
29,428
|
—
|
(17
|
)
|
29,411
|
|||||||||||
Debt securities issued by states of the U.S. and political subdivisions of the states (2)
|
29,240
|
4
|
(122
|
)
|
29,122
|
|||||||||||
Total securities with a maturity of one year or less
|
643,193
|
6
|
(1,103
|
)
|
642,096
|
|||||||||||
Corporate debt securities
|
148,663
|
8
|
(1,059
|
)
|
147,612
|
|||||||||||
Debt securities issued by U.S. government agencies
|
52,779
|
—
|
(168
|
)
|
52,611
|
|||||||||||
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury
|
1,409
|
—
|
(2
|
)
|
1,407
|
|||||||||||
Debt securities issued by states of the U.S. and political subdivisions of the states
|
65,550
|
—
|
(740
|
)
|
64,810
|
|||||||||||
Total securities with a maturity of more than one year
|
268,401
|
8
|
(1,969
|
)
|
266,440
|
|||||||||||
Total available-for-sale securities
|
$
|
911,594
|
$
|
14
|
$
|
(3,072
|
)
|
$
|
908,536
|
Gross Unrealized
|
Estimated
|
|||||||||||||||
December 31, 2016
|
Cost (1)
|
Gains
|
Losses
|
Fair Value
|
||||||||||||
Available-for-sale securities:
|
||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities
|
$
|
195,087
|
$
|
25
|
$
|
(161
|
)
|
$
|
194,951
|
|||||||
Debt securities issued by U.S. government agencies
|
26,548
|
—
|
(10
|
)
|
26,538
|
|||||||||||
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury
|
29,298
|
2
|
(14
|
)
|
29,286
|
|||||||||||
Debt securities issued by states of the U.S. and political subdivisions of the states (2)
|
72,775
|
2
|
(134
|
)
|
72,643
|
|||||||||||
Total securities with a maturity of one year or less
|
323,708
|
29
|
(319
|
)
|
323,418
|
|||||||||||
Corporate debt securities
|
202,408
|
36
|
(1,174
|
)
|
201,270
|
|||||||||||
Debt securities issued by U.S. government agencies
|
28,807
|
1
|
(167
|
)
|
28,641
|
|||||||||||
Debt securities issued by states of the U.S. and political subdivisions of the states
|
36,816
|
1
|
(349
|
)
|
36,468
|
|||||||||||
Total securities with a maturity of more than one year
|
268,031
|
38
|
(1,690
|
)
|
266,379
|
|||||||||||
Total available-for-sale securities
|
$
|
591,739
|
$
|
67
|
$
|
(2,009
|
)
|
$
|
589,797
|
|||||||
Equity securities:
|
||||||||||||||||
Regulus Therapeutics Inc.
|
$
|
2,133
|
$
|
281
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
2,414
|
||||||||
Total equity securities
|
$
|
2,133
|
$
|
281
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
2,414
|
||||||||
Total available-for-sale and equity securities
|
$
|
593,872
|
$
|
348
|
$
|
(2,009
|
)
|
$
|
592,211
|
(1) |
Our available-for-sale securities are held at amortized cost.
|
(2) |
Includes investments classified as cash equivalents on our consolidated balance sheet.
|
Less than 12 Months of
Temporary Impairment
|
More than 12 Months of
Temporary Impairment
|
Total Temporary
Impairment
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of
Investments
|
Estimated
Fair Value
|
Unrealized
Losses
|
Estimated
Fair Value
|
Unrealized
Losses
|
Estimated
Fair Value
|
Unrealized
Losses
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities
|
476
|
$
|
551,446
|
$
|
(1,236
|
)
|
$
|
74,987
|
$
|
(575
|
)
|
$
|
626,433
|
$
|
(1,811
|
)
|
||||||||||||
Debt securities issued by U.S. government agencies
|
45
|
107,788
|
(262
|
)
|
27,538
|
(118
|
)
|
135,326
|
(380
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||||
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury
|
7
|
30,818
|
(19
|
)
|
—
|
—
|
30,818
|
(19
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Debt securities issued by states of the U.S. and political subdivisions of the states
|
60
|
62,519
|
(545
|
)
|
24,572
|
(317
|
)
|
87,091
|
(862
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||||
Total temporarily impaired securities
|
588
|
$
|
752,571
|
$
|
(2,062
|
)
|
$
|
127,097
|
$
|
(1,010
|
)
|
$
|
879,668
|
$
|
(3,072
|
)
|
December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
1 percent convertible senior notes
|
$
|
533,111
|
$
|
500,511
|
||||
Long-term mortgage debt
|
59,771
|
—
|
||||||
Long-term financing liability for leased facility
|
—
|
72,359
|
||||||
Principal balance of fixed rate note with Morgan Stanley
|
12,500
|
12,500
|
||||||
Leases and other obligations
|
2,095
|
3,735
|
||||||
Total
|
$
|
607,477
|
$
|
589,105
|
||||
Less: current portion
|
(1,621
|
)
|
(1,185
|
)
|
||||
Total Long-Term Obligations
|
$
|
605,856
|
$
|
587,920
|
1 Percent
Convertible Senior Notes
|
||||
Outstanding balance
|
$
|
685.5
|
||
Original issue date ($500 million of principal)
|
November 2014
|
|||
Additional issue date ($185.5 million of principal)
|
December 2016
|
|||
Maturity date
|
November 2021
|
|||
Interest rate
|
1 percent
|
|||
Conversion price per share
|
$
|
66.81
|
||
Total shares of common stock subject to conversion
|
10.3
|
1 Percent
Convertible Senior Notes
Issued in November 2014
|
1 Percent
Convertible Senior Notes
Issued in December 2016
|
||
Nonconvertible debt borrowing rate
|
7.4 percent
|
6.8 percent
|
|
Effective interest rate
|
7.8 percent
|
7.2 percent
|
|
Amortization period of debt discount
|
7 years
|
5 years
|
December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
Fair value of outstanding notes
|
$
|
727,420
|
$
|
700,969
|
||||
Principal amount of convertible notes outstanding
|
$
|
685,450
|
$
|
685,450
|
||||
Unamortized portion of debt discount
|
$
|
144,112
|
$
|
175,699
|
||||
Long-term debt
|
$
|
533,111
|
$
|
500,511
|
||||
Carrying value of equity component
|
$
|
219,011
|
$
|
219,011
|
(i)
|
a floating rate equal to the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, in effect plus 1.25 percent per annum;
|
(ii)
|
a fixed rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.25 percent for a period of one, two, three, four, six, or twelve months as elected by us; or
|
(iii)
|
a fixed rate equal to the LIBOR swap rate during the period of the loan.
|
2018
|
$
|
9,617
|
||
2019
|
22,082
|
|||
2020
|
9,330
|
|||
2021
|
694,774
|
|||
2022
|
2,809
|
|||
Thereafter
|
71,603
|
|||
Subtotal
|
$
|
810,215
|
||
Less: current portion
|
(53
|
)
|
||
Less: fixed and determinable interest
|
(51,465
|
)
|
||
Less: unamortized portion of debt discount
|
(144,791
|
)
|
||
Plus: Deferred rent
|
165
|
|||
Total
|
$
|
614,071
|
Operating
Leases
|
||||
2018
|
$
|
864
|
||
2019
|
636
|
|||
2020
|
477
|
|||
2021
|
147
|
|||
Total minimum payments
|
$
|
2,124
|
|
arrange for assumption, continuation, or substitution of a stock award by a surviving or acquiring entity (or its parent company);
|
|
arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights applicable to any shares of our common stock issued pursuant to a stock award to the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company);
|
|
accelerate the vesting and exercisability of a stock award followed by the termination of the stock award;
|
|
arrange for the lapse of any reacquisition or repurchase rights applicable to any shares of our common stock issued pursuant to a stock award;
|
|
cancel or arrange for the cancellation of a stock award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective date of the corporate transaction, in exchange for cash consideration, if any, as the Board, in its sole discretion, may consider appropriate; and
|
|
arrange for the surrender of a stock award in exchange for a payment equal to the excess of (a) the value of the property the holder of the stock award would have received upon the exercise of the stock award, over (b) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise.
|
Number of
Shares
|
Weighted
Average Exercise
Price Per Share
|
Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(Years)
|
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
|
|||||||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2016
|
9,178
|
$
|
40.48
|
|||||||||||||
Granted
|
3,274
|
$
|
47.76
|
|||||||||||||
Exercised
|
(1,345
|
)
|
$
|
15.74
|
||||||||||||
Cancelled/forfeited/expired
|
(1,710
|
)
|
$
|
51.71
|
||||||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2017
|
9,397
|
$
|
44.52
|
4.42
|
$
|
92,288
|
||||||||||
Exercisable at December 31, 2017
|
5,182
|
$
|
39.10
|
3.33
|
$
|
80,167
|
Number of
Shares
|
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Per Share
|
|||||||
Non-vested at December 31, 2016
|
778
|
$
|
47.68
|
|||||
Granted
|
420
|
$
|
48.88
|
|||||
Vested
|
(296
|
)
|
$
|
43.79
|
||||
Cancelled/forfeited
|
(39
|
)
|
$
|
48.90
|
||||
Non-vested at December 31, 2017
|
863
|
$
|
49.55
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
||||||||||
Research, development and patent
|
$
|
64,521
|
$
|
55,099
|
$
|
43,638
|
||||||
Selling, general and administrative
|
21,454
|
17,009
|
15,676
|
|||||||||
Total
|
$
|
85,975
|
$
|
72,108
|
$
|
59,314
|
December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
||||||||||
Risk-free interest rate
|
1.8
|
%
|
1.5
|
%
|
1.5
|
%
|
||||||
Dividend yield
|
0.0
|
%
|
0.0
|
%
|
0.0
|
%
|
||||||
Volatility
|
65.9
|
%
|
58.7
|
%
|
53.8
|
%
|
||||||
Expected life
|
4.5 years
|
4.5 years
|
4.5 years
|
December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
||||||||||
Risk-free interest rate
|
2.2
|
%
|
1.3
|
%
|
2.1
|
%
|
||||||
Dividend yield
|
0.0
|
%
|
0.0
|
%
|
0.0
|
%
|
||||||
Volatility
|
61.2
|
%
|
53.1
|
%
|
52.2
|
%
|
||||||
Expected life
|
6.6 years
|
6.5 years
|
6.9 years
|
December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
||||||||||
Risk-free interest rate
|
0.8
|
%
|
0.4
|
%
|
0.1
|
%
|
||||||
Dividend yield
|
0.0
|
%
|
0.0
|
%
|
0.0
|
%
|
||||||
Volatility
|
59.9
|
%
|
86.4
|
%
|
51.7
|
%
|
||||||
Expected life
|
6 months
|
6 months
|
6 months
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
||||||||||
United States
|
$
|
(11,802
|
)
|
$
|
(83,622
|
)
|
$
|
(87,906
|
)
|
|||
Foreign
|
(11,474
|
)
|
—
|
—
|
||||||||
Loss before income tax (benefit) expense
|
$
|
(23,276
|
)
|
$
|
(83,622
|
)
|
$
|
(87,906
|
)
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
||||||||||
Current:
|
||||||||||||
Federal
|
$
|
(7,460
|
)
|
$
|
1,067
|
$
|
379
|
|||||
State
|
1,246
|
1,867
|
(7
|
)
|
||||||||
Foreign
|
234
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||
Total current income tax (benefit) expense
|
(5,980
|
)
|
2,934
|
372
|
||||||||
Deferred:
|
||||||||||||
Federal
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||
State
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||
Total deferred income tax (benefit) expense
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||
Total income tax (benefit) expense
|
$
|
(5,980
|
)
|
$
|
2,934
|
$
|
372
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Pre-tax loss
|
$
|
(23,276
|
)
|
$
|
(83,622
|
)
|
$
|
(87,906
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||
Statutory rate
|
(8,147
|
)
|
35.0
|
%
|
(29,268
|
)
|
35.0
|
%
|
(30,767
|
)
|
35.0
|
%
|
||||||||||||
State income tax net of federal benefit
|
722
|
(3.1
|
)%
|
(276
|
)
|
0.3
|
%
|
1
|
0.0
|
%
|
||||||||||||||
Foreign
|
4,299
|
(18.3
|
)%
|
—
|
0.0
|
%
|
—
|
0.0
|
%
|
|||||||||||||||
Net change in valuation allowance
|
(76,409
|
)
|
328.3
|
%
|
55,927
|
(66.9
|
)%
|
69,499
|
(79.1
|
)%
|
||||||||||||||
Net operating loss expiration
|
3,987
|
(17.0
|
)%
|
—
|
0.0
|
%
|
—
|
0.0
|
%
|
|||||||||||||||
Tax credits
|
(32,769
|
)
|
140.8
|
%
|
(26,954
|
)
|
32.2
|
%
|
(41,284
|
)
|
47.0
|
%
|
||||||||||||
Deferred tax true-up
|
4,848
|
(20.6
|
)%
|
2,591
|
(3.1
|
)%
|
1,496
|
(1.7
|
)%
|
|||||||||||||||
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
|
107,323
|
(461.1
|
)%
|
—
|
—
|
0.0
|
%
|
|||||||||||||||||
Nondeductible items
|
4,123
|
(17.9
|
)%
|
1,149
|
(1.4
|
)%
|
1,055
|
(1.2
|
)%
|
|||||||||||||||
Akcea deconsolidation adjustment at IPO
|
469
|
(2.0
|
)%
|
—
|
0.0
|
%
|
—
|
0.0
|
%
|
|||||||||||||||
Excess stock-based compensation
|
(14,337
|
)
|
61.0
|
%
|
—
|
0.0
|
%
|
—
|
0.0
|
%
|
||||||||||||||
Other
|
(89
|
)
|
0.6
|
%
|
(235
|
)
|
0.4
|
%
|
372
|
(0.4
|
)%
|
|||||||||||||
Effective rate
|
$
|
(5,980
|
)
|
25.7
|
%
|
$
|
2,934
|
(3.5
|
)%
|
$
|
372
|
(0.4
|
)%
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
|||||||
Deferred Tax Assets:
|
||||||||
Net operating loss carryovers
|
$
|
153,575
|
$
|
194,372
|
||||
R&D credits
|
240,290
|
193,845
|
||||||
Deferred revenue
|
42,055
|
54,203
|
||||||
Stock-based compensation
|
40,090
|
48,209
|
||||||
Intangible and capital assets
|
672
|
—
|
||||||
Other
|
12,164
|
26,228
|
||||||
Total deferred tax assets
|
$
|
488,846
|
$
|
516,857
|
||||
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
|
||||||||
Convertible debt
|
$
|
(32,391
|
)
|
$
|
(62,669
|
)
|
||
Intangible and capital assets
|
—
|
(2,030
|
)
|
|||||
Net deferred tax asset
|
$
|
456,455
|
$
|
452,158
|
||||
Valuation allowance
|
(456,455
|
)
|
(452,158
|
)
|
||||
Total net deferred tax assets and liabilities
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
||||||||||
Beginning balance of unrecognized tax benefits
|
$
|
66,999
|
$
|
51,257
|
$
|
27,365
|
||||||
Settlement of prior period tax positions
|
—
|
(4,033
|
)
|
—
|
||||||||
Increase for prior period tax positions
|
1,520
|
7,928
|
215
|
|||||||||
Increase for current period tax positions
|
9,495
|
11,847
|
23,677
|
|||||||||
Ending balance of unrecognized tax benefits
|
$
|
78,014
|
$
|
66,999
|
$
|
51,257
|
● |
AstraZeneca may terminate the agreement or any program at any time by providing written notice to us;
|
● |
AstraZeneca may terminate the agreement or any program by providing written notice if we undergo a change of control with a third party; and
|
● |
Either we or AstraZeneca may terminate the agreement or any program by providing written notice to the other party upon the other party's uncured failure to perform a material obligation under the agreement, or the entire agreement if the other party becomes insolvent.
|
● |
Biogen may terminate the agreement or any program at any time by providing written notice to us;
|
● |
Under specific circumstances, if we are acquired by a third party with a product that directly competes with a compound being developed under the agreement, Biogen may terminate the affected program by providing written notice to us;
|
● |
If, within a specified period of time, any required clearance of a transaction contemplated by an agreement under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, is not received, then either we or Biogen may terminate the affected program by providing written notice to the other party; and
|
● |
Either we or Biogen may terminate any program by providing written notice to the other party upon the other party's uncured failure to perform a material obligation under the agreement with respect to the affected program, or the entire agreement if the other party becomes insolvent.
|
● |
Bayer may terminate the agreement or any program at any time by providing written notice to us;
|
● |
Either we or Bayer may terminate the agreement or any program by providing written notice to the other party upon the other party’s uncured failure to perform a material obligation under the agreement, or the entire agreement if the other party becomes insolvent.
|
● |
GSK may terminate any program, at any time by providing written notice to us; and
|
● |
Either we or GSK may terminate any program by providing written notice to the other party upon the other party's uncured failure to perform a material obligation under the agreement with respect to the affected program, or the entire agreement if the other party becomes insolvent.
|
● |
Janssen may terminate the agreement or any program at any time by providing written notice to us; and
|
● |
Either we or Janssen may terminate any program by providing written notice to the other party upon the other party’s uncured failure to perform a material obligation under the agreement, or the entire agreement if the other party becomes insolvent.
|
● |
Novartis may terminate the agreement as a whole or with respect to any drug at any time by providing written notice to us;
|
● |
Either we or Novartis may terminate the agreement with respect to any drug by providing written notice to the other party in good faith that we or Novartis has determined that the continued development or commercialization of the drug presents safety concerns that pose an unacceptable risk or threat of harm in humans or would violate any applicable law, ethical principles, or principles of scientific integrity;
|
● |
Either we or Novartis may terminate the agreement for a drug by providing written notice to the other party upon the other party’s uncured failure to perform a material obligation related to the drug under the agreement, or the entire agreement if the other party becomes insolvent; and
|
● |
We may terminate the agreement if Novartis disputes or assists a third party to dispute the validity of any of our patents.
|
● |
Development services for AKCEA-APO(a)-LRx;
|
● |
Development services for AKCEA-APOCIII-LRx;
|
● |
API for AKCEA-APO(a)-LRx; and
|
● |
API for AKCEA-APOCIII-LRx.
|
● |
$75 million from the upfront payment;
|
● |
$100 million from our common stock Novartis purchased under the SPA, including $28.4 million for the premium paid by Novartis for its purchase of our common stock at a premium in the first quarter of 2017; and
|
● |
$5.0 million for the potential premium Novartis would have paid if they purchased our common stock in the future.
|
● |
$64.0 million for the development services for AKCEA-APO(a)-LRx;
|
● |
$40.1 million for the development services for AKCEA-APOCIII-LRx;
|
● |
$1.5 million for the delivery of AKCEA-APO(a)-LRx API; and
|
● |
$2.8 million for the delivery of AKCEA-APOCIII-LRx API.
|
● |
Roche may terminate the agreement at any time by providing written notice to us; and
|
● |
Either we or Roche may terminate the agreement by providing written notice to the other party upon the other party's uncured failure to perform a material obligation under the agreement or if the other party becomes insolvent.
|
2017
|
Ionis Core
|
Akcea Therapeutics
|
Elimination of
Intercompany Activity
|
Total
|
||||||||||||
Revenue:
|
||||||||||||||||
Commercial revenue:
|
||||||||||||||||
SPINRAZA royalties
|
$
|
112,540
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
112,540
|
||||||||
Licensing and other royalty revenue
|
9,519
|
—
|
—
|
9,519
|
||||||||||||
Total commercial revenue
|
122,059
|
—
|
—
|
122,059
|
||||||||||||
R&D revenue under collaborative agreements
|
384,805
|
55,209
|
(54,407
|
)
|
385,607
|
|||||||||||
Total segment revenue
|
$
|
506,864
|
$
|
55,209
|
$
|
(54,407
|
)
|
$
|
507,666
|
|||||||
Total operating expenses
|
$
|
373,788
|
$
|
163,871
|
$
|
(54,527
|
)
|
$
|
483,132
|
|||||||
Income (loss) from operations
|
$
|
133,076
|
$
|
(108,662
|
)
|
$
|
120
|
$
|
24,534
|
2016
|
Ionis Core
|
Akcea Therapeutics
|
Elimination of
Intercompany Activity
|
Total
|
||||||||||||
Revenue:
|
||||||||||||||||
Commercial revenue:
|
||||||||||||||||
SPINRAZA royalties
|
$
|
883
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
883
|
||||||||
Licensing and other royalty revenue
|
19,839
|
—
|
—
|
19,839
|
||||||||||||
Total commercial revenue
|
20,722
|
—
|
—
|
20,722
|
||||||||||||
R&D revenue under collaborative agreements
|
338,546
|
—
|
(12,648
|
)
|
325,898
|
|||||||||||
Total segment revenue
|
$
|
359,268
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
(12,648
|
)
|
$
|
346,620
|
|||||||
Total operating expenses
|
$
|
322,192
|
$
|
83,512
|
$
|
(12,768
|
)
|
$
|
392,936
|
|||||||
Income (loss) from operations
|
$
|
37,076
|
$
|
(83,512
|
)
|
$
|
120
|
$
|
(46,316
|
)
|
2015
|
Ionis Core
|
Akcea Therapeutics
|
Elimination of
Intercompany Activity
|
Total
|
||||||||||||
Revenue:
|
||||||||||||||||
R&D revenue under collaborative agreements
|
$
|
284,015
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
(2,655
|
)
|
$
|
281,360
|
|||||||
Licensing and other royalty revenue
|
2,343
|
—
|
—
|
2,343
|
||||||||||||
Total segment revenue
|
$
|
286,358
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
(2,655
|
)
|
$
|
283,703
|
|||||||
Total operating expenses
|
$
|
309,492
|
$
|
52,748
|
$
|
(2,775
|
)
|
$
|
359,465
|
|||||||
Income (loss) from operations
|
$
|
(23,134
|
)
|
$
|
(52,748
|
)
|
$
|
120
|
$
|
(75,762
|
)
|
Total Assets
|
Ionis Core
|
Akcea Therapeutics
|
Elimination of
Intercompany Activity
|
Total
|
||||||||||||
December 31, 2017
|
$
|
1,341,828
|
$
|
268,804
|
$
|
(288,608
|
)
|
$
|
1,322,024
|
|||||||
December 31, 2016
|
$
|
1,067,770
|
$
|
10,684
|
$
|
(165,987
|
)
|
$
|
912,467
|
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
||||||||||
Partner A
|
51
|
%
|
60
|
%
|
37
|
%
|
||||||
Partner B
|
14
|
%
|
2
|
%
|
33
|
%
|
||||||
Partner C
|
10
|
%
|
2
|
%
|
11
|
%
|
||||||
Partner D
|
11
|
%
|
0
|
%
|
0
|
%
|
||||||
Partner E
|
3
|
%
|
19
|
%
|
2
|
%
|
||||||
Partner F
|
2
|
%
|
4
|
%
|
12
|
%
|
2017 Quarters
|
First
Quarter
|
Second
Quarter
|
Third
Quarter
|
Fourth
Quarter
|
||||||||||||
Revenue
|
$
|
110,304
|
$
|
104,152
|
$
|
120,911
|
$
|
172,299
|
||||||||
Operating expenses
|
$
|
96,315
|
$
|
105,823
|
$
|
107,002
|
$
|
173,992
|
||||||||
Income (loss) from operations
|
$
|
13,989
|
$
|
(1,671
|
)
|
$
|
13,909
|
$
|
(1,693
|
)
|
||||||
Net income (loss)
|
$
|
3,468
|
$
|
(11,206
|
)
|
$
|
(4,896
|
)
|
$
|
(4,662
|
)
|
|||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. common stockholders
|
$
|
3,468
|
$
|
(11,206
|
)
|
$
|
(976
|
)
|
$
|
2,744
|
||||||
Basic net income (loss) per share (1) (2)
|
$
|
0.03
|
$
|
(0.09
|
)
|
$
|
0.00
|
$
|
0.02
|
|||||||
Diluted net income (loss) per share (1) (3)
|
$
|
0.03
|
$
|
(0.09
|
)
|
$
|
0.00
|
$
|
0.02
|
2016 Quarters
|
First
Quarter
|
Second
Quarter
|
Third
Quarter
|
Fourth
Quarter
|
||||||||||||
Revenue
|
$
|
36,874
|
$
|
38,470
|
$
|
110,927
|
$
|
160,349
|
||||||||
Operating expenses
|
$
|
91,526
|
$
|
87,397
|
$
|
94,819
|
$
|
119,194
|
||||||||
Income (loss) from operations
|
$
|
(54,652
|
)
|
$
|
(48,927
|
)
|
$
|
16,108
|
$
|
41,155
|
||||||
Net income (loss)
|
$
|
(62,917
|
)
|
$
|
(56,855
|
)
|
$
|
7,351
|
$
|
25,865
|
||||||
Basic net income (loss) per share (1)
|
$
|
(0.52
|
)
|
$
|
(0.47
|
)
|
$
|
0.06
|
$
|
0.21
|
||||||
Diluted net income (loss) per share (1) (4) (5)
|
$
|
(0.52
|
)
|
$
|
(0.47
|
)
|
$
|
0.06
|
$
|
0.21
|
(1) |
We computed net income (loss) per share independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly net income (loss) per share will not necessarily equal the total for the year.
|
(2) |
As discussed in Note 1, Organization and Significant Accounting Policies, we compute basic net income (loss) per share by dividing the total net income (loss) attributable to our common stockholders by our weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The calculation of total net income (loss) attributable to our common stockholders for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017 considered our net income for Ionis on a stand-alone basis plus our share of Akcea’s net loss for the periods. To calculate the portion of Akcea’s net loss attributable to our ownership, we multiplied Akcea’s income (loss) per share by the weighted average shares we owned in Akcea during the period.
|
Three Months Ended December 31, 2017
|
Weighted
Average Shares
Owned in Akcea
|
Akcea’s
Net Loss
Per Share
|
Ionis’
Portion of
Akcea’s Net Loss
|
|||||||||
Common shares
|
45,448
|
$
|
(0.35
|
)
|
$
|
(15,955
|
)
|
|||||
Akcea’s net loss attributable to our ownership
|
$
|
(15,955
|
)
|
|||||||||
Ionis’ stand-alone net income
|
18,672
|
|||||||||||
Net income available to Ionis common stockholders
|
$
|
2,717
|
||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding
|
124,818
|
|||||||||||
Basic net income per share
|
$
|
0.02
|
Three Months Ended December 31, 2017
|
Income
(Numerator)
|
Shares
(Denominator)
|
Per-Share
Amount
|
|||||||||
Income available to common shareholders
|
$
|
2,717
|
124,818
|
$
|
0.02
|
|||||||
Effect of dilutive securities:
|
||||||||||||
Shares issuable upon exercise of stock options
|
—
|
1,532
|
||||||||||
Shares issuable upon restricted stock award issuance
|
—
|
507
|
||||||||||
Shares issuable related to our ESPP
|
—
|
5
|
||||||||||
Income available to common shareholders, plus assumed conversions
|
$
|
2,717
|
126,862
|
$
|
0.02
|
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
|
Weighted
Average Shares
Owned in Akcea
|
Akcea’s
Net Income (Loss)
Per Share
|
Ionis’
Portion of
Akcea’s Net Loss
|
|||||||||
Common shares
|
36,556
|
$
|
(0.27
|
)
|
$
|
(9,870
|
)
|
|||||
Preferred shares
|
5,651
|
0.05
|
283
|
|||||||||
Akcea’s net loss attributable to our ownership
|
$
|
(9,587
|
)
|
|||||||||
Ionis’ stand-alone net income
|
9,168
|
|||||||||||
Net loss available to Ionis common stockholders
|
$
|
(419
|
)
|
|||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding
|
124,370
|
|||||||||||
Basic net income per share
|
$
|
0.00
|
(3) |
For the three months ended March 31, 2017 we had net income. As a result, we computed diluted net income per share using the weighted-average number of common shares and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Diluted common equivalent shares for the three months ended March 31, 2017 consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
|
Income
(Numerator)
|
Shares
(Denominator)
|
Per-Share
Amount
|
|||||||||
Income available to common shareholders
|
$
|
3,468
|
122,861
|
$
|
0.03
|
|||||||
Effect of dilutive securities:
|
||||||||||||
Shares issuable upon exercise of stock options
|
—
|
1,674
|
||||||||||
Shares issuable upon restricted stock award issuance
|
—
|
377
|
||||||||||
Shares issuable related to our ESPP
|
—
|
60
|
||||||||||
Income available to common shareholders, plus assumed conversions
|
$
|
3,468
|
124,972
|
$
|
0.03
|
(4) |
For the three months ended December 31, 2016, we had net income. As a result, we computed diluted net income per share using the weighted-average number of common shares and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Diluted common equivalent shares for the three months ended December 31, 2016 consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
Three Months Ended December 31, 2016
|
Income
(Numerator)
|
Shares
(Denominator)
|
Per-Share
Amount
|
|||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Income available to common shareholders
|
$
|
25,865
|
121,340
|
$
|
0.21
|
|||||||
Effect of diluted securities:
|
||||||||||||
Shares issuable upon exercise of stock options
|
—
|
2,189
|
||||||||||
Shares issuable upon restricted stock award issuance
|
—
|
403
|
||||||||||
Shares issuable related to our ESPP
|
—
|
21
|
||||||||||
Income available to common shareholders, plus assumed conversions
|
$
|
25,865
|
123,953
|
$
|
0.21
|
(5) |
For the three months ended September 30, 2016, we had net income. As a result, we computed diluted net income per share using the weighted-average number of common shares and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Diluted common equivalent shares for the three months ended September 30, 2016 consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
|
Income
(Numerator)
|
Shares
(Denominator)
|
Per-Share
Amount
|
|||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Income available to common shareholders
|
$
|
7,351
|
120,989
|
$
|
0.06
|
|||||||
Effect of diluted securities:
|
||||||||||||
Shares issuable upon exercise of stock options
|
—
|
2,129
|
||||||||||
Shares issuable upon restricted stock award issuance
|
—
|
202
|
||||||||||
Shares issuable related to our ESPP
|
—
|
58
|
||||||||||
Income available to common shareholders, plus assumed conversions
|
$
|
7,351
|
123,378
|
$
|
0.06
|
ISIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
|
||
By
|
||
Stanley T. Crooke
|
||
President
|
ATTEST:
|
|
|
|
Aron P. Stern
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
By:
|
Print Name:
|
B. Lynne Parshall
|
|
Executive Vice President,
|
||
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
|
• |
Know and comply with the Ionis Code of Ethics and Company policies that apply to business activities.
|
• |
Be honest, fair and trustworthy in all business activities and relationships.
|
• |
Provide and support a culture that values integrity and ethical conduct.
|
• |
Avoid all conflicts of interest between work and personal affairs.
|
• |
Report suspected violations of law, the Ionis Code of Ethics or Company Policies.
|
• |
Cooperate in any investigation into possible violations of law, the Ionis Code of Ethics or Company Policies.
|
· |
We will not use any unlawful inducement to sell or to arrange for the recommendation or prescribing of our products;
|
· |
We believe that enduring customer relationships are based on integrity and trust. We seek to gain advantage over our competitors through superior products, quality, manufacturing and service, but never through improper business practices;
|
· |
Ionis’ relationships with HCPs and HCOs are intended to benefit patient care and enhance the practice of medicine. Interactions should not tempt HCPs to place their own personal interests above those of the organizations they represent or the patients who will use or need Ionis’ products;
|
· |
Ionis will not, directly or indirectly, offer or solicit any improper payment, contribution or other transfer of value for the purpose of obtaining, giving or keeping business.
|
• |
All books, records and accounts must be kept in reasonable detail and must accurately and fairly reflect all transactions and dispositions of the Company’s assets.
|
• |
All disbursements of funds and all receipts must be properly and promptly recorded.
|
• |
No undisclosed or unrecorded fund or account may be established for any purposes.
|
• |
False or artificial entries must never be made in any of the books or records of the Company, or in any public record for any reason, nor should the Company’s records be falsely altered in any way.
|
• |
Working in the food service or hospitality industry after normal business hours;
|
• |
Owning rental property (unless Ionis rents the property);
|
• |
Philanthropic or pro bono activities;
|
• |
Farming;
|
• |
Home-based retail (e.g. Amway, Tupperware, cosmetics), provided you do not solicit sales during Ionis business hours or at the Ionis workplace; and
|
• |
Fitness instructor.
|
• |
Engage in fraud or embezzlement affecting Company property, funds, securities or other assets; or
|
• |
Willfully damage or destroy property or materials belonging to the Company, its employees or customers.
|
• |
Remove property, material or money from the Company, its employees, or its customers for personal gain, personal use, resale or to give to another party;
|
• |
Receive property, materials or money belonging to the Company, its employees or its customers for personal gain, personal use, resale or to give to another party;
|
• |
Access, remove, publish, destroy or alter private or confidential information existing in physical Company records or electronically stored information;
|
• |
Remove, publish, destroy or alter other physical Company records or electronically stored information affecting the Company, its employees or corporate partners; or
|
• |
Copy, reprint, duplicate, or recreate in whole or in part, computer programs or related systems developed or modified by Ionis personnel, or acquired from outside vendors.
|
1. |
The employee should immediately communicate his/her concern to the Chief Compliance Officer, the COO or the CEO. To ensure the highest quality response, employees should communicate directly with one of these designated Ionis officials. However, any concern may be made anonymously and will be taken seriously.
|
2. |
Any officer receiving such a complaint will immediately communicate the complaint to the Audit Committee or you may directly report a suspected violation to the Chairman of the Audit Committee.
|
3. |
The Audit Committee together with management will conduct, if appropriate, a confidential, but not anonymous investigation which will involve talking to the complainant (if known), the accused, and as circumstances warrant, any witnesses, and anyone who may have similar complaints.
|
4. |
All parties involved in the investigation will be required to cooperate fully, maintain complete confidentiality and take no action which might be considered retaliatory.
|
5. |
Once the investigation is complete, the Audit Committee will make a determination as to what happened, the level of severity and the appropriate remedial action, and will take such action.
|
1. |
Authorizing, paying, promising or delivering any payment, gift or favor intended to influence any foreign official on a matter within that person’s responsibilities. For example, any payment to any foreign official for the purposes of obtaining or retaining sales of products or services to Ionis, sales by Ionis of Ionis products or services, to win a bid or contract, or to obtain more favorable tax treatment is prohibited.
|
2. |
Any indirect payment to a third party if the payor knows that the third party may make a prohibited payment. For example, any payment to an Ionis agent or consultant where the payor is aware or has a firm belief that such agent or consultant may make an improper payment to a foreign official is prohibited. The Ionis payor may not avoid this prohibition by deliberately ignoring or purposefully avoiding knowledge that a bribe may be paid.
|
3. |
Establishing any undisclosed or unrecorded “slush” funds or assets; making any false or artificial entries in company books or records; failing to keep books, records and accounts in reasonable detail to reflect accurately the handling of money and other assets; and failing to maintain internal accounting controls sufficient to verify that no improper payments have been made.
|
1. |
Payments to a foreign official for the purpose of expediting or securing the performance of a routine governmental action. Payments for the following routine governmental actions are permissible: obtaining permits, licenses or other official documents to qualify to do business in a foreign country; processing governmental papers, such as visas and work orders; assuring police protection, mail pickup and delivery, or scheduling inspections associated with contract performance or inspections related to the transit of goods across country; and providing phone service, power and water supply, loading and unloading cargo or protecting perishable products or commodities from deterioration. Routine governmental action does not include any decision by a foreign official to encourage, to award, to continue or to modify the terms relating to any business with any Ionis entity.
|
2. |
Any payment that is lawful under the written laws and regulations of the foreign country.
|
3. |
Any reasonable expenditure directly related to the promotion, demonstration or explanation of Ionis products or services or the execution or performance of a contract with a foreign government or agency, such as the travel and lodging expenses of a foreign official on a trip for such purposes.
|
TEN COM
|
—as tenants in common
|
UNIF GIFT MIN ACT—___________Custodian______________
|
|
TEN ENT
|
—as tenants by the entireties
|
(Cust)
|
(Minor)
|
JT TEN
|
—as Joint tenants with right
|
under Uniform Gifts to Minors
|
|
of survivorship and not
|
Act___________
|
||
as tenants in common
|
(State)
|
||
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not In the above list.
|
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
|
|
|
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)
|
|
|
|
Shares of the Common Stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
|
|
||
Attorney to transfer the said shares on the books of the within named Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.
|
||
Dated
|
|
|
|
|
NOTICE:
|
THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.
|
Dated:
|
||||
Signature
|
||||
Name of Employee
|
||||
Address
|
||||
By:
|
||
Signature
|
||
Shannon L. Devers
|
||
Printed Name
|
||
Vice President, Human Resources
|
||
Title
|
Date:
|
|||
Employee Signature
|
Confidential
|
Execution Copy
|
ARTICLE 1. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT |
2
|
||
1.1.
|
Collaboration Overview
|
2
|
|
1.2.
|
Research Programs
|
3
|
|
1.3.
|
Process for Designating High Interest Targets as Collaboration Targets or Biogen Alternate Modality Targets
|
7
|
|
1.4.
|
Process for Designating Ionis Neurology Targets as Collaboration Targets
|
8
|
|
1.5.
|
Process for Designating ALS Targets as Collaboration Targets
|
8
|
|
1.6.
|
Consequences of Designating Collaboration Targets
|
9
|
|
1.7.
|
Consequences of Designating Biogen Alternate Modality Targets
|
10
|
|
1.8.
|
Deferring the Selection of a Collaboration Target or Biogen Alternate Modality Target
|
10
|
|
1.9.
|
End of Research Term
|
12
|
|
1.10.
|
Ionis’ Research and Development Responsibilities
|
12
|
|
1.11.
|
Resource Allocations
|
25
|
|
1.12.
|
Research and Development Costs Paid by Ionis
|
25
|
|
1.13.
|
Research and Development Costs Paid by Biogen
|
26
|
|
1.14.
|
Payment Mechanisms
|
26
|
|
1.15.
|
Participation in Regulatory Meetings
|
29
|
|
1.16.
|
Participation in Meetings Sponsored by a Party’s Clinical Development Group
|
29
|
|
1.17.
|
Impact of Accelerated Development Path
|
29
|
|
1.18.
|
Research and Development Management
|
30
|
|
ARTICLE 2. EXCLUSIVITY COVENANTS |
35
|
||
2.1.
|
Exclusivity; Right of First Negotiation
|
35
|
|
2.2.
|
Right of First Negotiation for Follow-On Compounds
|
39
|
|
ARTICLE 3. EXCLUSIVE OPTION
|
40
|
||
3.1.
|
Option
|
40
|
|
3.2.
|
Changing or Adding Modalities
|
43
|
|
3.3.
|
Restrictions on Ionis’ Right to Grant Diagnostic Rights; Right to Negotiate Diagnostic Rights
|
46
|
ARTICLE 4. LICENSE GRANTS
|
46
|
||
4.1.
|
License Grants to Biogen
|
46
|
|
4.2.
|
Assignment of Ionis Product-Specific Patents; Grant Back to Ionis
|
49
|
|
4.3.
|
Data Licenses
|
50
|
|
4.4.
|
Enabling Licenses
|
50
|
|
4.5.
|
Licenses to Ionis for Biogen Results
|
52
|
|
4.6.
|
Right to Obtain Direct License from Biogen to Ionis Partner; Sublicensees of Ionis
|
53
|
|
4.7.
|
Ownership of and Assistance with Regulatory Filings
|
53
|
|
4.8.
|
Subcontracting
|
54
|
|
4.9.
|
Technology Transfer
|
55
|
|
ARTICLE 5. DEVELOPMENT, MANUFACTURING AND COMMERCIALIZATION
|
58
|
||
5.1.
|
Biogen Diligence
|
58
|
|
5.2.
|
Regulatory Matters; Global Safety Database; Pharmacovigilance Agreement
|
60
|
|
5.3.
|
Research and Manufacturing Records
|
64
|
|
5.4.
|
Product Development Plans for ALS Collaboration Programs and Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Programs
|
64
|
|
ARTICLE 6. FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
|
64
|
||
6.1.
|
Up-Front Fee
|
64
|
|
6.2.
|
Drug Discovery Milestone Payments
|
64
|
|
6.3.
|
Milestone Payments for Achievement of Milestone Events by Biogen Alternate Modality Products
|
65
|
|
6.4.
|
Non-ALS Collaboration Program Milestone Payments for Achievement of Pre-Licensing Milestone Events
|
65
|
|
6.5.
|
ALS Collaboration Program Milestone Payments for Achievement of Pre-Licensing Milestone Events
|
66
|
|
6.6.
|
License Fee
|
66
|
|
6.7.
|
Milestone Payments for Achievement of Post-Licensing Milestone Events
|
67
|
|
6.8.
|
Limitations on Milestone Payments; Exceptions; Notice
|
68
|
|
6.9.
|
Royalty Payments to Ionis for Biogen Alternate Modality Products
|
69
|
|
6.10.
|
Royalty Payments to Ionis for Collaboration Products
|
69
|
|
6.11.
|
Limitation on Aggregate Reduction for Royalties for Collaboration Products
|
72
|
|
6.12.
|
Reverse Royalty Payments to Biogen for a Discontinued Collaboration Product
|
72
|
|
6.13.
|
Third Party Payment Obligations
|
73
|
|
6.14.
|
Payments
|
74
|
|
6.15.
|
Audits
|
75
|
|
6.16.
|
Taxes
|
76
|
|
6.17.
|
Interest
|
77
|
ARTICLE 7. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
|
77
|
||
7.1.
|
Ownership
|
77
|
|
7.2.
|
Prosecution and Maintenance of Patents
|
81
|
|
7.3.
|
Patent Costs
|
84
|
|
7.4.
|
Defense of Claims Brought by Third Parties
|
85
|
|
7.5.
|
Enforcement of Patents Against Competitive Infringement
|
86
|
|
7.6.
|
Other Infringement
|
89
|
|
7.7.
|
Patent Listing
|
89
|
|
7.8.
|
Joint Research Agreement under the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act
|
90
|
|
7.9.
|
Obligations to Third Parties
|
90
|
|
7.10.
|
Additional Right and Exceptions
|
90
|
|
7.11.
|
Patent Term Extension
|
90
|
|
ARTICLE 8. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
|
90
|
||
8.1.
|
Representations and Warranties of Both Parties
|
90
|
|
8.2.
|
Representations and Warranties of Ionis
|
91
|
|
8.3.
|
Ionis Covenants
|
93
|
|
8.4.
|
DISCLAIMER
|
94
|
|
ARTICLE 9. INDEMNIFICATION; INSURANCE
|
94
|
||
9.1.
|
Indemnification by Biogen
|
94
|
|
9.2.
|
Indemnification by Ionis
|
95
|
|
9.3.
|
Procedure
|
95
|
|
9.4.
|
Insurance
|
96
|
|
9.5.
|
LIMITATION OF CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
|
96
|
|
ARTICLE 10. TERM; TERMINATION
|
97
|
||
10.1.
|
Agreement Term; Expiration
|
97
|
|
10.2.
|
Termination of the Agreement
|
97
|
|
10.3.
|
Alternative Remedies to Termination Available to Biogen Prior to Option Exercise
|
101
|
|
10.4.
|
Consequences of Expiration or Termination of the Agreement
|
103
|
ARTICLE 11. CONFIDENTIALITY
|
114
|
||
11.1.
|
Confidentiality; Exceptions
|
114
|
|
11.2.
|
Prior Confidentiality Agreement Superseded
|
114
|
|
11.3.
|
Authorized Disclosure
|
115
|
|
11.4.
|
Press Release; Publications; Disclosure of Agreement
|
115
|
|
ARTICLE 12. MISCELLANEOUS
|
120
|
||
12.1.
|
Dispute Resolution
|
120
|
|
12.2.
|
Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Venue; Service of Process
|
121
|
|
12.3.
|
Remedies
|
122
|
|
12.4.
|
Assignment and Successors
|
122
|
|
12.5.
|
Change of Control
|
123
|
|
12.6.
|
Force Majeure
|
126
|
|
12.7.
|
Notices
|
127
|
|
12.8.
|
Export Clause
|
128
|
|
12.9.
|
Waiver
|
128
|
|
12.10.
|
Severability
|
128
|
|
12.11.
|
Entire Agreement
|
128
|
|
12.12.
|
Independent Contractors
|
129
|
|
12.13.
|
Interpretation
|
129
|
|
12.14.
|
Books and Records
|
129
|
|
12.15.
|
Further Actions
|
129
|
|
12.16.
|
Construction of Agreement
|
129
|
|
12.17.
|
Supremacy
|
129
|
|
12.18.
|
Counterparts
|
130
|
|
12.19.
|
Compliance with Laws
|
130
|
1.1. |
Collaboration Overview.
|
1.1.1. |
The intent of the Collaboration is for the Parties to conduct (i) a neurological disease research program focused on the identification, validation, and applications of novel Neurology Targets, (ii) a broad core technology research program focused on enhancing the Parties’ knowledge of ASO pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the central and peripheral nervous systems, and (iii) an expanded drug discovery and development effort in Neurological Disease, including a program specifically focused on certain ALS Targets. This Agreement also provides Biogen the exclusive opportunity to select Collaboration Targets and Biogen Alternate Modality Targets from among all available Neurology Targets Ionis is independently researching up through Target Sanction.
|
1.1.2. |
Once a Neurology Target reaches Target Sanction, the Neurology Target may be selected as a Collaboration Target, a Biogen Alternate Modality Target or both under this Agreement. Ionis will generate at least one Development Candidate, if feasible for each Collaboration Program that is not focused on an ALS Target or a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Target; and advance each such Development Candidate through the completion of the first PoC Trial under the applicable Collaboration Program.
|
1.1.3. |
When an ALS Target is selected as a Collaboration Target, Ionis will generate at least one Development Candidate, if feasible, for each ALS Collaboration Program; and Biogen will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to advance each such Development Candidate through at least the completion of the first PoC Trial under the applicable Collaboration Program.
|
1.1.4. |
Once a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Target reaches Target Sanction, the Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Target may be selected as a Collaboration Target under this Agreement. Ionis will generate at least one Development Candidate, if feasible for each Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program; and Biogen will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to advance each such Development Candidate through at least the completion of the first PoC Trial under the applicable Collaboration Program.
|
1.1.5. |
Ionis will provide Biogen an option to further Develop and ultimately Commercialize (I) Compounds and Collaboration Products under such Collaboration Programs, (II) Biogen Alternate Modality Products or (III) both Collaboration Products and Biogen Alternate Modality Products, in each case, under an exclusive license from Ionis.
|
1.1.6. |
The Parties have agreed to form a collaboration steering committee to oversee the Collaboration under this Agreement, a joint research committee reporting to the CSC to oversee the Core Research Program, the Neurological Disease Research Program, and each ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan, and one or more joint development committees reporting to the CSC to oversee the development activities for Development Candidates.
|
1.1.7. |
The purpose of this Section 1.1 is to provide a high-level overview of the roles, responsibilities, rights and obligations of each Party under this Agreement, and therefore this Section 1.1 is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed provisions of this Agreement set forth below.
|
1.2. |
Research Programs. Subject to and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, during the Research Term, Ionis and Biogen will conduct two research programs, each under a separate mutually agreed plan. The first research program will cover research focused on enhancing the Parties’ knowledge of ASO pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the central and peripheral nervous systems (such program, the “Core Research Program” and the plan for such program, the “Core Research Plan”). The second research program will focus on the identification and validation of High Interest Targets, and the identification of ALS Targets, that are eligible to become Collaboration Targets (such program, the “Neurological Disease Research Program” and the plan for such program, the “Neurological Disease Research Plan”). Drafts of the Core Research Plan and the initial Neurological Disease Research Plan have been mutually agreed upon by the Parties in writing on or prior to the Effective Date. The Parties will finalize these initially agreed draft plans within [***] days after the Effective Date. Thereafter, the Parties will update such plans at least once before the beginning of each Calendar Year, and submit them to the Neurology JRC for its review and approval. Each update to the Neurological Disease Research Plan will include, at a minimum (i) the activities to support Target Sanction in the Calendar Year covered by such Neurological Disease Research Plan, (ii) any Neurological Disease research to support Collaboration Programs, and (iii) any ongoing work on High Interest Targets from prior Calendar Years. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Party will be required to complete any activities under the Core Research Plan or Neurological Disease Research Plan if such Party in good faith believes that such activities are not technically feasible given the then-current state of the art.
|
1.2.1. |
Research Term. The term for the conduct of the Core Research Program and the Neurological Disease Research Program will begin on the Effective Date and will end on the sixth anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Research Term”); provided, however, that (a) with respect to the Neurological Disease Research Program, (i) Ionis will not be required to begin target validation activities under the Neurological Disease Research Program (A) after the [***] anniversary of the Effective Date for any target that is not an ALS Target or (B) after the [***] anniversary of the Effective Date for any ALS Target, in each case, unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties and (ii) if any target validation activities that are Ionis Activities are ongoing under the Neurological Disease Research Plan on such sixth anniversary, Ionis will complete such activities in accordance with the Neurological Disease Research Plan, and the Research Term will be extended until the completion thereof and (b) with respect to the Core Research Program, Ionis will complete all Ionis Activities under the Core Research Plan that are ongoing on such sixth anniversary in accordance with such plan, and the Research Term will be extended until the completion thereof.
|
1.2.2. |
Core Research Program. The Core Research Program activities will focus primarily on investigating and optimizing delivery of ASOs to the CNS. Ionis will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to conduct the Ionis Activities under the Core Research Program, and Biogen will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to conduct the Biogen Activities under the Core Research Program. The Neurology JRC will update the Core Research Plan as needed during the Research Term.
|
1.2.3. |
Neurological Disease Research Program. The Neurological Disease Research Program activities will focus primarily on identifying and validating novel Neurology Targets and prioritizing a list of High Interest Targets (defined below), including ALS Targets.
|
(a) |
High Interest Targets. Under the Neurological Disease Research Plan, Biogen will establish a prioritized list of Neurology Targets, including ALS Targets to designate as high interest targets (each such target, a “High Interest Target” and such list the “High Interest Target List”). The number of High Interest Targets cannot exceed [***]. The initial High Interest Target List has been mutually agreed upon by the Parties in writing on or prior to the Effective Date. Biogen will present updates, if any, to the High Interest Target List at each meeting of the Neurology JRC. Each Neurology Target added to the High Interest Target List will be a High Interest Target; provided, however, that if Ionis notifies Biogen within [***] days after the date on which Ionis receives a High Interest Target List containing a new High Interest Target that (1) [***], (2) such gene target is not eligible to become a High Interest Target hereunder [***], or (3) such gene target is [***], then the applicable gene target will not be a High Interest Target hereunder. When Biogen adds a Neurology Target to the High Interest Target List, Biogen will identify on the High Interest Target List if Biogen intends such target to be an ALS Target. Biogen may convert an ALS Target into a High Interest Target that is not an ALS Target at any meeting of the Neurology JRC. For clarity, Biogen may add any Ionis Neurology Target to the High Interest Target List so long as such Ionis Neurology Target is more than [***] months away from the date on which Ionis in good faith believes [***]. In addition, once target validating activities for a High Interest Target have been initiated under the Neurological Disease Research Plan or by Ionis independently (as presented by Ionis to the Neurology JRC), Biogen may not remove a High Interest Target from the High Interest Target List until [***]. The Parties acknowledge and agree that, as of August 4, 2014, [***] has been designated as a Collaboration Target that is an ALS Target under this Agreement. The Parties further acknowledge and agree that (a) notwithstanding any scientific determination regarding [***], the ALS Collaboration Program for [***] shall be treated as an ALS Collaboration Program that is not a [***] Collaboration Program for purposes of this Agreement, (b) [***] is not a Multi-Indication Target (as defined below) and (c) [***] is deemed to be a Pre-Existing Target (as defined below) for purposes of this Agreement.
|
(b) |
Multi-Indication Targets. No later than [***] days following the addition of a particular High Interest Target to the High Interest Target List, Ionis may notify Biogen in writing that Ionis believes, in good faith, based upon published scientific literature or the results of Ionis’ internal research efforts, that such High Interest Target may have therapeutic benefit beyond Neurological Disease (each such High Interest Target, a “Multi-Indication Target”, and each such notice a “Multi-Indication Target Notice”). The Multi-Indication Target Notice will (i) include materials supporting Ionis’ belief that such High Interest Target may have therapeutic benefit beyond Neurological Disease and (ii) specify whether Ionis in good faith believes such Multi-Indication Target is a Primarily Neuro Multi-Indication Target, Equal Multi-Indication Target or Primarily Other Multi-Indication Target. If within [***] days of its receipt of a Multi-Indication Target Notice Biogen notifies Ionis in writing that Biogen wishes to remove the applicable Multi-Indication Target from the High Interest Target List, then such Multi-Indication Target will not be a High Interest Target but will continue to be a Neurology Target unless and until its status changes by operation of this Agreement. If Biogen does not so notify Ionis that it wishes to remove the applicable Multi-Indication Target from the High Interest Target List within such [***] day period, within [***] days after Biogen’s receipt of the applicable Multi-Indication Target Notice, Biogen will notify Ionis whether it agrees with Ionis’ determination as to whether the applicable Multi-Indication Target is a Primarily Neuro Multi-Indication Target, Equal Multi-Indication Target or Primarily Other Multi-Indication Target. If Biogen and Ionis agree with respect to such determination, then the agreed upon designation will be binding upon the Parties with respect to such Multi-Indication Target and the provisions of clauses (b)-(e) of Appendix 3 will apply with respect to such Multi-Indication Target. If Biogen does not agree with such determination, the Multi-Indication Target will be designated as a Primarily Neuro Multi-Indication Target, Equal Multi-Indication Target or Primarily Other Multi-Indication Target in accordance with Section 1.2.3(d) upon the Neurology JRC agreeing to conduct target validating activities for such Multi-Indication Target under the Neurological Disease Research Plan pursuant to Section 1.2.3(d) and prior to the commencement of such activities. For the avoidance of doubt, if Ionis fails to deliver a Multi-Indication Target Notice within [***] days after the addition of a particular High Interest Target to the High Interest Target List, such High Interest Target will not be a Multi-Indication Target hereunder.
|
(c) |
Target Validation Under the Neurological Disease Research Program. The Neurology JRC will agree on an update to the Neurological Disease Research Plan annually. The first [***] years of the Research Term are planned to focus on validating the role of novel Neurology Targets that are not ALS Targets in Neurological Disease, with the goal of achieving Target Sanction for High Interest Targets, and providing for all pre-clinical development work under the Neurological Disease Research Plan required to validate such High Interest Targets. Biogen will have final decision-making authority with respect to [***]. The Neurology JRC will determine the number of High Interest Targets for which activities to support Target Sanction will be conducted during each Calendar Year of the Research Term, which number will reflect the number of targets the Neurology JRC determines that Ionis can, in the exercise of Commercially Reasonable Efforts, (i) [***], (ii) [***], (iii) [***], and taking into account resources that may be used for ALS Targets, in each case using the number of FTEs provided for under Section 1.11. Prior to the initiation of any activities to support Target Sanction with respect to any High Interest Target, Biogen will notify Ionis if such High Interest Target is a Neurology Target with respect to which Biogen has [***] intended for a neurology indication (a “Pre-Existing Target”). Ionis will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to conduct such activities to support Target Sanction on such High Interest Targets each year during the Research Term. The Neurological Disease Research Plan will identify which Party will be responsible for the activities related to validation of such targets. It is anticipated that Biogen will perform the [***] required under the Neurological Disease Research Plan where Biogen, at such time, already has in place at Biogen or through its collaborators the appropriate [***] and the ability to conduct such [***]; and that all other such [***] will be conducted by Ionis. Each Party will be responsible for the cost of the work it conducts under the Neurological Disease Research Program as more specifically detailed in Section 1.12 and Section 1.13. Neither Party will be required to conduct work using [***] that are not similar in cost or technical feasibility to the [***] such Party has obtained from Third Parties and uses for its other programs.
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(d) |
Target Validation for Multi-Indication Targets. If the Neurology JRC agrees to conduct target validating activities under the Neurological Disease Research Plan with respect to any Multi-Indication Target that the Parties did not agree to designate as a Primarily Neuro Multi-Indication Target, Equal Multi-Indication Target or Primarily Other Multi-Indication Target pursuant to Section 1.2.3(b), within [***] days after such agreement, the CSC will meet to determine whether such target is a Primarily Neuro Multi-Indication Target, Equal Multi-Indication Target or Primarily Other Multi-Indication Target. If the CSC agrees on the appropriate classification for such Multi-Indication Target, the provisions of clauses (b)-(e) of Appendix 3 will apply with respect to such Multi-Indication Target. If the CSC cannot unanimously agree on the appropriate classification for a Multi-Indication Target at the applicable meeting, then such classification will be made pursuant to clause (a) of Appendix 3.
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(e) |
Neurology Targets that are not High Interest Targets. Subject to the provisions of Section 1.4 and Section 2.1.1(b) below, during the Research Term, either Party may work outside of the Collaboration on any Neurology Target that is not (i) a High Interest Target for which target validating activities are planned under the then-current Neurological Disease Research Plan, (ii) a Collaboration Target, or (iii) a Biogen Alternate Modality Target.
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1.2.4. |
Provision of ASOs for Research Outside of the Neurological Disease Research Program. During the Research Term, in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions set forth on Schedule 1.2.4 (which represent the non-financial terms upon which Ionis generally provides its partners on a non-exclusive basis, research ASOs for independent research), Biogen may ask Ionis to use its ASO technology to provide research ASOs for up to [***] gene targets each successive [***] month period that are the focus of Biogen programs that are not part of the Collaboration.
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1.3. |
Process for Designating High Interest Targets as Collaboration Targets or Biogen Alternate Modality Targets. After the Parties complete the activities to achieve Target Sanction for a particular High Interest Target that is not an ALS Target, Ionis will deliver a Target Sanction Data Package for such High Interest Target to the Neurology JRC for review as soon as reasonably practicable. Each time Ionis delivers the Neurology JRC a Target Sanction Data Package for a High Interest Target under this Section 1.3 the Parties will schedule a meeting of the Neurology JRC within [***] days following delivery of such Target Sanction Data Package. At such meetings the Neurology JRC will determine and record in the Neurology JRC minutes whether an ASO or Alternate Modality is the best therapeutic approach to pursue for such High Interest Target. If the Neurology JRC cannot unanimously agree on which modality is the best therapeutic approach to pursue for a particular High Interest Target at such meeting, Biogen will have final decision making authority on the matter. Within the later of (x) [***] days following such meeting of the Neurology JRC or (y) [***] days after Biogen’s receipt of the Target Sanction Data Package for such High Interest Target, by written notice to Ionis, Biogen will either designate such High Interest Target as a Collaboration Target (in which case Section 1.6 will apply), a Biogen Alternate Modality Target (in which case Section 1.7 will apply), or a Deferred Target (in which case Section 1.8 will apply). If Biogen does not designate such High Interest Target as a Collaboration Target, a Biogen Alternate Modality Target, or Deferred Target within the timeframe set forth in the previous sentence, then (A) such High Interest Target (I) will not be designated a Collaboration Target or Biogen Alternate Modality Target and (II) will no longer be a Neurology Target under this Agreement and (B) the provisions of Section 2.1.1(f) will apply with respect to such target. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Ionis delivers the Neurology JRC a Target Sanction Data Package for a High Interest Target under this Section 1.3 and such High Interest Target is a Pre-Existing Target, then the Neurology JRC will not meet to discuss which modality is the best therapeutic approach for such High Interest Target, but Biogen will have [***] days after receipt of such Target Sanction Data Package to designate such High Interest Target as a Collaboration Target or a Deferred Target (treating, for purposes of Section 1.8, such target as a High Interest Target for which the best therapeutic modality was determined to be an ASO) by written notice to Ionis, but will not have the right to designate such High Interest Target as a Biogen Alternate Modality Target. If Biogen does not designate such High Interest Target as a Collaboration Target or Deferred Target within the timeframe set forth in the previous sentence, then (X) such High Interest Target (I) will not be designated a Collaboration Target or a Deferred Target and (II) will no longer be a Neurology Target under this Agreement and (Y) the provisions of clause (x) (but not clause (y)) of Section 2.1.1(f) will apply with respect to such target.
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1.4. |
Process for Designating Ionis Neurology Targets as Collaboration Targets. If, during the Research Term in the course of conducting work outside of the Collaboration with respect to any Ionis Neurology Target, Ionis achieves Target Sanction with respect to such Ionis Neurology Target, then Ionis will deliver a Target Sanction Data Package for such Ionis Neurology Target to the Neurology JRC for review as soon as reasonably practicable. Within [***] days after the date Ionis delivered the applicable Target Sanction Data Package to the Neurology JRC, by written notice to Ionis, Biogen will either designate such Ionis Neurology Target as a Collaboration Target (in which case Section 1.6 will apply), or, to the extent permitted below, a Biogen Alternate Modality Target (in which case Section 1.7 will apply). If such Ionis Neurology Target was not a High Interest Target on the date of Target Sanction, Biogen will only have the right to designate such target as a Collaboration Target (and not, for the avoidance of doubt, as a Biogen Alternate Modality Target). If Biogen does not designate such Ionis Neurology Target as a Collaboration Target, or a Biogen Alternate Modality Target within [***] days after the date Ionis delivered the applicable Target Sanction Data Package to the Neurology JRC, such Ionis Neurology Target will no longer be a Neurology Target under this Agreement and Ionis and its Affiliates may work independently or with any Third Party with respect to the discovery, research, development, and commercialization of ASOs (or any other compounds) targeting such Ionis Neurology Target.
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1.5. |
Process for Designating ALS Targets as Collaboration Targets. If Biogen desires Ionis to initiate ASO drug discovery activities on a particular ALS Target, then at the same time the Neurological Disease Research Plan for the Calendar Year in which Biogen desires Ionis to initiate such activities is updated to include activities for such Calendar Year, Biogen will designate such ALS Target as a Collaboration Target by providing written notice to Ionis; provided, if such ALS Target is a Multi-Indication Target, Biogen cannot designate such ALS Target as a Collaboration Target until such target has been classified by the CSC or by operation of Appendix 3 as a Primarily Neuro Multi-Indication Target, Equal Multi-Indication Target or Primarily Other Multi-Indication Target. In addition, Biogen cannot designate more than [***] ALS Targets as Collaboration Targets in any successive [***]-month period, and the total number of ALS Targets that are Collaboration Targets cannot exceed [***] without the Parties’ mutual agreement.
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1.6. |
Consequences of Designating Collaboration Targets.
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1.6.1. |
Subject to and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, for each Collaboration Target designated under Section 1.3, Section 1.4, Section 1.5, Section 1.8, Section 3.2.1, or Section 3.2.4.1, Ionis and Biogen will be responsible for conducting collaboration programs in accordance with this Agreement to discover, Develop and Manufacture Collaboration Products and, upon Biogen’s exercise of the applicable Option, Biogen will be responsible for Commercializing Collaboration Products (each, a “Collaboration Program”). For each Collaboration Target, an ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan and Initial Development Plan will be established pursuant to Section 1.10.1 and Section 1.10.2(d), respectively. For each Collaboration Program, Ionis will use its Commercially Reasonable Efforts to (i) conduct drug discovery activities, according to the applicable ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan to identify a Development Candidate for the applicable Collaboration Target, and (ii) for each Collaboration Program that is not an ALS Collaboration Program or a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program, conduct drug development activities for each Development Candidate through completion of the first PoC Trial in accordance with the applicable Initial Development Plan; provided that, in each case unless the Neurology JRC unanimously agrees under Section 1.11 to re-allocate resources to support additional Collaboration Programs and, except for any activities Ionis conducts for Collaboration Targets designated under that certain side letter between the Parties, dated as of October 28, 2016 (the “ALS Letter Agreement”) attached hereto as Schedule 1.6.1, Ionis will not be required to commence work on more than [***] Collaboration Programs in any rolling [***] month period; provided, further, that, if Biogen has designated more than [***] High Interest Targets as Collaboration Targets pursuant to Section 1.3 in any rolling [***] month period, such excess targets will be treated the same as “Deferred Targets” hereunder until the earlier of (a) such time as Ionis has agreed to commence work on such excess targets, (b) such time as Ionis is otherwise obligated to commence such work hereunder because Ionis has commenced work on fewer than [***] targets in a rolling [***] month period and (c) the expiration of the Research Term and, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.2.1, Biogen will not be obligated to make the payment under Section 6.2.1 with respect to such target until such time. For each ALS Collaboration Program and each Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program, Biogen will use its Commercially Reasonable Efforts to conduct drug development activities for each Development Candidate through completion of the [***] in accordance with the applicable Initial Development Plan.
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1.6.2. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the applicable Collaboration Target is an Equal Multi-Indication Target, the Parties will not conduct any activities under this Section 1.6 unless and until Ionis and Biogen have agreed on a development plan and enhanced economic provisions to be paid by Biogen for the Non-Neurological Indications pursuant to clause (c) of Appendix 3.
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1.7. |
Consequences of Designating Biogen Alternate Modality Targets. If Biogen designates a particular Neurology Target as a Biogen Alternate Modality Target under this Agreement (including Section 1.3, Section 1.4, Section 1.8, Section 3.2.2 or Section 3.2.4.2), Biogen will pay Ionis the milestone payment under Section 6.2.2 within 45 days of the designation of such Biogen Alternate Modality Target, provided, however, if Biogen determines that an HSR Filing is required to be made under the HSR Act for Biogen to receive the license under Section 4.1.1(b) with respect to such Biogen Alternate Modality Target and notifies Ionis of such determination within five days after the designation of such Biogen Alternate Modality Target, the Parties will promptly file an HSR Filing in accordance with Section 3.1.4 and the due date for Biogen to pay Ionis the milestone payment under Section 6.2.2 will be extended until 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) on the [***] Business Day after the HSR Clearance Date.
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1.8. |
Deferring the Selection of a Collaboration Target or Biogen Alternate Modality Target.
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1.8.1. |
Right to Defer. If under Section 1.3 Biogen provides Ionis a notice (each, a “Deferral Notice”) electing to defer selecting a High Interest Target as a Collaboration Target or a Biogen Alternate Modality Target (each, a “Deferred Target”), and there is at least [***] at the time of Deferral Notice, then Biogen may defer selecting such High Interest Target as a Collaboration Target or a Biogen Alternate Modality Target for a period of up to the shorter of (i) (A) with respect to any High Interest Target for which the best therapeutic modality was determined to be an ASO, [***] or (B) with respect to any High Interest Target for which the best therapeutic modality was determined to be an Alternate Modality, [***], or (ii) the end of the Research Term (the “Deferral Period”); provided, however, Biogen may only defer up to [***] High Interest Targets under this Section 1.8.1 at any given time. For the avoidance of doubt, the limitation in the preceding proviso will not apply with respect to any Collaboration Target that is treated the same as a Deferred Target pursuant to Section 1.6.1.
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1.8.2. |
Deferral Fee. For each High Interest Target Biogen elects to defer under this Section 1.8, Biogen will pay Ionis an annual deferral fee of (a) $[***] for each such Deferred Target for which the best therapeutic approach is determined to be an ASO or (b) $[***] for each such Deferred Target for which the best therapeutic approach is determined to be an Alternate Modality, in each case, in accordance with Section 1.3. No deferral fee will be due under this Section 1.8.2 with respect to any Collaboration Target that is treated the same as a Deferred Target pursuant to Section 1.6.1. Each annual deferral fee for a Deferred Target will be paid in advance for the ensuing [***] month period, with the initial annual deferral fee for all Deferred Targets due within [***] days after the date Biogen delivers the applicable Deferral Notice to Ionis, and each annual deferral fee due thereafter during the Deferral Period on the anniversary of the date Biogen delivered such Deferral Notice. If any such annual deferral fee is due after the date that is [***] year prior to the expiration of the Research Term, such deferral fee will be pro-rated to account for the number of days remaining in the Research Term (where such pro-ration will be based on the number of days between the due date for such deferral fee and the end of the Research Term, divided by 365).
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1.8.3. |
Designating a Deferred Target as a Collaboration Target or Biogen Alternate Modality Target; Credit for Deferral Fees. Biogen may designate a Deferred Target as a Collaboration Target or Biogen Alternate Modality Target, as applicable, by delivering written notice to Ionis of such designation (and if a Biogen Alternate Modality Target, the milestone payment under Section 6.2.2), before the expiration of the applicable Deferral Period under this Section 1.8; provided, however, that Biogen will not be permitted to designate such Deferred Target as a Biogen Alternate Modality Target if such Deferred Target is a Pre-Existing Target. Biogen may credit [***]% of the total amount paid to Ionis under Section 1.8.2 for such Deferred Target against the milestone payment under Section 6.2.1 or Section 6.2.2, as applicable, for such Deferred Target. If Biogen does not designate a Deferred Target as a Collaboration Target or Biogen Alternate Modality Target in accordance with this Section 1.8.3 before the expiration of the applicable Deferral Period, then such gene target will no longer be a Neurology Target under this Agreement and any payments made by Biogen under this Section 1.8 for such Deferred Target will be non-creditable and non-refundable.
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1.8.4. |
Accelerating the Deferral Period with a Deferred Target Development Candidate.
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(a) |
Ionis and its Affiliates may, for its own benefit and not for the benefit of any Third Party, conduct drug discovery activities to identify a Development Candidate for any Deferred Target for which the best therapeutic modality was determined to be an ASO (such Development Candidate, a “Deferred Target Development Candidate”); provided that Ionis may not use the FTEs provided for under Section 1.11 to conduct such activities. Ionis will notify the Neurology JRC of any such activities and keep the Neurology JRC reasonably apprised of the status thereof at each meeting of the Neurology JRC. If Ionis designates a Deferred Target Development Candidate targeting a particular Deferred Target (such target, an “Accelerated Target”), Ionis may notify Biogen in writing regarding Ionis’ designation of such Deferred Target Development Candidate and will provide Biogen the applicable Development Candidate Data Package. Within [***] days following Biogen’s receipt of the applicable Development Candidate Data Package, Biogen may designate the Accelerated Target as a Collaboration Target; provided however, that if Biogen designates such Accelerated Target as a Collaboration Target, in addition to any credits for annual deferral fees under Section 1.8.3, Biogen may credit a pro-rated portion of the un-credited [***]% of the last annual deferral fee paid to Ionis under Section 1.8.2 for such Deferred Target towards the applicable milestone payment under Section 6.2.1 (where such pro-ration will be based on the number of days between the payment of such deferral fee and the applicable designation of such Accelerated Target as a Collaboration Target, divided by the lesser of 365 days and the number of days between the payment of such deferral fee and the end of the Research Term).
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(b) |
If Biogen does not, within such [***] day period, designate the Accelerated Target as a Collaboration Target under this Section 1.8.4, then, such Accelerated Target will no longer be a Neurology Target and Ionis and its Affiliates may work independently or with any Third Party with respect to the discovery, research, development, and commercialization of ASOs (or any other compounds) targeting such Accelerated Target; provided however that if prior to the end of the Deferral Period originally applicable to such Accelerated Target, Ionis or any of its Affiliates enters into an agreement with a Third Party pursuant to which Ionis or its Affiliate grants such Third Party a license to develop or commercialize such Deferred Target Development Candidate, Ionis will pay to Biogen [***]% of any amounts (other than Excluded Payments) received by Ionis or its Affiliate under such agreement with such Third Party until such time as Ionis has reimbursed Biogen for [***]% of the last annual deferral fee paid to Ionis under Section 1.8.2 for such Deferred Target.
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1.9. |
End of Research Term. At the end of the Research Term, (i) neither Ionis nor Biogen will have an obligation to perform any activities under the Core Research Program or the Neurological Disease Research Program; (ii) the High Interest Target List (including the ALS Targets) will be dissolved, and any Neurology Targets that have not been designated Collaboration Targets or Biogen Alternate Modality Targets will no longer be Neurology Targets under this Agreement; (iii) Ionis’ obligations and Biogen’s rights under this Agreement with respect to such Neurology Targets and any ASOs targeting such Neurology Targets will then terminate; and (iv) at Ionis’ request, Biogen will provide to Ionis any data generated under the Core Research Program and the Neurological Disease Research Program and licensed to Ionis under Section 4.3.2. For clarity, the expiration of the Research Term will not affect Biogen’s rights or Ionis’ obligations with respect to Collaboration Programs or Biogen Alternate Modality Programs under this Agreement, including, in the case of Collaboration Programs, Ionis’ obligation under Section 1.10.1 to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to identify a Development Candidate for each applicable Collaboration Program.
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1.10. |
Ionis’ Research and Development Responsibilities.
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1.10.1. |
Development Candidate Identification.
|
(a) |
ASO Development Candidate Identification Plans. For each Collaboration Program, within [***] days after the designation of the applicable Collaboration Target, Ionis will provide the Neurology JRC an initial draft plan to identify a Development Candidate under the applicable Collaboration Program, (such plan, as may be modified from time to time to address the discovery, research and optimization activities Ionis will conduct under the applicable Collaboration Program an “ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan”). The Neurology JRC will review such plan and agree on a final ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan for such Collaboration Program, which plan will be generally consistent with Ionis’ other plans for other gene targets. Ionis will carry out its drug discovery efforts for each Collaboration Program pursuant to the applicable ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan in a manner consistent with its internal practices for other gene targets with the goal of identifying a Development Candidate for the applicable Collaboration Program as soon as practicable; provided that Ionis will not start work on any Equal Multi-Indication Target unless and until Ionis and Biogen have agreed on a development plan and enhanced economic provisions to be paid by Biogen for Non-Neurological Indications in accordance with Appendix 3. Ionis will update each ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan as needed and submit it to the Neurology JRC for its review and approval. For each Collaboration Program, Biogen will pay Ionis the milestone payment set forth in Section 6.2.1 following receipt of the applicable Design Notice.
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(b) |
Biomarker Work. If the Neurology JRC agrees to include biomarker work in the ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan, the [***] is responsible for performing such biomarker work taking into consideration [***].
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(c) |
ASO Development Candidate Identification Term. On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, the term for the conduct of the applicable ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan (the “ASO Development Candidate Identification Term”) will begin on the date the applicable Neurology Target becomes a Collaboration Target and will end upon the earlier of (i) designation of a Development Candidate for such Collaboration Program and (ii) the date on which Ionis notifies Biogen that, Ionis has in good faith determined that the identification of a Development Candidate under the applicable ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan is no longer technically feasible under the then-current state of the art (a “Technical Failure”). If Biogen disagrees with Ionis’ determination that a Technical Failure has occurred, it may refer the matter to an independent qualified Third Party expert accepted by both Parties for final resolution of the dispute. The expert will use the information, materials and data provided to her or him by either Party to promptly resolve the dispute. The decision of the expert will be binding upon both Parties. [***] the costs of the expert. Should the Parties fail to agree on the expert within [***] days following either Party’s request to nominate an expert under this Section 1.10.1(c), each Party will nominate an independent expert (who will not be a current or former employee of a Party or any of their Affiliates or have any personal or financial interest in a Party or any of their Affiliates), and promptly thereafter, those two independent experts will agree on the Third Party expert to resolve the dispute in accordance with this Section 1.10.1(c). In the event of any expert proceeding under this Section 1.10.1(c), Ionis will not be required to conduct the applicable ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan during the pendency of such proceeding. The Parties anticipate that the last ASO Development Candidate Identification Term will end approximately [***] years after the Effective Date.
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(d) |
End of ASO Development Candidate Identification Term. At the end of the ASO Development Candidate Identification Term for a particular Collaboration Program that did not reach the Development Candidate stage, subject to Section 1.10.1(e), (i) neither Ionis nor Biogen will have an obligation to perform any activities under this Section 1.10 with respect to such Collaboration Program; (ii) such program will no longer be a Collaboration Program and the applicable gene target associated therewith will no longer be a Collaboration Target; (iii) Ionis’ obligations and Biogen’s rights under this Agreement with respect to the gene targets and any ASOs targeting such gene targets under such Collaboration Program will then terminate; and (iv) upon Ionis’ request, Biogen will provide to Ionis any data generated under the Collaboration Program and licensed to Ionis under Section 4.3.2. For clarity, with respect to each Development Candidate that has reached the Development Candidate stage by the end of the ASO Development Candidate Identification Term, the expiration of the ASO Development Candidate Identification Term will not affect Ionis’ obligation under Section 1.10.3 and Section 1.10.4 to Develop each such Development Candidate through the completion of the first PoC Trial.
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(e) |
Carryover Development Candidates. If, by the end of the ASO Development Candidate Identification Term for a particular Collaboration Program, Ionis has not designated a Development Candidate for such Collaboration Program, and at any time during the [***] period after the end of the applicable ASO Development Candidate Identification Term Ionis’ RMC designates an ASO discovered by Ionis that is designed to bind to the RNA that encodes the Collaboration Target for such Collaboration Program as a development candidate ready to start IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies (such ASO, a “Carryover Development Candidate”), then, Ionis will notify Biogen and will provide Biogen with the data package presented to Ionis’ RMC to approve such Carryover Development Candidate. Biogen will then have [***] days from its receipt of such package to elect to enter into an amendment to this Agreement under the same terms as set forth in this Agreement (except that no additional upfront payment under Section 6.1 will be due). If, within [***] days after Biogen’s receipt of such notice from Ionis, Biogen provides Ionis with written notice that it accepts such offer from Ionis for such Carryover Development Candidate, the Parties will execute an amendment to this Agreement regarding such Carryover Development Candidate on such terms. Otherwise, Ionis will have no further obligations and Biogen will have no further rights with respect to such Carryover Development Candidate.
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1.10.2. |
Development Candidates; Initial Development Plans; Option Acceleration.
|
(a) |
Appointment of JDC. For each Development Candidate, the CSC will appoint a Neurology JDC approximately [***] days prior to the date Ionis expects to designate a Development Candidate. Such Neurology JDC can be either a new or existing Neurology JDC, but at least one of each Party’s Neurology JDC members must have the relevant disease area expertise for the particular Development Candidate.
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(b) |
Development Candidate Data Package. For each Collaboration Program, Ionis will notify the applicable Neurology JDC in writing within [***] days after designating a Development Candidate and will provide such Neurology JDC the applicable Development Candidate Data Package.
|
(c) |
IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies.
|
(i) |
For each Development Candidate under a Collaboration Program that is not an ALS Collaboration Program or a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program, the applicable Neurology JDC will agree upon a high level pre-clinical toxicology strategy no later than [***] days following its receipt of the applicable Development Candidate Data Package. Ionis will conduct the IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies under such strategy to the extent consistent with the activities set forth on Schedule 1.10.2(c); provided, however, if the initial strategy or applicable Initial Development Plan requires IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies that are in addition to or different from the activities set forth on Schedule 1.10.2(c), then Biogen will pay Ionis the costs of such additional or different activities to the extent such costs exceed [***]% of the costs of the activities set forth on Schedule 1.10.2(c). Such additional costs will be Biogen-Approved Costs and will be handled in accordance with the process described in Section 1.14.1.
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(ii) |
For each ALS Collaboration Program and each Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program, the applicable Neurology JDC will agree upon a high level pre-clinical toxicology strategy no later than [***] days following its receipt of the applicable Development Candidate Data Package. In addition, the applicable Neurology JDC will approve any study protocols for the IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies at least [***] months prior to the anticipated commencement of such IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies. If the Neurology JDC is unable to agree on such high level pre-clinical toxicology strategy or study protocols for a particular ALS Collaboration Program or Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program within the applicable time period as set forth above in this Section 1.10.2(c)(ii), the matter will be referred to the CSC for resolution. If the CSC cannot agree on such a high level pre-clinical toxicology strategy within [***] days after the matter is so referred, or on any such study protocol within [***] days after the matter is so referred, as applicable, then Biogen will have final decision-making authority with respect thereto for IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies conducted by Biogen. Solely with respect to the first ALS Collaboration Program to have a Development Candidate, Ionis will conduct the IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies utilizing the same mechanics as set forth in Section 1.10.2(c)(i), and upon Initiation of such IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies Biogen will pay Ionis the applicable milestone payment under Section 6.5, which IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies are complete as of the Amendment Date for the Collaboration Program for [***]. Biogen will conduct, [***], all other IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies for the ALS Collaboration Programs and the Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Programs, provided that Ionis may perform study analyses with respect to the Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Programs if mutually agreed by the Parties. If, with respect to a particular ALS Collaboration Program or a particular Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program, Biogen desires Ionis to provide consulting or advisory services, and Ionis agrees to perform such services, Biogen will pay the costs of performing such services using the payment mechanisms set forth in Section 1.14.1.
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(d) |
Initial Development Plans. For each Development Candidate under a Collaboration Program, within [***] days after designation of such Development Candidate, the applicable Neurology JDC will agree on an appropriate clinical development plan for such Development Candidate through completion of the first PoC Trial (each, an “Initial Development Plan”). With respect to each ALS Collaboration Program and each Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program, Biogen shall propose the initial draft of such Initial Development Plan to the Neurology JDC for review, comment and approval. With respect to each Collaboration Program that is not an ALS Collaboration Program or a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program, Ionis shall propose the initial draft of such Initial Development Plan to the Neurology JDC for review, comment and approval. In each case, any such initial draft of an Initial Development Plan shall include the information set forth on Schedule 1.10.2(d). If the Neurology JDC cannot agree upon the Initial Development Plan for a particular Collaboration Program, the matter will be referred to the CSC for resolution. If the CSC cannot agree on the Initial Development Plan within [***] days after the matter is so referred, [***] will have final decision-making authority with respect to the contents of the Initial Development Plan. In addition, prior to the Initiation of the first Clinical Study under the Initial Development Plan for a Collaboration Program, the Parties will endeavor to mutually agree on a communication plan regarding the public disclosure of data and results arising from such Collaboration Program; provided, that if the Parties cannot agree on such a communication plan, then [***] will have final decision-making authority regarding any such communications occurring prior to Option exercise.
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(i) |
The Party responsible for conducting the Clinical Studies under a Collaboration Program will file and maintain the IND and other communications with Regulatory Authorities for each Collaboration Program consistent with Section 5.2.1. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to each Collaboration Program for which Biogen is responsible for conducting the Clinical Studies, including each ALS Collaboration Program and each Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program, Ionis shall provide such reports and/or data as reasonably requested by Biogen generated from Ionis’ activities performed under the applicable Initial Development Plan (“Ionis Activities Data”) that may be useful in support of the IND for the Development Candidate under such Collaboration Program; provided, that, if, after receiving the Ionis Activities Data, Biogen requests that Ionis provide Biogen with additional information outside of the scope of the Ionis Activities Data that Biogen reasonably believes is necessary or useful to support the IND, then, to the extent such additional information is in Ionis’ possession and delivering such data to Biogen will not breach any obligation Ionis owes to a Third Party, Ionis will promptly deliver such additional information to Biogen solely for Biogen to use to support the IND. [***] will bear the cost of the transfer of such additional information to Biogen pursuant to the preceding sentence; provided, that if [***] would incur out-of-pocket costs in excess of $[***] or FTE Costs in excess of the equivalent of [***] for one FTE at the then-applicable Ionis FTE Rate in connection with the delivery of such additional information, then [***] shall reimburse [***] for such excess.
|
(ii) |
If the requirements of the Phase 1 Trial Design for a Collaboration Program that is not an ALS Collaboration Program or a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program require (i) more than [***] human subjects, including single ascending dose and multiple ascending dose arms, or (ii) dosing longer than [***], then Ionis may elect to either (1) conduct such larger or longer Phase 1 Trial (in which case Section 1.10.2(e) will apply), or (2) have Biogen conduct such Phase 1 Trial. If Ionis elects to have Biogen conduct such Phase 1 Trial, then Biogen will conduct the Phase 1 Trial with Ionis’ reasonable cooperation and in lieu of the applicable milestone payment payable to Ionis pursuant to Section 6.4 (as calculated in accordance with Section 1.10.2(e)) with respect to such Phase 1 Trial, Biogen will pay Ionis a milestone payment equal to $[***].
|
(iii) |
If the Initial Development Plan relates to an ALS Collaboration Program or a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program, then Biogen will conduct the Phase 1 Trial and will pay Ionis a milestone payment in the amount as set forth in Table 2 of Section 6.5 or Table 1 of Section 6.4, as applicable.
|
(iv) |
Based on such Initial Development Plan, the CSC will update Schedule 5.1.4 to add Specific Performance Milestone Events related to Biogen’s Development and Commercialization of the Development Candidate following Option exercise, which Specific Performance Milestone Events will be generally consistent with Biogen’s development timelines for its other drug development programs of similar stage and market potential. If the CSC cannot unanimously agree upon the Specific Performance Milestone Events for a particular Collaboration Program within [***] days after the date the CSC started discussing such Specific Performance Milestone Events, the matter will be referred to expert resolution pursuant to Section 12.1.4. Ionis will update each Initial Development Plan as needed, but at least once Annually, and submit it to the applicable Neurology JDC for its review and approval. If the applicable Neurology JDC cannot agree on the contents of any updated Initial Development Plan, the matter will be resolved in accordance with the procedures for establishing the Initial Development Plan set forth in this Section 1.10.2(d).
|
(v) |
The study synopsis for each Clinical Study for a Collaboration Program other than an ALS Collaboration Program or a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program shall be agreed on by the applicable Neurology JDC no later than [***] months prior to the anticipated Initiation of such Clinical Study, and shall contain the information set forth on Schedule 1.10.2(d)(v) with respect to the applicable Clinical Study.
|
(e) |
Cost Estimates. After designation of a Development Candidate under a Collaboration Program that is not an ALS Collaboration Program or a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program, the applicable Neurology JDC will agree on an initial estimate of the expected cost for Ionis to conduct the work [***] specified in the applicable Initial Development Plan, including Ionis’ expected [***] and [***] costs (each, a “Cost Estimate”). The initial Cost Estimate [***] shall be agreed on by the applicable Neurology JDC no later than [***] months prior to the anticipated [***]. Based on the Cost Estimates, the Neurology JDC will establish the [***] and [***] milestone payments for such Collaboration Program, which payments will be equal to (i) [***]; plus (ii) [***]. The Parties will promptly negotiate in good faith using the Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreements as a basis for Cost Estimates and, if the total milestone payment [***] is more than $[***], the Parties will apportion such total milestone payment into smaller milestone payments in accordance with Schedule 1.10.2(e); provided, however, that if [***], then the Neurology JDC shall determine whether and how to apportion such total milestone payment into smaller milestone payments. Each such smaller milestone payment shall be payable by Biogen within [***] days after receipt of the applicable invoice by Biogen following the event that triggered such milestone payment. If the total milestone payment [***] is $[***] or less, then such milestone payment shall become due in its entirety upon [***], and shall be payable by Biogen within [***] days after receipt of the applicable invoice by Biogen following [***]. As part of this process, Ionis will provide the Neurology JDC with a good faith estimate of the cost to conduct the work necessary to develop such Development Candidates under the applicable Initial Development Plan using a similar methodology as used under the Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreements. [***] months prior to the [***], using the process set forth above, the Neurology JDC will re-assess the total cost of such [***] and, if the cost has changed from the initial Cost Estimate, the Neurology JDC will adjust the applicable milestone payment accordingly, with any such adjustment to be agreed in writing to no later than the date that is [***] months prior to the [***]. Once there is less than [***] months prior to the [***], or such [***], if there are any changes to such [***] in accordance with this Agreement that result in an increase to the cost of such [***], then (a) if such cost is increased by more than [***], such increased costs will constitute an additional milestone payment to be paid in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.10.2(e), or (b) if such cost is increased by [***], such increase will not affect the milestone payments for such [***] established under this Section 1.10.2(e), but instead will be handled in accordance with Section 1.14.1. For clarity, with respect to any increase in the cost of a [***] by more than [***]% under clause (a) of the preceding sentence, if such increased costs total $[***] or less and such [***], then such increased costs shall become due in their entirety immediately, and shall be payable by Biogen within [***] days after receipt of the applicable invoice by Biogen. If the Neurology JDC cannot agree on the Cost Estimates within [***] days of receiving the proposed Cost Estimate, the matter will be referred to the CSC for resolution. Once the Neurology JDC has agreed on a Cost Estimate and/or the [***] milestone payments for such Collaboration Program are established under this Section 1.10.2(e) or Section 1.14.1, such agreement will be documented in a written side letter, in the form and format attached hereto as Appendix 4, which shall be executed by both Parties.
|
(f) |
Obligation to Start Development Activities. Ionis will not be required to conduct any Development activities for a Development Candidate if the Initial Development Plan, Specific Performance Milestone Events and the corresponding Cost Estimates have not been agreed to pursuant to this Section 1.10.2. Prior to such time as the Parties mutually agree on such Cost Estimate and/or the applicable [***] milestone payments and have executed a written side letter with respect to the foregoing in accordance with Section 1.10.2(e), Ionis may, in its discretion, commence Development activities for which it is responsible under this Agreement; provided, however, that Biogen will not be responsible for any costs of such Development activities if commenced by Ionis prior to the execution of any such side letter unless and until such a side letter has been executed by the Parties, and in no event will Biogen be responsible for any amounts incurred by Ionis for such Development activities in excess of amounts set forth in the side letter executed by the Parties with respect to such Development activities.
|
(g) |
Option Acceleration. If the PoC Trial for a Collaboration Program that is not an ALS Collaboration Program or a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program will be [***] or more, or require more than [***], then, if Ionis provides to Biogen the notice described in the following sentence, Ionis will not be required to conduct such PoC Trial for such Collaboration Program. Ionis will notify Biogen within [***] after finalization of the initial PoC Trial Design pursuant to Section 1.10.2(d) (or each time there is a material change thereto) for a Collaboration Program that is not an ALS Collaboration Program or a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program if Ionis elects not to conduct such PoC Trial for such Collaboration Program (such notice, an “Option Acceleration Notice”). If Ionis has delivered an Option Acceleration Notice as provided in this Section 1.10.2(g), Biogen will have [***] from its receipt of the data generated under the [***] for the first Phase 1 Trial for such Collaboration Program (an “Option Acceleration Deadline”) to exercise its Option for the applicable Collaboration Program. If Biogen does not exercise its Option for the applicable Collaboration Program by the applicable Option Acceleration Deadline, Biogen’s Option under Section 3.1 with respect to such Collaboration Program will expire and such Collaboration Program will terminate.
|
(h) |
Attaching Plans to Neurology JDC Minutes. The Neurology JDC will attach each Initial Development Plan and, if applicable, associated Cost Estimates to the minutes of the Neurology JDC for the meeting at which such Initial Development Plan and, if applicable, Cost Estimates were agreed. For clarity, such Initial Development Plan and Cost Estimates need not be agreed to at the same meeting of the Neurology JDC.
|
1.10.3. |
Development Term. The term for the conduct of the Drug Development Program will begin on the designation of the first Development Candidate and will end upon the earlier of (i) completion of the Initial Development Plans under all Collaboration Programs, which the Parties estimate will be approximately [***] years after the Effective Date, (ii) exercise by Biogen of its Option for all Collaboration Programs; (iii) the termination of the last Collaboration Program; and (iv) mutual agreement of the Parties to terminate the Drug Development Program.
|
1.10.4. |
Drug Development.
|
(a) |
Collaboration Programs Other than ALS Collaboration Programs and Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Programs. For each Collaboration Program that is not an ALS Collaboration Program or a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program, Ionis will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to conduct all activities under each Initial Development Plan on the timeline set forth in the applicable Initial Development Plan. For each Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program, Ionis will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to conduct all activities allocated to Ionis under each Initial Development Plan on the timeline set forth in the applicable Initial Development Plan. Without limiting the foregoing, Ionis may discontinue Development under an Initial Development Plan if after having consulted, and having given good faith consideration to the recommendations of the Neurology JDC and a mutually-agreed Third Party expert, Ionis in good faith believes that continuing such Development would (i) pose an unacceptable risk or threat of harm in humans, or (ii) violate any Applicable Law, ethical principles, or principles of scientific integrity. Prior to discontinuing Development under an Initial Development Plan, Ionis will provide Biogen with reasonable advance notice of such discontinuation, including the grounds for Ionis’ determination. If Ionis elects to discontinue Development under an Initial Development Plan pursuant to this Section 1.10.4(a), Biogen may, in its discretion, elect to continue Development of the applicable Development Candidate by providing Ionis with written notice of Biogen’s exercise of the Option within [***] after Ionis’ written notice to Biogen of such discontinuation and [***]. If Biogen does not timely exercise its Option under this Section 1.10.4(a), then the Option will expire.
|
(b) |
Phase 1 Trials. Each Phase 1 Trial will be conducted in accordance with the applicable Phase 1 Trial Design set forth in the applicable Initial Development Plan.
|
(i) |
At meetings of the applicable Neurology JDC and at other times as appropriate, Ionis will keep Biogen informed of the progress and status of each Phase 1 Trial conducted by Ionis. When [***] under a Phase 1 Trial, Ionis will notify Biogen in writing of such [***] within [***] days of the conclusion of such Phase 1 Trial. Ionis will provide Biogen with the data generated under the [***] for such Phase 1 Trial as soon as practicable after such notice.
|
(ii) |
If Biogen conducts a Phase 1 Trial for a Collaboration Program, including an ALS Collaboration Program or a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program, at meetings of the applicable Neurology JDC and at other times as appropriate, Biogen will keep Ionis informed of the progress and status of such Phase 1 Trial. When Biogen [***] a Phase 1 Trial, Biogen will notify Ionis in writing of such [***] within [***] days of the conclusion of such Phase 1 Trial. Biogen will provide Ionis with the data generated under the [***] for such Phase 1 Trial as soon as practicable after such notice.
|
(c) |
PoC Trial. Each PoC Trial will be conducted in accordance with the PoC Trial Design set forth in the applicable Initial Development Plan.
|
(i) |
At meetings of the applicable Neurology JDC and at other times as appropriate, Ionis will keep Biogen informed of the progress and status of each PoC Trial conducted by Ionis. When Ionis [***] a PoC Trial under the applicable Initial Development Plan, Ionis will notify Biogen in writing within [***] days after such [***]. Ionis will provide Biogen with the [***] as soon as practicable after such notice.
|
(ii) |
If Biogen conducts a PoC Trial for a Collaboration Program, including an ALS Collaboration Program or a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program, then at meetings of the applicable Neurology JDC and at other times as appropriate, Biogen will keep Ionis informed of the progress and status of the PoC Trial for such Collaboration Program. When Biogen completes such PoC Trial, Biogen will notify Ionis in writing within [***] days after such completion, and will provide Ionis with [***] as soon as practicable after such notice.
|
1.10.5. |
Briefing the Neurology JRC, Neurology JDC and CSC; Conduct of Research and Development. At each regularly scheduled meeting of the Neurology JRC, the Parties will provide progress updates on (i) the Neurological Disease Research Program and progress toward achieving Target Sanction for each High Interest Target and progress related to ALS Targets; (ii) activities conducted under the Core Research Program; (iii) progress under each ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan toward designating a Development Candidate; (iv) activities on the Deferred Targets conducted pursuant to Section 1.8.4, and (v) the progress of any Ionis Neurology Targets (including the estimated time for each Ionis Neurology Target to achieve Target Sanction), in each case, together with a summary of data associated with each Party’s research and/or Development activities for each Collaboration Program. At each Neurology JDC meeting, the Parties will provide progress updates on activities conducted under the Initial Development Plans for the applicable Development Candidates, together with a summary of data associated with each Party’s Development activities for the applicable Collaboration Program. At each CSC meeting, the Parties will provide any information reasonably requested by the members of the CSC in advance of such meeting.
|
1.10.6. |
Clinical Supplies by Ionis. For Collaboration Programs that are not ALS Collaboration Programs or Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Programs, Ionis, at its expense, will supply API (on its own or through a CMO approved by Biogen) and Clinical Supplies to support the Research and Development activities under each Neurology Plan through Option exercise. If Biogen exercises an Option for a Collaboration Program that is not an ALS Collaboration Program or a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program at least [***] prior to the planned Initiation of the PoC Trial for the applicable Collaboration Program, Biogen may elect to either have (a) Ionis supply Clinical Supplies for such PoC Trial (on its own or through a CMO approved by Biogen), in which case Biogen will pay Ionis an amount equal to [***], or (b) a CMO supply Clinical Supplies for such PoC Trial in accordance with the Manufacturing Agreement entered into with such CMO. If Biogen exercises an Option for a Collaboration Program that is not an ALS Collaboration Program or a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program prior to, but less than [***] before, the planned Initiation of the PoC Trial for the applicable Collaboration Program, Ionis will supply Clinical Supplies for such PoC Trial (on its own or through a CMO approved by Biogen) and Biogen will pay Ionis an amount equal to [***]. For ALS Collaboration Programs and Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Programs, Ionis will supply API (on its own or through a CMO approved by Biogen) for clinical purposes in accordance with Schedule 1.10.6, and such supply will be at Biogen’s expense using the mechanism set forth in Section 1.14.1, and Biogen will be responsible for all other aspects of Clinical Supply for such clinical activities.
|
1.10.7. |
Collaborations with Academics and Non-Profit Institutions. Each Party (the “Contracting Party”) may engage one or more academic or non-profit institutions to conduct work under any Neurology Plan or on any High Interest Target, Collaboration Target or Deferred Target, provided however that, with respect to any such academic or non-profit institution engaged to conduct such activities with respect to a High Interest Target, Collaboration Target or Deferred Target where such engagement begins after the date such High Interest Target, Collaboration Target or Deferred Target is designated, (i) the Contracting Party shall provide the other Party with an opportunity to comment on the proposed terms of any agreement or amendment to an existing agreement to be entered into with such institution, and (ii) so long as the other Party provides the Contracting Party such comments within [***] days of receiving a draft of such agreement from the Contracting Party, the Contracting Party will [***]. The Contracting Party will not be responsible for [***] as a result of the other Party’s [***] to the terms of any agreement with any such academic or non-profit institution.
|
1.11. |
Resource Allocations. During the first [***] following the Effective Date, Ionis will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to build a team of [***] FTEs to perform the activities under the Core Research Plan, the Neurological Disease Research Plan, and the target validation activities contemplated under Schedule 1.2.4; and thereafter until the sixth anniversary of the Effective Date, Ionis will dedicate [***] FTEs to perform such activities; provided, Ionis may utilize such number of such [***] FTEs to perform drug discovery activities on ALS Targets as agreed by the Neurology JRC. At all times during such period, such FTEs will have experience and qualifications similar to that of the FTEs initially assigned to perform such activities hereunder. Biogen will be responsible for devoting its resources toward specific research efforts under the Core Research Program and Neurological Disease Research Program as reasonably determined by Biogen. During the [***] after the Effective Date, [***] of Ionis’ [***] FTEs will be allocated to activities focused on core technology research and the Neurology JRC will determine the appropriate allocation of resources thereafter. Ionis will update the Neurology JRC at each meeting thereof on the utilization of such FTEs and provide the Neurology JRC with summaries of resource and FTE utilization in a format mutually agreed to by each Party’s Alliance Managers. Biogen may also choose to supplement Ionis’ efforts under the Core Research Plan and the Neurological Disease Research Plan with its own scientists at various points throughout the Research Term. After the sixth anniversary of the Effective Date, Ionis will provide sufficient resources to perform its obligations under each Collaboration Program as reasonably determined by Ionis.
|
1.12. |
Research and Development Costs Paid by Ionis.
|
1.12.1. |
Research Programs. During the Research Term, Ionis will be responsible for all Ionis Activities under the Core Research Program and the Neurological Disease Research Program, and all costs and expenses associated therewith.
|
1.12.2. |
Collaboration Programs. During the Option Period, on a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, Ionis will be responsible for all Ionis Activities under the ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan and the Initial Development Plan and, except as otherwise provided under Section 1.13.1, all costs and expenses associated therewith.
|
1.13. |
Research and Development Costs Paid by Biogen.
|
1.13.1. |
Before Option Exercise.
|
(a) |
Research Programs. During the Research Term, Biogen will be responsible for all Biogen Activities under the Core Research Program and Neurological Disease Research Program, and all costs and expenses associated therewith.
|
(b) |
Collaboration Programs. During the Option Period, on a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, Biogen will be responsible for any Biogen Activities under the ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan and the Initial Development Plan and all costs and expenses associated therewith. In addition, Biogen will be responsible for paying any Biogen-Approved Costs resulting from Biogen-Approved Changes using the payment mechanisms set forth in Section 1.14.
|
(c) |
Additional Activities Approved by Biogen. If, with respect to a particular Collaboration Program, Biogen desires that either Ionis or a Third Party [***] or conduct other work to support Approval of a Collaboration Product, including [***], prior to Option exercise, and Ionis agrees to perform such work, Biogen will pay the costs of conducting such work using the payment mechanisms set forth in Section 1.14.1.
|
1.13.2. |
After Option Exercise. After Option exercise, Biogen will be solely responsible for the costs and expenses related to the Development, Manufacture and Commercialization of Collaboration Products, including any work performed by Ionis at Biogen’s request, and all supply chain planning and decision-making.
|
1.14. |
Payment Mechanisms.
|
1.14.1. |
Payment Mechanics for Additional Activities Approved by Biogen. Biogen will pay Ionis (1) costs resulting from requests from Biogen that Ionis perform additional work under this Agreement, including, the cost of Ionis’ time incurred in performing such work at the then-applicable Ionis FTE Rate (“FTE Costs”), the cost of [***], and any [***] incurred by Ionis in performing such work, or (2) Additional Plan Costs resulting from Biogen-Approved Changes (such costs, collectively “Biogen-Approved Costs”). For clarity, the Biogen-Approved Costs shall include Additional Plan Costs for a [***] that result from changes to such [***] made after the milestone payment with respect to such [***] is agreed upon in writing by the Parties pursuant to Section 1.10.2(e), if such cost is increased by [***] as described in Section 1.10.2(e)). For the avoidance of doubt, if such cost is increased by more than [***] as described in Section 1.10.2(e)), such increased costs will constitute an additional milestone payment to be paid in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.10.2(e), and will not be handled under this Section 1.14.1. Ionis will permit Biogen to review, negotiate (with Ionis) and approve (including through the Neurology JDC) all Biogen-Approved Costs; provided Biogen will provide a substantive, good faith response within [***] days of Ionis’ request for approval. For clarity (i) this Section 1.14.1 will not be used to establish the initial milestone payments under Section 1.10.2(e), and (ii) expenses paid under Section 1.14.1(a) and Section 1.14.1(b) are not subject to reconciliation. Once Biogen-Approved Costs are mutually agreed under this Section 1.14.1, such agreement will be documented in a written side letter, in the form and format attached hereto as Appendix 4, which shall be executed by both Parties. Prior to such time as the Parties mutually agree on such Biogen-Approved Costs and have executed a written side letter with respect to the foregoing, Ionis may, in its discretion, commence Development activities for which it is responsible under this Agreement; provided, however, that Biogen will not be responsible for any costs of such Development activities if commenced by Ionis prior to the execution of any such side letter unless and until such a side letter has been executed by the Parties, and in no event will Biogen be responsible for any amounts incurred by Ionis for such Development activities in excess of amounts set forth in the side letter executed by the Parties with respect to such Development activities.
|
(a) |
For Biogen-Approved Costs resulting from [***], or from [***] that are made after the milestone payment with respect to such [***] is agreed upon in writing by the Parties pursuant to Section 1.10.2(e), Biogen will pay Ionis for such Biogen-Approved Costs [***] within [***] days after receipt of the applicable invoice by Biogen following [***], or the date that Biogen agrees to such changes to such [***], as applicable; provided, however, that if such Biogen-Approved Costs total more than $[***], the Parties will apportion such total Biogen-Approved Costs into smaller milestone payments in accordance with Schedule 1.10.2(e) (or, if such Biogen-Approved Costs result from changes to a [***], then the Neurology JDC shall determine whether and how to apportion such Biogen-Approved Costs into smaller milestone payments). Each such smaller milestone payment shall be payable by Biogen within [***] days after receipt of the applicable invoice by Biogen following the event that triggered such milestone payment. If such Biogen-Approved Costs total $[***] or less, then such Biogen-Approved Costs shall become due in their entirety upon [***] or the date that the Parties agree to such Biogen-Approved Costs, if such [***], and shall be payable by Biogen within [***] days after receipt of the applicable invoice by Biogen following [***] or the date of such agreement regarding the Biogen-Approved Costs, as applicable.
|
(b) |
For Biogen-Approved Costs resulting from [***], Biogen will pay Ionis, in accordance with any applicable [***] entered into by the Parties after the Effective Date, for [***]% of such Biogen-Approved Costs within [***] days after receipt of the applicable invoice by Biogen following Biogen’s request or approval for such [***], and the remaining [***]% within [***] days after receipt of the applicable invoice by Biogen following [***].
|
(c) |
For any Biogen-Approved Cost that (x) has an Estimated Biogen-Approved Cost of less than $[***] and (y) does not result from [***], from [***] that are made after the milestone payment with respect to such [***] is agreed upon in writing by the Parties pursuant to Section 1.10.2(e) or from [***], Ionis will invoice Biogen directly for such Biogen-Approved Cost in advance, on a [***] basis based upon the applicable Estimated Biogen-Approved Costs and Biogen will pay the invoices submitted pursuant to this Section 1.14.1(c) for such Biogen-Approved Costs within [***] days after receipt of the applicable invoice by Biogen. For purposes of this Section 1.14.1(c), “Measurement Period” means each [***].
|
(d) |
For any Biogen-Approved Costs that (x) has an Estimated Biogen-Approved Cost of $[***] or more and (y) does not result from [***], from [***] that are made after the milestone payment with respect to such [***] is agreed upon in writing by the Parties pursuant to Section 1.10.2(e) or [***], Ionis will invoice Biogen directly for such Biogen-Approved Cost in advance on a [***] basis based upon the applicable Estimated Biogen-Approved Costs and Biogen will pay the invoices submitted pursuant to this Section 1.14.1(d) for such Biogen-Approved Costs within [***] days after receipt of the applicable invoice by Biogen. For purposes of this Section 1.14.1(d), “Measurement Period” means each [***].
|
(e) |
Within [***] days after the end of the applicable Measurement Period, Ionis will provide Biogen with a written statement (1) reconciling the [***] the Estimated Biogen-Approved Costs and the [***] within the Biogen-Approved Costs (the “Actual Biogen-Approved Costs”) incurred by Ionis during the just-ended Measurement Period and (2) confirming that the FTE Costs portion of the Estimated Biogen-Approved Costs is a reasonable approximation of the actual FTE Costs incurred by Ionis during the just-ended Measurement Period. If the Estimated Biogen-Approved Costs exceed the Actual Biogen-Approved Costs for such period, Ionis will, offset all such excess payments against any future invoices under this Agreement until Biogen has recouped all such overpayments. If the Estimated Biogen-Approved Costs are less than the Actual Biogen-Approved Costs for such period, Ionis will invoice Biogen for the remaining amounts owed to Ionis, and Biogen will pay such invoices within [***] days of receipt of such invoice. In the case where additional activities under this Section 1.14.1 are performed by a Third Party, the Parties will arrange for the Third Party to directly bill Biogen and for Biogen to pay such Third Party directly.
|
1.15. |
Participation in Regulatory Meetings. For each Collaboration Program, each Party will conduct its interactions and communications with Regulatory Authorities in accordance with Section 5.2.
|
1.16. |
Participation in Meetings Sponsored by a Party’s Clinical Development Group. With respect to each Collaboration Program (including each ALS Collaboration Program and each Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program), each Party will provide the other Party with an invitation to attend, and allow such other Party to participate in, any meetings sponsored by a Party’s clinical development group relating to the Development Candidate or the conduct or design of any Clinical Study; provided, however, that such first Party may exclude the other Party from any portions of such meetings that do not pertain to such Development Candidate or all of any such meeting if such Party determines that it is not feasible for the other Party to attend any such meeting because other products or matters will be discussed in combination with the Development Candidate at such meeting; and provided, further, that, the organizing Party will endeavor to structure such meetings that discuss topics unrelated to the Development Candidate in a manner that permits the non-organizing Party to attend (e.g., structuring the agenda of such meeting so that the Development Candidate is discussed first so that the non-organizing Party may attend that portion of such meeting only). With respect to any such meetings organized by a Party, the non-organizing Party shall comply with the organizing Party’s internal policies disclosed to the non-organizing Party regarding attendance and participation in such meetings, and the non-organizing Party will participate in such meeting in a manner that is consistent with the organizing Party’s strategy for the applicable Development Candidate. If a Party is excluded from any such meeting, the organizing Party will provide such Party with a written summary of the portions of such meeting relevant to such Development Candidate within [***] days after such meeting. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 1.16 shall not apply to unplanned meetings or unplanned discussions with investigators or key opinion leaders. Biogen’s obligation under this Section 1.16 to invite Ionis to attend and participate in any meetings organized by a Biogen will cease, on a Collaboration Product-by-Collaboration Product basis, on the date Biogen submits an NDA or MAA to a Regulatory Authority for such Collaboration Product.
|
1.17. |
Impact of [***] Development Path. If the Parties mutually agree to amend an Initial Development Plan for a Collaboration Program that is not an ALS Collaboration Program or a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program, where such amended plan contemplates [***], then the Parties will make appropriate changes to the operational terms of this Agreement (e.g., [***]) to reflect such an [***] development plan, consistent with the comparable provisions necessary to support the development plan under the [***]; provided, that if the Initial Development Plan for a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program contemplates such an [***] development path, then the Parties will determine by mutual agreement prior to commencing any [***] under such Initial Development Plan whether to designate such [***] for such Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program. Nothing in this Section 1.17 will affect either Party’s rights or obligations under Section 1.10.2(g).
|
1.18. |
Research and Development Management.
|
1.18.1. |
Collaboration Steering Committee. The Parties will establish a Collaboration steering committee (“CSC”) with the powers, roles and responsibilities set forth on Schedule 1.18.1 and in this Section 1.18.1 to oversee the Collaboration. The CSC will consist of up to three representatives appointed by Ionis and up to three representatives appointed by Biogen. The Neurology JRC and Neurology JDC under this Agreement will report to the CSC. The CSC will determine the CSC operating procedures at its first meeting, including the CSC’s policies for replacement of CSC members, policies for participation by additional representatives or consultants invited to attend CSC meetings, and the location of meetings, which will be codified in the written minutes of the first CSC meeting. Each Party will be responsible for the costs and expenses of its own employees or consultants attending CSC meetings. Any decision that may be made by the Neurology JRC or Neurology JDC may be made by the CSC and such decision by the CSC will have the same effect as if made by the Neurology JRC or the Neurology JDC under this Agreement. The CSC may delegate any of its functions specified in Section 1.18.1(a) below to a Neurology JDC by agreeing to and codifying such delegation in the minutes of the CSC.
|
(a) |
Role of the CSC. Without limiting any of the foregoing, subject to Section 1.18.4, the CSC will perform the following functions, some or all of which may be addressed directly at any given CSC meeting:
|
(i) |
approving the terms on which Biogen would develop and commercialize a Multi-Indication Product as described in Appendix 3;
|
(ii) |
determining the primary disease association of a Multi-Indication Target;
|
(iii) |
appointing a Neurology JDC for each Development Candidate under this Agreement, whether by creating a new Neurology JDC or assigning an existing Neurology JDC to oversee such Development Candidate;
|
(iv) |
establishing the Initial Development Plan in the event of a Neurology JDC dispute as described in Section 1.10.2(d);
|
(v) |
establishing the Specific Performance Milestone Events as described in Section 1.10.2(d)(iv);
|
(vi) |
establishing the [***] and [***] milestone payments if the Neurology JDC is unable to agree on such payments as described in Section 1.10.2(e);
|
(vii) |
reviewing and assessing reports provided by the Neurology JRC and the Neurology JDCs;
|
(viii) |
providing input to the JPC as appropriate;
|
(ix) |
reviewing and providing input on the CTDs and IDPs as appropriate;
|
(x) |
assisting with and participating in the resolution of disputes as contemplated in Section 12.1.1; and
|
(xi) |
such other review and advisory responsibilities as may be assigned to the CSC by the Parties pursuant to this Agreement.
|
1.18.2. |
Neurology JRC. The Parties will establish a joint research committee (the “Neurology JRC”) reporting to the CSC, to provide advice and make recommendations on the conduct of activities under the Core Research Program, Neurological Disease Research Program and each Collaboration Program up to Development Candidate designation. The Neurology JRC will consist of up to three representatives appointed by Ionis and up to three representatives appointed by Biogen. Each Neurology JRC member will have experience and expertise appropriate for the Core Research Program, Neurological Disease Research Program and/or the stage of development of the Collaboration Programs. Each Party will designate one of its representatives who is empowered by such Party to make decisions related to the performance of such Party’s obligations under this Agreement to act as the co-chair of the Neurology JRC. The co-chairs will be responsible for overseeing the activities of the Neurology JRC consistent with the responsibilities set forth below in this Section 1.18.2. Schedule 1.18.2 sets forth certain Neurology JRC governance matters agreed to as of the Effective Date. The Neurology JRC will determine the Neurology JRC operating procedures at its first meeting, including the Neurology JRC’s policies for replacement of Neurology JRC members, policies for participation by additional representatives or consultants invited to attend Neurology JRC meetings, and the location of meetings, which will be codified in the written minutes of the first Neurology JRC meeting. Each Party will be responsible for the costs and expenses of its own employees or consultants attending Neurology JRC meetings. Ionis and Biogen will use reasonable efforts to schedule meetings of the Neurology JRC to take place at the same location and on the same dates as meetings of the CSC and the joint development and steering committees under the Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreements, to maximize the use of each Party’s time, increase information sharing efficiencies and reduce the cost of additional travel, lodging and related expenses.
|
(a) |
Role of the Neurology JRC. Without limiting any of the foregoing, subject to Section 1.18.4, the Neurology JRC will perform the following functions, some or all of which may be addressed directly at any given Neurology JRC meeting:
|
(i) |
maintain the list of High Interest Targets, ALS Targets, Collaboration Targets, and Biogen Alternate Modality Targets, as such lists may be updated from time to time in accordance with this Agreement, and attach such lists to the minutes of the meeting of the Neurology JRC where any update to the High Interest Target List, ALS Target List or Collaboration Targets, Biogen Alternate Modality Targets occurred;
|
(ii) |
as described in Section 1.2.3(c), determine the number of High Interest Targets for which activities to support Target Sanction will be conducted during each year of the Research Term;
|
(iii) |
review and approve amendments to the Core Research Plan and the Neurological Disease Research Plan as described in Sections 1.2.2 and 1.2.3;
|
(iv) |
allocate resources under Section 1.11;
|
(v) |
determine the number of FTEs Ionis will use to perform drug discovery activities on ALS Targets;
|
(vi) |
as contemplated under Section 1.6.1, determine whether to re-allocate resources on additional Collaboration Programs;
|
(vii) |
during years [***] through [***] after the Effective Date, determine the appropriate allocation of Ionis’ resources to the Core Research Plan, the Neurological Disease Research Plan and each ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan, as described in Section 1.11;
|
(viii) |
review the overall progress of Ionis’ efforts to achieve Target Sanction with respect to each High Interest Target that has not achieved Target Sanction status;
|
(ix) |
as described in Section 1.3, review each Target Sanction Data Package and determine the best therapeutic modality to pursue for a High Interest Target;
|
(x) |
as described in Section 1.4, review each Target Sanction Data Package for an Ionis Neurology Target;
|
(xi) |
establish an ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan for each Collaboration Program as described in Section 1.10.1(a);
|
(xii) |
agree on any biomarker work to be performed in the ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan, and [***] is responsible for performing such biomarker work [***];
|
(xiii) |
as described in Section 1.10.2(c) and Section 1.10.2(d), agree upon a high level pre-clinical toxicology strategy and Initial Development Plan for each Development Candidate;
|
(xiv) |
review the overall progress of Ionis’ efforts to discover, identify, optimize and select the Development Candidate for each Collaboration Program;
|
(xv) |
monitoring progress of each Collaboration Program and maintaining a calendar of anticipated milestone achievement dates for each Collaboration Program;
|
(xvi) |
establishing teams and committees to oversee and manage activities under the Core Research Program, Neurological Disease Research Program and each Collaboration Program up to Development Candidate designation as it deems necessary;
|
(xvii) |
discuss upcoming academic and non-profit collaborations that a Party is negotiating or considering entering into; and
|
(xviii) |
such other review and advisory responsibilities as may be assigned to the Neurology JRC by the CSC pursuant to this Agreement.
|
1.18.3. |
Joint Development Committees. For each Development Candidate, the CSC will appoint a joint development committee (each, a “Neurology JDC”) approximately [***] days prior to the date Ionis expects to designate a Development Candidate, to govern the activities under this Agreement with respect to such Collaboration Program. Each Neurology JDC will report to the CSC and will consist of an equal number of representatives appointed by Ionis and Biogen. Each Neurology JDC member will be a senior clinical development leader or have other experience and expertise appropriate for the stage of development of the Collaboration Program in the applicable disease area, and at least one of each Party’s members will have operational responsibility for the applicable Collaboration Program. Each Party will designate one of its representatives who is empowered by such Party to make decisions related to the performance of such Party’s obligations under this Agreement to act as the co-chair of the Neurology JDC. The co-chairs will be responsible for overseeing the activities of the Neurology JDC consistent with the responsibilities set forth below in this Section 1.18.3. Schedule 1.18.3 sets forth certain Neurology JDC governance matters agreed to as of the Effective Date. Each Neurology JDC will determine its operating procedures at its first meeting, including the Neurology JDC’s policies for replacement of Neurology JDC members, policies for participation by additional representatives or consultants invited to attend Neurology JDC meetings, and the location of meetings, which will be codified in the written minutes of the first Neurology JDC meeting. Each Party will be responsible for the costs and expenses of its own employees or consultants attending Neurology JDC meetings. If practical, Ionis and Biogen will use reasonable efforts to schedule meetings of each Neurology JDC to take place at the same location and on the same dates as meetings of the CSC and the joint development and steering committees under the Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreements, to maximize the use of each Party’s time, increase information sharing efficiencies and reduce the cost of additional travel, lodging and related expenses.
|
(a) |
Role of the Neurology JDCs. Without limiting any of the foregoing, subject to Section 1.18.4, each Neurology JDC will perform the following functions, some or all of which may be addressed directly at any given Neurology JDC meeting:
|
(i) |
establish the Initial Development Plan for each Development Candidate and update such plan as needed as provided in Section 1.10.2(d);
|
(ii) |
agree on Cost Estimates and the [***] milestone payments under Section 1.10.2(e);
|
(iii) |
approve Biogen-Approved Costs pursuant to Section 1.14.1;
|
(iv) |
if the milestone payment agreed upon in writing by the Parties pursuant to Section 1.10.2(e) with respect to a [***] exceeds $[***], establishing whether and how such payment shall be apportioned into smaller milestone payments as described in Section 1.10.2(e);
|
(v) |
if any Biogen-Approved Costs that result from [***] exceed $[***], establishing whether and how such payments shall be apportioned into smaller milestone payments as described in Section 1.14.1(a);
|
(vi) |
establish a high-level preclinical toxicology strategy for each Collaboration Program under Section 1.10.2(c);
|
(vii) |
establishing teams and committees to oversee and manage activities under each Collaboration Program after Development Candidate designation as it deems necessary; and
|
(viii) |
such other review and advisory responsibilities as may be assigned to the Neurology JDC by the CSC pursuant to this Agreement.
|
1.18.4. |
Decision Making.
|
(a) |
Committee Decision Making. Decisions by each of the CSC, Neurology JRC and Neurology JDC will be made by unanimous consent with each Party’s representatives having, collectively, one vote. At any given meeting of any such committee, quorum will have deemed to be reached if a voting representative of each Party is present or participating in such meeting. No action taken at any meeting of any such committee will be effective unless there is a quorum at such meeting. Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, no action will be taken with respect to a matter for which the CSC, Neurology JRC or Neurology JDC, as applicable, has not reached unanimous consensus.
|
(b) |
Implementation. Each Party will give due consideration to, and consider in good faith, the recommendations and advice of the CSC, the Neurology JRC and Neurology JDC (as applicable) regarding the conduct of the Core Research Program, Neurological Disease Research Program and each Collaboration Program. Subject to Section 1.10.1 and Section 1.10.2, prior to Option exercise, (i) Ionis will have the final decision-making authority regarding [***] and (ii) Biogen will have the final decision-making authority regarding [***]. After Option exercise for a particular Collaboration Program, Biogen will have sole decision-making authority regarding [***] of Collaboration Products for such Collaboration Program, provided, however, that [***]. Except as otherwise expressly stated in this Agreement, the CSC, the Neurology JRC and Neurology JDC will have no decision making authority and will act as a forum for sharing information about the activities conducted by the Parties hereunder and as an advisory body, in each case only on the matters described in, and to the extent set forth in, this Agreement.
|
1.18.5. |
Ionis Obligation to Participate in the Neurology JRC, Neurology JDC and CSC. Ionis’ obligation to participate in (i) the Neurology JRC, will terminate at the end of the ASO Development Candidate Identification Term, (ii) the Neurology JDC, will terminate upon Biogen’s exercise (or expiration) of the Option for the last Collaboration Program, and (iii) the CSC, will terminate upon Biogen’s exercise (or expiration) of the Option for the last Collaboration Program. Thereafter, for each such governing body, Ionis will have the right, but not the obligation, to participate in such meetings upon Ionis’ request.
|
1.18.6. |
Alliance Managers. Each Party will appoint a representative to act as its alliance manager under this Agreement (each, an “Alliance Manager”). Each Alliance Manager will be responsible for supporting the CSC, the Neurology JRC and Neurology JDC, and performing the activities listed in Schedule 1.18.6.
|
2.1. |
Exclusivity; Right of First Negotiation.
|
2.1.1. |
Exclusivity Covenants.
|
(a) |
The Parties’ Exclusivity Covenants During the Research Term for High Interest Targets. Each Party agrees that, except in the performance of its obligations or exercise of its rights under this Agreement and except as set forth in Section 1.8.4, Section 2.1.2, Section 2.2, Section 10.4.3 or Section 10.4.4, or as contemplated by any Neurology Plan, neither it nor any of its Affiliates will work independently or for or with any Third Party (including the grant of any license to any Third Party) with respect to the discovery, research, development, manufacture or commercialization in the Field of an oligonucleotide that is designed to bind to the RNA that encodes a High Interest Target from the Effective Date until the earlier to occur of (i) the date such target is removed from the High Interest Target List, by Biogen or ceases to be a High Interest Target by operation of this Agreement, or (ii) the date on which the High Interest Target List is dissolved in accordance with Section 1.9.
|
(b) |
Ionis’ Exclusivity Covenants During the Research Term for Ionis Neurology Targets. Ionis agrees that neither it nor any of its Affiliates will work for the benefit of any Third Party (including the grant of any license to any Third Party that would diminish Biogen’s rights under Section 1.4 or prevent Ionis from granting Biogen a license under Section 4.1.1) with respect to the discovery, research, development, manufacture or commercialization in the Field of an oligonucleotide that is designed to bind to the RNA that encodes an Ionis Neurology Target from the Effective Date until the earlier to occur of (i) the date such target ceases to be a Neurology Target by operation of this Agreement, or (ii) the expiration of the Research Term.
|
(c) |
Ionis’ Exclusivity Covenants for Biogen Alternate Modality Targets. With respect to each Biogen Alternate Modality Target, except in the performance of its obligations or exercise of its rights under this Agreement and except as set forth in Section 2.1.2, Section 10.4.3 or Section 10.4.4, neither Ionis nor any of its Affiliates will work independently or for or with any Third Party (including the grant of any license to any Third Party) with respect to the discovery, research, development, manufacture or commercialization of an oligonucleotide designed to bind to the RNA encoding such Biogen Alternate Modality Target without Biogen’s prior written consent; provided, however, that if (A) Biogen, its Affiliates or Sublicensees have not [***] within [***] (or, if Biogen has used Commercially Reasonable Efforts to [***], within [***]) after the date the applicable Neurology Target becomes a Biogen Alternate Modality Target in accordance with this Agreement, or (B) after [***], Biogen, its Affiliates and Sublicensees thereafter cease to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to develop or commercialize such Product (or otherwise stops developing or commercializing such Product), then (i) the exclusive license granted to Biogen under Section 4.1.1(b) for such Biogen Alternate Modality Target will convert to a non-exclusive license, and (ii) Ionis and its Affiliates may independently or for or with any Third Party (including the grant of any license to any Third Party) research, develop, and commercialize oligonucleotides designed to bind to the RNA encoding such Biogen Alternate Modality Target (each such oligonucleotide, an “Ionis Non-Exclusive Product”), but not, for the avoidance of doubt, any molecule or product designed to [***] that is not [***], and the license to Biogen under Section 4.1.1(b) will become a non-exclusive license to the extent necessary to allow Ionis to conduct such activities.
|
(d) |
The Parties’ Exclusivity Covenants During the Option Period for Collaboration Targets. Each Party agrees that, except in the performance of its obligations or exercise of its rights under this Agreement and except as set forth in Section 2.1.2, Section 2.2, Section 10.4.3 or Section 10.4.4, neither it nor any of its Affiliates will work independently or for or with any Third Party (including the grant of any license to any Third Party) with respect to discovery, research, development, manufacture or commercialization in the Field of an oligonucleotide that is designed to bind to the RNA that encodes a Collaboration Target from the date such gene target was designated a Collaboration Target under this Agreement through the expiration or earlier termination of the applicable Option Period.
|
(e) |
The Parties’ Exclusivity Covenants After Option Exercise. Except in the performance of its obligations or exercise of its rights under this Agreement and except as set forth in Section 2.1.2, Section 2.2, Section 10.4.3 or Section 10.4.4, if Biogen timely exercises an Option in accordance with this Agreement, then neither Ionis nor Biogen nor their respective Affiliates will work independently or for or with any Third Party (including the grant of any license to any Third Party) with respect to:
|
(i) |
discovery, research or development in the Field of an oligonucleotide that is designed to bind to the RNA that encodes the applicable Collaboration Target related to such Option until [***]; and
|
(ii) |
on a country-by-country basis, commercializing in the Field an oligonucleotide that is designed to bind to the RNA that encodes such Collaboration Target until [***].
|
(f) |
Failure to Defer or Designate a High Interest Target a Collaboration Target or Biogen Alternate Modality Target. If, after a High Interest Target achieves Target Sanction, Biogen (i) fails to timely designate such High Interest Target as a Collaboration Target or a Biogen Alternate Modality Target (or, if applicable elect to defer under Section 1.3) on the applicable timelines set forth in Section 1.3 or Section 1.8, (ii) fails to timely pay the applicable milestone payment under Section 6.2.1 or Section 6.2.2, (iii) under Section 10.2.1 or Section 10.2.2 voluntarily terminates its license under Section 4.1.1(b) with respect to a High Interest Target Biogen designated as a Biogen Alternate Modality Target, or (iv) notifies Ionis that it has terminated an ALS Collaboration Program after the Initiation of a Phase 1 Trial for such program or fails to timely pay a milestone payment under Section 6.5 with respect to a particular ALS Collaboration Program, then in each case for a period of [***] after the date of such failure or such termination, as applicable, (x) neither Biogen nor its Affiliates will independently or for or with any Third Party (including the grant of any license to any Third Party) discover, research, develop, manufacture or commercialize an oligonucleotide designed to bind to the RNA encoding such High Interest Target and (y) if Biogen or any of its Affiliates or licensees discovers, researches, develops, manufactures or commercializes a Biogen Alternate Modality Product for such High Interest Target and such High Interest Target is not a Pre-Existing Target, then (A) the provisions of ARTICLE 6 will apply with respect to such Biogen Alternate Modality Product, (B) Biogen will pay Ionis all amounts owed (or which would have been owed absent such original failure or such termination) under such ARTICLE 6 with respect to such Biogen Alternate Modality Product (to the extent such amounts have not previously been paid with respect to the applicable Biogen Alternate Modality Target) in accordance with the terms hereof, (C) to the extent Ionis has the ability to do so, Ionis will grant Biogen the license under Section 4.1.1(b) with respect to such Biogen Alternate Modality Target, and (D) Section 2.1.1(c) will not apply with respect to such Biogen Alternate Modality Product. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Agreement shall restrict Biogen’s or its Affiliate’s or licensee’s discovery, research, development, manufacture, or commercialization of a product for a Pre-Existing Target that is not an oligonucleotide designed to bind to the RNA that encodes such Pre-Existing Target.
|
2.1.2. |
Limitations and Exceptions to Ionis’ Exclusivity Covenants. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Ionis’ practice of the following will not violate Section 2.1.1, Section 2.2 or Section (d) of Appendix 3:
|
(a) |
Any activities pursuant to the Prior Agreements as in effect on the Effective Date;
|
(b) |
The granting of, or performance of obligations under, Permitted Licenses;
|
(c) |
The research, development or commercialization of an Ionis Multi-Indication Compound to the extent permitted under Appendix 3;
|
(d) |
The exercise of its rights under Section 3.2.2; and
|
(e) |
The development or commercialization of a Pre-Existing Competitive Product in accordance with Section 12.5.2 and Section 12.5.3.
|
2.1.3. |
Effect of Exclusivity on Indications. The Compounds are designed to bind to the RNA that encodes a Collaboration Target with the intent of treating a Neurological Disease in the Field. Ionis and Biogen are subject to exclusivity obligations under Section 2.1; however, the Parties acknowledge and agree that, except as otherwise provided herein, each Party and its Affiliates (on its own or with a Third Party) may continue to discover, research, develop, manufacture and commercialize products that are designed to bind to the RNA that encodes a gene that is not (i) a High Interest Target to the extent Section 2.1.1(a) still applies, (ii) a Biogen Alternate Modality Target to the extent Section 2.1.1(c) still applies, or (iii) a Collaboration Target, in each case for any indication, even if such products are designed to treat a Neurological Disease.
|
2.2. |
Right of First Negotiation for Follow-On Compounds. On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, during the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending upon (i) if the applicable Option is not exercised in accordance with this Agreement, [***], or (ii) if the applicable Option is exercised in accordance with this Agreement, [***] (such period, the “ROFN Period”), Ionis hereby grants to Biogen a right of first negotiation to develop and commercialize any Follow-On Compound developed by or on behalf of Ionis, which right of first negotiation is granted on the following terms and conditions:
|
2.2.1. |
Within [***], Biogen may provide Ionis with a non-binding, good faith written notice expressing Biogen’s desire for Ionis to identify a Follow-On Compound (a “Follow-On Interest Notice”). If (i) Biogen does not, within such [***] period, provide Ionis with a Follow-On Interest Notice, or (ii) Biogen does timely provide Ionis with a Follow-On Interest Notice but the Parties do not agree on a [***] related to such Follow-On Compound by 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) on the [***] following the date of Option exercise, then, Ionis may work independently or with any of its Affiliates or any Third Party with respect to the discovery, research, development and manufacture of a Follow-On Compound; provided, however, that during the ROFN Period, Ionis will not grant any license (or an option to obtain such a license) under any intellectual property owned, controlled or licensed by Ionis to make, use or sell any Follow-On Compound (a “Follow-On Agreement”) unless and until Ionis provides a written notice to Biogen (a “Follow-On Negotiation Notice”), which notice identifies [***]. Ionis will not initiate negotiations regarding or enter into such a Follow-On Agreement with any Third Party until [***].
|
2.2.2. |
If Biogen or one of its Affiliates responds within [***] after its receipt of the Follow-On Negotiation Notice indicating that Biogen or one of its Affiliates desires to negotiate with Ionis regarding the proposed Follow-On Agreement, Ionis and Biogen or one of its Affiliates will negotiate in good faith with each other until the [***] after the date Ionis provided Biogen the Follow-On Negotiation Notice (or such other period as mutually agreed by the Parties) (the “Negotiation Period”) regarding a mutually satisfactory Follow-On Agreement (which may take the form of an amendment to this Agreement). During the Negotiation Period, Ionis will make at least [***] to Biogen or its Affiliate setting forth all material business and legal terms on which Ionis would be willing to enter into the proposed Follow-On Agreement with Ionis; provided, that neither Party will have any obligation to enter into a Follow-On Agreement. If the Negotiation Period expires before Biogen or its Affiliate and Ionis have entered into such a Follow-On Agreement, Ionis will have no further obligation to negotiate with Biogen or its Affiliates with respect to such Follow-On Agreement and Ionis will be free to negotiate and enter an agreement with a Third Party with respect to a Follow-On Agreement [***]; provided, however, that Ionis will not enter into any such Follow-On Agreement with any Third Party unless the terms and pricing of such Follow-On Agreement, [***] during the Negotiation Period. If, with respect to any Follow-On Compound that was the subject of the Follow-On Agreement previously discussed by the Parties, after the end of the Negotiation Period and prior to Ionis entering into a Follow-On Agreement with a Third Party, [***] regarding the Follow-On Compound, Ionis’ obligations and Biogen’s rights under Section 2.2.1 and this Section 2.2.2 will reset and Ionis will provide Biogen with a new Follow-On Negotiation Notice.
|
2.2.3. |
Any Follow-On Agreement entered into by Ionis with a Third Party in accordance with Section 2.2.2 will be a Permitted License to the extent related to the Follow-On Compound.
|
2.2.4. |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, until [***], Ionis will provide to Biogen a Follow-On Negotiation Notice for each [***] pursuant to this Section 2.2, unless Ionis enters into a Follow-On Agreement with a Third Party pursuant to this Section 2.2 and the terms of such agreement do not permit Ionis to grant Biogen rights with respect to the applicable Follow-On Compound.
|
3.1. |
Option.
|
3.1.1. |
Advance Data Disclosure. On or about 90 days before the date on which Ionis estimates that the database will be locked for the first PoC Trial for a particular Collaboration Program that is being conducted by Ionis (each an “Estimated Lock Date”), Ionis will provide Biogen with a written notice of such Estimated Lock Date. If Biogen provides written notice to Ionis [***] after Biogen’s receipt of the notice regarding the Estimated Lock Date that Biogen has a good faith intention to exercise the Option for the applicable Collaboration Program under Section 3.1.3, then as soon as reasonably practicable after Ionis receives such notice from Biogen, Ionis will provide Biogen with an early preview of the information to be included in the [***] for the applicable Collaboration Program to the extent then in Ionis’ possession and not already provided to Biogen, to assist Biogen with its decision of whether to exercise the Option. Within 15 Business Days after Biogen’s receipt of such data, Biogen will provide Ionis with a [***] notice of whether Biogen still intends to exercise the Option for the applicable Collaboration Program, provided, however, that Biogen’s failure to do so will not be deemed a breach of this Agreement.
|
3.1.2. |
PoC Trial Completion Notice. On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis where Ionis conducts the first PoC Trial, Ionis will provide to Biogen or its designated Affiliate (i) a copy of the most recent Investigator’s Brochure for the applicable Collaboration Product, (ii) written notice from Ionis regarding completion of the first PoC Trial, and (iii) the PoC Data Package for such Collaboration Program, to the extent not already provided to Biogen under Section 3.1.1 above (such notice and package, a “PoC Trial Completion Notice”) promptly, and in any event within [***] days after database lock for the PoC Trial for such Collaboration Program. Within 15 days of receipt of the PoC Trial Completion Notice, Biogen or an Affiliate will notify Ionis of any omissions or deficiencies that Biogen or its Affiliate believes in good faith cause the PoC Trial Completion Notice to be incomplete (“Deficiency Notice”). Ionis will promptly, and in any event within 15 days of receipt of the Deficiency Notice, resubmit a complete PoC Trial Completion Notice to Biogen or its designated Affiliate, including any information required to be included in the PoC Data Package that Biogen identified in the Deficiency Notice. If the Parties do not agree as to whether the PoC Trial Completion Notice is complete, the matter will be referred to the Executives for resolution. The Executives will meet promptly and negotiate in good faith to resolve the dispute and agree upon a complete PoC Trial Completion Notice.
|
3.1.3. |
Option and Option Deadline. On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, Ionis hereby grants to Biogen and its Affiliates an exclusive option to obtain the license set forth in Section 4.1.1(a) with respect to such Collaboration Program (each an “Option”). Each Option for a Collaboration Program that is not an ALS Collaboration Program or a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program will be available to Biogen and its Affiliates until 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) on the [***] following Biogen’s receipt of a complete PoC Trial Completion Notice for the applicable Collaboration Program (the “Standard Option Deadline”). Each Option for an ALS Collaboration Program will be available to Biogen and its Affiliates until 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) on the earlier of (A) the [***] following Biogen’s receipt of the data generated under the statistical analysis plan after initial database lock for the first PoC Trial for the applicable ALS Collaboration Program, and (B) the [***] of the date a Development Candidate under such ALS Collaboration Program was designated (the “ALS Option Deadline”). Each Option for a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program will be available to Biogen and its Affiliates until 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) on the earlier of (X) the [***] following Biogen’s receipt of the data generated under the statistical analysis plan after initial database lock for the first PoC Trial for the applicable Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program, and (Y) the [***] of the date a Development Candidate under such Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program was designated (the “Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Option Deadline”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Biogen determines that an HSR Filing is required to be made under the HSR Act to exercise an Option and notifies Ionis of such determination within [***] after Biogen’s receipt of the complete PoC Trial Completion Notice, the Parties will promptly file an HSR Filing in accordance with Section 3.1.4 and the Option Deadline will be extended until 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) on the fifth Business Day after the HSR Clearance Date. If, by the Option Deadline, Biogen or its designated Affiliate (i) notifies Ionis in writing that it wishes to exercise the applicable Option, and (ii) pays to Ionis the license fee set forth in Section 6.6, Ionis will, and hereby does, grant to Biogen or its designated Affiliate the license set forth in Section 4.1.1(a). If, by the Option Deadline, Biogen or its designated Affiliate has not both (y) provided Ionis a written notice stating that Biogen is exercising its Option, and (z) paid Ionis the license fee in accordance with Section 6.6, then Biogen’s Option for the applicable Collaboration Program will expire and Biogen will promptly transfer to Ionis all data, results and information (including Biogen’s Confidential Information and any regulatory documentation (including drafts)) related to the testing and Clinical Studies under such Collaboration Program in the possession of Biogen and its contractors to the extent such data, results and information were generated by or on behalf of Biogen under this Agreement (and [***] will pay all out-of-pocket direct Third Party costs and expenses in transferring such data, results and information together with Biogen’s FTE Cost in transferring such data, results and information).
|
3.1.4. |
HSR Compliance.
|
(a) |
HSR Filing. If Biogen notifies Ionis pursuant to Section 1.7 or Section 3.1.3 that an HSR Filing is required for Biogen to receive the license under Section 4.1.1(b) or exercise an Option under this Agreement, each of Biogen and Ionis will, within five Business Days after such notice from Biogen (or such later time as may be agreed to in writing by the Parties), file with the United States Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”), any HSR Filing required with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby. The Parties will cooperate with one another to the extent necessary in the preparation of any such HSR Filing. Each Party will be responsible for its own costs and expenses (other than filing fees, which Biogen will pay) associated with any HSR Filing.
|
(b) |
HSR Clearance. In furtherance of obtaining HSR Clearance for an HSR Filing filed under Section 3.1.4(a), Ionis and Biogen will use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to resolve as promptly as practicable any objections that may be asserted with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under any antitrust, competition or trade regulatory law. In connection with obtaining such HSR Clearance from the FTC, the DOJ or any other governmental authority, Biogen and its Affiliates will not be required to (i) sell, divest (including through a license or a reversion of licensed or assigned rights), hold separate, transfer or dispose of any assets, operations, rights, product lines, businesses or interest therein of Biogen or any of its Affiliates (or consent to any of the foregoing actions); or (ii) litigate or otherwise formally oppose any determination (whether judicial or administrative in nature) by a governmental authority seeking to impose any of the restrictions referenced in clause (i) above.
|
3.2. |
Changing or Adding Modalities.
|
3.2.1. |
Changing to a Collaboration Target. Provided that Biogen has complied with its diligence obligations under Section 2.1.1(c) and Section 5.1.2, at any time during the Research Term after Biogen has made the applicable payment under Section 6.2.2 with respect to a Biogen Alternate Modality Product, subject to Section 3.2.3(a), Biogen may elect to change such Biogen Alternate Modality Target to a Collaboration Target upon written notice to Ionis. Thereafter, (i) Biogen will pay Ionis the milestone payment under Section 6.2.1 (as such payment may be modified pursuant to Section 3.2.3(a)), such payment to be made within [***] days after Biogen’s notice under this Section 3.2.1, (ii) Ionis will prepare and submit to the Neurology JRC an ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan for such Collaboration Target within [***] days after receipt of Biogen’s notice pursuant to this Section 3.2.1, which plan will be agreed upon as provided in Section 1.10.1(a), (iii) the Parties will seek to discover and develop a Development Candidate for such target pursuant to such plan and the provisions of this Agreement and (iv) such target will no longer be a Biogen Alternate Modality Target hereunder.
|
3.2.2. |
Changing to a Biogen Alternate Modality Target. At any time during the Term after Biogen has made the applicable payment under Section 6.2.1 for a Collaboration Program, Biogen may elect to change the applicable Collaboration Target under such Collaboration Program to a Biogen Alternate Modality Target upon written notice to Ionis, in which case the provisions of Section 3.2.3(b) will apply, and as of the date of such notice, Ionis will be deemed to have granted Biogen the license under Section 4.1.1(b) with respect to such target and such target will no longer be a Collaboration Target hereunder; provided, however, that Biogen will not have the right to change a Collaboration Target to a Biogen Alternate Modality Target if such Collaboration Target is a Pre-Existing Target. Within [***] days of the later of (i) Ionis’ receipt of Biogen’s notice electing to change a particular Collaboration Target to a Biogen Alternate Modality Target, and (ii) Ionis’ receipt of the data generated under the statistical analysis plan after initial database lock for any ongoing Clinical Study under the applicable Collaboration Program, by written notice to Biogen, Ionis may elect to either (1) cease all development activities under this Agreement relating to any ASO designed to bind to the applicable Biogen Alternate Modality Target (i.e., the former Collaboration Target), until otherwise permitted to conduct such development activities under Section 2.1.1(c), or (2) subject to Section 3.2.3(b), continue to develop and commercialize on its own or with a Third Party such ASOs (or any other oligonucleotides) designed to bind to the applicable Biogen Alternate Modality Target (i.e., the former Collaboration Target). If Ionis makes an election under clause (2) of this Section 3.2.2, then Section 10.4.3(d) will apply to such former Collaboration Target.
|
3.2.3. |
Economics for Changing Modalities.
|
(a) |
If, pursuant to Section 3.2.1, Biogen elects to change a Biogen Alternate Modality Target to a Collaboration Target, the provisions related to Collaboration Programs under this Agreement, including to Sections 6.2, 6.4, 6.6, 6.7, and 6.10 will apply with respect to such Collaboration Target, provided, however, that (i) if Biogen paid Ionis the milestone payment under Section 6.2.2 with respect to such target prior to the date such target changed to a Collaboration Target, then the milestone payment under Section 6.2.1 with respect to such Collaboration Target will be reduced to $[***], (ii) if Biogen paid Ionis a milestone payment under Section 6.3 with respect to such target prior to the date such target changed to a Collaboration Target, then Biogen may credit the amount of such payments against the amounts due Ionis under Sections 6.6 and, to the extent applicable, Section 6.7.
|
(b) |
If, pursuant to Section 3.2.2, Biogen elects to designate a Collaboration Target as a Biogen Alternate Modality Target, the provisions related to Biogen Alternate Modality Programs under this Agreement, including Sections 6.3 and 6.9 will apply with respect to such Biogen Alternate Modality Target; provided, however, that (i) if the Collaboration Target Biogen changed to a Biogen Alternate Modality Target was not an ALS Target, then no payment will be due under Section 6.2.2 with respect to such Biogen Alternate Modality Target and (ii) if Ionis elects to continue to develop and commercialize such oligonucleotides under clause (2) of Section 3.2.2 Biogen will not be required to pay Ionis any un-accrued milestone payments or royalties under Section 6.3 and Section 6.9 solely with respect to the applicable Biogen Alternate Modality Product Developed and Commercialized by Biogen as a result of its conversion to a Biogen Alternate Modality Target under Section 3.2.2.
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3.2.4. |
Adding an Additional Modality.
|
3.2.4.1 |
Adding a Collaboration Target. Provided that Biogen has complied with its diligence obligations under Section 2.1.1(c) and Section 5.1.2, at any time during the Research Term after Biogen has made the applicable payment under Section 6.2.2 with respect to a Biogen Alternate Modality Target, Biogen may elect to add such Biogen Alternate Modality Target as a Collaboration Target upon written notice to Ionis. Thereafter, (i) Biogen will pay Ionis the milestone payment under Section 6.2.1, such payment to be made within [***] days after Biogen’s notice under this Section 3.2.4.1, (ii) Ionis will prepare and submit to the Neurology JRC an ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan for such Collaboration Target within [***] days after receipt of Biogen’s notice pursuant to this Section 3.2.4.1, which plan will be agreed upon as provided in Section 1.10.1(a) and the Parties will seek to discover and develop a Development Candidate for such target pursuant to such plan and the provisions of this Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of ARTICLE 6), (iii) Section 2.1.1(c) will not apply with respect to any activities conducted by Ionis pursuant to a Neurology Plan with respect to such target and (iv) Biogen may continue Developing, Manufacturing and Commercializing a Biogen Alternate Modality Product for the applicable Biogen Alternate Modality Target in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of ARTICLE 6).
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3.2.4.2 |
Adding a Biogen Alternate Modality Target. At any time during the Term after Biogen has made the applicable payment under Section 6.2.1 for a Collaboration Program, Biogen may elect to add such Collaboration Target as a Biogen Alternate Modality Target upon written notice to Ionis; provided, however, that Biogen shall not have the right to add such Collaboration Target as a Biogen Alternate Modality Target if such Collaboration Target is a Pre-Existing Target. Thereafter, (a) upon Biogen’s payment of the applicable milestone under Section 6.2.2, subject to Section 3.2.5, such payment to be made within [***] days after Biogen’s notice under this Section 3.2.4.2, (i) Ionis will be deemed to have granted Biogen the license under Section 4.1.1(b) with respect to such target and (ii) Biogen may Develop, Manufacture and Commercialize a Biogen Alternate Modality Product for the applicable Biogen Alternate Modality Target in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of ARTICLE 6) and (b) the Parties will continue all activities under this Agreement with respect to the applicable Collaboration Program.
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3.2.5. |
HSR Compliance with Respect to Biogen Alternate Modality Targets. If Biogen determines that an HSR Filing is required to be made under the HSR Act for Biogen to receive the license under Section 4.1.1(b) with respect to any Biogen Alternate Modality Target that is designated under Section 3.2.2 or Section 3.2.4.2 and notifies Ionis of such determination within 10 days after Biogen’s notice to Ionis under such section, the Parties will promptly file an HSR Filing in accordance with Section 3.1.4 and the deadline for Biogen to pay Ionis the milestone payment (or, if applicable, a portion thereof as provided in Section 3.2.3) under Section 6.2.2 will be extended until 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) on the fifth Business Day after the HSR Clearance Date.
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3.2.6. |
Changes One-Time Only. Once Biogen has elected to change a Collaboration Target to a Biogen Alternate Modality Target, or to change a Biogen Alternate Modality Target to a Collaboration Target under Section 3.2.1 or Section 3.2.2, as applicable, Biogen cannot exercise its rights under Section 3.2 to change such target back to a Collaboration Target or Biogen Alternate Modality Target, as applicable, or add such a Collaboration Target or Biogen Alternate Modality Target, as applicable, without Ionis’ written consent.
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3.3. |
Restrictions on Ionis’ Right to Grant Diagnostic Rights; Right to Negotiate Diagnostic Rights.
|
3.3.1. |
On a Collaboration Product-by-Collaboration Product and Biogen Alternate Modality Product-by-Biogen Alternate Modality Product basis, Ionis hereby grants to Biogen and its Affiliates an option (the “Diagnostic Option”) to negotiate during the Full Royalty Period or Biogen Alternate Modality Royalty Period, as applicable, the terms of an agreement under which [***]. The Diagnostic Option will be available to Biogen and its Affiliates until the expiration of the [***] or [***], as applicable, for the applicable Collaboration Product or Biogen Alternate Modality Product.
|
3.3.2. |
During the [***] or [***], as applicable, Ionis (i) has the right to [***], and (ii) will not [***].
|
3.3.3. |
If, during the [***] or [***], as applicable, Ionis grants any Third Party a [***], then Ionis will promptly notify Biogen of such [***] and will offer Biogen a [***].
|
4.1. |
License Grants to Biogen.
|
4.1.1. |
Development and Commercialization Licenses.
|
(a) |
Collaboration Products. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, on a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, effective upon Biogen’s exercise of the Option for a particular Collaboration Program in accordance with this Agreement, Ionis grants to Biogen a worldwide, exclusive, royalty-bearing, sublicensable (in accordance with Section 4.1.2 below) license under the Licensed Technology to research, Develop, Manufacture, have Manufactured (in accordance with Section 4.1.2 below), register, market and Commercialize Collaboration Products under such Collaboration Program in the Field.
|
(b) |
Biogen Alternate Modality Products. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, on a Biogen Alternate Modality Target-by-Biogen Alternate Modality Target basis, effective upon the date Biogen pays Ionis the milestone payment under Section 6.2.2 for a particular Biogen Alternate Modality Target, Ionis grants to Biogen a worldwide, exclusive, royalty-bearing, sublicensable (in accordance with Section 4.1.2 below) license under the Licensed Technology to research, Develop, Manufacture, have Manufactured (in accordance with Section 4.1.2 below), register, market and Commercialize Biogen Alternate Modality Products in the Field.
|
4.1.2. |
Sublicense Rights; CMO Licenses.
|
(a) |
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Biogen will have the right to grant sublicenses under the licenses granted under Section 4.1.1(a) and Section 4.1.1(b) above and Section 4.4.1(b) below:
|
(i) |
under the Ionis Core Technology Patents, Ionis Product-Specific Patents and Ionis Know-How, to an Affiliate of Biogen or a Third Party; and
|
(ii) |
under the Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents and Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Know-How, solely to (y) [***] or (z) [***];
|
(b) |
In connection with Biogen’s selecting and engaging one or more CMOs to supply Clinical Supplies under Section 4.4.1(b) or after a license is granted under Section 4.1.1, or supply API and Finished Drug Product for Commercialization, Ionis will, at Biogen’s option, either (1) grant a license from Ionis to [***] under the [***] to the extent necessary for [***], which Ionis agrees it will grant to [***], or (2) permit Biogen to grant a sublicense from Biogen to [***. For Collaboration Products, each such manufacturing agreement between Biogen and a CMO will contain [***]. Biogen will provide Ionis with a true and complete copy of any manufacturing agreement entered into with a CMO within [***] days after the execution thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Ionis fails to comply with the terms of this Section 4.1.2(b) and does not cure such failure within 90 days after written notice from Biogen specifying the details of any such failure, Biogen will have the right to [***].
|
4.1.3. |
Effect of Termination on Sublicenses.
|
(a) |
If this Agreement terminates for any reason, any Sublicensee of Biogen will, from the effective date of such termination, automatically become a direct licensee of Ionis with respect to the rights sublicensed to the Sublicensee by Biogen; so long as (i) such Sublicensee is not in breach of its sublicense agreement, (ii) such Sublicensee agrees in writing to comply with all of the terms of this Agreement to the extent applicable to the rights originally sublicensed to it by Biogen, and (iii) such Sublicensee agrees to pay directly to Ionis such Sublicensee’s payments under this Agreement to the extent applicable to the rights sublicensed to it by Biogen. Biogen agrees that it will confirm clause (i) of the foregoing in writing at the request and for the benefit of Ionis and if requested, the Sublicensee.
|
(b) |
If this Agreement terminates for any reason, any Sublicensee of Biogen under Section 4.4.2 and any Sublicensee of Ionis under Section 4.6.2 will, from the effective date of such termination, automatically become a direct licensee with respect to the rights sublicensed to the Sublicensee by the applicable Party hereunder; so long as (i) such Sublicensee is not in breach of its sublicense agreement, (ii) such Sublicensee agrees in writing to comply with all of the terms of this Agreement to the extent applicable to the rights originally sublicensed to such Sublicensee, and (iii) with respect to Sublicensees of Ionis, such Sublicensee agrees to pay directly to Biogen such Sublicensee’s payments under Section 4.5.2 to the extent applicable to the rights sublicensed to it by Ionis. Each Party agrees that it will confirm clause (i) of the foregoing in writing at the request and for the benefit of the other Party and if requested, the Sublicensee.
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4.1.4. |
No Implied Licenses. All rights in and to Licensed Technology not expressly licensed to Biogen under this Agreement are hereby retained by Ionis or its Affiliates. All rights in and to Biogen Technology not expressly licensed or assigned to Ionis under this Agreement, are hereby retained by Biogen or its Affiliates. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement or to perform Biogen Activities or Ionis Activities, as applicable, no Party will be deemed by estoppel or implication to have granted the other Party any license or other right with respect to any intellectual property.
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4.1.5. |
License Conditions; Limitations. Subject to Section 6.13, any license granted under Section 4.1.1, and the sublicense rights under Section 4.1.2 are subject to and limited by (i) any applicable Third Party Obligations, (ii) the Prior Agreements, and (iii) the Ionis In-License Agreements, in each case to the extent the provisions of such obligations or agreements are specifically disclosed to Biogen in writing (or via electronic data room) prior to the date the applicable license under Section 4.1.1 is granted hereunder. With respect to Collaboration Products, Ionis will disclose to Biogen any Third Party Obligations Ionis believes apply to applicable Collaboration Products each time Ionis provides (x) the [***]; (y) the [***]; and (z) the [***], and Biogen will have the right to elect to exclude any Third Party Patent Rights and Know-How to which such Third Party Obligations apply by providing Ionis written notice prior to Option exercise. If, prior to the date the applicable license under Section 4.1.1 is granted hereunder, Biogen provides Ionis with such a written notice to exclude certain Third Party Patent Rights and Know-How from such license, such Third Party Patent Rights and Know-How will not be included in the Licensed Technology licensed with respect to the applicable Products under this Agreement. If Biogen does not provide Ionis with such a written notice to exclude such Third Party Patent Rights and Know-How prior to the date the applicable license under Section 4.1.1 is granted hereunder, such Third Party Patent Rights and Know-How (and any Third Party Obligations to the extent applicable to Products) will be included in the Licensed Technology licensed with respect to the applicable Products under this Agreement.
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4.1.6. |
Trademarks for Products. If Biogen is granted a license under Section 4.1.1 for a particular Product, to the extent that (i) Ionis owns any trademark(s) specific to such Product which Ionis used prior to the date such license was granted, and (ii) Biogen reasonably believes such trademark(s) would be necessary or useful for the marketing and sale of the applicable Product, then upon Biogen’s request and at Biogen’s sole cost and expense relating to such assignment, Ionis will assign its rights and title to such trademark(s) to Biogen or one or more designated Affiliates sufficiently in advance of the First Commercial Sale of the Product to enable Biogen or its Affiliates to offer such Product for sale under such trademark(s). Other than trademarks owned by Ionis prior to the date the applicable license under Section 4.1.1 is granted hereunder, Biogen or its designated Affiliate will be solely responsible for developing, selecting, searching, registering and maintaining, and, subject to Section 10.4, will be the exclusive owner of, all trademarks, trade dress, logos, slogans, designs, copyrights and domain names used on or in connection with Products.
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4.2. |
Assignment of Ionis Product-Specific Patents; Grant Back to Ionis.
|
4.2.1. |
Assignment to Biogen. After Biogen has obtained the license for a particular Collaboration Program or Biogen Alternate Modality Target under Section 4.1.1 and following review and consideration by the Joint Patent Committee, Ionis will assign to Biogen or one or more of its designated Affiliates, Ionis’ ownership interest in (i) all Ionis Product-Specific Patents related to such Collaboration Program or Biogen Alternate Modality Target in the Field that are owned by Ionis (whether solely owned or jointly owned with one or more Third Parties), and (ii) any Jointly-Owned Program Patents Covering Products related to such Collaboration Program or such Biogen Alternate Modality Target, and thereafter Ionis will have no further right to control any aspect of the Prosecution and Maintenance of such Ionis Product-Specific Patents and such Jointly-Owned Program Patents. The assignment of Patent Rights assigned in this Section 4.2.1 will occur within [***] days of Biogen obtaining the applicable license under Section 4.1.1.
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4.2.2. |
Grant Back to Ionis. Biogen grants to Ionis a worldwide, exclusive, sublicensable license under any Ionis Product-Specific Patents and Jointly-Owned Program Patents assigned to Biogen under Section 4.2.1, (i) for all [***], (ii) to conduct its activities under other ASO Development Candidate Identification Plans and Initial Development Plans, (iii) to [***] to the extent permitted by this Agreement, (iv) to [***] to the extent permitted under Appendix 3, and (v) to exercise Ionis’ rights under Section 2.1.1(f) (if applicable) or Section 3.2.2.
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4.3. |
Data Licenses.
|
4.3.1. |
Data License to Biogen. Ionis hereby grants Biogen a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicenseable license under any data included in the Ionis Program Know-How for (a) any use other than in connection with the development, manufacture or commercialization of an oligonucleotide and (b) use in connection with the development, manufacture or commercialization any oligonucleotide that is being developed or commercialized by the Parties under this Agreement or any Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreement.
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4.3.2. |
Data License to Ionis. Biogen hereby grants Ionis a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicenseable license under any data included in the Biogen Program Know-How solely for use in connection with the development, manufacture or commercialization of oligonucleotides to the extent permitted by this Agreement and any Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreement.
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4.4. |
Enabling Licenses.
|
4.4.1. |
Licenses During the Option Period.
|
(a) |
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Ionis hereby grants Biogen a worldwide, non-exclusive, sublicensable (but only as permitted in Section 4.4.2 below), royalty-free license under the Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Know-How and Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents solely to conduct Manufacturing and drug substance process and formulation development activities with respect to any Compound, Product or Collaboration Product under any Collaboration Program during the Option Period for such Collaboration Program (including the activities set forth on Schedule 4.4.1(a)); provided that the grant of rights pursuant to this Section 4.4.1(a) shall not include the right to Manufacture any Compound, Product or Collaboration Product for Commercialization.
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(b) |
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including Biogen’s exclusivity covenants under Section 2.1.1), [***] for Biogen to conduct any Biogen Activities that are Development activities with respect to any High Interest Target or Collaboration Target during the Option Period in accordance with this Agreement, Ionis hereby grants Biogen a worldwide, non-exclusive, sublicensable (but only as permitted in Section 4.1.2 above), royalty-free license under the Licensed Technology. Biogen will [***] arising under any Third Party agreement as a result of granting Biogen the license under this Section 4.4.1(b) within [***] days after Biogen’s receipt of the applicable invoice. For clarity, the grant of rights pursuant to this Section 4.4.1(b) shall not include the right to Commercialize any such Collaboration Product or to Manufacture any such Collaboration Product for Commercialization.
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4.4.2. |
Biogen’s Right to Sublicense. Biogen will have the right to grant sublicenses under the license granted under Section 4.4.1(a) above (a) in the case of a sublicense of Biogen’s right to conduct Manufacturing of Compounds, Products or Collaboration Products, other than any sublicense to conduct manufacturing in support of drug substance process and formulation development activities, solely to (i) [***] or (ii) [***] and (b) in the case of a sublicense of Biogen’s right to conduct drug substance process and formulation development activities, including manufacturing in support thereof, to any [***]. If, within [***] days of first learning of any breach of such sublicense terms by any such Sublicensee, Biogen fails to take any action to enforce the sublicense terms of a sublicense granted pursuant to this Section 4.4.2, which failure would cause an adverse effect on Ionis, Biogen hereby grants Ionis the right to enforce such sublicense terms on Biogen’s behalf and will cooperate with Ionis (which cooperation will be at Biogen’s sole expense and will include Biogen joining any action before or a court or administrative body filed by Ionis against such Sublicensee if and to the extent necessary to have legal standing before such court or administrative body) in connection with enforcing such terms. Biogen will provide Ionis with a true and complete copy of any sublicense granted pursuant to this Section 4.4.2 within [***] days after the execution thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 4.1.3(b) shall apply to sublicenses granted under this Section 4.4.2.
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4.4.3. |
Enabling License to Biogen. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including Biogen’s exclusivity covenants under Section 2.1.1), Ionis hereby grants Biogen an irrevocable, worldwide, non-exclusive, sublicenseable license under any Ionis Program Technology Controlled by Ionis or its Affiliates at any time during the Agreement Term to research, develop, manufacture, have manufactured and commercialize (a) a product that is being developed or commercialized by Biogen, its Affiliates or its Sublicensee under any Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreement other than this Agreement, and (b) products that do not include an oligonucleotide as an active pharmaceutical ingredient. Such license in clause (b) above is royalty-free; except that if a product being sold by Biogen, its Affiliates or Sublicensees is Covered by a Target Related Ionis Program Claim, then on a country-by-country basis Biogen will pay Ionis a royalty equal to [***]% of Net Sales of any product sold by Biogen, its Affiliates or Sublicensees so long as such product is Covered by such Target Related Ionis Program Claim in such country. A “Target Related Ionis Program Claim” means a Valid Claim that (i) is within an Ionis Program Patent that is solely owned by Ionis, (ii) Covers a product being sold by Biogen, its Affiliates or Sublicensee, and (iii) claims a gene target, or a method of modulating such gene target to achieve a prophylactic or therapeutic effect/benefit.
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4.4.4. |
Enabling License to Ionis. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including Ionis’ exclusivity covenants under Section 2.1.1), Biogen hereby grants Ionis an irrevocable, worldwide, non-exclusive, sublicenseable license under any Biogen Program Technology Controlled by Biogen or its Affiliates at any time during the Agreement Term, other than any Biogen Results licensed to Ionis under Section 4.5.1, to research, develop, manufacture, have manufactured and commercialize products that include an oligonucleotide as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (other than products that include an oligonucleotide that is designed to bind to the RNA that encodes the same target as a product that is being developed or commercialized by Biogen, its Affiliates or Sublicensee under this Agreement or any other Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreement). Such license is royalty-free; except that if a product being sold by Ionis, its Affiliates or Sublicensee is Covered by a Target Related Biogen Program Claim, then on a country-by-country basis Ionis will pay Biogen a royalty equal to [***]% of net sales of any product sold by Ionis, its Affiliates or Sublicensees, for so long as such product is Covered by such Target Related Biogen Program Claim in such country. For the purpose of the foregoing royalty calculation, “net sales” will be calculated [***]. The provisions of Sections 6.14.1, 6.14.2, 6.14.3, 6.15, 6.16.1, 6.16.2(a), 6.16.3 and 6.17 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to any royalty payments by Ionis to Biogen under this Section 4.4.4. A “Target Related Biogen Program Claim” means a Valid Claim that (i) is within a Biogen Program Patent that is solely owned by Biogen, (ii) Covers a product being sold by Ionis, its Affiliates or Sublicensee, and (iii) claims a gene target, or a method of modulating such gene target to achieve a prophylactic or therapeutic effect/benefit.
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4.5. |
Licenses to Ionis for Biogen Results.
|
4.5.1. |
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Biogen hereby grants Ionis an irrevocable, worldwide, non-exclusive, sublicensable license under the Biogen Results Controlled by Biogen or its Affiliate at any time during the Agreement Term, to research, develop, make, have made, import, export, use and sell products that include an oligonucleotide as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (other than products that include an oligonucleotide that is designed to bind to the RNA that encodes the same target as a product that is being developed or commercialized by the Parties pursuant to an Option or exclusive license granted from Ionis to Biogen under the Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreements).
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4.5.2. |
The license granted in Section 4.5.1 shall be [***] with respect to any [***]. Such license will be [***] with respect to any [***] as follows: on a country-by-country, product-by-product and Biogen Manufacturing Program Patent-by-Biogen Manufacturing Program Patent basis, Ionis will pay Biogen [***]. If one or more Biogen Manufacturing Program Patents expires, is invalidated or otherwise ceases to Cover a product bearing royalties as set forth above, the applicable royalty rate under this Section 4.5.2 shall be recalculated to reflect the number of Biogen Manufacturing Program Patents then-Covering such product. For the purpose of the foregoing royalty calculation, [***] will be calculated as follows: [***]. If Ionis grants a sublicense under this Section 4.5 to an entity that is an Ionis Affiliate at the time Ionis grants such sublicense, such applicable sublicense will [***]. The provisions of Section 6.14 (other than Section 6.14.4), Section 6.15, Section 6.16 (other than Section 6.16.2(b)) and Section 6.17 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to any royalty payments by Ionis to Biogen under this Section 4.5.2.
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4.6. |
Right to Obtain Direct License from Biogen to Ionis Partner; Sublicensees of Ionis.
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4.6.1. |
If requested by Ionis, Biogen shall grant a direct, [***] license under the Biogen Results to [***] on the same terms as set forth in Section 4.5 with respect to sublicenses of Ionis. Biogen shall endeavor in good faith to grant such license within [***] days of any such request by Ionis.
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4.6.2. |
Ionis will have the right to grant sublicenses under the license granted under Section 4.5, provided that each such sublicense will be subject to, and consistent with, the terms and conditions of this Agreement. If, within [***] days of first learning of any breach of such sublicense terms, Ionis fails to take any action to enforce the sublicense terms of a sublicense granted pursuant to this Section 4.6.2, which failure would cause an adverse effect on Biogen, Ionis hereby grants Biogen the right to enforce such sublicense terms on Ionis’ behalf and will cooperate with Biogen (which cooperation will be at Ionis’ sole expense and will include, Ionis joining any action before a court or administrative body filed by Biogen against such Sublicensee if and to the extent necessary for Biogen to have legal standing before such court or administrative body) in connection with enforcing such terms. Ionis will provide Biogen with a true and complete copy of any sublicense granted pursuant to this Section 4.6.2 within [***] days after the execution thereof.
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4.7. |
Ownership of and Assistance with Regulatory Filings. If requested by Biogen, Ionis’ and Biogen’s regulatory teams will meet and begin to prepare a plan, which plan will be completed no later than [***] prior to such anticipated filing date, for drafting and reviewing the sections of the NDA and MAA for the applicable Collaboration Product (including establishing responsibilities for drafting and reviewing common technical document (“CTD”) modules, authorship, plan activity timelines and associated costs and expenses) and assigning all necessary filings with any Regulatory Authority related to the applicable Collaboration Product to Biogen to ensure a smooth transition to Biogen, accelerate CTD completion and facilitate rapid NDA and MAA filing. Each CTD will be consistent with the Specific Performance Milestone Events for the applicable Collaboration Program. The Parties regulatory teams will submit such plan to the CSC, if still active. The Parties will act in good faith and mutually agree upon each such plan, provided, however, that, after exercising an Option for the applicable Collaboration Program, Biogen will have final decision making authority with respect to the [***]. Once such plan is complete, each Party will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to execute their respective tasks and responsibilities under such plan in the time frames set forth in such plan. After exercising an Option for a particular Collaboration Program, if Biogen requests, Ionis will assist Biogen in preparing regulatory filings for the Collaboration Product, under terms negotiated in good faith between Ionis and Biogen, including payment for Ionis’ time at Ionis’ then applicable FTE Rate plus any reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by Ionis in providing such assistance, utilizing the payment mechanism set forth in Section 1.14.1.
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4.8. |
Subcontracting.
|
4.8.1. |
Subject to the terms of this Section 4.8, each Party will have the right to engage Third Party subcontractors to perform certain of its obligations under this Agreement. Any subcontractor to be engaged by a Party to perform a Party’s obligations set forth in the Agreement will meet the qualifications typically required by such Party for the performance of work similar in scope and complexity to the subcontracted activity and will enter into such Party’s standard nondisclosure agreement consistent with such Party’s standard practices. Any Party engaging a subcontractor hereunder will remain responsible and obligated for such activities and will not grant rights to such subcontractor that interfere with the rights of the other Party under this Agreement. Each Party will be responsible for any income or non-income taxes that arise as a result of such Party’s use of any Third Party subcontractors hereunder, including payroll, income, withholding, sales and use, VAT, customs, duties excise or property taxes, and such taxes will not be reimbursable expenditures.
|
4.8.2. |
Ionis agrees that, where Biogen wishes to (sub)contract with a Third Party with respect to any of the rights granted under Section 4.4.1(a), Ionis shall, within [***] days of any request by Biogen, provide Biogen with a letter of authorization as necessary for Biogen to be able to contract with such Third Party in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Biogen will ensure that any Third Party (sub)contractors Biogen uses to conduct the process development or manufacturing activities contemplated by Section 4.4.1(a) will be obligated to assign to Biogen all right, title and interest in and to any inventions developed by such (sub)contractors in the performance of such activities. For clarity, solely with respect to the Biogen Results, this Section 4.8.2 shall supersede and replace Section 7.1.3 of this Agreement to the extent of any conflict. Biogen will not enter into any new agreement or other obligation with any Third Party, or amend an existing agreement with a Third Party, in each case that restricts, limits, diminishes or encumbers the rights granted to Ionis under the Manufacturing Process Development Terms. In addition, after the Amendment Date, Biogen will use reasonable efforts to include, in any agreement with a (sub)contractor that has substantial material obligations related to the Development, Manufacture or Commercialization of a Product, provisions requiring that, in the event the applicable Option is terminated, expires unexercised or this Agreement is terminated, such (sub)contractor would enter into an agreement with Ionis with respect to such Product that is substantially similar to such (sub)contractor’s agreement with Biogen and would reasonably cooperate with Ionis to facilitate the transition of such Product to Ionis following such termination or Option expiration, including the transfer to Ionis of data and information in such (sub)contractor’s possession related to the Product.
|
4.9. |
Technology Transfer.
|
4.9.1. |
Technology Transfer to Biogen during the Option Period. Within [***] days after the Amendment Date, Ionis will deliver to Biogen or one or more designated Affiliates, solely for use by Biogen, [***] to conduct any Biogen Activities that are Development activities with respect to any High Interest Target or Collaboration Target in accordance with this Agreement, all Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Know-How in Ionis’ Control [***] to conduct such Biogen Activities. If requested by Biogen, Ionis will provide Biogen with a reasonable level of assistance in connection with such transfer, which Biogen will reimburse Ionis for its time incurred in providing such assistance at the then-applicable Ionis FTE Rate, plus any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Ionis in providing such assistance, using the payment mechanism set forth in Section 1.14.1.
|
4.9.2. |
Technology Transfer to Biogen after Option Exercise. On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, Ionis will promptly, but no later than [***] after Biogen exercises its Option for such Collaboration Program hereunder, deliver to Biogen or one or more designated Affiliates:
|
(a) |
Ionis Know-How. All Ionis Know-How in Ionis’ possession that has not previously been provided hereunder, for use solely in accordance with the licenses granted under Section 4.1.1 and Section 10.4.2, and Ionis will and does hereby assign to Biogen all of Ionis’ right, title and interest in and to the IND for the applicable Development Candidate, together with all Regulatory Materials (including drafts) that relate to the applicable Development Candidate; provided that, (x) notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to the provisions of Section 2.1, the Parties acknowledge that Ionis shall be permitted to use excerpts or portions of any such assigned Regulatory Materials in any other regulatory submissions, notifications, registrations, approvals and/or other filings and correspondence made to or with a Regulatory Authority in any country or jurisdiction related to products other than the Development Candidate, provided, further that such excerpts or portions shall not include (i) any non-public data or information, in each case, related solely to the applicable Development Candidate, or (ii) any Confidential Information of Biogen, and (y) for clarity, such assignment of Ionis’ right, title and interest in and to such Regulatory Materials shall not include the assignment of any Know-How (including any data) contained therein. If Ionis intends to use any excerpt or portion of any such assigned Regulatory Materials in accordance with clause (x) of the preceding sentence that are not in the public domain and do not relate to Ionis’ antisense oligonucleotide platform, Ionis shall, at least [***] days in advance of the anticipated submission of such excerpt or portion to a Regulatory Authority, notify Biogen of such intent and provide to Biogen a copy of such proposed excerpt or portion for review and comment. The Parties shall discuss in good faith any comments of Biogen with respect to such proposed excerpt or portion prior to submission thereof. To assist with the transfer and assignment of such Ionis Know-How, Ionis will make its personnel reasonably available to Biogen during normal business hours for up to [***] ([***]) of Ionis’ time for each Collaboration Program to transfer such Ionis Know-How under this Section 4.9.2(a). Thereafter, if requested by Biogen, Ionis will provide Biogen with a reasonable level of assistance in connection with such transfer, which Biogen will reimburse Ionis for its time incurred in providing such assistance at the then-applicable Ionis FTE Rate, plus any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Ionis in providing such assistance, using the payment mechanism set forth in Section 1.14.1.
|
(b) |
Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Know-How. Solely for use by Biogen, its Affiliates or a Third Party acting on Biogen’s behalf to Manufacture API in Biogen’s own or an Affiliate’s manufacturing facility, all Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Know-How in Ionis’ Control relating to applicable Products, which is necessary for the exercise by Biogen, its Affiliates or a Third Party of the Manufacturing rights granted under Section 4.1.1(a). Upon Biogen’s request, subject to Section 4.1.2, Ionis will provide up to [***] for [***] ([***]) of its time for each Collaboration Program to transfer such Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Know-How under this Section 4.9.2(b) to any Third Party Manufacturing API, Clinical Supplies or Finished Drug Product on Biogen’s behalf solely to Manufacture API, Clinical Supplies or Finished Drug Product in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Thereafter, if requested by Biogen, Ionis will provide Biogen with a reasonable level of assistance in connection with such transfer, which Biogen will reimburse Ionis for its time incurred in providing such assistance at the then-applicable Ionis FTE Rate, plus any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Ionis in providing such assistance, using the payment mechanism set forth in Section 1.14.1.
|
(c) |
API and Product. Upon Biogen’s written request, Ionis will sell to Biogen any bulk API, Clinical Supplies and Finished Drug Product in Ionis’ possession at the time of Option exercise, at a price equal to [***].
|
(d) |
Trial Master File. Upon Biogen’s written request, Ionis will provide to Biogen or its designated Affiliate a copy of Ionis’ trial master file for such Collaboration Program (such trial master file, the “Trial Master File”) promptly, and in any event within [***] days after Ionis’ receipt of such written request. Within [***] days after receipt of the Trial Master File, Biogen or an Affiliate may notify Ionis of any omissions or deficiencies that Biogen or its Affiliate believes in good faith cause the Trial Master File to be incomplete (such notice, a “Trial Master File Deficiency Notice”). Ionis will promptly, and in any event within [***] days after receipt of the Trial Master File Deficiency Notice, resubmit a complete Trial Master File to Biogen or its designated Affiliate, including any information required to be included in a Trial Master File that Biogen requests be included in the Trial Master File. If the Parties do not agree as to whether the Trial Master File is complete, the matter will be referred to the Executives for resolution. The Executives will meet promptly and negotiate in good faith to resolve the dispute and agree upon a complete Trial Master File. If Ionis is the Commercializing Party of a Discontinued Collaboration Product, this Section 4.9.2(d) will apply to such Discontinued Collaboration Product mutatis mutandis such that Biogen will transfer to Ionis Biogen’s trial master file for such Discontinued Collaboration Product.
|
4.9.3. |
Results.
|
(a) |
Each Party shall share with the other Party on an Annual basis (preferably at in-person meetings) the results of such Party’s manufacturing process development activities, including all data, the identity and location of vendors, information and results received from vendors, and planned additional work, (a) in the case of Biogen, to the extent arising under the Manufacturing Process Development Terms (all Know-How and Patent Rights within the foregoing, the “Biogen Results”) and (b) in the case of Ionis, to the extent arising under or otherwise subject to a disclosure obligation of Ionis under this Agreement, (all Know-How and Patent Rights within the foregoing, the “Ionis Results” and, collectively with the Biogen Results, the “Results”). All intellectual property matters with respect to the Results, including any Patent Rights therein, will be governed by the intellectual property provisions of this Agreement, and the Know-How and Patent Rights included in the Ionis Results shall constitute Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Know-How and Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patent Rights, respectively, under this Agreement. If requested by either Party, Biogen and Ionis will establish a manufacturing committee to facilitate the exchange of Results between the Parties. For clarity, Biogen shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to determine whether to seek patent protection for any Biogen Results that are not jointly owned with Ionis, and Biogen shall control and be responsible for all aspects of the Prosecution and Maintenance of any Patent Right within such Biogen Results (each, a “Biogen Manufacturing Program Patent”) in accordance with Section 7.2.2(c) of this Agreement. Biogen shall notify Ionis within [***] days if Biogen files a patent application Controlled by Biogen or its Affiliates that claims any Biogen Results and shall provide Ionis with a copy of such patent application. Ionis will have no obligation to incorporate any Biogen Results into Ionis’ manufacturing processes.
|
(b) |
For clarity, the Manufacturing Process Development Terms, and not the enabling licenses set forth in Section 4.4.3 and Section 4.4.4, shall govern with respect to all Results.
|
5.1. |
Biogen Diligence.
|
5.1.1. |
Collaboration Products.
|
(a) |
Prior to Option exercise, Biogen will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to conduct (i) any Biogen Activities on the timeline set forth in the applicable Neurology Plan, (ii) except as provided under Section 1.10.2(c)(ii), for each ALS Collaboration Program all activities under each Initial Development Plan on the timeline set forth in the applicable Initial Development Plan, and (iii) except as provided under Section 1.10.2(c)(ii) and Section 1.10.4(a), for each Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program all activities under each Initial Development Plan on the timeline set forth in the applicable Initial Development Plan. Without limiting the foregoing, Biogen may discontinue Development under such an Initial Development Plan if after having consulted, and having given good faith consideration to the recommendations of the Neurology JDC and a mutually-agreed Third Party expert, Biogen in good faith believes that continuing such Development would (1) pose an unacceptable risk or threat of harm in humans, or (2) violate any Applicable Law, ethical principles, or principles of scientific integrity, in which case Biogen will provide Ionis with reasonable advance notice of such discontinuation, including the grounds for Biogen’s determination, and Section 10.4.3 will apply.
|
(b) |
Following an Option exercise, Biogen will be solely responsible for all Development, Manufacturing and Commercialization activities, and for all costs and expenses associated therewith, with respect to the Development, Manufacture and Commercialization of applicable Products; and Biogen will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to Develop, Manufacture and Commercialize at least one Product from each Collaboration Program for which an Option has been exercised.
|
5.1.2. |
Biogen Alternate Modality Products. Following the date a license is granted to Biogen under Section 4.1.1(b) for a particular Biogen Alternate Modality Product, Biogen will be solely responsible for all Development, Manufacturing and Commercialization activities, and for all costs and expenses associated therewith, with respect to the development, manufacture and commercialization of applicable Biogen Alternate Modality Products; and Biogen will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to develop, manufacture and commercialize at least one Biogen Alternate Modality Product for each Biogen Alternate Modality Target.
|
5.1.3. |
Multi-Indication Targets for Non-Neurological Indications. Without limiting any of the foregoing, with respect to any plan for the development and commercialization of a Multi-Indication Target Biogen has agreed to conduct pursuant to a plan mutually-agreed under Appendix 3, Biogen will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to develop, manufacture and commercialize at least one Product for such Multi-Indication Target in accordance with such agreed plan.
|
5.1.4. |
Specific Performance Milestone Events for Collaboration Products. Without limiting any of the foregoing, (i) following an Option exercise for Collaboration Programs that are not ALS Collaboration Programs, and (ii) following the designation of the Development Candidate for ALS Collaboration Programs and Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Programs, Biogen will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to achieve the specific performance milestone events set forth in Schedule 5.1.4, as such schedule may be updated from time to time in accordance with Section 1.10.2(d) (“Specific Performance Milestone Events”) for a Collaboration Product on the timeline set forth in Schedule 5.1.4; provided, however, [***].
|
5.1.5. |
Development Results under ALS Collaboration Programs and Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Programs. Without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, promptly following its generation or receipt of the results of a [***] or a Clinical Study under an ALS Collaboration Program or a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program, as applicable, Biogen will provide Ionis (i) all study reports from [***] studies for the applicable Collaboration Product that are intended to support an investigational new drug application, (ii) all study reports for any pre-clinical and clinical trials conducted by Biogen for such Collaboration Product, (iii) the data generated under the [***] for the applicable PoC Trial(s), and (iv) copies of all filings submitted to Regulatory Authorities regarding such Collaboration Product.
|
5.1.6. |
Integrated Development Plan for Products. On a Product-by-Product basis, Biogen will prepare a Development and global integrated Product plan outlining key aspects of the Development of each Product through Approval as well as key aspects of worldwide regulatory strategy, market launch, and Commercialization, including Product sales forecasts (each, an “Integrated Development Plan” or “IDP”). Biogen will prepare the IDP no later than (i) [***] after Option exercise for a Collaboration Product or (ii) after the First Commercial Sale of a Biogen Alternate Modality Product, and the IDP will include information consistent in scope and content with the information Biogen’s senior management uses for internal decision-making for such Product. Schedule 5.1.6 sets forth examples of the types of information Biogen expects will be available to include in the IDP at different stages of development and commercialization. Once Biogen has prepared such plans, Biogen will update the IDP consistent with Biogen’s standard practice and provide such updates to the CSC [***] (or Ionis after the CSC terminates under Section 1.18.5). Biogen and Ionis will meet [***] basis to discuss the draft of the IDP and Biogen will consider, in good faith, any proposals and comments made by the CSC (or Ionis after the CSC terminates under Section 1.18.5) for incorporation in the final IDP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Biogen’s obligations to provide Ionis with information or reports with respect to a Product under this Section 5.1.6 will terminate if [***].
|
5.1.7. |
Investigator’s Brochure for Collaboration Products. After Option exercise, Ionis will provide to Biogen an up-to-date version of the Investigator’s Brochure for the applicable Collaboration Product. Biogen will keep Ionis reasonably informed with respect to the status, activities and progress of Development of Collaboration Products by providing updated versions of the Investigator’s Brochure for each Collaboration Product to Ionis [***] and when Development of such Collaboration Product results in any substantive change to the safety or risk to the Collaboration Product. Biogen’s obligations under this Section 5.1.7 will terminate with respect to a Collaboration Product if [***].
|
5.1.8. |
Applicable Laws. Biogen will perform its activities pursuant to this Agreement in compliance with good laboratory and clinical practices and cGMP, in each case as applicable under the laws and regulations of the country and the state and local government wherein such activities are conducted.
|
5.2. |
Regulatory Matters; Global Safety Database; Pharmacovigilance Agreement.
|
5.2.1. |
IND-Holder. Subject to this Section 5.2, for Collaboration Programs that are not ALS Collaboration Programs or Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Programs, Ionis will be the IND-holder and will be responsible for all communications with Regulatory Authorities regarding such Collaboration Programs prior to the applicable Option exercise. Subject to this Section 5.2, for ALS Collaboration Programs and Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Programs, Biogen will be the IND-holder and will be responsible for all communications with Regulatory Authorities regarding such ALS Collaboration Programs and Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Programs. Biogen will be the IND-holder after the applicable Option exercise for each Collaboration Program in accordance with Section 3.1.3, and, except as otherwise provided in this Section 5.2, shall thereafter have sole decision-making authority with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 5.2.
|
5.2.2. |
Pharmacovigilance Agreement. As soon as reasonably practicable following designation of a particular Development Candidate, and in any event no later than [***] prior to the date on which Ionis or Biogen anticipates filing an IND for the associated Collaboration Product with a Regulatory Authority, the Parties will enter into a Safety Drug Exchange Agreement relating to the collection, review, assessment, tracking, exchange and filing of information related to adverse events associated with such Collaboration Product occurring prior to the First Commercial Sale in any country on terms substantially the same as the terms of the Safety Drug Exchange Agreement to be entered into by the Parties with respect to adverse events associated with products developed under the Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreements. In addition, following the Amendment Date the Parties will discuss in good faith the possibility of entering into a single Safety Drug Exchange Agreement with respect to all activities under this Agreement and the Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreements. No later than [***] days prior the date on which Biogen reasonably anticipates that it will exercise an Option, Biogen will so notify Ionis and the pharmacovigilance departments of each of Ionis and Biogen will meet and determine the approach to be taken for the collection, review, assessment, tracking, exchange and filing of information related to adverse events associated with the applicable Collaboration Product occurring after such First Commercial Sale, consistent with the provisions of this Section 5.2. Such approach will be documented in a separate and appropriate written pharmacovigilance agreement between the Parties which will control with respect to the subject matter covered therein (the “Pharmacovigilance Agreement”). Such agreement will specify that the owner of the IND for a Collaboration Product will be the global commercial safety database owner for such Collaboration Product with primary responsibility for maintaining such database, and that Ionis will be and remain the owner of the Ionis Internal ASO Safety Database with primary responsibility for maintaining such database. Such agreement will also specify that, prior to Biogen’s exercise of the applicable Option, the Parties will communicate updates on safety data regarding a Collaboration Product to Biogen through monthly telephone calls between the drug safety representatives of Biogen and Ionis. Biogen and Ionis will jointly review and discuss safety issues arising under any Collaboration Program that may have implications on any Initial Development Plan for such Collaboration Program. Biogen may suggest actions to address Collaboration Product safety data or audit findings, and Ionis will consider all such suggestions in good faith. The Pharmacovigilance Agreement will be in accordance with, and will enable the Parties and their Affiliates or licensees or Sublicensees, as applicable, to fulfill, local and international regulatory reporting obligations to Regulatory Authorities and other Applicable Law.
|
5.2.3. |
Regulatory Communications Regarding Clinical Study Trial Designs.
|
(a) |
The Party who is the IND-holder will not initiate discussions with a Regulatory Authority regarding the [***] for a Collaboration Program until such [***] have been established pursuant to Section 1.10.2(d), as applicable.
|
(b) |
With respect to a Collaboration Program, to the extent practical, prior to any scheduled meeting with a Regulatory Authority regarding the [***] for such Collaboration Program, (i) the applicable Neurology JDC (or the Parties, if Ionis ceases its participation in such Neurology JDC under Section 1.18.5) will discuss and mutually agree upon the approximate timing and objectives for such meeting and (ii) the Party who is the IND-holder will provide the other Party with (A) an invitation to attend at least [***] and (B) an [***] with the IND-holder. In addition, the IND-holder will allow the other Party to participate in any such meeting under the direction of The IND-holder provided, however, that the IND-holder may exclude such other Party from any portion of such meeting that does not pertain to such Collaboration Program.
|
(c) |
With respect to a Collaboration Program, in each case, to the extent regarding the [***] for such Collaboration Program, the Party who is the IND-holder will promptly provide the other Party with (i) final copies of all material correspondence with and submission to any Regulatory Authority promptly following submission thereof, (ii) a [***] from a Regulatory Authority, and (iii) a [***] with a Regulatory Authority.
|
(d) |
With respect to a Collaboration Program, the Party who is the IND-holder will provide the other Party with [***] any Regulatory Authority that materially impact the [***] for such Collaboration Program sufficiently [***] to the applicable Regulatory Authority to enable the other Party to have a meaningful [***] thereof. The [***] any Regulatory Authority must reflect the Initial Development Plan. The applicable Neurology JDC (or the Parties if Ionis ceases its participation in such Neurology JDC under Section 1.18.5) will [***] on the [***]; provided that if [***] prior to a Regulatory Authority’s requirement for a response as determined by [***] will consider in good faith [***].
|
5.2.4. |
Participation in Regulatory Meetings for Collaboration Products. With respect to a Collaboration Program, each Party will provide the other Party with as much advance written notice as practicable of any meetings that such first Party has or plans to have with a Regulatory Authority regarding pre-approval or Approval matters for a Collaboration Product under such Collaboration Program or that directly relate to Ionis’ antisense oligonucleotide chemistry platform, and will allow two representatives of the other Party to participate in any such meetings under the direction of such first Party; provided, however, that, if such first Party is Ionis, Ionis may exclude Biogen from any portion of such meeting that does not pertain to such Collaboration Product; and provided, further, that, if such first Party is Biogen, Biogen may exclude Ionis from any portion of such meeting that does not pertain to such Collaboration Product or to Ionis’ antisense oligonucleotide chemistry platform.
|
5.2.5. |
Regulatory Communications for Collaboration Products. With respect to a Collaboration Program, each Party will promptly provide the other Party with copies of documents and communications submitted to (including drafts thereof) and received from Regulatory Authorities [***] that materially impact the Development or Commercialization of Collaboration Products under such Collaboration Program for such other Party’s review and comment, and such first Party will consider in good faith including any comments provided by such other Party to such documents and communications. Each Party will promptly notify the other Party upon receipt of any such documents or communications from any Regulatory Authority [***].
|
5.2.6. |
Class Generic Claims for Collaboration Products. To the extent Biogen intends to make any claims in a Collaboration Product label or regulatory filing that are class generic to ASOs, Biogen will provide such claims and regulatory filings to Ionis in advance and will consider in good faith any proposals and comments made by Ionis, provided, however, that Biogen is not obligated to incorporate such proposals and comments in any such claims and regulatory filings.
|
5.2.7. |
Ionis’ Antisense Safety Database.
|
(a) |
Ionis maintains an internal database that includes information regarding the tolerability of its drug compounds, individually and as a class, including information discovered during pre-clinical and clinical development (the “Ionis Internal ASO Safety Database”). In an effort to maximize understanding of the safety profile and pharmacokinetics of Ionis compounds, Biogen will cooperate in connection with populating the Ionis Internal ASO Safety Database. To the extent collected by Biogen and in the form in which Biogen uses/stores such information for its own purposes, Biogen will provide Ionis with information concerning toxicology, pharmacokinetics, safety pharmacology study(ies), serious adverse events and other safety information related to Collaboration Product as soon as practicable following the date such information is available to Biogen (but not later than [***] days after Biogen’s receipt of such information). In connection with any reported serious adverse event, Biogen will provide Ionis all serious adverse event reports, including initial, interim, follow-up, amended, and final reports. In addition, with respect to Collaboration Product, Biogen will provide Ionis with copies of Annual safety updates filed with each IND and the safety sections of any final Clinical Study reports within [***] days following the date such information is filed or is available to Biogen, as applicable. Furthermore, Biogen will promptly provide Ionis with any supporting data and answer any follow-up questions reasonably requested by Ionis. All such information disclosed by Biogen to Ionis will be Biogen Confidential Information; provided, however, that Ionis may disclose any such Biogen Confidential Information to (i) Ionis’ other partners pursuant to Section 5.2.7(b) below if such information is regarding class generic properties of ASOs, or (ii) any Third Party, in each case, so long as Ionis does not disclose the identity of a Collaboration Product or Biogen. Biogen will deliver all such information to Ionis for the Ionis Internal ASO Safety Database to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, California 92010, Attention: Chief Medical Officer (or to such other address/contact designated in writing by Ionis). Biogen will also cause its Affiliates and Sublicensees to comply with this Section 5.2.7(a).
|
(b) |
From time to time, Ionis utilizes the information in the Ionis Internal ASO Safety Database to conduct analyses to keep Ionis and its partners informed regarding class generic properties of ASOs, including with respect to safety. As such, if and when Ionis identifies safety or other related issues that may be relevant to a Collaboration Product (including any potential class-related toxicity), Ionis will promptly (and in no event later than five Business Days following identification by Ionis) inform Biogen of such issues and, if requested, provide the data supporting Ionis’ conclusions.
|
5.3. |
Research and Manufacturing Records. Each Party shall maintain, consistent with its then-current internal policies and practices, and cause its employees and subcontractors to maintain, consistent with its internal policies and Applicable Law, for at least ten years, records and laboratory notebooks, inventory, purchase and invoice records and Manufacturing records in each case with respect to the Collaboration Products in sufficient detail and in a good scientific manner appropriate for (i) inclusion in filings with Regulatory Authorities for such Collaboration Products, and (ii) obtaining and maintaining intellectual property rights and protections, including Patent Rights for such Collaboration Products. Such records and laboratory notebooks shall be complete and accurate in all material respects and shall fully and properly reflect all work done, data and developments made, and results achieved. Each Party shall allow the other Party, to the extent necessary for such regulatory or intellectual property protection purposes, to inspect or copy such records, subject to redaction by such Party.
|
5.4. |
Product Development Plans for ALS Collaboration Programs and Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Programs. With respect to each ALS Collaboration Program and each Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program, Biogen shall propose and develop a product development plan, which shall govern CMC-related matters for the applicable Collaboration Product. Ionis shall have the opportunity to review and comment on each such product development plan and Biogen shall consider any such comments in good faith.
|
6.1. |
Up-Front Fee. Within five Business Days following the Effective Date, Biogen will pay Ionis an up-front fee of $100,000,000.
|
6.2. |
Drug Discovery Milestone Payments.
|
6.2.1. |
Collaboration Targets. For each Collaboration Program, after (a) a Collaboration Target is designated under this Agreement, and (b) Ionis begins designing human development candidates under such Collaboration Program for human candidate screening under the applicable ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan ([***]), Ionis will so notify Biogen (such notice, the “Design Notice”) and Biogen will pay Ionis a milestone payment equal to (i) $[***] for Collaboration Programs that are not ALS Collaboration Programs [***], subject to any applicable credits permitted by Section 1.8.3 or Section 1.8.4, (ii) $[***] for ALS Collaboration Programs [***], or (iii) $[***].
|
6.2.2. |
Biogen Alternate Modality Targets. On a Biogen Alternate Modality Target-by-Biogen Alternate Modality Target basis, each time a Neurology Target is designated a Biogen Alternate Modality Target under this Agreement, Biogen will pay Ionis a milestone payment equal to $[***], subject to any applicable credits permitted by Section 1.8.3 or Section 1.8.4.
|
6.3. |
Milestone Payments for Achievement of Milestone Events by Biogen Alternate Modality Products. Subject to Section 3.2.3(b), for each Biogen Alternate Modality Target, Biogen will pay to Ionis the milestone payments as set forth in Table X below when a milestone event (each, a “Biogen Alternate Modality Milestone Event”) listed in Table X is first achieved by a Biogen Alternate Modality Product related to such Biogen Alternate Modality Target:
|
Table X
|
|
Biogen Alternate Modality Milestone
Event
|
Milestone Event Payment per Biogen
Alternate Modality Target
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
6.4. |
Non-ALS Collaboration Program Milestone Payments for Achievement of Pre-Licensing Milestone Events. As further consideration for Biogen’s Options, on a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis where such a Collaboration Program is not an ALS Collaboration Program, Biogen will pay to Ionis the milestone payments as set forth in Table 1 below when a milestone event (each, a “Standard Pre-Licensing Milestone Event”) listed in Table 1 is first achieved by a Collaboration Product under such Collaboration Program:
|
Table 1
|
||
Standard Pre-Licensing
Milestone Event
|
Milestone Event Payment per
Collaboration Program that is not
an ALS Collaboration Program
or Biogen Conducted Non-ALS
Collaboration Program
|
Milestone Event Payment per
Biogen Conducted Non-ALS
Collaboration Program
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
$[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
6.5. |
ALS Collaboration Program Milestone Payments for Achievement of Pre-Licensing Milestone Events. As further consideration for Biogen’s Options, on an ALS Collaboration Program-by-ALS Collaboration Program basis, Biogen will pay to Ionis the milestone payments as set forth in Table 2 below when a milestone event (each, an “ALS Pre-Licensing Milestone Event”) listed in Table 2 is first achieved by a Collaboration Product under such a Collaboration Program. Subject to the penultimate paragraph of Section 6.7, the amount of the payment for such Milestone Events will be determined based on whether or not such ALS Collaboration Program is a [***] Collaboration Program:
|
Table 2
|
|||
ALS Pre-Licensing
Milestone Event
|
Column 1
Milestone Event
Payment per ALS
Collaboration Program
that is not a [***]
Collaboration Program
[***]
|
Column 2
Milestone Event
Payment per [***]
Collaboration Program
|
Column 3
Milestone
Event Payment for the [***]
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
$[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
$[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
$[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
$[***]
|
$[***]
|
6.6. |
License Fee. On an Option-by-Option basis, together with Biogen’s written notice to Ionis stating that Biogen is exercising such Option in accordance with this Agreement, Biogen will pay to Ionis a license fee of (A) $[***] for any Collaboration Program [***]; provided, however, that if (i) Biogen exercises the Option prior to the [***], the license fee for such Option will be [***] or (ii) Biogen exercises the Option to a [***] Collaboration Program, subject to the last paragraph of Section 6.7, the license fee for such Option will be [***], or (B) $[***]; provided, however, that if Biogen exercises the Option prior to the [***], the license fee for such Option will be [***]. If Biogen notifies Ionis that it desires to exercise an Option prior to the [***], then the Parties will discuss and negotiate in good faith.
|
6.7. |
Milestone Payments for Achievement of Post-Licensing Milestone Events. On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, Biogen will pay to Ionis the milestone payments as set forth in Table 3 below when a milestone event (each, a “Post-Licensing Milestone Event”) listed in Table 3 is first achieved by a Collaboration Product under such Collaboration Program, where (subject to the last paragraph of Section 6.7) the amount of the payment for such Milestone Event will be determined based on whether or not such Collaboration Program is a [***] Collaboration Program:
|
Table 3
|
||
Post-Licensing Milestone
Event
|
Column 1
Milestone Event Payment per
Collaboration Program that is
not a [***] Collaboration
Program
|
Column 2
Milestone Event
Payment per [***] Collaboration
Program
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
$[***]
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
$[***]
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
$[***]
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
$[***]
|
6.8. |
Limitations on Milestone Payments; Exceptions; Notice.
|
6.8.1. |
On a Collaboration Product-by-Collaboration Product basis, the [***] milestone payment in Table 3 is creditable against the first Milestone Event payment for [***]. For example, if the [***] Milestone Event is achieved by a Collaboration Product in the United States, then the milestone payment for such Milestone Event is creditable against the first to occur of the (i) [***] (ii) [***] or (iii) [***] milestone payments for such Collaboration Product.
|
6.8.2. |
On a Biogen Alternate Modality Target-by-Biogen Alternate Modality Target basis, each milestone payment set forth in Table X above will be paid only once upon the first achievement of the Milestone Event regardless of how many Biogen Alternate Modality Products related to such Biogen Alternate Modality Target achieve such Milestone Event.
|
6.8.3. |
On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, each milestone payment set forth in Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3 above will be paid only once upon the first achievement of the Milestone Event regardless of how many Collaboration Products under such Collaboration Program achieve such Milestone Event.
|
6.8.4. |
If a particular Milestone Event is not achieved because Development activities transpired such that achievement of such earlier Milestone Event was unnecessary or did not otherwise occur, then upon achievement of a later Milestone Event the Milestone Event payment applicable to such earlier Milestone Event will also be due. For example, if a Party proceeds directly to [***] without achieving the [***] then upon achieving the [***] Milestone Event, both the [***] and [***] Milestone Event payments are due. Similarly, if a Party proceeds directly to [***] without achieving the [***] then upon achieving the [***] Milestone Event, both the [***] and [***] Milestone Event payments are due. If Biogen [***] for a Biogen Alternate Modality Product, then both the [***] milestone payment and the [***] milestone payment will be due upon [***].
|
6.8.5. |
Each time a Milestone Event is achieved under this ARTICLE 6, Biogen will send Ionis, or Ionis will send Biogen, as the case may be, a written notice thereof promptly (but no later than five Business Days) following the date of achievement of such Milestone Event and such payment will be due within [***] days of the date such notice was delivered.
|
6.8.6. |
With respect to the [***] Collaboration Program for [***], except as expressly set forth in Section 6.5, the milestone payments and license fees set forth in Section 6.5, Section 6.6 and Section 6.7 for [***] Collaboration Programs that are not [***] Collaboration Programs shall apply with respect to such [***] Collaboration Program. For clarity, the provisions of the Neurology Drug Discovery and Development Collaboration, Option and License Agreement between Ionis and Biogen, dated as of December 10, 2012, as such agreement may be amended from time to time, shall not apply with respect to the [***] Collaboration Program for [***].
|
6.9. |
Royalty Payments to Ionis for Biogen Alternate Modality Products.
|
6.9.1. |
Royalties for Biogen Alternate Modality Products. As partial consideration for the rights granted to Biogen hereunder, subject to the provisions of Section 3.2.3(b) and Section 6.9.2, Biogen will pay to Ionis a [***]% royalty on Annual worldwide Net Sales of Biogen Alternate Modality Products sold by Biogen, its Affiliates or Sublicensees, on a country-by-country basis (the “Biogen Alternate Modality Royalty”).
|
6.9.2. |
Royalty Period for Biogen Alternate Modality Products. Biogen’s obligation to pay Ionis the Biogen Alternate Modality Royalty above with respect to a Biogen Alternate Modality Product will continue on a country-by-country and Biogen Alternate Modality Product-by-Biogen Alternate Modality Product basis from the date of First Commercial Sale of such Biogen Alternate Modality Product until the [***] anniversary of the First Commercial Sale of such Biogen Alternate Modality Product in such country (such royalty period, the “Biogen Alternate Modality Royalty Period”); provided, that Biogen will pay [***] (if applicable) for as long as Biogen, its Affiliates or Sublicensees are selling Biogen Alternate Modality Products.
|
(a) |
Biogen will pay Ionis royalties on Net Sales of Biogen Alternate Modality Products arising from named patient and other similar programs under Applicable Laws, and Biogen will provide reports and payments to Ionis consistent with Section 6.14.
|
(b) |
No royalties are due on Net Sales of Biogen Alternate Modality Products arising from compassionate use and other programs providing for the delivery of Biogen Alternate Modality Product at no cost.
|
(c) |
The sales of Biogen Alternate Modality Products arising from named patient, compassionate use, or other similar programs will not be considered a First Commercial Sale for purposes of calculating the Biogen Alternate Modality Royalty Period.
|
6.10. |
Royalty Payments to Ionis for Collaboration Products.
|
6.10.1. |
Biogen Full Royalty for Collaboration Products. As partial consideration for the rights granted to Biogen hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Section 6.10.1 and Section 6.10.2, Biogen will pay to Ionis royalties on a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, on Annual worldwide Net Sales of Collaboration Products included in the applicable Collaboration Program sold by Biogen, its Affiliates or Sublicensees, on a country-by-country basis, in each case in the amounts as follows in Table 4 below (the “Biogen Full Royalty”):
|
Table 4
|
||
Royalty
Tier
|
Annual Worldwide Net Sales of Collaboration Products for the applicable Collaboration Program
|
Royalty
Rate
|
1
|
For the portion of Annual Worldwide Net Sales < $[***]
|
[***]%
|
2
|
For the portion of Annual Worldwide Net Sales > $[***] but < $[***]
|
[***]%
|
3
|
For the portion of Annual Worldwide Net Sales > $[***] but < $[***]
|
[***]%
|
4
|
For the portion of Annual Worldwide Net Sales > $[***]
|
[***]%
|
(a) |
Biogen will pay Ionis royalties on Net Sales of Collaboration Products arising from named patient and other similar programs under Applicable Laws, and Biogen will provide reports and payments to Ionis consistent with Section 6.14. No royalties are due on Net Sales of Collaboration Products arising from compassionate use and other programs providing for the delivery of Collaboration Product at no cost. The sales of Collaboration Products arising from named patient, compassionate use, or other similar programs will not be considered a First Commercial Sale for purposes of calculating the Full Royalty Period.
|
(b) |
For purposes of clarification, any Ionis Product-Specific Patents assigned to Biogen as set forth in Section 4.2.1 will still be considered Ionis Product-Specific Patents for determining the royalty term and applicable royalty rates under this ARTICLE 6.
|
(c) |
For clarity, the provisions of this Section 6.10 shall apply to Net Sales of Collaboration Products under the [***] Collaboration Program for [***], and the provisions of the Neurology Drug Discovery and Development Collaboration, Option and License Agreement between Ionis and Biogen, dated as of December 10, 2012, as such agreement may be amended from time to time, shall not apply.
|
6.10.2. |
Application of Royalty Rates for Collaboration Products. All royalties set forth under Section 6.10.1 are subject to the provisions of this Section 6.10.2, and are payable as follows:
|
(a) |
Full Royalty Period for Collaboration Products. Biogen’s obligation to pay Ionis the Biogen Full Royalty above with respect to a Collaboration Product will continue on a country-by-country and Collaboration Product-by-Collaboration Product basis from the date of First Commercial Sale of such Collaboration Product until the later of the date of expiration of (i) the last Valid Claim within the Licensed Patents Covering such Collaboration Product in the country in which such Collaboration Product is made, used or sold, (ii) the data exclusivity period conferred by the applicable Regulatory Authority in such country with respect to such Collaboration Product (e.g., such as in the case of an orphan drug), or (iii) the [***] anniversary of the First Commercial Sale of such Collaboration Product in such country (such royalty period, the “Full Royalty Period”).
|
(b) |
Competition from Generic Products for Collaboration Products. Subject to Section 6.11, on a country-by-country and Collaboration Product-by-Collaboration Product basis, if, within the [***], a Generic Product is sold in a country, then the Biogen Full Royalty rate used to pay Ionis royalties on such Collaboration Product in such country will be reduced to [***]% of the otherwise applicable Biogen Full Royalty rate. For the purpose of determining the [***] for a particular Collaboration Product under this Section 6.10.2(b), if requested by Biogen, Ionis and Biogen will meet and confer and mutually agree upon the Parties’ best estimate of when the Full Royalty Period [***] in each country where Collaboration Products are being sold.
|
(c) |
Reduced Royalty Period for Collaboration Products. Subject to Section 6.11, on a country-by-country and Collaboration Product-by-Collaboration Product basis, after the expiration of the Full Royalty Period and until the end of the Reduced Royalty Period, in lieu of the royalty rates set forth in Table 4 of Section 6.10.1, Biogen will pay Ionis royalty rates (the “Biogen Reduced Royalty”) on Net Sales of Collaboration Products calculated on a Calendar Year-by-Calendar Year basis by [***]; provided, however, that the Biogen Reduced Royalty rate in each country will in no event exceed the [***].
|
(d) |
End of Royalty Obligation for Collaboration Products. On a country-by-country and Collaboration Product-by-Collaboration Product basis, other than [***], Biogen’s obligation to make royalty payments hereunder for such Collaboration Product in such country will end on the expiration of the Reduced Royalty Period in such country. “Reduced Royalty Period” means, on a country by country basis, the period commencing upon the expiration of the [***] for such Collaboration Product in such country and ending when the [***].
|
(e) |
Royalty Examples. Schedule 6.10.2(e) attached hereto contains examples of how royalties will be calculated under this Section 6.10.
|
(f) |
Allocation of Net Sales. If, by reason of one or more royalty rate adjustments under this Section 6.10.2, different royalty rates apply to Net Sales of Collaboration Products from different countries, Biogen will [***] such Net Sales [***]. Schedule 6.10.2(f) attached hereto contains examples of how Net Sales of Collaboration Products from different countries at different royalty rates will be [***].
|
6.11. |
Limitation on Aggregate Reduction for Royalties for Collaboration Products.
|
6.11.1. |
In no event will the aggregate royalty reductions under Section 6.10.2(b) and Section 6.10.2(c) reduce the royalties payable to Ionis on Net Sales of a Collaboration Product in any given period to an amount that is less than the [***] for such Collaboration Product.
|
6.11.2. |
In no event will the aggregate royalty offsets under Section 6.13.3(b), Section 6.13.3(d) and Section 7.1.3(b) reduce the royalties payable to Ionis on Net Sales of a Collaboration Product in any given period to an amount that is less than the greater of [***].
|
6.12. |
Reverse Royalty Payments to Biogen for a Discontinued Collaboration Product.
|
6.12.1. |
Reverse Royalty for a Discontinued Collaboration Product. If Ionis or any of its Affiliates or Sublicensees Commercializes a Discontinued Collaboration Product for which Biogen has paid Ionis the license fee under Section 6.5, then following the First Commercial Sale of such Discontinued Collaboration Product by Ionis or its Affiliates or Sublicensees, Ionis will pay Biogen or its designated Affiliate a royalty of [***]% of Annual worldwide Net Sales of such Discontinued Collaboration Product (“Reverse Royalties”). Ionis’ obligation to pay Biogen Reverse Royalties will [***].
|
6.12.2. |
Applicable Royalty Provisions. In addition to this Section 6.12, the definition of Net Sales in Appendix 1 and the other provisions contained in this ARTICLE 6 governing payment of royalties from Biogen to Ionis will govern the payment of Reverse Royalties from Ionis to Biogen under this Section 6.12, mutatis mutandis, including the provisions of Sections 6.10.2, 6.13, 6.14, 6.15, 6.16, and 6.17.
|
6.13. |
Third Party Payment Obligations.
|
6.13.1. |
Existing Ionis In-License Agreements.
|
(a) |
Certain of the Licensed Technology Controlled by Ionis as of the Effective Date licensed to Biogen under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) were in-licensed or were acquired by Ionis under the agreements with Third Party licensors or sellers listed on Schedule 6.13.1 or in a separate written agreement between the Parties (all such license or purchase agreements being the “Ionis In-License Agreements”), and certain milestone or royalty payments and license maintenance fees may become payable by Ionis to such Third Parties under the Ionis In-License Agreements based on the Development and Commercialization of a Product by Biogen under this Agreement.
|
(b) |
Any payment obligations arising under the Ionis In-License Agreements as existing on the Effective Date as they apply to Collaboration Products for High Interest Targets designated as of the Effective Date, will be paid by [***] as [***].
|
6.13.2. |
New In-Licensed Ionis Product-Specific Patents; Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents. If after the Effective Date, Ionis obtains Third Party Patent Rights necessary or useful to Develop, Manufacture or Commercialize a Product that would have been considered an Ionis Product-Specific Patent had Ionis Controlled such Patent Rights on the Effective Date, to the extent Controlled by Ionis, Ionis will include such Third Party Patent Rights in the license granted to Biogen under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable) if Biogen agrees in writing to pay Ionis as [***].
|
6.13.3. |
Additional Core IP In-License Agreements.
|
(a) |
Biogen will promptly provide Ionis written notice of any Additional Core IP Biogen believes it has identified and Ionis will have the first right, but not the obligation, to negotiate with, and obtain a license from the Third Party Controlling such Additional Core IP. If Ionis obtains such a Third Party license, Ionis will include such Additional Core IP in the license granted to Biogen under Section 4.1.1(a), and any financial obligations under such Third Party agreement will be paid solely by [***] as [***].
|
(b) |
If, however, Ionis elects not to obtain such a license to such Third Party intellectual property, Ionis will so notify Biogen, and Biogen may obtain such a Third Party license and, subject to Section 6.11.2, Biogen may offset an amount equal to [***]% of any [***] paid by Biogen under such Third Party license against any [***] of this Agreement in such country for [***].
|
(c) |
If it is unclear whether certain intellectual property identified by Biogen pursuant to Section 6.13.3(a) is Additional Core IP under Section 6.13.3(b), Ionis will send written notice to such effect to Biogen, and the Parties will engage a mutually agreed upon independent Third Party intellectual property lawyer with expertise in the patenting of oligonucleotides, and appropriate professional credentials in the relevant jurisdiction, to determine the question of whether or not such Third Party intellectual property is Additional Core IP. The determination of the Third Party expert engaged under the preceding sentence will be binding on the Parties solely for purposes of determining whether Biogen is permitted to [***]. The costs of any Third Party expert engaged under this Section 6.13.3(c) will be paid by the Party against whose position the Third Party lawyer’s determination is made.
|
(d) |
Notwithstanding the determination of the Third Party lawyer under Section 6.13.3(c), if a Third Party Controlling Additional Core IP is awarded a judgment from a court of competent jurisdiction arising from its claim against Biogen asserting that [***], Biogen will be permitted to [***].
|
6.13.4. |
Other Third Party Payments.
|
(a) |
Ionis’ Third Party Agreements. Except as otherwise expressly agreed to by Biogen under Section 6.13.2, after Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) for a particular Product, Biogen will be responsible for paying [***]% of the [***] arising under any Third Party agreements entered into by Ionis where either [***].
|
(b) |
Biogen’s Third Party Agreements. Without limiting any applicable [***] under Section 6.13.3(b), Biogen will be responsible for paying [***]% of the [***] arising under any Third Party agreements entered into by Biogen as they apply to Products.
|
6.14. |
Payments.
|
6.14.1. |
Commencement. Beginning with the Calendar Quarter in which the First Commercial Sale for a Product is made and for each Calendar Quarter thereafter, Biogen will make royalty payments to Ionis under this Agreement within [***] following the end of each such Calendar Quarter. Each royalty payment will be accompanied by a report, summarizing Net Sales for Products during the relevant Calendar Quarter and the calculation of royalties due thereon, including country, units, sales price, the exchange rate used and the type of Product (i.e., whether it is a Collaboration Product or Biogen Alternate Modality Product) and the aggregate reduction to gross sales to arrive at Net Sales. Following the end of the first full Calendar Quarter subsequent to First Commercial Sale in a Major Market of any Product (but not in any subsequent Calendar Quarter unless there is a material change in the amount of any reduction to gross sales or the methodology used by Biogen to calculate any such reduction), Biogen will also include in such report a description of the reductions to gross sales to arrive at Net Sales, broken down by each category of reduction listed in clauses (a) through (d) of the definition of “Net Sales” and a non-binding qualitative analysis describing how Biogen anticipates such reductions may fluctuate over time. If no royalties are payable in respect of a given Calendar Quarter, Biogen will submit a written royalty report to Ionis so indicating together with an explanation as to why no such royalties are payable. In addition, beginning with the Calendar Quarter in which the First Commercial Sale for a Product is made and for each Calendar Quarter thereafter, within [***] following the end of each such Calendar Quarter, Biogen will provide Ionis a [***] report estimating the total Net Sales of, and royalties payable to Ionis for Products projected for such Calendar Quarter.
|
6.14.2. |
Mode of Payment. All payments under this Agreement will be (i) payable in full in U.S. dollars, regardless of the country(ies) in which sales are made, (ii) made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by Ionis in writing, and (iii) non-creditable ([***]), irrevocable and non-refundable. Whenever for the purposes of calculating the royalties payable under this Agreement conversion from any foreign currency will be required, all amounts will first be calculated in the currency of sale and then converted into United States dollars by applying the monthly average rate of exchange calculated by using the foreign exchange rates published in Bloomberg during the applicable month starting two Business Days before the beginning of such month and ending two Business Days before the end of such month as utilized by Biogen, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, fairly applied and as employed on a consistent basis throughout Biogen’s operations.
|
6.14.3. |
Records Retention. Commencing with the First Commercial Sale of a Product, Biogen will keep complete and accurate records pertaining to the sale of Products for a period of [***] after the year in which such sales occurred, and in sufficient detail to permit Ionis to confirm the accuracy of the Net Sales or royalties paid by Biogen hereunder.
|
6.14.4. |
No Payments for non-ASOs for Pre-Existing Targets. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall any payments be due to Ionis under this Agreement with respect to any non-oligonucleotide product developed or commercialized for a Pre-Existing Target.
|
6.15. |
Audits. After Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) for a particular Product, during the Agreement Term and for a period of [***] thereafter, at the request and expense of Ionis, Biogen will permit an independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing appointed by Ionis, at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice, but in no case more than [***], to examine such records as may be necessary for the purpose of verifying the calculation and reporting of Net Sales and the correctness of any royalty payment made under this Agreement for any period within the preceding [***]. As a condition to examining any records of Biogen, such auditor will sign a nondisclosure agreement reasonably acceptable to Biogen in form and substance. Any and all records of Biogen examined by such independent certified public accountant will be deemed Biogen’s Confidential Information. Upon completion of the audit, the accounting firm will provide both Biogen and Ionis with a written report disclosing whether the royalty payments made by Biogen are correct or incorrect and the specific details concerning any discrepancies (“Audit Report”). If, as a result of any inspection of the books and records of Biogen, it is shown that Biogen’s payments under this Agreement were less than the royalty amount which should have been paid, then Biogen will make all payments required to be made by paying Ionis the difference between such amounts to eliminate any discrepancy revealed by said inspection within [***] days of receiving the Audit Report, with interest calculated in accordance with Section 6.17. If, as a result of any inspection of the books and records of Biogen, it is shown that Biogen’s payments under this Agreement were greater than the royalty amount which should have been paid, then [***]; provided, however, that if [***]. Ionis will pay for such audit, except that if Biogen is found to have underpaid Ionis by more than [***]% of the amount that should have been paid, Biogen will reimburse Ionis’ reasonable costs of the audit.
|
6.16. |
Taxes.
|
6.16.1. |
Taxes on Income. Each Party will be solely responsible for the payment of all taxes imposed on its share of income arising directly or indirectly from the activities of the Parties under this Agreement.
|
6.16.2. |
Withholding Tax.
|
(a) |
The Parties agree to cooperate with one another and use reasonable efforts to lawfully avoid or reduce tax withholding or similar obligations in respect of royalties, milestone payments, and other payments made by the paying Party to the receiving Party under this Agreement. To the extent the paying Party is required to deduct and withhold taxes, interest or penalties on any payment, the paying Party will pay the amounts of such taxes to the proper governmental authority for the account of the receiving Party and remit the net amount to the receiving Party in a timely manner. The paying Party will promptly furnish the receiving Party with proof of payment of such taxes. If documentation is necessary in order to secure an exemption from, or a reduction in, any withholding taxes, the Parties will provide such documentation to the extent they are entitled to do so.
|
(b) |
With respect to any commercial supply agreement entered between the Parties for the commercial supply of API under this Agreement, such supply agreement will (i) provide that only Biogen will claim any tax benefit allowed under IRC Section 199 Income Attributable to Domestic Production Activities, and (ii) include compensation to Ionis reflecting the value of the reasonably anticipated tax benefit under IRC Section 199 Income Attributable to Domestic Production Activities forfeited by Ionis. If the IRS determines that Biogen is not entitled to the tax benefits under Section 199, Ionis is not required to reimburse Biogen for this tax benefit unless Ionis receives a cash benefit on its federal tax return. A cash benefit will include any utilization of net operating losses that were generated in a year in which Ionis claimed any IRC Sec 199 deduction. The reimbursement to Biogen would be an amount equal to the Section 199 deduction times thirty-five percent, less any administrative costs to compute the tax benefit. The reimbursement would be due to Biogen within 90 days after filing any original or amended federal tax return. If the IRS determines that Ionis is not eligible for the tax benefit or determines the tax benefit should be a different amount, Biogen will pay back to Ionis the amount of any adjustment. Ionis will notify Biogen within 30 days of filing a return that claims such deduction or utilizes a related net operating loss.
|
6.16.3. |
Tax Cooperation. Ionis will provide Biogen with any and all tax forms that may be reasonably necessary in order for Biogen to lawfully not withhold tax or to withhold tax at a reduced rate under an applicable bilateral income tax treaty. Following Biogen’s timely receipt of such tax forms from Ionis, Biogen will not withhold tax or will withhold tax at a reduced rate under an applicable bilateral income tax treaty, if appropriate under the Applicable Laws. Ionis will provide any such tax forms to Biogen upon request and in advance of the due date. Each Party will provide the other with reasonable assistance to determine if any taxes are applicable to payments under this Agreement and to enable the recovery, as permitted by Applicable Law, of withholding taxes resulting from payments made under this Agreement, such recovery to be for the benefit of the Party who would have been entitled to receive the money but for the application of withholding tax under this Section 6.16.
|
6.17. |
Interest. Any undisputed payments to be made hereunder that are not paid on or before the date such payments are due under this Agreement will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the lesser of (i) the rate announced by Bank of America (or its successor) as its prime rate in effect on the date that such payment would have been first due plus 1% or (ii) the maximum rate permissible under Applicable Law.
|
7.1. |
Ownership.
|
7.1.1. |
Ionis Technology and Biogen Technology. As between the Parties, Ionis will own and retain all of its rights, title and interest in and to the Licensed Know-How and Licensed Patents and Biogen will own and retain all of its rights, title and interest in and to the Biogen Know-How and Biogen Patents, subject to any assignments, rights or licenses expressly granted by one Party to the other Party under this Agreement.
|
7.1.2. |
Agreement Technology. As between the Parties, Biogen is the sole owner of any Know-How discovered, developed, invented or created solely by or on behalf of Biogen or its Affiliates under this Agreement (“Biogen Program Know-How”) and any Patent Rights that claim or cover Biogen Program Know-How (“Biogen Program Patents” and together with the Biogen Program Know-How, the “Biogen Program Technology”), and will retain all of its rights, title and interest thereto, subject to any rights or licenses expressly granted by Biogen to Ionis under this Agreement. As between the Parties, Ionis is the sole owner of any Know-How discovered, developed, invented or created solely by or on behalf of Ionis or its Affiliates (“Ionis Program Know-How”) and any Patent Rights that claim or cover such Know-How (“Ionis Program Patents” and together with the Ionis Program Know-How, the “Ionis Program Technology”), and will retain all of its rights, title and interest thereto, subject to any assignment, rights or licenses expressly granted by Ionis to Biogen under this Agreement. Any Know-How discovered, developed, invented or created jointly under this Agreement by or on behalf of both Parties or their respective Affiliates or Third Parties acting on their behalf (“Jointly-Owned Program Know-How”), and any Patent Rights that claim or cover such Jointly-Owned Program Know-How (“Jointly-Owned Program Patents”, and together with the Jointly-Owned Program Know-How, the “Jointly-Owned Program Technology”), are owned jointly by Biogen and Ionis on an equal and undivided basis, including all rights, title and interest thereto, subject to any rights or licenses expressly granted by one Party to the other Party under this Agreement. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, neither Party will have any obligation to account to the other for profits with respect to, or to obtain any consent of the other Party to license or exploit, Jointly-Owned Program Technology by reason of joint ownership thereof, and each Party hereby waives any right it may have under the laws of any jurisdiction to require any such consent or accounting. Each Party will promptly disclose to the other Party in writing, and will cause its Affiliates to so disclose, the discovery, development, invention or creation of any Jointly-Owned Program Technology. The Biogen Program Patents, Ionis Program Patents and Jointly-Owned Program Patents are collectively referred to herein as the “Program Patents.”
|
7.1.3. |
Joint Patent Committee.
|
(a) |
The Parties will establish a “Joint Patent Committee” or “JPC.” The JPC will serve as the primary contact and forum for discussion between the Parties with respect to intellectual property matters arising under this Agreement, and will cooperate with respect to the activities set forth in this ARTICLE 7. Ionis’ obligation to participate in the JPC will terminate upon Biogen’s exercise of (or the expiration or termination of) the last Option. Thereafter, Ionis will have the right, but not the obligation, to participate in JPC meetings. A strategy will be discussed with regard to intellectual property considerations when selecting each Development Candidate, prosecution and maintenance, defense and enforcement of Ionis Product-Specific Patents that would be or are licensed to Biogen under Section 4.1.1 in connection with a Product and Biogen Product-Specific Patents, defense against allegations of infringement of Third Party Patent Rights, and licenses to Third Party Patent Rights or Know-How, in each case to the extent such matter would be reasonably likely to have a material impact on the Agreement or the licenses granted hereunder, which strategy will be considered in good faith by the Party entitled to designate a Development Candidate or prosecute, enforce and defend such Patent Rights, as applicable, hereunder, but will not be binding on such Party.
|
(b) |
Ionis or Biogen (as applicable) will provide the Joint Patent Committee with notice of any Know-How or Patent Rights discovered, developed, invented or created jointly by such Party and a Third Party in the performance of activities under the Neurology Plans or solely by a Third Party performing activities under the Neurology Plans on such Party’s behalf (such Know-How and Patent Rights, the “Collaborator IP”) promptly after such Party receives notice or otherwise becomes aware of the existence of such Collaborator IP. The JPC will determine whether any such Collaborator IP would be infringed by the Development, registration, Manufacture or Commercialization of the applicable Development Candidate or any Compound under consideration by Ionis for potential designation as a Development Candidate. If the JPC (or independent patent counsel engaged pursuant to this Section 7.1.3(b)) determines that any Collaborator IP would be infringed by such Development, registration, Manufacture or Commercialization, [***]; provided that, if such Party is unable to obtain [***] license to such Collaborator IP or if the Parties mutually agree that it is not necessary to obtain [***] license, such Party shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to obtain a [***] license to such Collaborator IP from such Third Party (any such [***] with such Third Party, a “Collaborator License”), and in each case such Party will endeavor to obtain in such Collaborator License the right to sublicense such Collaborator IP to the other Party on terms that contain no greater restrictions on the other Party’s use of such Collaborator IP than those set forth in this Agreement.
|
(c) |
In addition, the Joint Patent Committee will be responsible for the determination of inventorship of Program Patents in accordance with United States patent laws. In case of a dispute in the Joint Patent Committee (or otherwise between Ionis and Biogen) over inventorship of Program Patents, if the Joint Patent Committee cannot resolve such dispute, even after seeking the CSC’s input, such dispute will be resolved by independent patent counsel not engaged or regularly employed in the past two years by either Party and reasonably acceptable to both Parties. The decision of such independent patent counsel will be binding on the Parties. Expenses of such patent counsel will be shared equally by the Parties.
|
(d) |
The JPC will comprise an equal number of members from each Party. The Joint Patent Committee will meet as often as agreed by them (and at least semi-Annually), to discuss matters arising out of the activities set forth in this ARTICLE 7. The JPC will determine by unanimous consent the JPC operating procedures at its first meeting, including the JPC’s policies for replacement of JPC members, and the location of meetings, which will be codified in the written minutes of the first JPC meeting. To the extent reasonably requested by either Party, the Joint Patent Committee will solicit the involvement of more senior members of their respective legal departments (up to the most senior intellectual property attorney, where appropriate) with respect to critical issues, and may escalate issues to the Executives for input and resolution pursuant to Section 12.1. Each Party’s representatives on the Joint Patent Committee will consider comments and suggestions made by the other in good faith. If either Party deems it reasonably advisable, the Parties will enter into a mutually agreeable common interest agreement covering the matters contemplated by this Agreement.
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7.2. |
Prosecution and Maintenance of Patents.
|
7.2.1. |
Patent Filings. The Party responsible for Prosecution and Maintenance of any Patent Rights as set forth in Section 7.2.2 and Section 7.2.3 will endeavor to obtain patent protection for the applicable Product as it Prosecutes and Maintains its other patents Covering products in development, using counsel of its own choice but reasonably acceptable to the other Party, in such countries as the responsible Party sees fit. On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis or Biogen Alternate Modality Target-by-Biogen Alternate Modality Target basis (as applicable), until the earlier of the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable) and the expiration or termination of Biogen’s right to be granted such license, Ionis will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to diligently Prosecute and Maintain all Ionis Product-Specific Patents and any Jointly-Owned Program Patents Covering Products, in each case to the extent that Ionis has the right to Prosecute and Maintain such Patent Rights.
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7.2.2. |
Licensed Patents and Biogen Patents.
|
(a) |
Licensed Patents In General. Prior to the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable), Ionis will control and be responsible for all aspects of the Prosecution and Maintenance of all Licensed Patents that are the subject of such license grant, subject to Section 7.2.2(b) and Section 7.2.3. During the Agreement Term, Ionis will control and be responsible for all aspects of the Ionis Core Technology Patents and Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents.
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(b) |
Licensed Patents After License Grant. After Ionis assigns to Biogen or one or more designated Affiliates Ionis’ ownership interest in (i) all Ionis Product-Specific Patents that are owned (whether solely owned or jointly owned with one or more Third Parties) by Ionis, and (ii) any Jointly-Owned Program Patents Covering Products in accordance with Section 4.2, Biogen will control and be responsible for all aspects of the Prosecution and Maintenance of all such Ionis Product-Specific Patents and Jointly-Owned Program Patents to the same extent Ionis had the right to control and was responsible for such Prosecution and Maintenance immediately prior to such assignment, subject to Section 7.2.3, and will grant Ionis the license set forth in Section 4.2.2.
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(c) |
Biogen Patents. Biogen will control and be responsible for all aspects of the Prosecution and Maintenance of all Biogen Patents, subject to Section 7.2.3.
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7.2.3. |
Jointly-Owned Program Patents. Ionis will control and be responsible for all aspects of the Prosecution and Maintenance of Jointly-Owned Program Patents that do not Cover Products. Prior to the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable), Ionis will control and be responsible for all aspects of the Prosecution and Maintenance of Jointly-Owned Program Patents Covering Products that are the subject of such license. After the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable), Biogen will control and be responsible for all aspects of the Prosecution and Maintenance of Jointly-Owned Program Patents Covering Products that are the subject of such license.
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7.2.4. |
Prosecution of Multi-Indication Product-Specific Patents; Biogen Supremacy to Enforce and Extend. With respect to Product-Specific Patent Rights related to Multi-Indication Products, the Parties will endeavor to prosecute such Patent Rights to claim inventions related to Neurological Diseases separately from inventions related to Non-Neurological Indications. If there is an Ionis Product-Specific Patent that Covers both (i) a Multi-Indication Product licensed to Biogen under Section 4.1.1(a), and (ii) a Multi-Indication Product of Ionis (each such Ionis Product-Specific Patent, a “Multi-Indication Product-Specific Patent”), then so long as Biogen is Developing and Commercializing such Multi-Indication Product pursuant to its license under Section 4.1.1(a), Biogen will have the sole and exclusive right, but not the obligation, to institute and control any (i) Proceeding related to the infringement of such Multi-Indication Product-Specific Patent, (ii) Prosecution and Maintenance of such Multi-Indication Product-Specific Patent and (iii) patent term extension related to such Multi-Indication Product-Specific Patent.
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7.2.5. |
Other Matters Pertaining to Prosecution and Maintenance of Patents.
|
(a) |
Each Party will keep the other Party informed through the Joint Patent Committee as to material developments with respect to the Prosecution and Maintenance of the Ionis Core Technology Patents set forth on Schedule 8.2.4(a), together with all Product-Specific Patents or Jointly-Owned Program Patents for which such Party has responsibility for Prosecution and Maintenance pursuant to Section 7.2.2, Section 7.2.3 or this Section 7.2.5, including by providing copies of material data as it arises, any office actions or office action responses or other correspondence that such Party provides to or receives from any patent office, including notice of all interferences, reissues, re-examinations, oppositions or requests for patent term extensions, and all patent-related filings, and by providing the other Party the timely opportunity to have reasonable input into the strategic aspects of such Prosecution and Maintenance.
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(b) |
If Biogen elects (a) not to file and prosecute patent applications for the Jointly-Owned Program Patent Rights or Ionis Product-Specific Patents that have been licensed or assigned to Biogen under this Agreement or the Biogen Product-Specific Patents (“Biogen-Prosecuted Patents”) in a particular country, (b) not to continue the prosecution (including any interferences, oppositions, reissue proceedings, re-examinations, and patent term extensions, adjustments, and restorations) or maintenance of any Biogen-Prosecuted Patent in a particular country, or (c) not to file and prosecute patent applications for the Biogen-Prosecuted Patent in a particular country following a written request from Ionis to file and prosecute in such country, then Biogen will so notify Ionis promptly in writing of its intention (including a reasonably detailed rationale for doing so) in good time to enable Ionis to meet any deadlines by which an action must be taken to establish or preserve any such Patent Right in such country; and except as set forth in Section 7.2.5(c) Ionis will have the right, but not the obligation, to file, prosecute, maintain, enforce, or otherwise pursue such Biogen-Prosecuted Patent in the applicable country at its own expense with counsel of its own choice. In such case, Biogen will cooperate with Ionis to file for, or continue to Prosecute and Maintain or enforce, or otherwise pursue such Biogen-Prosecuted Patent in such country in Ionis’ own name, but only to the extent that Biogen is not required to take any position with respect to such abandoned Biogen-Prosecuted Patent that would be reasonably likely to adversely affect the scope, validity or enforceability of any of the other Patent Rights being prosecuted and maintained by Biogen under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Ionis assumes responsibility for the Prosecution and Maintenance of any such Biogen-Prosecuted Patent under this Section 7.2.5(b), Ionis will have no obligation to notify Biogen if Ionis intends to abandon such Biogen-Prosecuted Patent.
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(c) |
Notwithstanding Section 7.2.5(b) above, if, after having consulted with outside counsel, Biogen reasonably determines that filing or continuing to prosecute a patent application in a particular country for a Biogen-Prosecuted Patent (the “Conflicting Patent Right”) is reasonably likely to adversely affect the scope, validity or enforceability of a patent application or issued patent in a particular country for another Biogen-Prosecuted Patent (the “Superior Patent Right”), in each case where both the Conflicting Patent Right and the Superior Patent Right if issued would meet the criteria set forth in clause (i) of Section 6.10.2(a), then so long as Biogen continues to Prosecute and Maintain the Superior Patent Right in accordance with this Agreement, Ionis will not have the right under Section 7.2.5(b) above to file or prosecute the Conflicting Patent Right.
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(d) |
If, during the Agreement Term, Ionis intends to abandon any Ionis Product-Specific Patent for which Ionis is responsible for Prosecution and Maintenance without first filing a continuation or substitution, then, if Biogen’s right to obtain a license under Section 4.1.1 to such Ionis Product-Specific Patent has not expired or terminated, Ionis will notify Biogen of such intention at least [***] days before such Patent Right will become abandoned, and Biogen will have the right, but not the obligation, to assume responsibility for the Prosecution and Maintenance thereof at its own expense (subject to Section 7.3.1) with counsel of its own choice. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Biogen assumes responsibility for the Prosecution and Maintenance of any such Ionis Product-Specific Patent under this Section 7.2.5(d), Biogen will have no obligation to notify Ionis if Biogen intends to abandon such Ionis Product-Specific Patent.
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(e) |
The Parties, through the Joint Patent Committee, will cooperate in good faith to determine if and when any divisional or continuation applications will be filed with respect to any Program Patents or Product-Specific Patents, and where a divisional or continuation patent application filing would be practical and reasonable, then such a divisional or continuation filing will be made.
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(f) |
If the Party responsible for Prosecution and Maintenance pursuant to Section 7.2.3 intends to abandon such Jointly-Owned Program Patent without first filing a continuation or substitution, then such Party will notify the other Party of such intention at least [***] days before such Jointly-Owned Program Patent will become abandoned, and such other Party will have the right, but not the obligation, to assume responsibility for the Prosecution and Maintenance thereof at its own expense (subject to Section 7.3.1) with counsel of its own choice, in which case the abandoning Party will, and will cause its Affiliates to, assign to the other Party (or, if such assignment is not possible, grant a fully-paid exclusive license in) all of their rights, title and interest in and to such Jointly-Owned Program Patents. If a Party assumes responsibility for the Prosecution and Maintenance of any such Jointly-Owned Program Patents under this Section 7.2.5(f), such Party will have no obligation to notify the other Party of any intention of such Party to abandon such Jointly-Owned Program Patents.
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(g) |
In addition, the Parties will consult, through the Joint Patent Committee, and take into consideration the comments of the other Party for all matters relating to interferences, reissues, re-examinations and oppositions with respect to those Patent Rights in which such other Party (i) has an ownership interest, (ii) has received a license thereunder in accordance with this Agreement, or (iii) may in the future, in accordance with this Agreement, obtain a license or sublicense thereunder.
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7.3. |
Patent Costs.
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7.3.1. |
Jointly-Owned Program Patents. Unless the Parties agree otherwise, Ionis and Biogen will share equally the Patent Costs associated with the Prosecution and Maintenance of Jointly-Owned Program Patents; provided that either Party may decline to pay its share of costs for filing, prosecuting and maintaining any Jointly-Owned Program Patents in a particular country or particular countries, in which case the declining Party will, and will cause its Affiliates to, assign to the other Party (or, if such assignment is not possible, grant a fully-paid exclusive license in) all of their rights, titles and interests in and to such Jointly-Owned Program Patents.
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7.3.2. |
Licensed Patents and Biogen Patents. Except as set forth in Section 7.3.1, each Party will be responsible for all Patent Costs incurred by such Party prior to and after the Effective Date in all countries in the Prosecution and Maintenance of Patent Rights for which such Party is responsible under Section 7.2; provided, however, that after the date the license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable) is granted to Biogen, Biogen will be solely responsible for Patent Costs arising from the Prosecution and Maintenance of the Ionis Product-Specific Patents.
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7.4. |
Defense of Claims Brought by Third Parties.
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7.4.1. |
If a Third Party initiates a Proceeding claiming a Patent Right owned by or licensed to such Third Party is infringed by the Development, Manufacture or Commercialization of a Product, (a) Ionis will have the first right, but not the obligation, to defend against any such Proceeding initiated prior to the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable) at its sole cost and expense, and (b) Biogen will have the first right, but not the obligation, to defend against any such Proceeding initiated after the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable) at its sole cost and expense. If the Party having the first right to defend against such Proceeding (the “Lead Party”) elects to defend against such Proceeding, then the Lead Party will have the sole right to direct the defense and to elect whether to settle such claim (but only with the prior written consent of the other Party, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The other Party will reasonably assist the Lead Party in defending such Proceeding and cooperate in any such litigation at the request and expense of the Lead Party. The Lead Party will provide the other Party with prompt written notice of the commencement of any such Proceeding that is of the type described in this Section 7.4, and the Lead Party will keep the other Party apprised of the progress of such Proceeding. If the Lead Party elects not to defend against a Proceeding, then the Lead Party will so notify the other Party in writing within [***] days after the Lead Party first receives written notice of the initiation of such Proceeding, and the other Party (the “Step-In Party”) will have the right, but not the obligation, to defend against such Proceeding at its sole cost and expense and thereafter the Step-In Party will have the sole right to direct the defense thereof, including the right to settle such claim. In any event, the Party not defending such Proceeding will reasonably assist the other Party and cooperate in any such litigation at the request and expense of the Party defending such Proceeding. Each Party may at its own expense and with its own counsel join any defense initiated or directed by the other Party under this Section 7.4. Each Party will provide the other Party with prompt written notice of the commencement of any such Proceeding under this Section 7.4, and such Party will promptly furnish the other Party with a copy of each communication relating to the alleged infringement that is received by such Party.
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7.4.2. |
Discontinued Collaboration Product. If a Third Party initiates a Proceeding claiming that any Patent Right or Know-How owned by or licensed to such Third Party is infringed by the Development, Manufacture or Commercialization of a Discontinued Collaboration Product, Ionis will have the first right, but not the obligation, to defend against and settle such Proceeding at its sole cost and expense. Biogen will reasonably assist Ionis in defending such Proceeding and cooperate in any such litigation at the request and expense of Ionis. Each Party may at its own expense and with its own counsel join any defense directed by the other Party. Ionis will provide Biogen with prompt written notice of the commencement of any such Proceeding, or of any allegation of infringement of which Ionis becomes aware and that is of the type described in this Section 7.4.2, and Ionis will promptly furnish Biogen with a copy of each communication relating to the alleged infringement received by Ionis.
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7.4.3. |
Interplay Between Enforcement of IP and Defense of Third Party Claims. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7.4.1 and Section 7.4.2, to the extent that a Party’s defense against a Third Party claim of infringement under this Section 7.4 involves (i) the enforcement of the other Party’s Know-How or Patent Rights (e.g., a counterclaim of infringement), or (ii) the defense of an invalidity claim with respect to such other Party’s Know-How or Patent Rights, then, in each case, the general concepts of Section 7.5 will apply to the enforcement of such other Party’s Know-How or Patent Rights or the defense of such invalidity claim (i.e., each Party has the right to enforce its own intellectual property, except that the relevant Commercializing Party will have the initial right, to the extent provided in Section 7.5, to enforce such Know-How or Patent Rights or defend such invalidity claim, and the other Party will have a step-in right, to the extent provided in Section 7.5, to enforce such Know-How or Patent Rights or defend such invalidity claim).
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7.5. |
Enforcement of Patents Against Competitive Infringement.
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7.5.1. |
Duty to Notify of Competitive Infringement. If either Party learns of an infringement, unauthorized use, misappropriation or threatened infringement by a Third Party to which such Party does not owe any obligation of confidentiality with respect to any Product-Specific Patents by reason of the development, manufacture, use or commercialization of (i) a product directed against the RNA that encodes a Collaboration Target in the Field, or (ii) a non-oligonucleotide product that is designed to bind, mimic or otherwise affect a protein or RNA that is encoded by a Biogen Alternate Modality Target (“Competitive Infringement”), such Party will promptly notify the other Party in writing and will provide such other Party with available evidence of such Competitive Infringement; provided, however, that for cases of Competitive Infringement under Section 7.5.7 below, such written notice will be given within 10 days.
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7.5.2. |
Prior to License Grant. For any Competitive Infringement with respect to a Product occurring after the Effective Date but before the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable), Ionis will have the first right, but not the obligation, to institute, prosecute, and control a Proceeding with respect thereto, by counsel of its own choice, and Biogen will have the right to be represented in that action by counsel of its own choice at its own expense, however, Ionis will have the sole right to control such litigation. Ionis will provide Biogen with prompt written notice of the commencement of any such Proceeding, and Ionis will keep Biogen apprised of the progress of such Proceeding. If Ionis fails to initiate a Proceeding within a period of 90 days after receipt of written notice of such Competitive Infringement (subject to a 90 day extension to conclude negotiations, which extension will apply only in the event that Ionis has commenced good faith negotiations with an alleged infringer for elimination of such Competitive Infringement within such 90 day period), Biogen will have the right to initiate and control a Proceeding with respect to such Competitive Infringement by counsel of its own choice; provided that Ionis will have the right to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice at its own expense. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Ionis will at all times have the sole right to institute, prosecute, and control any Proceeding under this Section 7.5.2 to the extent involving any Ionis Core Technology Patents or Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents.
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7.5.3. |
Following License Grant. For any Competitive Infringement with respect to a particular Product (except for a Discontinued Collaboration Product) occurring after the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable), so long as part of such Proceeding Biogen also enforces any Patent Rights Controlled by Biogen (including any Ionis Product-Specific Patents assigned by Ionis to Biogen under this Agreement) being infringed that Cover the Product, then Biogen will have the first right, but not the obligation, to institute, prosecute, and control a Proceeding with respect thereto by counsel of its own choice at its own expense, and Ionis will have the right, at its own expense, to be represented in that action by counsel of its own choice, however, Biogen will have the right to control such litigation. If Biogen fails to initiate a Proceeding within a period of 90 days after receipt of written notice of such Competitive Infringement (subject to a 90 day extension to conclude negotiations, if Biogen has commenced good faith negotiations with an alleged infringer for elimination of such Competitive Infringement within such 90 day period), Ionis will have the right to initiate and control a Proceeding with respect to such Competitive Infringement by counsel of its own choice, and Biogen will have the right to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice at its own expense. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Ionis will at all times have the sole right to institute, prosecute, and control any Proceeding under this Section 7.5.3 to the extent involving any Ionis Core Technology Patents or Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents.
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7.5.4. |
Joinder.
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(a) |
If a Party initiates a Proceeding in accordance with this Section 7.5, the other Party agrees to be joined as a party plaintiff where necessary and to give the first Party reasonable assistance and authority to file and prosecute the Proceeding. Subject to Section 7.5.5, the costs and expenses of each Party incurred pursuant to this Section 7.5.4(a) will be borne by the Party initiating such Proceeding.
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(b) |
If one Party initiates a Proceeding in accordance with this Section 7.5.4, the other Party may join such Proceeding as a party plaintiff where necessary for such other Party to seek lost profits with respect to such infringement.
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7.5.5. |
Share of Recoveries. Any damages or other monetary awards recovered with respect to a Proceeding brought pursuant to this Section 7.5 will be shared as follows:
|
(a) |
the amount of such recovery will first be applied to the Parties’ reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with such Proceeding (which amounts will be allocated pro rata if insufficient to cover the totality of such expenses); then
|
(b) |
any remaining proceeds constituting direct or actual damages for acts of infringement occurring prior to the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable) will be (i) [***]; or (ii) [***]; then
|
(c) |
any remaining proceeds constituting direct or actual damages for acts of infringement occurring after the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable) [***]; then
|
(d) |
any remaining proceeds constituting punitive or treble damages will be allocated between the Parties as follows: the Party initiating the Proceeding will receive and retain [***]% of such proceeds and the other Party will receive and retain [***]% of such proceeds.
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7.5.6. |
Settlement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary under this ARTICLE 6, neither Party may enter a settlement, consent judgment or other voluntary final disposition of a suit under this ARTICLE 6 that disclaims, limits the scope of, admits the invalidity or unenforceability of, or grants a license, covenant not to sue or similar immunity under a Patent Right Controlled by the other Party without first obtaining the written consent of the Party that Controls the relevant Patent Right.
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7.5.7. |
35 USC 271(e)(2) Infringement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.5, solely with respect to Licensed Patents that have not been assigned to Biogen under this Agreement for a Competitive Infringement under 35 USC 271(e)(2), the time period set forth in Section 7.5.2 during which a Party will have the initial right to bring a Proceeding will be shortened to a total of 25 days, so that, to the extent the other Party has the right, pursuant to such Section to initiate a Proceeding if the first Party does not initiate a Proceeding, such other Party will have such right if the first Party does not initiate a Proceeding within 25 days after such first Party’s receipt of written notice of such Competitive Infringement.
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7.6. |
Other Infringement.
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7.6.1. |
Jointly-Owned Program Patents. With respect to the infringement of a Jointly-Owned Program Patent which is not a Competitive Infringement, the Parties will cooperate in good faith to bring suit together against such infringing party or the Parties may decide to permit one Party to solely bring suit. Any damages or other monetary awards recovered with respect to a Proceeding brought pursuant to this Section 7.6.1 will be shared as follows: (i) the amount of such recovery will first be applied to the Parties’ reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with such Proceeding (which amounts will be allocated pro rata if insufficient to cover the totality of such expenses); (ii) any remaining proceeds constituting direct damages will be [***], and (iii) any remaining proceeds constituting punitive or treble damages will be allocated as follows: (A) if the Parties jointly initiate a Proceeding pursuant to this Section 7.6.1, [***]; and (B) if only one Party initiates the Proceeding pursuant to this Section 7.6.1, such Party will receive [***]% of such proceeds and the other Party will receive [***]% of such proceeds.
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7.6.2. |
Patents Solely Owned by Ionis. Ionis will retain all rights to pursue an infringement of any Patent Right solely owned by Ionis which is other than a Competitive Infringement and Ionis will retain all recoveries with respect thereto.
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7.6.3. |
Patents Solely Owned by Biogen. Biogen will retain all rights to pursue an infringement of any Patent Right solely owned by Biogen which is other than a Competitive Infringement and Biogen will retain all recoveries with respect thereto.
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7.7. |
Patent Listing.
|
7.7.1. |
Biogen’s Obligations. Biogen will promptly, accurately and completely list, with the applicable Regulatory Authorities during the Agreement Term, all applicable Patent Rights that Cover a Product. Prior to such listings, the Parties will meet, through the Joint Patent Committee, to evaluate and identify all applicable Patent Rights, and Biogen will have the right to review, where reasonable, original records relating to any invention for which Patent Rights are being considered by the Joint Patent Committee for any such listing. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Biogen will retain final decision-making authority as to the listing of all applicable Patent Rights for the Product that are not Ionis Core Technology Patents or Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents, regardless of which Party owns such Patent Rights.
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7.7.2. |
Ionis’ Obligations. Ionis will promptly, accurately and completely list, with the applicable Regulatory Authorities during the Agreement Term, all applicable Patent Rights that Cover a Discontinued Collaboration Product. Prior to such listings, the Parties will meet, through the Joint Patent Committee, to evaluate and identify all applicable Patent Rights, and Ionis will have the right to review, where reasonable, original records relating to any invention for which Patent Rights are being considered by the Joint Patent Committee for any such listing. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Ionis will retain final decision-making authority as to the listing of all applicable Patent Rights for such Discontinued Collaboration Products, as applicable, regardless of which Party owns such Patent Rights.
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7.8. |
Joint Research Agreement under the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this ARTICLE 6, neither Party will have the right to make an election under 35 U.S.C. § 102(c) of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act when exercising its rights under this ARTICLE 6 without the prior written consent of the other Party, which will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. With respect to any such permitted election, each Party will use reasonable efforts to cooperate and coordinate their activities with the other Party with respect to any submissions, filings or other activities in support thereof. The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is a “joint research agreement” as defined in 35 U.S.C. § 100(h).
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7.9. |
Obligations to Third Parties. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, each Party’s rights and obligations with respect to Licensed Technology under this ARTICLE 6 will be subject to the Third Party rights and obligations under any (i) New Third Party License the restrictions and obligations of which Biogen has agreed to under Section 6.13.2, (ii) Prior Agreements, and (iii) Ionis In-License Agreements; provided, however, that, to the extent that Ionis has a non-transferable right to prosecute, maintain or enforce any Patent Rights licensed to Biogen hereunder and, this Agreement purports to grant any such rights to Biogen, Ionis will act in such regard with respect to such Patent Rights at Biogen’s direction.
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7.10. |
Additional Right and Exceptions. Notwithstanding any provision of this ARTICLE 6, Ionis retains the sole right to Prosecute and Maintain Ionis Core Technology Patents and Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents during the Agreement Term and to control any enforcement of Ionis Core Technology Patents and Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents, and will take the lead on such enforcement solely to the extent that the scope or validity of any Patent Rights Controlled by Ionis and Covering the Ionis Core Technology Patents or Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents is at risk.
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7.11. |
Patent Term Extension. The Parties will cooperate with each other in gaining patent term extension wherever applicable to the Product. After the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable), Biogen will determine which relevant patents will be extended.
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8.1. |
Representations and Warranties of Both Parties. Each Party hereby represents and warrants to the other Party, as of the Effective Date, that:
|
8.1.1. |
such Party is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization and has full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the provisions hereof;
|
8.1.2. |
such Party has taken all necessary action on its part to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of its obligations hereunder;
|
8.1.3. |
this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Party, and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms hereof;
|
8.1.4. |
the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Party will not constitute a default under or conflict with any agreement, instrument or understanding, oral or written, to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or violate any law or regulation of any court, governmental body or administrative or other agency having jurisdiction over such Party;
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8.1.5. |
no government authorization, consent, approval, license, exemption of or filing or registration with any court or governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, under any Applicable Laws, rules or regulations currently in effect, is or will be necessary for, or in connection with, the transaction contemplated by this Agreement or any other agreement or instrument executed in connection herewith, or for the performance by it of its obligations under this Agreement and such other agreements; and
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8.1.6. |
it has not employed (and, to the best of its knowledge, has not used a contractor or consultant that has employed) and in the future will not employ (or, to the best of its knowledge, use any contractor or consultant that employs, provided that such Party may reasonably rely on a representation made by such contractor or consultant) any Person debarred by the FDA (or subject to a similar sanction of EMA or foreign equivalent), or any Person which is the subject of an FDA debarment investigation or proceeding (or similar proceeding of EMA or foreign equivalent), in the conduct of the Pre-Clinical Studies or Clinical Studies of the Product and its activities under each Collaboration Program.
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8.2. |
Representations and Warranties of Ionis. Ionis hereby represents and warrants to Biogen, as of the Effective Date, that:
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8.2.1. |
To the best of its knowledge and belief, there are no additional licenses (beyond those that would be granted to Biogen under Section 4.1.1(a) upon the exercise of the Option for a Collaboration Product arising under the Collaboration Programs) under any intellectual property owned or Controlled by Ionis or its Affiliates as of the Effective Date that would be required in order for Biogen to further Develop and Commercialize a Collaboration Product.
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8.2.2. |
The Licensed Technology existing as of the Effective Date constitutes all of the Patent Rights and Know-How Controlled by Ionis as of the Effective Date that are necessary to Develop, Manufacture or Commercialize Compounds contemplated under the Collaboration Programs in the Field. Ionis has not previously assigned, transferred, conveyed or otherwise encumbered its right, title and interest in the Licensed Technology in a manner that conflicts with any rights granted to Biogen hereunder with respect to Collaboration Products.
|
8.2.3. |
Neither Ionis nor its Affiliates owns or Controls any Patent Rights or Know-How covering formulation or delivery technology as of the Effective Date that would be useful or necessary in order for Biogen to further Develop or Commercialize Compounds contemplated under the Collaboration Programs.
|
8.2.4. |
Schedule 8.2.4(a) and Schedule 8.2.4(b) set forth true, correct and complete lists of all Ionis Core Technology Patents and Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents that apply to the Compounds contemplated under the Collaboration Programs as of the Effective Date (the “Ionis Platform Technology”), respectively, and indicates whether each such Patent Right is owned by Ionis or licensed by Ionis from a Third Party and if so, identifies the licensor or sublicensor from which the Patent Right is licensed. Ionis Controls such Patent Rights existing as of the Effective Date and is entitled to grant all rights and licenses (or sublicenses, as the case may be) under such Patent Rights it purports to grant to Biogen under this Agreement.
|
8.2.5. |
There are no claims, judgments or settlements against or owed by Ionis or its Affiliates or pending against Ionis or, to the best of Ionis’ knowledge, threatened against Ionis, in each case relating to the Ionis Platform Technology, Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Know-How, Ionis Know-How, Collaboration Targets or High Interest Targets that could impact activities under this Agreement. To the best of Ionis’ knowledge, there are no claims, judgments or settlements against or owed by any Third Party that is party to a Prior Agreement, or pending or threatened claims or litigation against any Third Party that is party to a Prior Agreement, in each case relating to the Ionis Platform Technology, Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Know-How, Ionis Know-How or High Interest Targets that would impact activities under this Agreement.
|
8.2.6. |
At the Effective Date (a) there is no fact or circumstance known by Ionis that would cause Ionis to reasonably conclude that any Ionis Core Technology Patent or Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patent is invalid or un-enforceable, (b) there is no fact or circumstance known by Ionis that would cause Ionis to reasonably conclude the inventorship of each Ionis Core Technology Patent or Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patent is not properly identified on each patent, and (c) all official fees, maintenance fees and annuities for the Ionis Core Technology Patent or Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patent have been paid and all administrative procedures with governmental agencies have been completed.
|
8.2.7. |
Ionis has set forth on Schedule 6.13.1 or in a separate written agreement with Biogen true, correct and complete lists of the agreements with Third Party licensors or sellers pursuant to which Ionis has licensed or acquired the Licensed Technology Controlled by Ionis as of the Effective Date licensed to Biogen under Section 4.1.1(a) that is necessary or useful to conduct the research, Development, Manufacture or Commercialization of any High Interest Target listed on the High Interest Target List as of the Effective Date. All Ionis In-License Agreements are in full force and effect and have not been modified or amended. Neither Ionis nor, to the best knowledge of Ionis, the Third Party licensor in an Ionis In-License Agreement is in default with respect to a material obligation under such Ionis In-License Agreement, and neither such party has claimed or has grounds upon which to claim that the other party is in default with respect to a material obligation under, any Ionis In-License Agreement.
|
8.2.8. |
Schedule 8.2.8 is a complete and accurate list of all agreements that create Third Party Obligations with respect to the Ionis Core Technology Patents and Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents that affect the rights granted by Ionis to Biogen under this Agreement with respect to Collaboration Programs.
|
8.3. |
Ionis Covenants. Ionis hereby covenants to Biogen that, except as expressly permitted under this Agreement:
|
8.3.1. |
Ionis will promptly amend Schedule 8.2.4(a), Schedule 8.2.4(b) and Schedule 8.2.4(c) and submit such amended Schedules to Biogen if Ionis becomes aware that any Ionis Core Technology Patents, Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents or Ionis Product-Specific Patents are not properly identified on such Schedule.
|
8.3.2. |
during the Agreement Term, Ionis will maintain and not breach any Ionis In-License Agreements and any agreements with Third Parties entered into after the Effective Date (“New Third Party Licenses”) that provide a grant of rights from such Third Party to Ionis that are Controlled by Ionis and are licensed or may become subject to a license from Ionis to Biogen for a Development Candidate under this Agreement;
|
8.3.3. |
Ionis will promptly notify Biogen of any material breach by Ionis or a Third Party of any New Third Party License, and in the event of a breach by Ionis, will permit Biogen to cure such breach on Ionis’ behalf upon Biogen’s request;
|
8.3.4. |
Ionis will not amend, modify or terminate any Ionis In-License Agreement or New Third Party License in a manner that would adversely affect Biogen’s rights hereunder without first obtaining Biogen’s written consent, which consent may be withheld in Biogen’s sole discretion;
|
8.3.5. |
Ionis will not enter into any new agreement or other obligation with any Third Party, or amend an existing agreement with a Third Party, in each case that restricts, limits or encumbers the rights granted to Biogen under this Agreement;
|
8.3.6. |
Ionis will cause its Affiliates, licensees and sublicensees to comply with the terms of Section 2.1;
|
8.3.7. |
all employees and contractors of Ionis performing Development activities hereunder on behalf of Ionis will be obligated to assign all right, title and interest in and to any inventions developed by them, whether or not patentable, to Ionis or such Affiliate, respectively, as the sole owner thereof; and
|
8.3.8. |
If, after the Effective Date, Ionis becomes the owner or otherwise acquires Control of any formulation or delivery technology that would be necessary or useful in order for Biogen to further Develop, Manufacture or Commercialize a Collaboration Product, and Biogen has exercised its Option and the license granted to Biogen under this Agreement is in effect, Ionis will make such technology available to Biogen on commercially reasonable terms.
|
8.4. |
DISCLAIMER. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, NEITHER PARTY NOR ITS AFFILIATES MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR EXTENDS ANY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. BIOGEN AND IONIS UNDERSTAND THAT EACH PRODUCT IS THE SUBJECT OF ONGOING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND THAT NEITHER PARTY CAN ASSURE THE SAFETY, USEFULNESS OR COMMERCIAL OR TECHNICAL VIABILITY OF EACH PRODUCT.
|
9.1. |
Indemnification by Biogen. Biogen will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Ionis and its Affiliates, and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents, from and against any and all liabilities, damages, losses, costs and expenses including the reasonable fees of attorneys (collectively “Losses”) arising out of or resulting from any and all Third Party suits, claims, actions, proceedings or demands (“Claims”) based upon:
|
9.1.1. |
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Biogen, its Affiliates or Sublicensees and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents, in connection with Biogen’s performance of its obligations or exercise of its rights under this Agreement;
|
9.1.2. |
any breach of any representation or warranty or express covenant made by Biogen under ARTICLE 8 or any other provision under this Agreement;
|
9.1.3. |
the Development or Manufacturing activities that are conducted by or on behalf of Biogen or its Affiliates or Sublicensees (which will exclude any Development or Manufacturing activities that are conducted by or on behalf of Ionis pursuant to this Agreement); or
|
9.1.4. |
the Commercialization of a Product by or on behalf of Biogen or its Affiliates or Sublicensees;
|
9.2. |
Indemnification by Ionis. Ionis will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Biogen and its Affiliates, and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents, from and against any and all Losses arising out of or resulting from any and all Claims based upon:
|
9.2.1. |
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Ionis, its Affiliates or Sublicensees or its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents, in connection with Ionis’ performance of its obligations or exercise of its rights under this Agreement;
|
9.2.2. |
any breach of any representation or warranty or express covenant made by Ionis under ARTICLE 8 or any other provision under this Agreement;
|
9.2.3. |
any Development or Manufacturing activities that are conducted by or on behalf of Ionis or its Affiliates or Sublicensees (which will exclude any Development or Manufacturing activities that are conducted by or on behalf of Biogen pursuant to this Agreement); or
|
9.2.4. |
any development, manufacturing or commercialization activities that are conducted by or on behalf of Ionis or its Affiliates or Sublicensees with respect to a Discontinued Collaboration Product.
|
9.3. |
Procedure. If a Person entitled to indemnification under Section 9.1 or Section 9.2 (an “Indemnitee”) seeks such indemnification, such Indemnitee will (i) inform the indemnifying Party in writing of a Claim as soon as reasonably practicable after such Indemnitee receives notice of such Claim, (ii) permit the indemnifying Party to assume direction and control of the defense of the Claim (including the sole right to settle such Claim at the sole discretion of the indemnifying Party, provided that (A) such settlement or compromise does not admit any fault or negligence on the part of the Indemnitee, or impose any obligation on, or otherwise materially adversely affect, the Indemnitee or other Party and (B) the indemnifying Party first obtain the written consent of the Indemnitee with respect to such settlement, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld), (iii) cooperate as reasonably requested (at the expense of the indemnifying Party) in the defense of the Claim, and (iv) undertake reasonable steps to mitigate any Losses with respect to the Claim. The provisions of Section 7.4 will govern the procedures for responding to a Claim of infringement described therein. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the indemnifying Party will have no liability under Section 9.1 or Section 9.2, as the case may be, for Claims settled or compromised by the Indemnitee without the indemnifying Party’s prior written consent.
|
9.4. |
Insurance.
|
9.4.1. |
Ionis’ Insurance Obligations. Ionis will maintain, at its cost, reasonable insurance against liability and other risks associated with its activities contemplated by this Agreement, provided, that, at a minimum, Ionis will maintain, in force from [***] days prior to enrollment of the first patient in a Clinical Study, a [***] insurance policy providing coverage of at least $[***] per claim and $[***] Annual aggregate. Ionis will furnish to Biogen evidence of such insurance upon request.
|
9.4.2. |
Biogen’s Insurance Obligations. Biogen will maintain, at its cost, reasonable insurance against liability and other risks associated with its activities contemplated by this Agreement, provided, that, at a minimum, Biogen will maintain, in force from [***] days prior to enrollment of the first patient in a Clinical Study, a [***] insurance policy providing coverage of at least $[***] per claim and $[***] Annual aggregate and, provided further that such coverage is increased to at least $[***] at least [***] days before Biogen initiates the First Commercial Sale of a Product hereunder. Biogen will furnish to Ionis evidence of such insurance upon request. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Biogen may self-insure to the extent that it self-insures for its other products, but at a minimum will self-insure at levels that are consistent with levels customarily maintained against similar risks by similar companies in Biogen’s industry.
|
9.5. |
LIMITATION OF CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. EXCEPT FOR (a) CLAIMS OF A THIRD PARTY THAT ARE SUBJECT TO INDEMNIFICATION UNDER THIS ARTICLE 9, (b) CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF A PARTY’S WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THIS AGREEMENT, (c) A PARTY’S BREACH OF ARTICLE 2, OR A BREACH OF SECTION 10.4.4(a) BY BIOGEN OR ITS AFFILIATES OR (d) CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF A PARTY’S BREACH OF ITS CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, NEITHER PARTY NOR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES WILL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ITS AFFILIATES FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE OR OTHER INDIRECT DAMAGES OR LOST OR IMPUTED PROFITS OR ROYALTIES, LOST DATA OR COST OF PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES, WHETHER LIABILITY IS ASSERTED IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE AND STRICT PRODUCT LIABILITY), INDEMNITY OR CONTRIBUTION, AND IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THAT PARTY OR ANY REPRESENTATIVE OF THAT PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF, OR OTHERWISE MIGHT HAVE ANTICIPATED THE POSSIBILITY OF, ANY SUCH LOSS OR DAMAGE.
|
10.1. |
Agreement Term; Expiration. This Agreement is effective as of the Effective Date and, unless earlier terminated pursuant to the other provisions of this ARTICLE 10, will continue in full force and effect until this Agreement expires as follows:
|
10.1.1. |
on a country-by-country basis, on the date of expiration of all payment obligations by the Commercializing Party under this Agreement with respect to all Products (or Discontinued Collaboration Product(s)) in such country;
|
10.1.2. |
in its entirety upon the expiration of all payment obligations under this Agreement with respect to all Products (or Discontinued Collaboration Products) in all countries pursuant to Section 10.1.1;
|
10.1.3. |
where there are no Collaboration Targets and no Biogen Alternate Modality Targets designated by the expiration of the Research Term as described in Section 1.9;
|
10.1.4. |
where there are no Biogen Alternate Modality Targets designated by the expiration of the Research Term as described in Section 1.9, and no Development Candidates designated by the expiration of the ASO Development Candidate Identification Term as described in Section 1.10.1(d); and
|
10.1.5. |
where there are no Biogen Alternate Modality Targets designated by the expiration of the Research Term as described in Section 1.9, and every Option has expired as a result of Biogen not providing Ionis a written notice stating Biogen is exercising such Options and paying Ionis the applicable license fees under Section 6.6 by the Option Deadline, or as a result of Section 1.10.2(g) or Section 10.4.3.
|
10.2. |
Termination of the Agreement.
|
10.2.1. |
Biogen’s Termination for Convenience. At any time following payment by Biogen of the upfront fee under Section 6.1, subject to Section 10.4.1 below, Biogen will be entitled to terminate this Agreement as a whole, or terminate this Agreement in part with respect to a particular Collaboration Program or Biogen Alternate Modality Target, for convenience by providing 90 days written notice to Ionis of such termination.
|
10.2.2. |
Termination for Failure to Divest Directly Competitive Collaboration Product. If a Competing Collaboration Acquirer or Competing Alternate Modality Acquirer, as applicable, does not, during the Collaboration Divestiture Period or Alternate Modality Divestiture Period, as applicable, divest itself of a Directly Competitive Collaboration Product, Directly Competitive Collaboration Program, Directly Competitive Biogen Alternate Modality Product or Directly Competitive Biogen Alternate Modality Program, as applicable, or terminate the development and commercialization of such Directly Competitive Collaboration Product or Directly Competitive Biogen Alternate Modality Product or activities under such Directly Competitive Collaboration Program or Directly Competitive Biogen Alternate Modality Program, as applicable, or assign this Agreement to a Third Party that is not itself developing or commercializing such a Directly Competitive Biogen Alternate Modality Product, or engaged in such Directly Competitive Collaboration Program or Directly Competitive Biogen Alternate Modality Program, as applicable, as set forth in Sections 12.5.2 and 12.5.3, Biogen may terminate this Agreement solely with respect to the Collaboration Program or Biogen Alternate Modality Program affected thereby immediately upon providing written notice to Ionis.
|
10.2.3. |
Termination Due to Failure to Obtain HSR Clearance.
|
(a) |
If the Parties make an HSR Filing with respect to a proposed Biogen Alternate Modality Program or Collaboration Program under Section 1.7, Section 3.1.3 or Section 3.2.5 of this Agreement and the HSR Clearance Date has not occurred on or prior to 90 days after the effective date of the latest HSR Filing made by the Parties, this Agreement will terminate solely with respect to the applicable proposed Biogen Alternate Modality Program or Collaboration Program (i) at the election of either Party immediately upon notice to the other Party, if the FTC or the DOJ has instituted (or threatened to institute) any action, suit or proceeding including seeking, threatening to seek or obtaining a preliminary injunction under the HSR Act against Biogen and Ionis to enjoin or otherwise prohibit the transactions contemplated by this Agreement related to such proposed Biogen Alternate Modality Program or Collaboration Program, or (ii) at the election of either Party, immediately upon notice to the other Party, if the Parties have not resolved any and all objections of the FTC and DOJ as contemplated by Section 3.1.4(b). Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 10.2.3 will not apply if an HSR Filing is not required to fully perform this Agreement with respect to a proposed Biogen Alternate Modality Program or Collaboration Program, as applicable.
|
(b) |
If this Agreement is terminated with respect to a Collaboration Program in accordance with Section 10.2.3(a), then, until [***] as follows:
|
(i) |
If Ionis [***]; and
|
(ii) |
If Ionis, its Affiliates or the licensee [***].
|
10.2.4. |
Termination for Material Breach.
|
(a) |
Biogen’s Right to Terminate. If Biogen believes that Ionis is in material breach of this Agreement (other than with respect to a failure to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts under ARTICLE 1, which is governed by Section 10.2.5 below), then Biogen may deliver notice of such material breach to Ionis. If the breach is curable, Ionis will have [***] days to cure such breach. If Ionis fails to cure such breach within the [***] day period, or if the breach is not subject to cure, Biogen may terminate this Agreement with respect to the Neurology Target or Collaboration Program affected by such breach by providing written notice to Ionis. Without limiting the foregoing, breach by a Party of ARTICLE 2 of this Agreement constitutes a material breach of this Agreement with respect to the Neurology Target or Collaboration Program affected by such breach.
|
(b) |
Ionis’ Right to Terminate. If Ionis believes that Biogen is in material breach of (i) a payment obligation under ARTICLE 6 or (ii) one or more material provisions of this Agreement where such material breaches have occurred multiple times over the course of at least a [***]-month period (where such material breach is not a single continuous event) demonstrating a pattern of failing to timely comply with Biogen’s obligations under this Agreement (other than with respect to a failure to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts under Section 5.1, which is governed by Section 10.2.5 below), then Ionis may deliver notice of such material breach to Biogen. If the breach is curable, Biogen will have [***] days to cure such breach (except to the extent such breach involves the failure to make a payment when due, which breach must be cured within [***] days following such notice). If Biogen fails to cure such breach within the [***] day or [***] day period, as applicable, or if the breach is not subject to cure, Ionis in its sole discretion may terminate this Agreement with respect to the Neurology Target or Collaboration Program affected by such breach by providing written notice thereof to Biogen.
|
10.2.5. |
Remedies for Failure to Use Commercially Reasonable Efforts.
|
(a) |
If Ionis, in Biogen’s reasonable determination, fails to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts in the activities contemplated in ARTICLE 1 prior to the date Biogen is granted a license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable) with respect to a particular High Interest Target or Collaboration Program, Biogen will notify Ionis and, within [***] days thereafter, Ionis and Biogen will meet and confer to discuss and resolve the matter in good faith, and attempt to devise a mutually agreeable plan to address any outstanding issues related to Ionis’ use of Commercially Reasonable Efforts in ARTICLE 1. Following such a meeting, if Ionis fails to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts as contemplated by ARTICLE 1 with respect to such High Interest Target or Collaboration Program, then subject to Section 10.2.6 below, Biogen will have the right, at its sole discretion, to (i) terminate this Agreement as it relates to the applicable High Interest Target or Collaboration Program or, (ii) if the breach involves a Collaboration Program prior to Option exercise, Biogen may elect to trigger the alternative remedy provisions of Section 10.3 below as it relates to the applicable Collaboration Program in lieu of terminating this Agreement for such Collaboration Program by providing written notice to Ionis. This Section 10.2.5(a) sets forth Biogen’s sole and exclusive remedies if Ionis fails to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts in the activities contemplated in ARTICLE 1 prior to the date Biogen is granted a license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable).
|
(b) |
If Biogen, in Ionis’ reasonable determination, fails to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts under Section 5.1 with respect to a Collaboration Program, Ionis will notify Biogen and, within [***] days thereafter, Ionis and Biogen will meet and confer to discuss and resolve the matter in good faith, and attempt to devise a mutually agreeable plan to address any outstanding issues related to Biogen’s use of Commercially Reasonable Efforts in Section 5.1. Following such a meeting, if Biogen fails to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts with respect to the applicable Collaboration Program as contemplated by Section 5.1, then subject to Section 10.2.6 below, Ionis will have the right, at its sole discretion, to terminate this Agreement as it relates to such Collaboration Program.
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10.2.6. |
Disputes Regarding Material Breach. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Breaching Party in Section 10.2.4 or Section 10.2.5 disputes in good faith the existence, materiality, or failure to cure of any such breach which is not a payment breach, and provides notice to the Non-Breaching Party of such dispute within such [***] day period, the Non-Breaching Party will not have the right to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 10.2.4 or Section 10.2.5, or the alternative remedy provisions of Section 10.2.5, as applicable, unless and until it has been determined in accordance with Section 12.1 that this Agreement was materially breached by the Breaching Party and the Breaching Party fails to cure such breach within [***] days following such determination. It is understood and acknowledged that during the pendency of such dispute, all the terms and conditions of this Agreement will remain in effect and the Parties will continue to perform all of their respective obligations hereunder, including satisfying any payment obligations.
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10.2.7. |
Termination for Insolvency.
|
(a) |
Either Party may terminate this Agreement if, at any time, the other Party files in any court or agency pursuant to any statute or regulation of any state or country a petition in bankruptcy or insolvency or for reorganization or for an arrangement or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee of the Party or of substantially all of its assets; or if the other Party proposes a written agreement of composition or extension of substantially all of its debts; or if the other Party will be served with an involuntary petition against it, filed in any insolvency proceeding, and such petition will not be dismissed within 90 days after the filing thereof; or if the other Party will propose or be a party to any dissolution or liquidation; or if the other Party will make an assignment of substantially all of its assets for the benefit of creditors.
|
(b) |
All rights and licenses granted under or pursuant to any section of this Agreement are and will otherwise be deemed to be for purposes of Section 365(n) of Title 11, United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) licenses of rights to “intellectual property” as defined in Section 101(56) of the Bankruptcy Code. The Parties will retain and may fully exercise all of their respective rights and elections under the Bankruptcy Code. Upon the bankruptcy of any Party, the non-bankrupt Party will further be entitled to a complete duplicate of, or complete access to, any such intellectual property, and such, if not already in its possession, will be promptly delivered to the non-bankrupt Party, unless the bankrupt Party elects in writing to continue, and continues, to perform all of its obligations under this Agreement.
|
10.2.8. |
Termination for Patent Challenge. Ionis may terminate this Agreement if Biogen (i) commences or otherwise voluntarily determines to participate in any action or proceeding, challenging or denying the enforceability or validity of any claim within an issued patent or patent application within such Licensed Patents, or (ii) directs, supports or actively assists any other Person in bringing or prosecuting any action or proceeding challenging or denying the validity of any claim within an issued patent or patent application within such Licensed Patents and, in each case ((i) or (ii)), within [***] days’ written notice from Ionis, Biogen fails to rescind any and all of such actions, provided however that, nothing in this clause prevents Biogen from taking any of the actions referred to in this clause and provided further that Ionis will not have the right to terminate if Biogen:
|
(a) |
takes any such action as described in clause (i) or (ii) above as may be necessary or reasonably required to assert a cross-claim or a counter-claim or to respond to a court request or order or administrative law request or order, including asserting invalidity as a defense in any court proceeding brought by Ionis asserting infringement of a Licensed Patent; or
|
(b) |
Acquires a Third Party that has an existing challenge, whether in a court or administrative proceeding, against a Licensed Patent; or
|
(c) |
licenses a product for which Ionis has an existing challenge, whether in a court or administrative proceeding, against a Licensed Patent.
|
10.3. |
Alternative Remedies to Termination Available to Biogen Prior to Option Exercise. If, prior to Option exercise, with respect to a particular Collaboration Program Biogen elects to (i) exercise the alternative remedy provisions of this Section 10.3 in lieu of terminating this Agreement for such Collaboration Program by providing written notice of such election to Ionis in accordance with Section 10.2.5(a), or (ii) exercise the Option in accordance with [***], then, in each case, solely with respect to the Collaboration Program giving rise to Biogen’s exercise of these alternative remedy provisions, this Agreement will continue in full force and effect with the following modifications:
|
(a) |
Ionis will have no further rights or obligations to Develop the Collaboration Product under the applicable Collaboration Program or participate in the Neurology JRC, the applicable Neurology JDC, JPC or any other subcommittees or working groups established pursuant to this Agreement. Biogen will solely make all decisions that this Agreement would otherwise require or permit the Neurology JRC, the applicable Neurology JDC, JPC or any other subcommittees or working groups, or the Parties collectively, to make; provided, however, that Biogen will not have the right to create any obligations or incur any liabilities for or on behalf of Ionis;
|
(b) |
effective as of the date of Biogen’s notice to Ionis electing the alternative remedy provisions of this Section 10.3, Biogen will be deemed for all purposes of this Agreement to have exercised the applicable Option;
|
(c) |
Biogen will have and Ionis grants, the exclusive license granted to Biogen under Section 4.1.1(a) for the applicable Collaboration Program;
|
(d) |
Biogen may exclude Ionis from all discussions with Regulatory Authorities regarding the applicable Collaboration Products, except to the extent Ionis’ participation is required by a Regulatory Authority or is otherwise reasonably necessary to comply with Applicable Law;
|
(e) |
Biogen’s obligation to make further disclosures of Know-How or other information to Ionis regarding the applicable Collaboration Products pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to Section 4.9 and Section 5.2.7) will terminate, other than reports required by Section 6.14.1, Section 10.4.4 (if applicable), and as reasonably required to permit Ionis to perform its obligations under this Agreement; provided such remedy will not limit or diminish the scope of any licenses granted by Biogen to Ionis under this Agreement;
|
(f) |
Ionis will perform its obligations under Section 4.9 with respect to the applicable Collaboration Product within [***] days of Biogen electing to exercise its alternative remedies under this Section 10.3 or exercising the Option in accordance with [***], and will provide to Biogen and its Third Party contractors all Know-How, assistance, assignments and other support reasonably requested to assist Biogen in assuming complete responsibility for the Development and Manufacture of the applicable Collaboration Products in an efficient and orderly manner; and
|
(g) |
If such Collaboration Program is not an ALS Collaboration Program the financial provisions of ARTICLE 6 as they apply to such Collaboration Program will be modified as follows:
|
(i) |
[***] Payments. Biogen will [***]; and
|
(ii) |
License Fee. The license fee set forth in Section 6.6 for the applicable Collaboration Product will be [***]. Such [***] will be due within 90 days after [***] and Biogen’s [***].
|
10.4. |
Consequences of Expiration or Termination of the Agreement.
|
10.4.1. |
In General. If this Agreement expires or is terminated by a Party in accordance with this ARTICLE 10 at any time and for any reason, the following terms will apply to any Biogen Alternate Modality Product or Collaboration Product (as applicable) that is the subject of such expiration or termination:
|
(a) |
Return of Information and Materials. The Parties will return (or destroy, as directed by the other Party) all data, files, records and other materials containing or comprising the other Party’s Confidential Information, except to the extent such Confidential Information is necessary or useful to conduct activities for a surviving Product. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties will be permitted to retain one copy of such data, files, records, and other materials for archival and legal compliance purposes.
|
(b) |
Accrued Rights. Termination or expiration of this Agreement for any reason will be without prejudice to any rights or financial compensation that will have accrued to the benefit of a Party prior to such termination or expiration. Such termination or expiration will not relieve a Party from obligations that are expressly indicated to survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement. For purposes of clarification, milestone payments under ARTICLE 6 accrue as of the date the applicable Milestone Event is achieved even if the payment is not due at that time.
|
(c) |
Survival. The following provisions of this Agreement will survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement: Section 1.9 (End of Research Term), Section 1.10.1(d) (End of ASO Development Candidate Identification Term), Section 2.1.1(f) (Failure to Defer or Designate a High Interest Target a Collaboration Target or Biogen Alternate Modality Target), Section 3.1.3 (Option and Option Deadline) (but only with respect to Biogen’s transfer obligations thereunder), Section 4.1.3 (Effect of Termination on Sublicenses), Section 4.2.2 (Grant Back to Ionis), Section 4.3 (Data Licenses), Section 4.4.3 (Enabling License to Biogen), Section 4.4.4 (Enabling License to Ionis), Section 4.5 (Licenses to Ionis for Biogen Results), Section 4.6 (Right to Obtain Direct License from Biogen to Ionis Partner; Sublicensees of Ionis), Section 4.9.2 (Technology Transfer after Option Exercise) (but only to the extent necessary to satisfy the requirements of Section 10.4.4), Section 6.12 (Reverse Royalty Payments to Biogen for a Discontinued Collaboration Product), Section 6.14.3 (Records Retention), Section 6.15 (Audits), Section 7.1.1 (Ionis Technology and Biogen Technology), Section 7.1.2 (Agreement Technology), Section 8.4 (Disclaimer), ARTICLE 9 (Indemnification; Insurance), Section 10.2.3(b), Section 10.2.7 (Termination for Insolvency), Section 10.4 (Consequences of Expiration or Termination of the Agreement) (except Section 10.4.5 (Remedies Available to Biogen for Ionis’ Material Breach After Option Exercise)), ARTICLE 11 (Confidentiality), ARTICLE 12 (Miscellaneous) and Appendix 1 (Definitions) (to the extent definitions are embodied in the foregoing listed Articles and Sections).
|
10.4.2. |
Natural Expiration. If this Agreement expires in accordance with Section 10.1.1 or Section 10.1.2, the following terms will apply to any Biogen Alternate Modality Product or Collaboration Product (as applicable) that is the subject of such expiration:
|
(a) |
Perpetual, Royalty-Free Non-Exclusive License. If Biogen has been granted a license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable) for a particular Product, then upon expiration of the Biogen Alternate Modality Royalty Period or Reduced Royalty Period, as the case may be, in all countries in which the applicable Products are being or have been sold, Ionis will and hereby does grant to Biogen a perpetual, non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, fully paid-up, sublicensable license under the Ionis Know-How to Manufacture, Develop and Commercialize the applicable Product.
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10.4.3. |
Termination Before License Grant. If this Agreement expires or is terminated by a Party in accordance with this ARTICLE 10 before Biogen has been granted a license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable) for a particular Product, then, in addition to the terms set forth in Section 10.4.1, the following terms will apply to each Product, Neurology Target, High Interest Target or Collaboration Program that is the subject of such expiration or termination:
|
(a) |
Biogen’s right to designate High Interest Targets as Collaboration Targets or Biogen Alternate Modality Targets under this Agreement will expire and Ionis will be free to Develop and Commercialize the applicable Product (and any other applicable Compounds) on its own or with a Third Party.
|
(b) |
Biogen’s Option under Section 3.1 will expire and Ionis will be free to Develop and Commercialize the applicable Collaboration Product (and any other applicable Compounds) on its own or with a Third Party.
|
(c) |
Neither Party will have any further obligations under Section 2.1 of this Agreement with respect to the terminated Neurology Targets and Collaboration Program(s).
|
(d) |
To the extent requested by Ionis, Biogen will promptly (1) assign to Ionis any manufacturing agreements with a CMO identified by Ionis to which Biogen is a party, solely to the extent such manufacturing agreements relate to the terminated Collaboration Program and (2) transfer to Ionis all data, results and information (including Biogen’s Confidential Information and any regulatory documentation (including drafts)) related to the testing and Clinical Studies under the terminated Collaboration Program(s) in the possession of Biogen and its contractors to the extent such data, results and information were generated by or on behalf of Biogen under this Agreement; and Ionis will pay all out-of-pocket direct Third Party costs and expenses in transferring such data, results and information together with Biogen’s FTE Cost in transferring such data, results and information.
|
(e) |
If Biogen terminates this Agreement for convenience with respect to a Collaboration Program after the 30th day following Biogen’s receipt of the Development Candidate Data Package for such Collaboration Program, but prior to Option exercise for such Collaboration Program, then Biogen will [***].
|
(f) |
Except as explicitly set forth in Section 10.4.1(a), Section 10.4.1(b) or Section 10.4.1(c), Biogen will have no further rights and Ionis will have no further obligations with respect to each terminated Collaboration Program.
|
(g) |
If Biogen terminates this Agreement for convenience with respect to a Collaboration Program that is not an ALS Collaboration Program or a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program, then solely with respect to such Collaboration Program:
|
(i) |
Biogen will, and does hereby, grant to Ionis a sublicensable, worldwide, exclusive license or sublicense, as the case may be, to all Biogen Technology Controlled by Biogen as of the date of such reversion that Covers the applicable Discontinued Collaboration Product(s) solely as necessary to Develop, make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, have sold, import and otherwise Commercialize the applicable Discontinued Collaboration Product(s) in the Field (such license will be sublicensable by Ionis in accordance with Section 4.1.2, mutatis mutandis); and
|
(ii) |
Within [***] days following the date of the termination, Biogen will assign, and hereby does assign, to Ionis all of Biogen’s right, title and interest in and to all Regulatory Materials, including any IND and orphan drug designation that relate to the applicable Discontinued Collaboration Product(s), provided that, (x) notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to the provisions of Section 2.1, the Parties acknowledge that Biogen shall be permitted to use excerpts or portions of any such assigned Regulatory Materials in any other regulatory submissions, notifications, registrations, approvals and/or other filings and correspondence made to or with a Regulatory Authority in any country or jurisdiction related to products under the Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreements or products that do not include an oligonucleotide as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, provided, further that, for such products that do not include an oligonucleotide as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, such excerpts or portions shall not include any Confidential Information of Ionis, and (y) for clarity, such assignment of Biogen’s right, title and interest in and to such Regulatory Materials shall not include the assignment of any Know-How (including any data) contained therein. If Biogen intends to use any excerpt or portion of any such assigned Regulatory Materials in accordance with clause (x) of the preceding sentence, Biogen shall, at least [***] days in advance of the anticipated submission of such excerpt or portion to a Regulatory Authority, notify Ionis of such intent and provide to Ionis a copy of such proposed excerpt or portion for review and comment. The Parties shall discuss in good faith any comments of Ionis with respect to such proposed excerpt or portion prior to submission thereof.
|
(h) |
If Biogen terminates this Agreement for convenience with respect to an ALS Collaboration Program or a Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Program, then solely with respect to such Collaboration Program:
|
(i) |
Biogen will, and does hereby, grant to Ionis a sublicensable, worldwide, exclusive license or sublicense, as the case may be, to all Biogen Technology Controlled by Biogen as of the date of such reversion that Covers the applicable Discontinued Collaboration Product(s) solely as necessary to Develop, make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, have sold, import and otherwise Commercialize the applicable Discontinued Collaboration Product(s) in the Field (such license will be sublicensable by Ionis in accordance with Section 4.1.2, mutatis mutandis);
|
(ii) |
Within [***] days following the date of the termination, Biogen will transfer to Ionis for use with respect to the Development and Commercialization of the applicable Discontinued Collaboration Product(s), any Know-How, data, results and copies of Regulatory Materials in the possession of Biogen as of the date of such reversion to the extent related to such Discontinued Collaboration Product(s), and any other information or material specified in Section 4.9, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, as between the Parties, title to any intellectual property that is Biogen Technology within any of the foregoing will remain with Biogen subject to the license granted to Ionis under Section 10.4.3(h)(i);
|
(iii) |
Within [***] days following the date of the termination, Biogen will assign, and hereby does assign, to Ionis all of Biogen’s right, title and interest in and to all Regulatory Materials, including any IND and orphan drug designation that relate to the applicable Discontinued Collaboration Product(s), provided that, (x) notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to the provisions of Section 2.1, the Parties acknowledge that Biogen shall be permitted to use excerpts or portions of any such assigned Regulatory Materials in any other regulatory submissions, notifications, registrations, approvals and/or other filings and correspondence made to or with a Regulatory Authority in any country or jurisdiction related to products under the Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreements or products that do not include an oligonucleotide as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, provided, further that, for such products that do not include an oligonucleotide as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, such excerpts or portions shall not include any Confidential Information of Ionis, and (y) for clarity, such assignment of Biogen’s right, title and interest in and to such Regulatory Materials shall not include the assignment of any Know-How (including any data) contained therein. If Biogen intends to use any excerpt or portion of any such assigned Regulatory Materials in accordance with clause (x) of the preceding sentence, Biogen shall, at least [***] days in advance of the anticipated submission of such excerpt or portion to a Regulatory Authority, notify Ionis of such intent and provide to Ionis a copy of such proposed excerpt or portion for review and comment. The Parties shall discuss in good faith any comments of Ionis with respect to such proposed excerpt or portion prior to submission thereof; and
|
(iv) |
To the extent requested by Ionis, Biogen will promptly assign to Ionis any manufacturing agreements solely to the extent related to the applicable Discontinued Collaboration Products and identified by Ionis to which Biogen is a party.
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10.4.4. |
Termination After License Grant. If this Agreement is terminated by a Party in accordance with this ARTICLE 10 after Biogen has been granted a license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable) for a particular Product, then, in addition to the terms set forth in Section 10.4.1, the following terms will apply to any Product or Collaboration Program that is the subject of such termination:
|
(a) |
The applicable licenses granted by Ionis to Biogen under this Agreement will terminate. Biogen, its Affiliates and Sublicensees will cease selling the applicable Products, unless Ionis elects to have Biogen continue to sell the applicable Products as part of the Transition Services to the extent provided in Section 10.4.6.
|
(b) |
Neither Party will have any further obligations under Section 2.1 of this Agreement with respect to the terminated Product, Neurology Target and Collaboration Program(s).
|
(c) |
Except as explicitly set forth in Section 10.4.1(a), Biogen will have no further rights and Ionis will have no further obligations with respect to the terminated Product, Neurology Target and Collaboration Program(s).
|
(d) |
If (i) Biogen terminates the Agreement under Section 10.2.1 (Biogen’s Termination for Convenience) or (ii) Ionis terminates this Agreement under Section 10.2.4(b) (Ionis’ Right to Terminate) or Section 10.2.5 (Remedies for Failure to Use Commercially Reasonable Efforts), then the following additional terms will also apply solely with respect to the terminated Products and/or Collaboration Program(s):
|
(i) |
Biogen will, and does hereby, grant to Ionis a sublicensable, worldwide, exclusive license or sublicense, as the case may be, to all Biogen Technology Controlled by Biogen as of the date of such reversion that Covers the applicable Discontinued Collaboration Product(s) solely as necessary to Develop, make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, have sold, import and otherwise Commercialize the applicable Discontinued Collaboration Product(s) in the Field (such license will be sublicensable by Ionis in accordance with Section 4.1.2, mutatis mutandis);
|
(ii) |
Within [***] days following the date of the termination, Biogen will assign back to Ionis any Product-Specific Patent Rights and Ionis’ interest in any Program Patents that relate to the applicable Biogen Alternate Modality Product(s) and/or Discontinued Collaboration Product(s) previously assigned by Ionis to Biogen under this Agreement;
|
(iii) |
Within [***] days following the date of the termination, Biogen will transfer to Ionis solely for use with respect to the Development and Commercialization of the applicable Discontinued Collaboration Product(s), any Know-How, data, results and copies of Regulatory Materials in the possession of Biogen as of the date of such reversion to the extent related to such Discontinued Collaboration Product(s), and any other information or material specified in Section 4.9, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, as between the Parties, title to any intellectual property that is Biogen Technology within any of the foregoing will remain with Biogen subject to the license granted to Ionis under Section 10.4.4(d)(i), except as otherwise provided in Section 10.4.4(d)(iv) below;
|
(iv) |
Within [***] days following the date of the termination, Biogen will assign, and hereby does assign, to Ionis all of Biogen’s right, title and interest in and to all Regulatory Materials, including any NDA, IND and orphan drug designation that relate to the applicable terminated Product(s), provided that, (x) notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to the provisions of Section 2.1, the Parties acknowledge that Biogen shall be permitted to use excerpts or portions of any such assigned Regulatory Materials in any other regulatory submissions, notifications, registrations, approvals and/or other filings and correspondence made to or with a Regulatory Authority in any country or jurisdiction related to products under the Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreements or products that do not include an oligonucleotide as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, provided, further that, for such products that do not include an oligonucleotide as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, such excerpts or portions shall not include any Confidential Information of Ionis, and (y) for clarity, such assignment of Biogen’s right, title and interest in and to such Regulatory Materials shall not include the assignment of any Know-How (including any data) contained therein. If Biogen intends to use any excerpt or portion of any such assigned Regulatory Materials in accordance with clause (x) of the preceding sentence, Biogen shall, at least [***] days in advance of the anticipated submission of such excerpt or portion to a Regulatory Authority, notify Ionis of such intent and provide to Ionis a copy of such proposed excerpt or portion for review and comment. The Parties shall discuss in good faith any comments of Ionis with respect to such proposed excerpt or portion prior to submission thereof;
|
(v) |
Biogen will, and does hereby, exclusively license to Ionis any trademarks that are specific to a Discontinued Collaboration Product(s) solely for use with such Discontinued Collaboration Product(s), in accordance with Section 4.1.6, mutatis mutandis; provided, however, in no event will Biogen have any obligation to license to Ionis any trademarks used by Biogen both in connection with the Product and in connection with the sale of any other product or service, including any BIOGEN- or BIOGEN-formative marks;
|
(vi) |
Ionis will control and be responsible for all aspects of the Prosecution and Maintenance of all Jointly-Owned Program Patents arising from the terminated Product and/or Collaboration Program, and Biogen will provide Ionis with (and will instruct its counsel to provide Ionis with) all of the information and records in Biogen’s and its counsel’s possession related to the Prosecution and Maintenance of such Jointly-Owned Program Patents; provided, however, if Ionis intends to abandon any such Jointly-Owned Program Patents without first filing a continuation or substitution, then Ionis will notify Biogen of such intention at least [***] days before such Patent Right will become abandoned, and Biogen will have the right, but not the obligation, to assume responsibility for the Prosecution and Maintenance thereof at its own expense with counsel of its own choice; and
|
(vii) |
Ionis will have the obligation to pay royalties to Biogen under Section 6.12 with respect to the applicable Discontinued Collaboration Product(s). Such payments will be governed by the financial provisions in Section 6.14, and the definition of Net Sales will apply to sales of Discontinued Collaboration Product(s) by Ionis, in each case mutatis mutandis.
|
(e) |
With respect to Discontinued Collaboration Products, if Ionis terminates this Agreement due to Biogen’s material breach or Biogen terminates this Agreement for convenience, upon Ionis’ written request pursuant to a mutually agreed supply agreement, Biogen will sell to Ionis any bulk API, Clinical Supplies and Finished Drug Product in Biogen’s possession at the time of such termination, at a price equal to [***].
|
(f) |
To the extent requested by Ionis, Biogen will promptly assign to Ionis any manufacturing agreements solely to the extent related to the applicable Discontinued Collaboration Products and identified by Ionis to which Biogen is a party.
|
(g) |
If Biogen under Section 10.2.1 or Section 10.2.2 voluntarily terminates its license under Section 4.1.1(b) with respect to a High Interest Target Biogen designated as a Biogen Alternate Modality Target then Section 2.1.1(f) will apply.
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10.4.5. |
Remedies Available to Biogen for Ionis’ Material Breach After Option Exercise.
|
(a) |
Termination of Committees and Information Sharing. If, after Option exercise, Ionis materially breaches this Agreement and fails to cure such breach within the time periods set forth under Section 10.2.4(a), and Biogen does not wish to terminate this Agreement in its entirety (an “Ionis Breach Event”), then, in addition to any other remedies Biogen may have under this Agreement or otherwise, Biogen will have the right to do any or all of the following in Biogen’s discretion solely with respect to the Collaboration Programs that are the subject of the Ionis Breach Event:
|
(i) |
Terminate Ionis’ right to participate in the CSC, Neurology JRC, the applicable Neurology JDC, JPC and any other subcommittees or working groups established pursuant to this Agreement;
|
(ii) |
Terminate Ionis’ participation in any ongoing research and development programs under the applicable Collaboration Program and Biogen’s funding obligations associated therewith;
|
(iii) |
Solely make all decisions required or permitted to be made by such committees or the Parties collectively under this Agreement in connection with the Development and Commercialization of the applicable Collaboration Product; provided, however, that Biogen will not have the right to create any obligations or incur any liabilities for or on behalf of Ionis;
|
(iv) |
Exclude Ionis from all discussions with Regulatory Authorities regarding applicable Products, except to the extent Ionis’ participation is required by a Regulatory Authority or is otherwise reasonably necessary to comply with Applicable Law;
|
(v) |
Terminate Biogen’s obligation to make further disclosures of Know-How or other information to Ionis pursuant to this Agreement related to the applicable Collaboration Products, including pursuant to Section 4.9 and Section 5.2.7, other than reports required by Section 6.14.1, Section 10.4.4 (if applicable), and as reasonably required to permit Ionis to perform its obligations under this Agreement; provided such remedy will not limit or diminish the scope of any licenses granted by Biogen to Ionis under this Agreement; and
|
(vi) |
If Ionis has not completed the Development activities that are its responsibility under the applicable ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan and Initial Development Plan, then Biogen may, but will not be obligated to, assume all responsibility for all such Development activities that would have otherwise been Ionis’ responsibility under this Agreement.
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(b) |
Biogen’s Right of Setoff. If there is [***] and Biogen does not wish to [***], then, in addition to any other remedies Biogen may have under this Agreement or otherwise, Biogen may setoff against any amounts owed to Ionis pursuant to ARTICLE 6 (Financial Provisions) solely with respect to the Collaboration Program that is the subject of the Ionis Breach Event [***] (the “Setoff Amount”). If Biogen exercises its setoff right under this Section 10.4.5(b), Biogen will provide Ionis with a written certificate, signed by Biogen’s Chief Financial Officer, certifying that the amount setoff by Biogen represents [***]. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Ionis notifies Biogen in writing (a “Setoff Dispute Notice”) that it disputes Biogen’s assertion that Ionis is in material breach of this Agreement or the amount setoff by Biogen (a “Setoff Dispute”), then (i) both Parties will participate in the dispute resolution process set forth on Schedule 10.4.5(b), and (ii) pending the Parties' agreement regarding the appropriate setoff (if any) or a determination by the Advisory Panel of the proper amount that Biogen may setoff (if any) in accordance with Schedule 10.4.5(b), Biogen will pay the Setoff Amount into an interest-bearing escrow account established for the purpose at a bank. If the Parties cannot settle their dispute by mutual agreement, then, in accordance with Schedule 10.4.5(b) the Advisory Panel will determine (1) the amount (if any) that Biogen may setoff against future payments solely with respect to the Collaboration Program that is the subject of the Ionis Breach Event to Ionis going forward, and (2) whether any portion of the escrow account should be released to Ionis or returned to Biogen, provided that any decision or determination by the Advisory Panel (a “Panel Decision”) will not be treated as an arbitral award but will be binding on the Parties until and unless a court of competent jurisdiction (the “Trial Court”) has determined in a judgment regarding some or all of the issues decided in the Panel Decision, and in any Action contemplated by the next sentence hereof the Trial Court will determine the facts and the law de novo, and will give a Panel Decision only such persuasive effect, if any, that after review of all of the facts and the law presented to the Trial Court by the Parties, the Trial Court deems appropriate, provided that the escrow agent will comply with a Panel Decision that determines that any portion of the escrow account should be released to Ionis or returned to Biogen. If it is determined in a judgment by the Trial Court that Ionis owes Biogen any damages, then, during the pendency of any appeal of the Trial Court’s decision (or, if the Trial Court’s decision is not appealed, until Biogen recoups such amount), Biogen may setoff against any future payments solely with respect to the Collaboration Programs that are the subject of the Ionis Breach Event to Ionis under this Agreement the amount of any such damages not paid by Ionis. If it is determined in a Trial Court that Biogen has setoff an amount that exceeds the amount of losses, damages and expenses actually incurred by Biogen as a result of Ionis’ breach of this Agreement, then Biogen will promptly pay Ionis the amount of such excess, plus interest on such amount as provided for in Section 6.17 (Interest on Late Payments), with interest accruing from the time Biogen applied such excess setoff. If, with respect to a Setoff Dispute, Ionis provides a Setoff Dispute Notice to Biogen and Biogen fails to do any of the following: (X) appoint a member of the Advisory Panel to the extent required in Section 2 of Schedule 10.4.5(b); (Y) meet with the Advisory Panel as required in Section 3 of Schedule 10.4.5(b); or (Z) pay the Setoff Amount into an interest-bearing escrow account established for the purpose at a bank, then Biogen will forfeit its right to set off under this Section 10.4.5(b) and Schedule 10.4.5(b) with respect to any and all Setoff Disputes.
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10.4.6. |
Transition Services.
|
(a) |
In the case where (i) Biogen terminates the Agreement under Section 10.2.1 (Biogen’s Termination for Convenience) or (ii) Ionis terminates this Agreement under Section 10.2.4(b) (Ionis’ Right to Terminate) or Section 10.2.5 (Remedies for Failure to Use Commercially Reasonable Efforts) with respect to one or more Products, the Parties wish to provide a mechanism to ensure that patients who were being treated with the Product prior to such termination or who desire access to the Product can continue to have access to such Product while the regulatory and commercial responsibilities for the Product are transitioned from Biogen to Ionis. As such, Ionis may request Biogen perform transition services as listed on Schedule 10.4.6 and such other transition services that the Parties mutually agree in writing to (1) provide patients with continued access to the applicable Products, (2) transition the responsibilities under all Approvals and ongoing clinical studies for the applicable Product to Ionis or its designee, and (3) transition the then-current supply process and responsibilities for the Product to Ionis or its designee (collectively, the “Transition Services”). Subject to the Parties agreeing on a transition plan as described in Section 10.4.6(b), Biogen will perform such Transition Services using reasonable efforts for a period not to exceed [***] months from the termination date; provided that Biogen and Ionis may mutually agree to conduct the Transition Services for a longer period of time.
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(b) |
Ionis may elect to have Biogen perform the Transition Services by providing written notice to Biogen no later than [***] days following the effective date of the termination. If Ionis requests Transition Services, then Ionis shall propose a transition plan setting forth the Transition Services to be performed by Biogen, including delivery and transition dates consistent with those set forth on Schedule 10.4.6, and, for a period of [***] days after such request, the Parties will use good faith efforts to negotiate a mutually agreeable version of such transition plan. In addition, the Parties will, within [***] days after such request, establish a transition committee consisting of at least each Party’s Alliance Managers, a representative from each Party’s chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) group who was responsible for the Product prior to the termination, and up to two additional representatives from each Party who are from other relevant functional groups to facilitate a smooth transition. While Biogen is providing Transition Services, Biogen and Ionis will mutually agree on talking points and a communication plan to customers, specialty pharmacies, physicians, regulatory authorities, patient advocacy groups, and clinical study investigators, and Biogen will make all such communication to such entities in accordance with the mutually agreed talking points.
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(c) |
Ionis will pay Biogen for the Transition Services at [***] to perform the Transition Services, calculated [***]. In addition, Ionis will reimburse [***] to perform the Transition Services. Ionis will own all revenue derived from the Product after the termination date and Biogen will remit all such revenues to Ionis no later than the [***] day following the end of the month in which such revenue was received.
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(d) |
Ionis or its designee will be sufficiently prepared to accept the transition of Development, Manufacturing and Commercialization activities with respect to the Products to Ionis or such designee on the timelines set forth on Schedule 10.4.6 for the Transition Services. Biogen will have no liability under this Agreement with respect to a failure of or delay in the Transition Services to the extent caused by any failure or delay by Ionis or its designee in accepting the transition of Development, Manufacturing and Commercialization activities with respect to the Products. In the event that Biogen encounters any delays beyond Biogen’s reasonable control, the Parties shall discuss in good faith and agree upon extended timelines for completion of the Transition Services.
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11.1. |
Confidentiality; Exceptions. Except to the extent expressly authorized by this Agreement or otherwise agreed in writing, the Parties agree that, during the Agreement Term and for five years thereafter, the receiving Party (the “Receiving Party”) and its Affiliates will keep confidential and will not publish or otherwise disclose or use for any purpose other than as provided for in this Agreement any confidential or proprietary information or materials, patentable or otherwise, in any form (written, oral, photographic, electronic, magnetic, or otherwise) which is disclosed to it by the other Party (the “Disclosing Party”) or its Affiliates or otherwise received or accessed by a Receiving Party in the course of performing its obligations or exercising its rights under this Agreement, including trade secrets, Know-How, inventions or discoveries, proprietary information, formulae, processes, techniques and information relating to the past, present and future marketing, financial, and research and development activities of any product or potential product or useful technology of the Disclosing Party or its Affiliates and the pricing thereof (collectively, “Confidential Information”).
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11.2. |
Prior Confidentiality Agreement Superseded. As of the Effective Date, this Agreement supersedes the Confidential Disclosure Agreement executed by Ionis and Biogen on February 28, 2011 (including any and all amendments thereto). All information exchanged between the Parties under such Confidential Disclosure Agreement will be deemed Confidential Information hereunder and will be subject to the terms of this ARTICLE 11.
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11.3. |
Authorized Disclosure. Except as expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement, a Receiving Party or its Affiliates may use and disclose to Third Parties Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party as follows: (i) solely in connection with the performance of its obligations or exercise of rights granted or reserved in this Agreement under confidentiality provisions no less restrictive than those in this Agreement, provided that Confidential Information may be disclosed by a Receiving Party to a governmental entity or agency without requiring such entity or agency to enter into a confidentiality agreement; (ii) to the extent reasonably necessary to file or prosecute patent, copyright and trademark applications (subject to Section 11.4 below), complying with applicable governmental regulations, obtaining Approvals, conducting Pre-Clinical Studies or Clinical Studies, marketing the Product, or as otherwise required by Applicable Law, regulation, rule or legal process (including the rules of the SEC and any stock exchange); provided, however, that if a Receiving Party or any of its Affiliates is required by law or regulation to make any such disclosure of a Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information it will, except where impracticable for necessary disclosures, give reasonable advance notice to the Disclosing Party of such disclosure requirement and will use its reasonable efforts to secure confidential treatment of such Confidential Information required to be disclosed; (iii) in communication with actual or potential lenders, investors, merger partners, acquirers, consultants, or professional advisors on a need-to-know basis, in each case under confidentiality provisions no less restrictive than those of this Agreement; (iv) to the extent such disclosure is required to comply with existing expressly stated contractual obligations owed to such Party’s or its Affiliates’ licensor with respect to any intellectual property licensed to the other Party under this Agreement; or (v) as mutually agreed to in writing by the Parties.
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11.4. |
Press Release; Publications; Disclosure of Agreement.
|
11.4.1. |
Appointment of a Communications Lead. Prior to the Initiation of each Clinical Study under the Initial Development Plan for any Collaboration Program for which Biogen has not yet been granted a license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable) with respect to a Product, the Neurology JDC for such Collaboration Program shall appoint one of the Parties as the communications lead to take the lead role in drafting, coordinating and facilitating the public disclosure of data and results arising from such Clinical Study (the “Communications Lead”); provided, however, that (a) if a single Party is the IND-holder and sponsor of the Clinical Study, and is responsible for the conduct of the Clinical Study, then that Party shall automatically be deemed to be the Communications Lead and (b) if the applicable Neurology JDC cannot agree upon the designation of a Communications Lead, such matter shall be submitted to the CSC for resolution. The Communications Lead shall be responsible for drafting the initial publication and for coordinating and facilitating the disclosure activities for such Clinical Study as set forth in Sections 11.4.5 and 11.4.6; provided, however, that if, after having worked together in good faith, the Communications Lead and the other Party cannot agree on a matter related to the public disclosure of data and results arising from such a Clinical Study, then, subject to and without limiting Sections 11.4.5 and 11.4.6, (i) prior to Option exercise, Ionis will have final decision-making authority regarding such matter, and (ii) after Option exercise, Biogen will have final decision-making authority regarding such matter.
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11.4.2. |
Public Announcements. On or promptly after the Effective Date, the Parties will jointly issue a public announcement of the execution of this Agreement in form and substance mutually agreed by the Parties. Except to the extent required to comply with Applicable Law, regulation, rule or legal process or as otherwise permitted in accordance with this Section 11.4, neither Party nor such Party’s Affiliates will make any public announcements, press releases or other public disclosures concerning this Agreement or the terms or the subject matter hereof without the prior written consent of the other, which will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
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11.4.3. |
Use of Name. Except as set forth in Section 11.4.11, neither Party will use the other Party’s name in a press release or other publication without first obtaining the prior consent of the Party to be named.
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11.4.4. |
Notice of Significant Events. Each party will immediately notify (and provide as much advance notice as possible, but at a minimum two Business Days advance notice to) the other Party of any event materially related to a Product (including in such notice any disclosure of starting/stopping of a Clinical Study, clinical data or results, material regulatory discussions, filings, Approval or Biogen’s sales projections) so the Parties may analyze the need for or desirability of publicly disclosing or reporting such event.
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11.4.5. |
Prior to License Grant. Prior to the date Biogen has been granted a license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable) with respect to a Product, such Product is the sole property of Ionis and, subject to any communication plan for such Product mutually agreed to by the Parties in accordance with Section 1.10.2(d) and to the provisions of this Section 11.4.5 and Section 11.4.7, Ionis will have the sole right to issue press releases, publish, present or otherwise disclose the progress and results regarding such Product to the public, which shall be consistent with its practice with its other compounds and products; provided that, with respect to any proposed press release or other similar public communication by Ionis disclosing regulatory discussions, the efficacy or safety data or clinical results related to such Product, (i) Ionis will submit such proposed communication to Biogen for review at least two Business Days in advance of such proposed public disclosure, (ii) Biogen will have the right to review and recommend changes to such communication, and (iii) Ionis will in good faith consider any changes that are timely recommended by Biogen; and provided further that, if Biogen conducted or co-conducted a Clinical Study that is the subject of such public announcement, press release or other public disclosure, then any such public announcement, press release or other public disclosure shall be jointly issued by the Parties (unless Biogen expressly waives in writing its right to jointly issue such public announcement, press release or other public disclosure). If Biogen desires to make any public announcement, issue a press release or make any other public disclosure with respect to a Clinical Study that was conducted or co-conducted by Biogen prior to the date Biogen has been granted a license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable) with respect to a Product, Biogen shall so notify Ionis and shall provide Ionis with a draft thereof at least two Business Days prior to the proposed publication thereof. Ionis may review and provide comments to Biogen and the Parties shall discuss in good faith any such comments and seek to mutually agree on a final version of such proposed public announcement, press release or other public disclosure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Ionis shall, pursuant to this Section 11.4.5, retain final decision-making authority over (x) whether such proposed public announcement, press release or other public disclosure shall be issued or made, and (y) the content thereof, and in no event shall Biogen issue any such public announcement, press release or other public disclosure under this Section 11.4.5 except in the final version approved by Ionis.
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11.4.6. |
After License Grant. After the date Biogen has been granted a license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable) with respect to a Product, subject to the provisions of this Section 11.4.6 and Section 11.4.7, Biogen will have the sole right to issue press releases, publish, present or otherwise disclose the progress and results regarding such Product to the public, which shall be consistent with its practice with its other compounds and products; provided that with respect to any proposed press release or other similar public communication by Biogen disclosing regulatory discussions, the efficacy or safety data or results related to such Product or Biogen’s sales projections, (i) Biogen will submit such proposed communication to Ionis for review at least two Business Days in advance of such proposed public disclosure, (ii) Ionis will have the right to review and recommend changes to such communication, and (iii) Biogen will in good faith consider any changes that are timely recommended by Ionis; and provided further that, if Ionis conducted or co-conducted a Clinical Study that is the subject of such public announcement, press release or other public disclosure, then any such public announcement, press release or other public disclosure shall be jointly issued by the Parties (unless Ionis expressly waives in writing its right to jointly issue such public announcement, press release or other public disclosure). If Ionis desires to make any public announcement, issue a press release or make any other public disclosure with respect to a Clinical Study that was conducted or co-conducted by Ionis, Ionis shall so notify Biogen and shall provide Biogen with a draft thereof at least two Business Days prior to the proposed publication thereof. Biogen may review and provide comments to Ionis and the Parties shall discuss in good faith any such comments and seek to mutually agree on a final version of such proposed public announcement, press release or other public disclosure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Biogen shall, pursuant to this Section 11.4.6, retain final decision-making authority over (x) whether such proposed public announcement, press release or other public disclosure shall be issued or made, and (y) the content thereof, and in no event shall Ionis issue any such public announcement, press release or other public disclosure under this Section 11.4.6 except in the final version approved by Biogen.
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11.4.7. |
Resolution of Disagreements Regarding Public Announcements. If the Parties cannot mutually agree on the need for or content of any press release, presentation or other public disclosure under Section 11.4.5 or Section 11.4.6 that is intended to be jointly issued, then either Party may promptly refer for resolution to a “C” level executive of each Party (e.g., a Party’s Chief Operating Officer, Chief Executive Officer or Chief Business Officer) or to one of the Party’s CSC members. During the at least two Business Day advance review period described in Section 11.4.5 or Section 11.4.6 (as applicable), such “C” level executives or CSC members will meet in person at a mutually acceptable time and location or by means of telephone or video conference to discuss in good faith and attempt to resolve such dispute.
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11.4.8. |
Scientific or Clinical Presentations for Collaboration Products. Regarding any proposed scientific publications or public presentations related to summaries of results from any Clinical Studies generated by Ionis or Biogen for a Collaboration Product, the Parties acknowledge that scientific lead time is a key element of the value of the Collaboration Products under this Agreement and further agree to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to control public scientific disclosures of the results of the Development activities under this Agreement to prevent any potential adverse effect of any premature public disclosure of such results. The Parties will establish a procedure for publication review and each Party will first submit to the other Party through the Joint Patent Committee an early draft of all such publications or presentations, whether they are to be presented orally or in written form, at least [***] days prior to submission for publication including to facilitate the publication of any summaries of Clinical Studies data and results as required on the clinical trial registry of each respective Party. Each Party will review such proposed publication in order to avoid the unauthorized disclosure of a Party’s Confidential Information and to preserve the patentability of inventions arising from the Collaboration Programs. If, during such [***] day period, the other Party informs such Party that its proposed publication contains Confidential Information of the other Party, then such Party will delete such Confidential Information from its proposed publication. In addition, if at any time during such [***] day period, the other Party informs such Party that its proposed publication discloses inventions made by either Party in the course of the Development under this Agreement that have not yet been protected through the filing of a patent application, or the public disclosure of such proposed publication could be expected to have a material adverse effect on any Patent Rights or Know-How solely owned or Controlled by such other Party, then such Party will either (i) delay such proposed publication for up to [***] days from the date the other Party informed such Party of its objection to the proposed publication, to permit the timely preparation and first filing of patent application(s) on the information involved or (ii) remove the identified disclosures prior to publication. With respect to each Clinical Study, (a) if such Clinical Study is Initiated prior to the date Biogen has been granted a license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable) with respect to the applicable Product, Ionis shall determine authorship or attribution with respect to any proposed publications regarding the results of such Clinical Study, and (b) if such Clinical Study is Initiated after the date Biogen has been granted a license under Section 4.1.1(a) or Section 4.1.1(b) (as applicable) with respect to the applicable Product, Biogen shall determine authorship or attribution with respect to any proposed publications regarding the results of such Clinical Study, in each case ((a) and (b)), by interpreting and applying the authorship and attribution principles of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors’ Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals, provided that (x) in each case, the Party that has the right to determine attribution or authorship in accordance with this Section 11.4.7 shall consider in good faith any reasonable comments timely made by the other Party with respect thereto, (y) any determination of authorship or attribution under this Section 11.4.7 shall be in compliance with the requirements of the applicable journal of the proposed publication, and (z) the Party that does not have the right to determine attribution or authorship in accordance with this Section 11.4.7 for any such proposed publication will have the right to have at least one author listed in such publication if such Party conducted or co-conducted such Clinical Study.
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11.4.9. |
SEC Filings. Each Party will give the other Party a reasonable opportunity to review all material filings with the SEC describing the terms of this Agreement prior to submission of such filings, and will give due consideration to any reasonable comments by the non-filing Party relating to such filing.
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11.4.10. |
Subsequent Disclosure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent information regarding this Agreement or the Product has already been publicly disclosed, either Party (or its Affiliates) may subsequently disclose the same information to the public without the consent of the other Party.
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11.4.11. |
Acknowledgment. Each Party will acknowledge in any press release, public presentation or publication regarding the Collaboration or a Product, the other Party’s role in discovering and developing the Product or Discontinued Collaboration Product, as applicable, that the Product is under license from Ionis and otherwise acknowledge the contributions from the other Party, and each Party’s stock ticker symbol (e.g., Nasdaq: IONS, BIIB).
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(a) |
Biogen understands and acknowledges the importance to Ionis of continuing to be associated with the drugs it discovers under the Collaboration. As such, Biogen agrees that it will use reasonable efforts to prominently acknowledge Ionis’ role in the discovery of a Product in any scientific, medical and other Product-related communications to the extent such communications address the research, discovery or commercialization of a Product, by prominently including the words “Discovered by Ionis” or equivalent language (collectively, the “Ionis Attribution Language”) in any such communications; provided, however, that Biogen shall have no obligation to include the Ionis Attribution Language in any of the following: (i) communications or materials where such inclusion would be prohibited by Applicable Laws or applicable Third Party institutional, corporate or other policies; (ii) communications that Biogen does not control, such as publications with non-Biogen lead authors; (iii) materials primarily focused on or directed to patients, or other materials where Biogen branding is not prominently featured; or (iv) abstracts or other communications with a word limitation, if Biogen reasonably determines that such word limitation would preclude the inclusion of the Ionis Attribution Language, provided that, in each case Biogen will use reasonable efforts to have the Ionis Attribution Language included in any such communication, consistent with the efforts that Biogen uses to have statements regarding its own contributions to the Product included in such communication.
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(b) |
Ionis may include the Product (and identify Biogen as its partner for the Product) in Ionis’ drug pipeline.
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12.1. |
Dispute Resolution.
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12.1.1. |
Escalation. In the event of any Dispute (other than a Setoff Dispute, which Setoff Dispute will be resolved pursuant to Section 12.1.3, or dispute regarding the construction, validity or enforcement of either Party’s Patent Rights, which disputes will be resolved pursuant to Section 12.2), either Party may, within [***] days after either Party notifies the other Party that the Dispute has not been resolved (provided, that such notice cannot be given less than [***] days after the Dispute has arisen), make a written request that the Dispute be referred for resolution to the Executive Vice President, Business Development of Biogen and the Chief Operating Officer of Ionis (the “Executives”). Within [***] days of either Party’s written request that the Dispute be referred to the Executives, the Executives will meet in person at a mutually acceptable time and location or by means of telephone or video conference to negotiate a settlement of a Dispute. Each Party may elect to have such Party’s CSC representatives participate in such meeting, if desired, provided that it provides the other Party with reasonable advance notice of such intent so as to enable the other Party to have its CSC representatives also participate in such meeting, if desired. If the Executives fail to resolve the Dispute within such [***] day period, then the Dispute will be referred to mediation under Section 12.1.2.
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12.1.2. |
Mediation. If a Dispute subject to Section 12.1.1 cannot be resolved pursuant to Section 12.1.1, or if neither Party timely makes the written request that the Dispute be referred to the Executives, the Parties will resolve any such Dispute in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures set forth in Schedule 12.1.2.
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12.1.3. |
Setoff Disputes. Setoff Disputes will be resolved in accordance with Section 10.4.5(b) and Schedule 10.4.5(b).
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12.1.4. |
Expert Resolution. In the event that a matter is referred for expert resolution under this Section 12.1.4 pursuant to Section 1.10.2(d) or under Appendix 3, the matter will be resolved by a panel of three (3) industry experts experienced in the issues comprising such dispute. One expert will be chosen by Ionis, one expert will be chosen by Biogen and the third expert will be chosen by mutual agreement of the experts chosen by Ionis and Biogen. The place of such expert resolution will be in Chicago, Illinois. Within [***] days after the selection of the third expert (which will occur not later than [***] days after a Party notifies the other Party that it elects to have a dispute resolved pursuant to this Section 12.1.4), the Parties will each simultaneously submit to the expert panel and one another a written statement of their respective positions on the relevant dispute. Each Party will have [***] days from receipt of the other Party’s submission to submit a written response thereto, which will include any scientific and technical information in support thereof. The expert panel will conduct at least one hearing at which each Party will have the opportunity to advocate its position before the other Party and the expert panel. The expert panel will have the right to further meet with both Parties together, as necessary to make a determination. There will be no ex parte communications between an individual Party and either the expert panel or one or more experts. All documents submitted will be in the English language. Further, the expert panel will have the right to request information and materials and to require and facilitate discovery as it will determine is appropriate in the circumstances, taking into account the needs of the Parties and the desirability of making discovery expeditious and cost-effective determinations. No later than 90 days after the designation of the third expert or as otherwise agreed by the Parties, the expert panel will make a determination. The expert panel will provide the Parties with a written statement setting forth the basis of the determination in connection therewith. The decision of the expert panel will be final, binding and conclusive, absent manifest error. Each Party will bear its attorneys’ fees, costs and disbursements (including, for example, expert witness fees and expenses, photocopy charges, travel expenses, etc.) and the Parties will share equally (50/50) the fees and costs of the expert panel. Judgment upon any award rendered pursuant to this Section 12.1.4 may be entered by any court having jurisdiction over the Parties’ assets. Except to the extent necessary to confirm or enforce an award or as may be required by law, neither Party nor any of the experts may disclose the existence, content or results of any proceeding under this Section 12.1.4 without the prior written consent of both Parties.
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12.2. |
Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Venue; Service of Process.
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12.2.1. |
This Agreement and any Dispute will be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, U.S.A., without reference to conflicts of laws principles.
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12.2.2. |
Subject to the provisions of Section 12.1, each Party by its execution hereof, (a) hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (or, if but only if such court lacks, or will not exercise, subject matter jurisdiction over the entirety of a Dispute, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if but only if such court lacks, or will not exercise, subject matter jurisdiction over the entirety of a Dispute, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware, with respect to the Dispute) for the purpose of any Dispute arising between the Parties in connection with this Agreement (each, an “Action”) and (b) hereby waives to the extent not prohibited by Applicable Law, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such Action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that venue in the above-named courts is improper, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that any such Action brought in the above-named courts should be dismissed on grounds of forum non conveniens, should be transferred or removed to any court other than the above-named courts, or should be stayed by reason of the pendency of some other proceeding in any other court other than the above-named courts, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such courts and (c) hereby agrees not to commence any such Action other than before the above-named courts. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, a Party may commence any Action in a court other than the above-named court solely for the purpose of enforcing an order or judgment issued by the above-named court.
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12.2.3. |
Each Party hereby agrees that service of process: (a) made in any manner permitted by Delaware law, or (b) made by overnight express courier service (signature required), prepaid, at its address specified pursuant to Section 12.7, will constitute good and valid service of process in any such Action and (c) waives and agrees not to assert (by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise) in any such Action any claim that service of process made in accordance with clause (a) or (b) does not constitute good and valid service of process.
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12.3. |
Remedies. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, each Party will be entitled to seek, in addition to any other right or remedy it may have, at law or in equity, a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction, without the posting of any bond or other security, enjoining or restraining the other Party from any violation or threatened violation of this Agreement, and the Parties agree that in the event of a threatened or actual material breach of this Agreement injunctive relief would be appropriate. Neither Party will be entitled to recover any Losses relating to any matter arising under one provision of this Agreement to the extent that such Party has already recovered Losses with respect to such matter pursuant to other provisions of this Agreement (including recoveries under Section 9.1 or Section 9.2, and the offsets under Section 6.13.3(c)). Except for the offsets and credits explicitly set forth in Section 1.8.3, Section 6.15, Section 6.13.3(b), Section 6.13.3(d) and Section 10.4.5(b), neither Party will have the right to setoff any amount it is owed or believes it is owed against payments due or payable to the other Party under this Agreement.
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12.4. |
Assignment and Successors. Neither this Agreement nor any obligation of a Party hereunder may be assigned by either Party without the consent of the other, which will not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, except that each Party may assign this Agreement and the rights, obligations and interests of such Party, in whole or in part, without the other Party’s consent, to any of its Affiliates, to any purchaser of all or substantially all of its assets or all or substantially all of its assets to which this Agreement relates or to any successor corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation, share exchange or other similar transaction; provided, if Biogen transfers or assigns this Agreement to [***] described in this Agreement, then Biogen (or such Affiliate), will [***] due Ionis under ARTICLE 6 for the [***] assignment. In addition, Ionis may assign or transfer its rights to receive payments under this Agreement (but no liabilities), without Biogen’s consent, to an Affiliate or to a Third Party in connection with a payment factoring transaction. Any purported assignment or transfer made in contravention of this Section 12.4 will be null and void.
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12.5. |
Change of Control.
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12.5.1. |
Research Activities. If, at any time during the Research Term, a Change of Control occurs, then at any time prior to the [***] anniversary of the closing of such Change of Control, upon written notice to Ionis, Biogen may either:
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(a) |
Extend the Research Term until such time as Ionis has completed target validating activities that are Ionis Activities under the Neurological Disease Research Plan for a total of [***] High Interest Targets;
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(b) |
Terminate the Research Term, in which case: (i) Ionis will complete all ongoing target validation work that are Ionis Activities under the Neurological Disease Research Plan and advance each such target to Target Sanction (but for clarity, no target validation work will be initiated for any new target under the Neurological Disease Research Plan); (ii) Ionis will complete all ongoing Ionis Activities under the Core Research Plan (but for clarity, no new work will be initiated under the Core Research Plan); (iii) for each Collaboration Target that is not an ALS Target that reaches Target Sanction or each ALS Target designated a Collaboration Target, an ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan will be prepared and Ionis will carry out its obligations under such plan, all in accordance with Section 1.10.1; (iv) Ionis will continue to perform its obligations under each ongoing ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan until the end of the applicable ASO Development Candidate Identification Term and under each ongoing Initial Development Plan until completion of all Ionis Activities thereunder; (v) for each Collaboration Program for which a Development Candidate is identified as provided herein, Biogen may, upon written notice to Ionis, such notice to be delivered within [***] days after designating a Development Candidate for the applicable Collaboration Program, elect to either (A) exercise the applicable Option by notifying Ionis in writing of Biogen’s election to license the Collaboration Product [***] and will be paid to Ionis within [***] days after Biogen’s election under clause (A) of this Section 12.5.1(b), and after such exercise, Biogen will not be obligated [***], or (B) establish an Initial Development Plan for such Collaboration Program pursuant to Section 1.10.2(d), in which case Ionis and Biogen will continue to exercise their rights and perform their respective obligations with respect to the applicable Collaboration Program under the terms of this Agreement; (vi) the Research Term will end upon Ionis’ completion of all Ionis Activities under clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above; and (vii) within [***] days after the end of the Research Term, Ionis will [***]; or
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(c) |
Allow such [***] period to lapse without providing any such notice of election under this Section 12.5.1, in which case Ionis and Biogen will continue to exercise their rights and perform their respective obligations under the terms of this Agreement.
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12.5.2. |
Collaboration Programs. On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, if, at any time during the Option Period, a Change of Control occurs involving Ionis and a Person that, at the time of the close of such Change of Control, is developing in human clinical trials or commercializing a Directly Competitive Collaboration Product within the Field or is engaged in a Directly Competitive Collaboration Program (such pre-existing Directly Competitive Collaboration Product, a “Pre-Existing Competitive Product”) or, at any time during the Term after the closing of such Change of Control, develops or acquires a Directly Competitive Collaboration Product or begins a Directly Competitive Collaboration Program (such Person being hereinafter referred to as a “Competing Collaboration Acquirer”) and such Competing Collaboration Acquirer has not, within [***] of either (i) the closing of the Change of Control in the event the Directly Competitive Collaboration Product is being developed in human clinical trials or commercialized, or the Directly Competitive Collaboration Program exists, as of such closing date or (ii) the date of first development or acquisition of such Directly Competitive Collaboration Product or the date on which such Competing Collaboration Acquirer begins such Directly Competitive Collaboration Program (the “Collaboration Divestiture Period”) divested itself of the Directly Competitive Collaboration Product or Directly Competitive Collaboration Program, or terminated development and commercialization of such Directly Competitive Collaboration Product or such Directly Competitive Collaboration Program, then (A) Ionis will provide written notice to Biogen of the closing of such Change of Control or Collaboration Divestiture Period, as applicable, (B) [***], (C) solely with respect to any Collaboration Program that relates to such Directly Competitive Collaboration Product or Directly Competitive Collaboration Program for which Initiation of IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies have not occurred, subject to Section 12.5.3, elect to have Ionis complete Ionis Activities under this Agreement for such Collaboration Program until such time as the applicable Collaboration Program is ready to begin IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies, after which Biogen may elect to exercise its rights under clause (D) of this Section 12.5.2 with respect to such Collaboration Program (in which case the applicable deadline for Biogen’s notice under such clause will be extended until [***] after designation of a Development Candidate for such Collaboration Program), and (D) solely with respect to any Collaboration Product affected by such Directly Competitive Collaboration Product or Directly Competitive Collaboration Program, Biogen will have the right, within [***] following such written notice, to either:
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(a) |
if unexercised, exercise the applicable Option by notifying Ionis in writing of Biogen’s election to license the Collaboration Product at a prorated license fee payment as compared to the license fee payment set forth in Section 6.5, based upon the stage of Development of the applicable Collaboration Product at the time of Change of Control or Collaboration Divestiture Period, as applicable, which license fee payments are set forth on Table A of Schedule 12.5 hereto. If Biogen exercises the applicable Option pursuant to this Section 12.5.2(a), Biogen will not be obligated [***]. Upon Biogen’s exercise of its Option pursuant to this Section 12.5.2(a), Biogen will be deemed to have obtained and Ionis will be deemed to have granted the license set forth in Section 4.1.1; or
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(b) |
Allow such [***] period to lapse without providing any such notice of election under this Section 12.5.2, or otherwise provide Ionis with written notice within such period electing not to exercise the applicable Option pursuant to Section 12.5.2(a) above, in either of which cases, subject to Section 12.5.3, Ionis and Biogen will continue to exercise their rights and perform their respective obligations with respect to the Collaboration Product under the terms of this Agreement.
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12.5.3. |
Protective Provisions. At any time while Ionis is conducting activities pursuant to Section 12.5.2, to separate its Development activities under this Agreement from development activities relating to a Directly Competitive Collaboration Product (“Directly Competing Development Activities”), Ionis will, and will cause the Competing Collaboration Acquirer to, (a) establish separate teams to conduct Development activities under this Agreement and such Directly Competing Development Activities, (b) prevent any Know-How that is Confidential Information relating to the Development of the applicable Collaboration Product from being disclosed to, or used by, individuals performing such Directly Competing Development Activities and (c) not use or reference any Know-How that is Confidential Information or conduct any activities Covered by any Patent Rights, in each case Controlled by Ionis or its Affiliates prior to the effective date of the Change of Control in the development, manufacture or commercialization of the Directly Competitive Collaboration Product.
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12.5.4. |
Biogen Alternate Modality Programs. On a Biogen Alternate Modality Product-by-Biogen Alternate Modality Product basis, if, at any time during the Term, a Change of Control occurs involving Ionis and a Person that, at the time of the closing of such Change of Control, is developing in human clinical trials or commercializing a Directly Competitive Biogen Alternate Modality Product within the Field or is engaged in a Directly Competitive Biogen Alternate Modality Program or, at any time during the Term after such closing of the Change of Control, develops or acquires a Directly Competitive Biogen Alternate Modality Product or begins a Directly Competitive Biogen Alternate Modality Program (such Person being hereinafter referred to as a “Competing Alternate Modality Acquirer”) and such Competing Alternate Modality Acquirer has not, within [***] of either (i) closing of the Change of Control in the event the Directly Competitive Biogen Alternate Modality Product is being developed in human clinical trials or commercialized, or the Directly Competitive Biogen Alternate Modality Program exists, as of such closing date or (ii) the date of first development or acquisition of such Directly Competitive Biogen Alternate Modality Product or the date on which such Competing Alternate Modality Acquirer begins such Directly Competitive Biogen Alternate Modality Program (the “Alternate Modality Divestiture Period”) divested itself of the Directly Competitive Biogen Alternate Modality Product or Directly Competitive Biogen Alternate Modality Program, terminated development and commercialization of such Directly Competitive Biogen Alternate Modality Product or such Biogen Alternate Modality Program or assigned this Agreement pursuant to Section 12.4 to a Third Party that is not itself developing or commercializing a Directly Competitive Collaboration Product or engaged in a Directly Competitive Biogen Alternate Modality Program, then (i) Ionis will provide written notice to Biogen of the closing of such Change of Control or Alternate Modality Divestiture Period, as applicable, and (ii) [***]. For clarity, Biogen’s rights as set forth in this Section 12.5.4 shall be Biogen’s exclusive remedies for the failure of a Competing Alternate Modality Acquirer to divest or terminate development and commercialization of a Directly Competitive Biogen Alternate Modality Product or Directly Competitive Collaboration Program or assigned this Agreement to an applicable Third Party, in each case, during the Alternate Modality Divestiture Period in accordance with this Section 12.5.4.
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12.6. |
Force Majeure. No Party will be held responsible to the other Party nor be deemed to be in default under, or in breach of any provision of, this Agreement for failure or delay in performing any obligation of this Agreement when such failure or delay is due to force majeure, and without the fault or negligence of the Party so failing or delaying. For purposes of this Agreement, force majeure means a cause beyond the reasonable control of a Party, which may include acts of God; acts, regulations, or laws of any government; war; terrorism; civil commotion; fire, flood, earthquake, tornado, tsunami, explosion or storm; pandemic; epidemic and failure of public utilities or common carriers. In such event the Party so failing or delaying will immediately notify the other Party of such inability and of the period for which such inability is expected to continue. The Party giving such notice will be excused from such of its obligations under this Agreement as it is thereby disabled from performing for so long as it is so disabled for up to a maximum of 90 days, after which time the Parties will negotiate in good faith any modifications of the terms of this Agreement that may be necessary to arrive at an equitable solution, unless the Party giving such notice has set out a reasonable timeframe and plan to resolve the effects of such force majeure and executes such plan within such timeframe. To the extent possible, each Party will use reasonable efforts to minimize the duration of any force majeure.
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12.7. |
Notices. Any notice or request required or permitted to be given under or in connection with this Agreement will be deemed to have been sufficiently given if in writing and personally delivered or sent by certified mail (return receipt requested), facsimile transmission (receipt verified), or overnight express courier service (signature required), prepaid, to the Party for which such notice is intended, at the address set forth for such Party below:
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If to Ionis, addressed to:
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Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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2855 Gazelle Court
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Carlsbad, CA 92010
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Attention: Chief Operating Officer
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Fax: 760-918-3592
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with a copy to:
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Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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2855 Gazelle Court
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Carlsbad, CA 92010
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Attention: General Counsel
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Fax: 760-268-4922
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If to Biogen, addressed to:
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Biogen MA Inc.
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14 Cambridge Center
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Cambridge, MA 02142
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Attention: Senior Vice President Corporate Development
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Fax: 866-795-0181
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with a copy to:
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Ropes & Gray LLP
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Prudential Tower
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800 Boylston Street
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Boston, MA 02199-3600
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Attention: Marc A. Rubenstein, Esq.
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Fax: 617-235-0706
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12.8. |
Export Clause. Each Party acknowledges that the laws and regulations of the United States restrict the export and re-export of commodities and technical data of United States origin. Each Party agrees that it will not export or re-export restricted commodities or the technical data of the other Party in any form without the appropriate United States and foreign government licenses.
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12.9. |
Waiver. Neither Party may waive or release any of its rights or interests in this Agreement except in writing. The failure of either Party to assert a right hereunder or to insist upon compliance with any term or condition of this Agreement will not constitute a waiver of that right or excuse a similar subsequent failure to perform any such term or condition. No waiver by either Party of any condition or term in any one or more instances will be construed as a continuing waiver or subsequent waiver of such condition or term or of another condition or term.
|
12.10. |
Severability. If any provision hereof should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the Parties will negotiate in good faith a valid, legal and enforceable substitute provision that most nearly reflects the original intent of the Parties and all other provisions hereof will remain in full force and effect in such jurisdiction and will be liberally construed in order to carry out the intentions of the Parties hereto as nearly as may be possible. Such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
|
12.11. |
Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with the Schedules and Appendices hereto, including the ALS Letter Agreement), amends and restates the Original Agreement, is a comprehensive and integrated statement of the agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and fully supersedes the Original Agreement for the period commencing on the Amendment Date and continuing thereafter. Without limiting the foregoing, this Agreement supersedes that certain side letter between the Parties, dated as of October 9, 2015, relating to drug substance process development and manufacturing, solely to the extent such side letter relates to Collaboration Programs under this Agreement. For clarity, such side letter shall remain in full force and effect with respect to the Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreements. For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement in no way supersedes, modifies or otherwise affects any of the Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreements, which will remain in full force and effect in accordance with each of their respective terms. There are no covenants, promises, agreements, warranties, representations, conditions or understandings, either oral or written, between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof other than as set forth herein. No subsequent alteration, amendment, change or addition to this Agreement will be binding upon the Parties hereto unless reduced to writing and signed by the respective authorized officers of the Parties.
|
12.12. |
Independent Contractors. Nothing herein will be construed to create any relationship of employer and employee, agent and principal, partnership or joint venture between the Parties. Each Party is an independent contractor. Neither Party will assume, either directly or indirectly, any liability of or for the other Party. Neither Party will have the authority to bind or obligate the other Party and neither Party will represent that it has such authority.
|
12.13. |
Interpretation. Except as otherwise explicitly specified to the contrary, (a) references to a section, exhibit or schedule means a section of, or schedule or exhibit to this Agreement, unless another agreement is specified, (b) the word “including” (in its various forms) means “including without limitation,” (c) the words “shall” and “will” have the same meaning, (d) references to a particular statute or regulation include all rules and regulations thereunder and any predecessor or successor statute, rules or regulation, in each case as amended or otherwise modified from time to time, (e) words in the singular or plural form include the plural and singular form, respectively, (f) references to a particular Person include such Person’s successors and assigns to the extent not prohibited by this Agreement, (g) unless otherwise specified, “$” is in reference to United States dollars, and (h) the headings contained in this Agreement, in any exhibit or schedule to this Agreement and in the table of contents to this Agreement are for convenience only and will not in any way affect the construction of or be taken into consideration in interpreting this Agreement.
|
12.14. |
Books and Records. Any books and records to be maintained under this Agreement by a Party or its Affiliates or Sublicensees will be maintained in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (or any successor standard), consistently applied.
|
12.15. |
Further Actions. Each Party will execute, acknowledge and deliver such further instruments, and do all such other acts, as may be necessary or appropriate in order to carry out the expressly stated purposes and the clear intent of this Agreement.
|
12.16. |
Construction of Agreement. The terms and provisions of this Agreement represent the results of negotiations between the Parties and their representatives, each of which has been represented by counsel of its own choosing, and neither of which has acted under duress or compulsion, whether legal, economic or otherwise. Accordingly, the terms and provisions of this Agreement will be interpreted and construed in accordance with their usual and customary meanings, and each of the Parties hereto hereby waives the application in connection with the interpretation and construction of this Agreement of any rule of law to the effect that ambiguous or conflicting terms or provisions contained in this Agreement will be interpreted or construed against the Party whose attorney prepared the executed draft or any earlier draft of this Agreement.
|
12.17. |
Supremacy. In the event of any express conflict or inconsistency between this Agreement and any Schedule or Appendix hereto, the terms of this Agreement will apply. The Parties understand and agree that the Schedules and Appendices hereto are not intended to be the final and complete embodiment of any terms or provisions of this Agreement, and are to be updated from time to time during the Agreement Term, as appropriate and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
|
12.18. |
Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, notwithstanding variations in format or file designation which may result from the electronic transmission, storage and printing of copies of this Agreement from separate computers or printers. Facsimile signatures and signatures transmitted via electronic mail in PDF format will be treated as original signatures.
|
12.19. |
Compliance with Laws. Each Party will, and will ensure that its Affiliates and Sublicensees will, comply with all relevant laws and regulations and good laboratory and clinical practices and cGMP in exercising its rights and fulfilling its obligations under this Agreement.
|
BIOGEN MA INC.
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ John McDonald
|
||
Name:
|
John McDonald
|
||
Title:
|
Vice President, Business Development
|
IONIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ B. Lynne Parshall
|
||
Name:
|
B. Lynne Parshall
|
||
Title:
|
Chief Operating Officer
|
(a) |
was in the lawful knowledge and possession of the Receiving Party or its Affiliates prior to the time it was disclosed to, or learned by, the Receiving Party or its Affiliates, or was otherwise developed independently by the Receiving Party or its Affiliates, as evidenced by written records kept in the ordinary course of business, or other documentary proof of actual use by the Receiving Party or its Affiliates;
|
(b) |
was generally available to the public or otherwise part of the public domain at the time of its disclosure to the Receiving Party or its Affiliates;
|
(c) |
became generally available to the public or otherwise part of the public domain after its disclosure and other than through any act or omission of the Receiving Party or its Affiliates in breach of this Agreement; or
|
(d) |
was disclosed to the Receiving Party or its Affiliates, other than under an obligation of confidentiality, by a Third Party who had no obligation to the Disclosing Party or its Affiliates not to disclose such information to others.
|
(a) |
If, pursuant to Section 1.2.3(d), the CSC is unable to agree upon whether a Multi-Indication Target is a Primarily Neuro Multi-Indication Target, Equal Multi-Indication Target or Primarily Other Multi-Indication Target, the Parties will engage an expert panel under Section 12.1.4 to make such determination. Such expert panel will first determine the net present value (“NPV”) of a therapeutic targeting such Multi-Indication Target and allocate such NPV between the markets for Neurological Disease indications and for Non-Neurological Indications, where such NPV calculations and allocations will take into consideration, and risk-adjust for, the relevant market sizes, competitive landscapes, scientific rationale for each market and any other factors deemed relevant by such expert panel. Based on such NPV calculations and allocations, Multi-Indication Targets will be classified as either “Primarily Neuro Multi-Indication Targets”; “Equal Multi-Indication Targets” or “Primarily Other Multi-Indication Targets”, where (1) a Multi-Indication Target with [***]% or more of its NPV allocated to the market for Neurological Disease indications will be a Primarily Neuro Multi-Indication Target, (2) a Multi-Indication Target with less than [***]% but more than [***]% of its NPV allocated to the market for Neurological Disease indications will be an Equal Multi-Indication Target, and (3) a Multi-Indication Target with [***]% or less of its NPV allocated to the market for Neurological Disease indications will be Primarily Other Multi-Indication Target.
|
(b) |
Primarily Neuro Multi-Indication Targets. If a Multi-Indication Target is classified as a Primarily Neuro Multi-Indication Target, then within [***] days of such classification, Biogen will send Ionis a written notice either (1) electing to negotiate in good faith with Ionis a development plan and [***] (i.e., [***]) for the Non-Neurological Indications if Developed and Commercialized under this Agreement, which plan and provisions will be recommended to the CSC for approval; (2) granting Ionis and its Affiliates the right to work on their own or with a Third Party to discover, develop and commercialize an oligonucleotide against such Multi-Indication Target for primarily Non-Neurological Indications (an “Ionis Multi-Indication Compound”); or (3) precluding Ionis and its Affiliates from working on their own or with a Third Party to discover, develop commercialize an Ionis Multi-Indication Compound. If under this clause (b) Ionis or any of its Affiliates or licensees Commercializes a product incorporating an Ionis Multi-Indication Compound, and Biogen has paid the applicable license fee under Section 6.6 for the applicable Collaboration Program, then until the earlier of (i) the [***] anniversary of the date of First Commercial Sale of such product or (ii) the date Biogen, its Affiliates and Sublicensees stop Commercializing the Product related to such Multi-Indication Target, Ionis will pay Biogen a royalty of [***]% of Annual worldwide Net Sales of such product sold by Ionis, its Affiliates or Sublicensees. The definition of Net Sales in Appendix 1 and the other provisions contained in Sections 6.14, 6.15, 6.16, and 6.17 governing payment of royalties from Biogen to Ionis will govern the payment of such royalty from Ionis to Biogen under this clause (b), mutatis mutandis. If within [***] days of Biogen making an election under clause (1) of this clause (b) to pursue the Non-Neurological Indication, the CSC has not agreed on a development plan and enhanced economic provisions to be paid by Biogen for the Non-Neurological Indication, then (I) Ionis and its Affiliates will not work on their own or with a Third Party to discover, develop and commercialize in the Field an Ionis Multi-Indication Compound unless otherwise permitted under this Agreement and (II) Biogen and its Affiliates will not work on their own or with a Third Party to discover, develop or commercialize Compounds related to such Multi-Indication Target for Non-Neurological Indications.
|
(c) |
Equal Multi-Indication Targets. If a Multi-Indication Target is classified as an Equal Multi-Indication Target, neither Party nor its respective Affiliates, licensees or Sublicensees may develop or commercialize a product targeting such Multi-Indication Target for any indication unless and until Ionis and Biogen have agreed on (i) a development plan and enhanced economic provisions to be paid by Biogen (i.e., multi-indication filing and approval milestone payments, but not additional license fees) for the Non-Neurological Indications, and (ii) the restrictions under which Ionis or Biogen (as applicable) would develop or commercialize a product targeting such Multi-Indication Target (which terms may include the requirements set forth under clause (d)(2) below).
|
(d) |
Primarily Other Multi-Indication Targets. If a Multi-Indication Target is classified as a Primarily Other Multi-Indication Target, then (A) Biogen may continue to Develop and Commercialize Products for Neurological Disease indications pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and (B) within [***] days of such classification, Biogen will send Ionis a written notice either (1) electing to negotiate in good faith with Ionis and agree on a development plan and [***] (i.e., [***]) for the Non-Neurological Indications if Developed and Commercialized under this Agreement, which plan and provisions will be recommended to the CSC for approval; or (2) granting Ionis and its Affiliates the right to work on their own or with a Third Party to discover, develop and commercialize an Ionis Multi-Indication Compound so long as such Ionis Multi-Indication Compound [***], provided, in addition to the foregoing provisions, if the Development Candidate targeting such Multi-Indication Target being Developed or Commercialized by Biogen, its Affiliates or Sublicensees under this Agreement is [***], Ionis cannot develop or commercialize such Ionis Multi-Indication Compound for [***].
|
(e) |
If within [***] days of Biogen making an election under clause (b)(1) of this Appendix 3 to pursue the Non-Neurological Indication, the CSC has not agreed on a development plan and [***] (i.e., [***]) for the Non-Neurological Indications, then Ionis and its Affiliates will have the right to work on their own or with a Third Party to discover, develop and commercialize an Ionis Multi-Indication Compound so long as such Ionis Multi-Indication Compound [***].
|
|
Sincerely,
|
|
|
|
[SVP of Corporate Development]
|
|
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development
|
Biogen MA Inc.
|
By:
|
||
Name:
|
||
Title:
|
||
Date:
|
Cc:
|
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
|
2855 Gazelle Court
|
|
Carlsbad, CA 92010
|
|
Attention: General Counsel
|
|
Fax: (760) 268-4922
|
Collaboration Program:
|
||
Development Candidate:
|
||
[***]
|
|
Sincerely,
|
|
|
|
[SVP of Corporate Development]
|
|
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development
|
Biogen MA Inc.
|
By:
|
||
Name:
|
||
Title:
|
||
Date:
|
Cc:
|
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
|
2855 Gazelle Court
|
|
Carlsbad, CA 92010
|
|
Attention: General Counsel
|
|
Fax: (760) 268-4922
|
Collaboration Program:
|
||
Development Candidate:
|
||
[***]
|
Biogen-Approved Costs
|
Apportionment of
Biogen-Approved Costs
under Section 1.14.1(a)
[***]
|
|||
1. |
[***]
|
2. |
[***]
|
3. |
[***]
|
4. |
[***]
|
1. |
[***]
|
2. |
[***]
|
3. |
[***]
|
4. |
[***]
|
5. |
[***]
|
6. |
[***]
|
a) |
Ionis will generate Research ASOs for Accepted Gene Targets in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Schedule 1.2.4.
|
b) |
Each Party will devote commercially reasonable efforts to performing its obligations under the Target Validation Plan.
|
a) |
During the Research Term, Biogen will have the right to propose gene targets that are the focus of Biogen programs that are not part of the Collaboration (each, a “Biogen TV Target”) for up to a total of [***] Accepted Gene Targets per [***] period. Biogen will propose such Biogen TV Targets by written notice to the Ionis Alliance Manager.
|
b) |
Ionis may reject a proposed Biogen TV Target if, at the time of such proposal, [***].
|
c) |
Each Biogen TV Target that is not rejected by Ionis will be an “Accepted Gene Target.” During the Research Term, Ionis and Biogen will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to perform the activities outlined in the Target Validation Plan on each Accepted Gene Target.
|
a) |
The Research ASOs and any related Confidential Information provided to Biogen by Ionis hereunder are proprietary to Ionis. Biogen will not distribute or release the Research ASOs to any Person other than its employees, academic collaborators, Affiliates, agents or (sub)contractors, solely for purposes of performing work in support of Biogen’s drug discovery activities. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Schedule 1.2.4, Ionis hereby grants Biogen a non-exclusive, fully paid, license to use the Ionis Confidential Information (including data generated by Ionis with Research ASOs in the performance of the Target Validation Plan) and Research ASOs solely for use in support of Biogen' drug discovery purposes. In exercising its rights under this Schedule 1.2.4, Biogen may use data generated by Biogen using the Research ASOs (the “Biogen Data”) to support Patent Rights filed by or on behalf of Biogen, including Patent Rights that claim methods of treating disease by modulating the applicable Accepted Gene Target. The claims of any such Biogen Patent Right using such Biogen Data that generically claims methods of treating disease by modulating the applicable Accepted Gene Target, but are not directed to specific compounds or agents, are referred to as the “Biogen Licensed Claims.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, Biogen will not use such Biogen Data to support claims directed to one or more oligonucleotides as a composition of matter or one or more oligonucleotides as a pharmaceutical product, without the prior written consent of Ionis. In addition, Biogen may not use Ionis data disclosed to Biogen in connection with this Schedule 1.2.4 or the Research ASOs to make products that incorporate oligonucleotides.
|
b) |
Biogen hereby grants Ionis a non-exclusive, fully-paid sublicensable license under any Biogen Licensed Claims solely for the purpose of discovering, developing or commercializing an oligonucleotide(s) as a pharmaceutical product, provided, however, that such license will only be sublicensable by Ionis to a Third Party licensee in connection with the grant of an exclusive license to such Third Party under other Ionis intellectual property with respect to such oligonucleotide. No other license is granted to Ionis under any Biogen-owned or controlled Patent Right or other intellectual property under this Schedule 1.2.4. For avoidance of doubt, no rights are granted by Biogen to Ionis under this Schedule 1.2.4 (expressly or by implication or otherwise) with respect to any compounds, materials or agents (or any method of use or manufacture thereof).
|
c) |
Ionis hereby grants Biogen a non-exclusive, fully-paid sublicensable license under any Ionis Licensed Claims solely for the purpose of discovering, developing or commercializing a non-oligonucleotide compound(s) as a pharmaceutical product, provided, however, that such license will only be sublicensable by Biogen to a Third Party licensee in connection with the grant of an exclusive license to such Third Party under other Biogen intellectual property with respect to any such non‑oligonucleotide compound. “Ionis Licensed Claims” means the claims of any Ionis Invention that generically claims methods of treating disease by modulating an Accepted Gene Target, but are not directed to any specific compound or agent (including any oligonucleotide). Except as set forth in Section 3.2(a) and (c), no other license is granted to Biogen under any Ionis-owned or controlled Patent Right or other intellectual property under this Schedule 1.2.4.
|
a) |
Ionis will perform target validation activities and will provide Research ASOs to Biogen as set forth in the Target Validation Plan on a non-exclusive basis. Ionis may collaborate with Third Parties for target validation studies on any gene targets, including Accepted Gene Targets. In addition, this Schedule 1.2.4 will not limit Ionis from conducting research, discovery and development work on any and all oligonucleotides, for itself or with or on behalf of a Third Party.
|
b) |
If an oligonucleotide to an Accepted Gene Target hereunder becomes a drug development candidate of Ionis or a Third Party collaborator of Ionis, Ionis will notify Biogen. Upon receipt of such notice from Ionis, Biogen will return to Ionis all unused quantities of applicable TV Compound within [***] days after the date on which Biogen received such notice. After such time, Ionis will not have any obligation to provide additional quantities of the originally supplied TV Compound to Biogen under this Schedule 1.2.4.
|
c) |
If Ionis achieves Target Sanction for an Accepted Gene Target, and Ionis does not at such time have any obligations to any Third Party with respect to such Accepted Gene Target that would conflict with Ionis’ compliance with this Section 3.3(c), Ionis will provide to Biogen a Target Sanction Data Package for such Accepted Gene Target (an “AGT Target Sanction Data Package”) and Biogen will have [***] days following receipt of such AGT Target Sanction Data Package to decide whether to negotiate with Ionis regarding an agreement with respect to such Accepted Gene Target (an “AGT Agreement”). Following delivery of an AGT Target Sanction Data Package, Ionis will not initiate negotiations regarding or enter into an AGT Agreement with any Third Party until the earlier to occur of: (1) Biogen notifying Ionis that it declines the opportunity to negotiate with Ionis regarding such AGT Agreement; (2) Biogen not responding to Ionis within 30 days after receipt of such AGT Target Sanction Data Package; or (3) the AGT Negotiation Period expiring before Biogen and Ionis have entered into such AGT Agreement. If Biogen or one of its Affiliates responds within [***] days after its receipt of the AGT Target Sanction Data Package indicating that Biogen or one of its Affiliates desires to negotiate with Ionis regarding the proposed AGT Agreement, Ionis and Biogen or one of its Affiliates will negotiate in good faith for 180 days thereafter (or such other period as mutually agreed by the Parties) (the “AGT Negotiation Period”) regarding a mutually satisfactory AGT Agreement. During the AGT Negotiation Period, Biogen or its Affiliate will make the first written proposal to Ionis setting forth all material business and legal terms on which Biogen or its Affiliate would be willing to enter into the proposed AGT Agreement with Ionis; provided that neither Party will have any obligation to enter into an AGT Agreement. If the AGT Negotiation Period expires before Biogen or its Affiliate and Ionis have entered into such AGT Agreement, Ionis will have no further obligation to negotiate with Biogen or its Affiliates with respect to such AGT Agreement and Ionis will be free to negotiate and enter an agreement with a Third Party with respect to an AGT Agreement [***]; provided, however, that Ionis will not enter into any such AGT Agreement with any Third Party unless the terms and pricing of such AGT Agreement, [***].
|
a) |
Title to any inventions, technology, discoveries, or other proprietary property made or discovered (as determined by the U.S. laws of inventorship) by employees of or consultants or contractors of a Party pursuant to the performance Target Validation Plan (collectively, “Inventions”) are retained by the Party that is the employer of the inventor (or, in the case of consultants or contractors, the Party for which such consultant or contractor is providing services). Ionis will own Inventions invented solely by employees or consultants or contractors of Ionis and any Patent Rights claiming such Invention (collectively, the “Ionis Inventions”). Biogen will own Inventions invented solely by employees or consultants or contractors of Biogen and any Patent Rights claiming such Invention.
|
b) |
Except as provided otherwise herein, Ionis and Biogen will jointly hold title to all Inventions, made or discovered (as determined by the U.S. laws of inventorship) jointly by employees or consultants or contractors of Ionis and Biogen (“Joint Inventions”). Patent Rights claiming such Joint Inventions will be “Joint Patents.” Ionis and Biogen will promptly provide each other with notice whenever a Joint Invention is made or discovered.
|
c) |
The Parties agree, upon reasonable request, to execute any documents reasonably necessary to effect and perfect each other’s ownership of any Invention or Patent Right claiming such Invention.
|
a) |
Each Party has the right to file, prosecute, maintain, enforce and defend Patent Rights on Inventions owned by such Party, at its own expense.
|
b) |
Ionis and Biogen will mutually agree on the filing, prosecution and maintenance of any Joint Patents and the expenses of such prosecution and maintenance will be shared equally. If either Party elects not to participate in the filing, prosecution or maintenance of a Joint Patent, it will notify the other Party of such election not later than [***] days before the applicable deadline for filing, prosecution or maintenance, and the other Party will thereafter have the right to undertake such filing, prosecution or maintenance, at its own expense.
|
c) |
A Party whose rights in a Joint Patent are impacted by the infringement of such Joint Patent by a Third Party will have the right to enforce that Joint Patent at its own discretion and at its own expense. The non-enforcing Party agrees to provide the enforcing Party all reasonable assistance (including joining such action as a Party plaintiff), at the enforcing Party’s expense. Any damages or other recovery, whether by settlement or otherwise, from an action hereunder to enforce a Joint Patent will be paid first to each Party to reimburse the costs of enforcement and then prorated to the Party(ies) based on damages incurred.
|
(a) |
The Neurology JRC will determine the Neurology JRC operating procedures, including frequency of meetings (at least quarterly), location of meetings, and responsibilities for agendas and minutes. The Neurology JRC will codify these operating procedures in the written minutes of the first meeting.
|
(b) |
The Neurology JRC may hold meetings in person or by audio or video conference as determined by the Neurology JRC; but at least two meetings per year will be in person (one held at Ionis’ facilities, and the other held at Biogen’s facilities in the U.S.). Alliance Managers will attend Neurology JRC meetings as participating non-members. In addition, upon prior approval of the other Party, each Party may invite its employees or consultants to attend Neurology JRC meetings, including any subject matter expert(s) with valuable knowledge of High Interest Targets or Collaboration Targets (as applicable) or the diseases associated with such targets.
|
(c) |
The co-chairs will be responsible for ensuring that activities occur as set forth in this Agreement, including ensuring that Neurology JRC meetings occur, Neurology JRC recommendations are properly reflected in the minutes, and any dispute is given prompt attention and resolved in accordance with Section 1.18.2, Section 7.1.3 and Section 12.1, as applicable.
|
(d) |
The Neurology JRC members from the same Party will collectively have one vote. The Neurology JRC will strive to make recommendations with approval of both Ionis members and Biogen members, and record such recommendations in the minutes of the applicable Neurology JRC meeting.
|
(e)
|
The Neurology JRC may form subcommittees and working groups as it determines in order to carry out its activities under this Agreement, all of which will dissolve when the Neurology JRC dissolves.
|
(a) |
The Neurology JDC will determine its operating procedures, including frequency of meetings (at least quarterly), location of meetings, and responsibilities for agendas and minutes. The Neurology JDC will codify these operating procedures in the written minutes of its first meeting.
|
(b) |
The Neurology JDC may hold meetings in person or by audio or video conference as determined by the Neurology JDC; but at least two meetings per year will be in person (one held at Ionis’ facilities, and the other held at Biogen’s facilities in the U.S.). Alliance Managers will attend Neurology JDC meetings as participating non-members. In addition, upon prior approval of the other Party, each Party may invite its employees or consultants to attend Neurology JDC meetings, including any subject matter expert(s) with valuable knowledge of the applicable or Collaboration Target or the diseases associated with such target.
|
(c) |
The co-chairs will be responsible for ensuring that activities occur as set forth in this Agreement, including ensuring that Neurology JDC meetings occur, Neurology JDC recommendations are properly reflected in the minutes, and any dispute is given prompt attention and resolved in accordance with Section 1.18.3, Section 7.1.3 and Section 12.1, as applicable.
|
(d) |
Neurology JDC members from the same Party will collectively have one vote. The Neurology JDC will strive to make recommendations with approval of both Ionis members and Biogen members, and record such recommendations in the minutes of the applicable Neurology JDC meeting.
|
(e)
|
The Neurology JDC may form subcommittees and working groups as it determines in order to carry out its activities under this Agreement, all of which will dissolve when the Neurology JDC dissolves.
|
(a) |
Promoting the overall health of the relationship between the Parties;
|
(b) |
Developing a mutually agreed alliance launch plan covering any activities and systems that the Parties need to implement within the first 100 days after the Effective Date to support the Collaboration;
|
(c) |
Organizing CSC, Neurology JRC and Neurology JDC meetings, including agendas, drafting minutes, and publishing final minutes;
|
(d) |
Supporting the co-chairs of the CSC, Neurology JRC and Neurology JDC with organization of meetings, information exchange, meeting minutes, and facilitating dispute resolution as necessary;
|
(e) |
Preparing status and progress reports on the above as determined necessary by the CSC, Neurology JRC and Neurology JDC;
|
(f) |
Ensuring compliance in maintaining the Ionis Internal ASO Safety Database as outlined in Section 5.2;
|
(g) |
Manage and coordinate the target validation activities under Schedule 1.2.4;
|
(h) |
Ensuring proper approval of publications prior to submission as required in Section 11.4;
|
(i) |
Determining an appropriate format for summaries of resource and FTE utilization, and ensuring such summarized are timely provided to the JRC as outlined in Section 1.11.
|
1. |
Mediation.
|
Page
|
||
ARTICLE 1. RESEARCH
|
1
|
|
1.1.
|
Collaboration Overview.
|
2
|
1.2.
|
Drug Discovery Term
|
2
|
1.3.
|
Collaboration Management
|
2
|
1.4.
|
Collaboration
|
5
|
1.5.
|
IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies
|
8
|
1.6.
|
Development Costs and Expenses
|
8
|
1.7.
|
Manufacturing and Supply
|
9
|
1.8.
|
Payment Mechanics for Additional Activities Approved by Biogen
|
9
|
1.9.
|
End of ASO Development Candidate Identification Term
|
10
|
1.10.
|
Carryover Development Candidates
|
10
|
ARTICLE 2. EXCLUSIVITY COVENANTS
|
11
|
|
2.1.
|
Exclusivity
|
11
|
2.2.
|
Effect of Exclusivity on Indications
|
13
|
2.3.
|
New SMA Compounds
|
13
|
2.4.
|
Exclusivity Under Original Agreement
|
14
|
ARTICLE 3. EXCLUSIVE OPTION
|
14
|
|
3.1.
|
IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies Completion Date
|
14
|
3.2.
|
Option and Option Deadline
|
15
|
3.3.
|
HSR Compliance
|
15
|
3.4.
|
Restrictions on Ionis’ Right to Grant Diagnostic Rights; Right to Negotiate Diagnostic Rights
|
16
|
ARTICLE 4. LICENSE GRANTS
|
16
|
|
4.1.
|
License Grants to Biogen
|
16
|
4.2.
|
Assignment of Ionis Product-Specific Patents; Grant Back to Ionis
|
19
|
4.3.
|
Data Licenses.
|
19
|
4.4.
|
Enabling Licenses
|
20
|
4.5.
|
Licenses to Ionis for Biogen Results.
|
22
|
4.6.
|
Right to Obtain Direct License from Biogen to Ionis Partner; Sublicensees of Ionis
|
23
|
4.7.
|
Ownership of and Assistance with Regulatory Filings
|
23
|
4.8.
|
Subcontracting
|
24
|
4.9.
|
Technology Transfer
|
25
|
ARTICLE 5. DEVELOPMENT, MANUFACTURING AND COMMERCIALIZATION
|
28
|
|
5.1.
|
Biogen Diligence
|
28
|
5.2.
|
Regulatory Matters
|
28
|
5.3.
|
Pharmacovigilance Agreement; Global Safety Database
|
29
|
5.4.
|
Research and Manufacturing Records
|
30
|
ARTICLE 6. FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
|
31
|
|
6.1.
|
Up-Front Fee
|
31
|
6.2.
|
License Fee
|
31
|
6.3.
|
Development Milestone Payments
|
31
|
6.4.
|
Sales Milestone Payments
|
31
|
6.5.
|
Limitations on Milestone Payments; Exceptions; Notice.
|
32
|
6.6.
|
Royalty Payments to Ionis
|
32
|
6.7.
|
Reverse Royalty Payments to Biogen for a Discontinued Product
|
35
|
6.8.
|
Third Party Payment Obligations
|
36
|
6.9.
|
Payments
|
38
|
6.10.
|
Audits
|
39
|
6.11.
|
Taxes
|
40
|
6.12.
|
Interest
|
40
|
6.13.
|
Exclusion of Products under Original Agreement
|
40
|
ARTICLE 7. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
|
41
|
|
7.1.
|
Ownership
|
41
|
7.2.
|
Prosecution and Maintenance of Patents
|
44
|
7.3.
|
Patent Costs
|
48
|
7.4.
|
Defense of Claims Brought by Third Parties
|
49
|
7.5.
|
Enforcement of Patents Against Competitive Infringement
|
51
|
7.6.
|
Other Infringement
|
54
|
7.7.
|
Patent Listing
|
54
|
7.8.
|
Joint Research Agreement under the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act
|
55
|
7.9.
|
Obligations to Third Parties
|
55
|
7.10.
|
Additional Right and Exceptions
|
55
|
7.11.
|
Patent Term Extension
|
55
|
ARTICLE 8. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
|
56
|
|
8.1.
|
Representations and Warranties of Both Parties
|
56
|
8.2.
|
Representations and Warranties of Ionis
|
56
|
8.3.
|
Ionis Covenants
|
58
|
8.4.
|
DISCLAIMER
|
59
|
ARTICLE 9. INDEMNIFICATION; INSURANCE
|
59
|
|
9.1.
|
Indemnification by Biogen
|
59
|
9.2.
|
Indemnification by Ionis
|
60
|
9.3.
|
Procedure
|
61
|
9.4.
|
Insurance
|
61
|
9.5.
|
LIMITATION OF CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
|
61
|
ARTICLE 10. TERM; TERMINATION
|
62
|
|
10.1.
|
Agreement Term; Expiration
|
62
|
10.2.
|
Termination of the Agreement
|
62
|
10.3.
|
Alternative Remedies to Termination Available to Biogen Prior to Option Exercise
|
66
|
10.4.
|
Consequences of Expiration or Termination of the Agreement
|
67
|
ARTICLE 11. CONFIDENTIALITY
|
77
|
|
11.1.
|
Confidentiality; Exceptions
|
77
|
11.2.
|
Authorized Disclosure
|
78
|
11.3.
|
Press Release; Publications; Disclosure of Agreement
|
78
|
ARTICLE 12. MISCELLANEOUS
|
82
|
|
12.1.
|
Dispute Resolution
|
82
|
12.2.
|
Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Venue; Service of Process
|
83
|
12.3.
|
Remedies
|
84
|
12.4.
|
Assignment and Successors
|
84
|
12.5.
|
Change of Control
|
84
|
12.6.
|
Force Majeure
|
86
|
12.7.
|
Notices
|
87
|
12.8.
|
Export Clause
|
88
|
12.9.
|
Waiver
|
88
|
12.10.
|
Severability
|
88
|
12.11.
|
Entire Agreement
|
88
|
12.12.
|
Independent Contractors
|
88
|
12.13.
|
Interpretation
|
89
|
12.14.
|
Books and Records
|
89
|
12.15.
|
Further Actions
|
89
|
12.16.
|
Construction of Agreement
|
89
|
12.17.
|
Supremacy
|
89
|
12.18.
|
Counterparts
|
89
|
12.19.
|
Compliance with Laws
|
89
|
1.1. |
Collaboration Overview. The intent of the collaboration under this Agreement is (i) for Ionis to perform drug discovery activities for two separate Collaboration Programs under a mutually agreed drug discovery plan with the goal of identifying an [***] Development Candidate and an [***] Development Candidate, (ii) following Development Candidate designation for each Collaboration Program, for Biogen to conduct the IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies under such Collaboration Program, and (iii) to provide Biogen with an option under each Collaboration Program to develop and ultimately commercialize Compounds and Products under such Collaboration Program, under an exclusive license from Ionis. The purpose of this Section 1.1 is to provide a high-level overview of the roles, responsibilities, rights and obligations of each Party under this Agreement, and therefore this Section 1.1 is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed provisions of this Agreement set forth below.
|
1.2. |
Drug Discovery Term. The term for the conduct of the ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan (the “ASO Development Candidate Identification Term”) will begin on the Effective Date and will end, on a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, upon the earliest [***], or (iv) a date mutually agreed by the Parties. If Biogen disagrees with Ionis’ determination that a Technical Failure has occurred, Section 12.1.4 will apply.
|
1.3. |
Collaboration Management.
|
1.3.1. |
Joint Steering Committee. The Parties will establish a joint steering committee (the “JSC”) to provide advice and make recommendations on the conduct of activities under each Collaboration Program, to govern the activities under this Agreement with respect to the discovery of potential Development Candidates, the designation of Development Candidates and the conduct of preclinical research for each Development Candidate, and to facilitate information-sharing and discussion between the Parties regarding the Development of each Development Candidate [***] for such Development Candidate. The JSC will consist of up to three representatives appointed by Ionis and up to three representatives appointed by Biogen. Each Party’s JSC representatives shall be chosen by such Party in its sole discretion and may be replaced by such Party in its sole discretion upon written notice to the other Party, provided that each JSC member will have experience and expertise appropriate for the stage of Development of the Collaboration Programs. Each Party will designate one of its representatives who is empowered by such Party to make decisions related to the performance of such Party’s obligations under this Agreement to act as the co-chair of the JSC. The co-chairs will be responsible for overseeing the activities of the JSC consistent with the responsibilities set forth below in this Section 1.3.1. Schedule 1.3.1 sets forth certain JSC governance matters agreed to as of the Effective Date for the period ending upon Option exercise with respect to each Collaboration Program. The JSC will determine the JSC operating procedures at its first meeting, including the policies for participation by additional representatives or consultants invited to attend JSC meetings, and the location of meetings, which will be codified in the written minutes of the first JSC meeting. Each Party will be responsible for the costs and expenses of its own employees or consultants attending JSC meetings. Prior to Option exercise with respect to a Collaboration Program, the JSC shall meet once per Calendar Quarter, or as otherwise mutually agreed by the Parties, provided that Ionis and Biogen will use reasonable efforts to schedule meetings of the JSC to take place at the same location and on the same dates as meetings of the joint development and steering committees under the Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreements, to maximize the use of each Party’s time, increase information sharing efficiencies and reduce the cost of additional travel, lodging and related expenses.
|
(a) |
Role of the JSC. Without limiting any of the foregoing, subject to Section 1.3.2, the JSC will perform the following functions, some or all of which may be addressed directly at any given JSC meeting:
|
(i) |
review and approve amendments to the ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan proposed by either Party in accordance with Section 1.4.1(d);
|
(ii) |
review the overall progress of Ionis’ efforts to discover, identify and optimize potential Development Candidates for each Collaboration Program;
|
(iii) |
establish teams and committees to oversee and manage activities under each Collaboration Program up to Development Candidate designation as it deems necessary;
|
(iv) |
review the Development Candidate Data Package for each Collaboration Program and, subject to Section 1.4.2(b), designate the Development Candidate for each Collaboration Program;
|
(v) |
establish a high-level preclinical toxicology strategy for each Development Candidate under Section 1.5;
|
(vi) |
review and discuss the initial development plan set forth in the Integrated Development Plan under Section 5.1.1 for each Development Candidate until Initiation of a Phase 3 Trial;
|
(vii) |
review the overall progress of Biogen’s efforts to Develop the Development Candidates for each Collaboration Program until Initiation of a Phase 3 Trial;
|
(viii) |
establish teams and committees to oversee and manage activities under the preclinical toxicology strategy for each Development Candidate as it deems necessary;
|
(ix) |
provide input to the JPC as appropriate;
|
(x) |
assist with and participate in the resolution of disputes as contemplated in Section 12.1; and
|
(xi) |
such other review and advisory responsibilities as may be assigned to the JSC by the Parties pursuant to this Agreement.
|
1.3.2. |
Decision Making.
|
(a) |
Committee Decision Making. Except as expressly set forth in Sections 1.4.2(b), 1.4.3 and 1.5, decisions by the JSC will be made by unanimous consent with each Party’s representatives having, collectively, one vote. At any given meeting of any such committee, a quorum will be deemed to have been reached if a voting representative of each Party is present or participating in such meeting. No action taken at any meeting of any such committee will be effective unless there is a quorum at such meeting. Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, no action will be taken with respect to a matter for which the JSC has not reached unanimous consensus.
|
(b) |
Implementation. Each Party will give due consideration to, and consider in good faith, the recommendations and advice of the JSC regarding the activities within the scope of its authority. Prior to Option exercise, (i) Ionis will have the final decision-making authority regarding [***], as applicable) and [***] with respect thereto and (ii) Biogen will have the final decision-making authority regarding [***], as applicable) and [***] with respect thereto. After Option exercise for a particular Collaboration Program, subject to and without limiting Section 5.1, Biogen will have sole decision-making authority regarding the Manufacture, Development and Commercialization of Products for such Collaboration Program; provided, however, that Biogen shall not increase Ionis’ costs or obligations without Ionis’ consent. Except as otherwise expressly stated in this Agreement, the JSC will have no decision-making authority and will act as a forum for sharing information about the activities conducted by the Parties hereunder and as an advisory body, in each case only on the matters described in, and to the extent set forth in, this Agreement.
|
1.3.3. |
JSC Activities Following Option Exercise.
|
(a) |
JSC Meetings After Option Exercise. On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, following Option exercise with respect to a Collaboration Program until the JSC is terminated in accordance with Section 1.3.3(c) below, the JSC will meet no more than [***], in accordance with each Party’s scheduling obligations set forth in Section 1.3.1, solely for the purpose of information exchange and without any decision-making authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 1.3.3(a), if the Parties engage in discussions regarding the Collaboration Programs in a meeting of any governing forum under any of the Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreements, where such discussions (i) are included in the agenda for such meeting or documented in the written minutes of such meeting, or (ii) otherwise address topics other than procedure and scheduling, such discussions shall be deemed to be in lieu of the JSC meeting contemplated under this Section 1.3.3(a) for the [***] period in which such discussions occurred.
|
(b) |
Ionis’ Obligation to Participate in the JSC. Ionis’ obligation to participate in the JSC will terminate, on a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, upon Biogen’s exercise (or expiration) of the Option for each Collaboration Program. Thereafter, Ionis will have the right, but not the obligation, to participate in such meetings with respect to such Collaboration Program upon Ionis’ request, until the JSC is terminated in accordance with Section 1.3.3(c) below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Biogen’s obligations to provide Ionis with information or reports with respect to a Product shall continue in accordance with Section 5.1.1.
|
(c) |
Termination of the JSC. The JSC and any other subcommittees or working groups established pursuant to this Agreement will terminate, solely with respect to this Agreement and not any Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreement, on a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis upon the earlier of (i) the Initiation of a Phase 3 Trial with respect to such Collaboration Program, and (ii) the termination of such Collaboration Program.
|
1.3.4. |
Briefing the JSC. At each regularly scheduled meeting of the JSC prior to exercise of the Option, each Party will provide to the JSC a progress update on its activities under each Collaboration Program.
|
1.3.5. |
Alliance Managers. Each Party will appoint a representative to act as its alliance manager under this Agreement (each, an “Alliance Manager”). Each Alliance Manager will be responsible for supporting the JSC and performing the activities listed in Schedule 1.3.5.
|
1.4. |
Collaboration.
|
1.4.1. |
Responsibilities.
|
(a) |
During the ASO Development Candidate Identification Term, Ionis will use its Commercially Reasonable Efforts for each Collaboration Program to conduct drug discovery activities according to the applicable ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan, in a manner consistent with its internal practices for other gene targets, to identify an [***] Development Candidate and an [***] Development Candidate under the applicable Collaboration Program as soon as practicable.
|
(b) |
Following Development Candidate designation under a Collaboration Program, Biogen will use its Commercially Reasonable Efforts to conduct IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies for such Development Candidate, in accordance with the preclinical toxicology strategy agreed to by the JSC.
|
(c) |
The Parties may determine by mutual agreement to allocate additional Research or Development activities under a Collaboration Program to Biogen prior to the applicable Option exercise. To the extent any such Research or Development activities are allocated to Biogen in accordance with the preceding sentence, Biogen will use its Commercially Reasonable Efforts to conduct such Research or Development activities in accordance with the ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan.
|
(d) |
Either Party may propose updates to the ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan and submit such proposed updates to the JSC for its review and approval.
|
(e) |
Each Party will conduct its work under each Collaboration Program in a good scientific manner, and in compliance with all applicable good laboratory practices and cGMP, and all Applicable Laws.
|
1.4.2. |
Development Candidates.
|
(a) |
Development Candidate Data Package. Unless otherwise mutually agreed by the Parties, Ionis’ RMC shall only approve a Compound as a potential Development Candidate for a Collaboration Program if such Compound satisfies the [***] set forth in the ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan with respect to such Collaboration Program. In addition, unless otherwise mutually agreed by the Parties, each Backup Compound set forth in the Development Candidate Data Package for a Collaboration Program must satisfy the [***] set forth in the ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan with respect to such Collaboration Program. For each Collaboration Program, Ionis will provide Biogen, through the JSC, with a complete Development Candidate Data Package promptly following the date Ionis’ Research Management Committee approves a Compound as a potential Development Candidate after Ionis’ completion of Ionis’ activities set forth in the applicable ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan. Within [***] days of receipt of a Development Candidate Data Package pursuant to this Section 1.4.2(a), Biogen or an Affiliate will notify Ionis of any omissions or deficiencies that Biogen or its Affiliate believes in good faith cause the Development Candidate Data Package to be incomplete with respect to the potential Development Candidate or any Backup Compound described therein (“Development Candidate Data Package Deficiency Notice”). Ionis will promptly, and in any event within [***] days of receipt of the Development Candidate Data Package Deficiency Notice, resubmit a complete Development Candidate Data Package to Biogen or its designated Affiliate, including any information that Biogen identified in the Development Candidate Data Package Deficiency Notice. If the Parties do not agree as to whether the Development Candidate Data Package is complete, the matter will be referred to the Executives for resolution. The Executives will meet promptly and negotiate in good faith to resolve the dispute and agree upon a complete Development Candidate Data Package.
|
(b) |
Development Candidate Designation. Within [***] days following Ionis’ delivery of a Development Candidate Data Package with respect to a Collaboration Program to Biogen pursuant to Section 1.4.2(a) (and resolution of any dispute regarding omissions or deficiencies with respect to such Development Candidate Data Package in accordance with Section 1.4.2(a)), the JSC will discuss whether to designate the Compound that is recommended by Ionis’ RMC as the lead compound under such Development Candidate Data Package (or any other Compound listed in the Development Candidate Data Package as a potential backup Compound (such Compound, a “Backup Compound”)) as the Development Candidate for such Collaboration Program, taking into account the input of the JPC with respect to its intellectual property assessment of such Compound(s). Any designation of a Development Candidate for a Collaboration Program by the JSC will be documented in the written minutes of the JSC. If the JSC mutually agrees to designate such a Compound as a Development Candidate then, following the JSC’s agreement to a high level preclinical toxicology strategy for such Development Candidate in accordance with Section 1.5 below, Biogen will conduct the IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies under such strategy under Section 1.5.
|
1.4.3. |
Backup Development Candidates. If, after the JSC (or [***] through the exercise of its final decision-making authority) designates a Compound as a Development Candidate for a given Collaboration Program under Section 1.4.2(b), Biogen determines that any further research, development, manufacture or commercialization of such Compound is no longer commercially reasonable or technically feasible under the then-current state of the art, then Biogen shall so notify the JSC and the JSC may designate a Backup Compound (or any other Compound) as the Development Candidate under such Collaboration Program. In the case of any dispute at the JSC regarding which Backup Compound (or other Compound), if any, to designate as the Development Candidate under such Collaboration Program, if such dispute has not been resolved within [***] days of such notice by Biogen to the JSC (or such longer period as may be mutually agreed by the Parties), such dispute shall be subject to [***] final decision-making authority as set forth in Section 1.4.2(b). Thereafter, the JSC shall promptly update the high level preclinical toxicology strategy for such Development Candidate in accordance with Section 1.5.
|
1.5. |
IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies. For each Collaboration Program, the JSC will agree upon a high level preclinical toxicology strategy (including the contract research organization (CRO) to be used to conduct the IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies) for each Development Candidate no later than [***] days following designation of the Development Candidate under such Collaboration Program. In addition, the JSC will approve any study protocols for the IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies at least [***] prior to the anticipated commencement of such IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies. If the JSC does not agree on such high level preclinical toxicology strategy or study protocols for a particular Collaboration Program within the applicable time period as set forth above in this Section 1.5, then Biogen will have final decision-making authority with respect thereto; provided, that, solely with respect to the categories of IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies listed on Schedule 1.5, Biogen will not use a [***] to conduct any such IND-Enabling Toxicology Study that is not [***] listed on Schedule 1.5 with respect to the applicable category of IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies, [***]
|
1.6. |
Development Costs and Expenses.
|
1.6.1. |
Development Costs Paid by Ionis. On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, prior to Option exercise with respect to the applicable Collaboration Program, Ionis will be responsible for all its Research and Development activities for each Development Candidate under the applicable Collaboration Program as set forth in the applicable ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan and, except as otherwise provided under Section 1.6.2 or Section 1.8, all its costs and expenses associated therewith. For clarity, Ionis shall not have the right to use, in any such activities, any resources or funding provided to Ionis by Biogen under the Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreements.
|
1.6.2. |
Development Costs Paid by Biogen. On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, (i) prior to Option exercise with respect to the applicable Collaboration Program, Biogen will be responsible for all its Research and Development activities for each Development Candidate under the applicable Collaboration Program in accordance with the preclinical toxicology strategy for such Collaboration Program, and all its costs and expenses associated therewith, and (ii) after Option exercise with respect to the applicable Collaboration Program, Biogen will be solely responsible for the costs and expenses related to the Development, Manufacture and Commercialization of Products, including any work performed by Ionis at Biogen’s written request, and all supply chain planning and decision making.
|
1.7. |
Manufacturing and Supply.
|
1.7.1. |
Following Option exercise with respect to a Collaboration Program, Biogen will be responsible for Clinical Supply and Commercial supplies of API and Finished Drug Product and may contract directly with CMOs with respect to such supply in accordance with Section 4.1.2(b).
|
1.8. |
Payment Mechanics for Additional Activities Approved by Biogen. If Biogen desires that either Ionis or a Third Party perform additional activities under this Agreement that are not otherwise required hereunder (“Other Activities”), Biogen will pay the costs of conducting such work, including the cost of Ionis’ time incurred in performing such work at the then-applicable [***] Rate (“[***] Costs”), plus any [***] incurred by Ionis in performing such work (such costs, collectively “Biogen-Approved Costs”). Ionis will permit Biogen to review, negotiate (with Ionis) and approve all Biogen-Approved Costs prior to conducting any Other Activities. In advance of each [***], Ionis will provide Biogen with a good faith estimate of the Biogen-Approved Costs anticipated to be incurred in such [***]. Ionis will invoice Biogen directly for any such approved Biogen-Approved Costs incurred by Ionis and Biogen will pay the invoices submitted pursuant to this Section 1.8 for such approved Biogen-Approved Costs within [***] days after receipt of the applicable invoice by Biogen. In the case where Other Activities are performed by a Third Party, the Parties will arrange for the Third Party to directly bill Biogen and for Biogen to pay such Third Party directly.
|
1.9. |
End of ASO Development Candidate Identification Term. At the end of the ASO Development Candidate Identification Term for a particular Collaboration Program that did not reach the Development Candidate stage, subject to Section 1.10, (i) Biogen’s Option with respect to such Collaboration Program will expire, (ii) neither Ionis nor Biogen will have an obligation to perform any activities under this ARTICLE 1 with respect to such Collaboration Program; (iii) such program will no longer be a Collaboration Program; (iv) Ionis’ obligations and Biogen’s rights under this Agreement with respect to any ASOs under such Collaboration Program will then terminate except as expressly set forth in Section 1.10 and ARTICLE 2; (v) upon Ionis’ request, Biogen will provide to Ionis any data generated under the Collaboration Program and licensed to Ionis under Section 4.3.2; and (vi) upon Biogen’s request, Ionis will provide to Biogen any data generated under the Collaboration Program and licensed to Biogen under Section 4.3.1.
|
1.10. |
Carryover Development Candidates. If, by the end of the ASO Development Candidate Identification Term for a particular Collaboration Program, Ionis’ RMC has not designated a Compound as a Development Candidate under such Collaboration Program, and at any time during the [***] period after the end of the applicable ASO Development Candidate Identification Term (the “Carryover Period”), Ionis’ RMC designates an ASO discovered by Ionis containing (i) [***] that is designed to bind to the RNA that encodes SMN as a development candidate ready to start IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies, or (ii) [***] that is designed to bind to the RNA that encodes SMN (other than a Specified ASO Product) as a development candidate ready to start IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies (each such ASO, a “Carryover Development Candidate”), then Ionis will notify Biogen and will provide Biogen with the data package presented to Ionis’ RMC to approve such Carryover Development Candidate. Biogen will then have [***] days from its receipt of such package to elect to enter into an amendment to this Agreement under the same terms as set forth in this Agreement (except that [***] under Section 6.1 will be due). If, within [***] days after Biogen’s receipt of such notice from Ionis, Biogen provides Ionis with written notice that it accepts such offer from Ionis for such Carryover Development Candidate, the Parties will execute an amendment to this Agreement regarding such Carryover Development Candidate on such terms. Otherwise, except for the obligation to comply with the provisions of Section 2.1, Ionis will have no further obligations and Biogen will have no further rights with respect to such Carryover Development Candidate.
|
2.1. |
Exclusivity.
|
2.1.1. |
Exclusivity Covenants.
|
(a) |
The Parties’ Exclusivity Covenants During the Option Period. Each Party agrees that, except in the performance of its obligations or exercise of its rights under this Agreement or the Original Agreement, and except as set forth in Section 2.1.2 and Section 2.1.3, it will not work independently or for or with any of its Affiliates or any Third Party (including the grant of any license to any Third Party) with respect to discovery, research, development, manufacture or commercialization of an ASO that is designed to bind to the RNA that encodes SMN in the Field from the Effective Date through the expiration or earlier termination of the Option (the “Option Period”) with respect to both Collaboration Programs.
|
(b) |
Ionis’ Exclusivity Covenant After the Option Period. Except in the performance of its obligations or exercise of its rights under this Agreement or the Original Agreement, and except as set forth in Section 2.1.2 and Section 2.1.3, Ionis will not work independently or for or with any of its Affiliates or any Third Party (including the grant of any license to any Third Party) with respect to:
|
(i) |
if Biogen timely exercises either Option (or both Options) in accordance with this Agreement, discovery, research or development in the Field of an ASO that is designed to bind to the RNA that encodes SMN until [***]; and
|
(ii) |
on a country-by-country basis, commercializing in the Field an ASO that is designed to bind to the RNA that encodes SMN until [***] in accordance with this Agreement, [***].
|
(c) |
Biogen’s Exclusivity Covenants After the Option Period. After the Option Period with respect to a Collaboration Program, except as set forth in Section 2.1.2 and Section 2.1.3, Biogen’s exclusivity obligations under Section 2.1.1(a) will be extended and will continue for so long as and to the extent of [***].
|
2.1.2. |
Limitations and Exceptions to Exclusivity Covenants.
|
(a) |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Ionis’ practice of the following will not violate Section 2.1.1:
|
(i) |
any activities pursuant to the Prior Agreements as in effect on the Effective Date;
|
(ii) |
the granting of, or performance of obligations under, Permitted Licenses;
|
(iii) |
to the extent provided in the Original Agreement, Ionis’ right to commercialize Spinraza® if the Original Agreement is terminated in accordance with ARTICLE 10 of the Original Agreement unless, at the time of such termination, Biogen or any of its Affiliates, Sublicensees or distributors is Developing or Commercializing a Product under this Agreement, in which case, Ionis’ right to commercialize Spinraza® under the Original Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.1.1 so long as Biogen or any of its Affiliates, Sublicensees or distributors is Developing or Commercializing a Product under this Agreement;
|
(iv) |
the discovery, research or development of an ASO designed to bind to the RNA that encodes SMN in the Field where such ASO is designed to (i) [***] to work primarily in the [***] (a “[***] ASO Product”), (ii) be delivered [***] to work primarily [***] (a “[***] ASO Product”), or (iii) use a [***] than the [***] resulting in the [***] of that [***] that encodes a [***] protein (an “[***] ASO Product”, and, each such [***] ASO Product, [***] ASO Product or [***] ASO Product, a “Specified ASO Product”); provided, however, that any such Specified ASO Product will be treated as a “New SMA Compound” under Section 2.3 and, for the avoidance of doubt, Ionis shall have no right to commercialize such Specified ASO Product under Section 2.1.2(a)(v) unless Ionis has complied with its obligations under Section 2.3;
|
(v) |
on a country-by-country basis, upon [***]; provided, however, that any such Specified ASO Product will be treated as a “New SMA Compound” under Section 2.3 and, for the avoidance of doubt, Ionis shall have no right to commercialize such Specified ASO Product under this Section 2.1.2(a)(v) unless Ionis has complied with its obligations under Section 2.3; and
|
(vi) |
the development or commercialization of a Pre-Existing Competitive Product in accordance with Section 12.5.
|
(b) |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Biogen’s practice of the following will not violate Section 2.1.1:
|
(i) |
the discovery, research or development of a Specified ASO Product; and
|
(ii) |
on a country-by-country basis, upon [***], commercialization in such country of a Specified ASO Product;
|
2.1.3. |
Permitted Preclinical Research. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.1, Ionis and Biogen each acknowledge and agree that, during the Agreement Term, each Party may, independently or for or with any of its Affiliates or with any Third Party acting solely for the benefit of such Party or its Affiliates (such as Third Party academic collaborators and subcontractors), conduct, with respect to a product containing an ASO that is designed to bind to the RNA that encodes SMN, preclinical research, including gene function, gene expression, target validation research, and investigating inhibition of a target in therapeutic models, but excluding drug discovery or clinical development activities.
|
2.2. |
Effect of Exclusivity on Indications. The Compounds are designed to bind to the RNA that encodes SMN in the Field, which is known to play a role in Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Ionis and Biogen are subject to exclusivity obligations under Section 2.1; however, the Parties acknowledge and agree that each Party and its Affiliates (on its own or with a Third Party) may continue to discover, research, develop, manufacture and commercialize products that are designed to bind to the RNA that encodes a gene that is not SMN for any indication, even if such products are designed to treat Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
|
2.3. |
New SMA Compounds. With respect to any New SMA Compound designated by Ionis’ RMC as a development candidate ready to start IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies, which determination shall be based on criteria substantially similar to the criteria Ionis’ RMC uses to designate development candidates under other similar programs, Ionis will notify Biogen of such determination and will provide Biogen with the data package presented to Ionis’ RMC to approve such development candidate (a “New SMA Compound Notice”). If, within [***] days after Biogen’s receipt of a New SMA Compound Notice, Biogen delivers written notice to Ionis of Biogen’s election to enter into an amendment to this Agreement to include such New SMA Compound within the scope of this Agreement, then upon such election the Parties will enter into an amendment to this Agreement to include such New SMA Compound within the scope of this Agreement on the terms set forth in this Agreement provided that (a) the Parties shall mutually agree on [***] New SMA Compound ([***] New SMA Compound [***] New SMA Compound [***] New SMA Compound), (b) if the scope of work to discover such New SMA Compound is materially larger than under any of the Development Candidate Identification Plans attached to this Agreement as of the Effective Date, then Biogen [***], (c) Biogen [***] New SMA Compound, and (d) (A) if the New SMA Compound [***].
|
2.4. |
Exclusivity Under Original Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or in the Original Agreement, this ARTICLE 2 supersedes and replaces ARTICLE 2 of the Original Agreement as of the Effective Date. Notwithstanding any expiration or termination of this Agreement, if the Original Agreement remains in effect at the time of such expiration or termination, the provisions of Section 2.1.1(b)(ii), Section 2.1.1(c), and the applicable provisions of Section 2.1.2 shall survive such expiration or termination on a country-by-country basis [***]in such country and the provisions of Section 2.3 shall survive such expiration or termination [***], at which time such provisions shall terminate and be of no further force or effect.
|
3.1. |
IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies Completion Date. On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, within [***] following the date the Draft Reports from the IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies for a Collaboration Program are available to Biogen (the “IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies Completion Date”), Biogen will provide to Ionis or its designated Affiliate written notice thereof together with a copy of each such Draft Report.
|
3.2. |
Option and Option Deadline. On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, Ionis hereby grants to Biogen and its Affiliates an exclusive option to obtain the license set forth in Section 4.1.1 with respect to such Collaboration Program (each, an “Option”). Each Option for a Collaboration Program will be available to Biogen and its Affiliates until 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) on the [***] (A) the [***] following the IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies Completion Date for the applicable Collaboration Program, and (B) the [***] anniversary of the date the Development Candidate was designated for such Collaboration Program under Section 1.4.2(b) (the “Option Deadline”); provided, however, if Biogen determines that an HSR Filing is required to be made under the HSR Act to exercise the Option and notifies Ionis of such determination within [***] after the IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies Completion Date, the Parties will promptly file an HSR Filing in accordance with Section 3.3 and the Option Deadline will be extended until 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) on the fifth Business Day after the HSR Clearance Date. If, by the Option Deadline, Biogen or its designated Affiliate (i) notifies Ionis in writing that it wishes to exercise the Option, and (ii) pays to Ionis the license fee set forth in Section 6.2, Ionis will, and hereby does, grant to Biogen or its designated Affiliate the license set forth in Section 4.1.1. If, by the Option Deadline, Biogen or its designated Affiliate has not both (y) provided Ionis a written notice stating that Biogen is exercising its Option, and (z) paid Ionis the license fee in accordance with Section 6.2, then Biogen’s Option for the applicable Collaboration Program will expire and (a) upon Ionis’ request, Biogen will provide to Ionis any data generated under the Collaboration Program and licensed to Ionis under Section 4.3.2, and (b) upon Biogen’s request, Ionis will provide to Biogen any data generated under the Collaboration Program and licensed to Biogen under Section 4.3.1.
|
3.3. |
HSR Compliance.
|
3.3.1. |
HSR Filing. If Biogen notifies Ionis pursuant to Section 3.2 that an HSR Filing is required to exercise an Option under this Agreement, each of Biogen and Ionis will, within five Business Days after such notice from Biogen (or such later time as may be agreed to in writing by the Parties), file with the United States Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”), any HSR Filing required with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby. The Parties will cooperate with one another to the extent necessary in the preparation of any such HSR Filing. Each Party will be responsible for its own costs and expenses (other than filing fees, which Biogen will pay) associated with any HSR Filing.
|
3.3.2. |
HSR Clearance. In furtherance of obtaining HSR Clearance for an HSR Filing filed under Section 3.3.1, Ionis and Biogen will use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to resolve as promptly as practicable any objections that may be asserted with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under any antitrust, competition or trade regulatory law. In connection with obtaining such HSR Clearance from the FTC, the DOJ or any other governmental authority, Biogen and its Affiliates will not be required to (i) sell, divest (including through a license or a reversion of licensed or assigned rights), hold separate, transfer or dispose of any assets, operations, rights, product lines, businesses or interest therein of Biogen or any of its Affiliates (or consent to any of the foregoing actions); or (ii) litigate or otherwise formally oppose any determination (whether judicial or administrative in nature) by a governmental authority seeking to impose any of the restrictions referenced in clause (i) above.
|
3.4. |
Restrictions on Ionis’ Right to Grant Diagnostic Rights; Right to Negotiate Diagnostic Rights.
|
3.4.1. |
Ionis hereby grants to Biogen and its Affiliates an option (the “Diagnostic Option”) to negotiate during the Full Royalty Period the terms of an agreement under which [***]. The Diagnostic Option will be available to Biogen and its Affiliates until the expiration of the [***].
|
3.4.2. |
During the [***], Ionis (i) has the right to [***], and (ii) will not [***].
|
3.4.3. |
If, during the [***], Ionis grants any Third Party a [***], then Ionis will promptly notify Biogen of such [***] and will offer Biogen a [***].
|
4.1. |
License Grants to Biogen.
|
4.1.1. |
Development and Commercialization License. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, on a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, effective upon Biogen’s exercise of the Option for a particular Collaboration Program in accordance with this Agreement, Ionis grants to Biogen a worldwide, exclusive, royalty-bearing, sublicensable (in accordance with Section 4.1.2 below) license under the Licensed Technology to research, Develop, Manufacture, have Manufactured (in accordance with Section 4.1.2 below), register, market and Commercialize Products under such Collaboration Program in the Field.
|
4.1.2. |
Sublicense Rights; CMO Licenses.
|
(a) |
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Biogen will have the right to grant sublicenses under the licenses granted under Section 4.1.1 above and Section 4.4.1(b) below:
|
(i) |
under the Ionis Core Technology Patents, Ionis Product-Specific Patents (to the extent not assigned under Section 4.2.1) and Ionis Know-How, to an Affiliate of Biogen or a Third Party; and
|
(ii) |
under the Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents and Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Know-How, solely to (x) [***] or (y) [***];
|
(b) |
In connection with Biogen’s selecting and engaging one or more CMOs to supply Clinical Supplies or supply API and Finished Drug Product for Development or Commercialization, Ionis will, at Biogen’s option, either (1) grant a license from Ionis [***] under the [***] to the extent necessary for [***], which Ionis agrees it will grant to [***], or (2) permit Biogen to grant a sublicense from Biogen to [***]. For the Products, each such manufacturing agreement between Biogen and a CMO will contain [***]. Biogen will provide Ionis with a true and complete copy of any manufacturing agreement entered into with a CMO within [***] days after the execution thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Ionis fails to comply with the terms of this Section 4.1.2(b) and does not cure such failure within 90 days after written notice from Biogen specifying the details of any such failure, Biogen will have the right to [***].
|
4.1.3. |
Effect of Termination on Sublicenses.
|
(a) |
If this Agreement terminates for any reason, any Sublicensee of Biogen will, from the effective date of such termination, automatically become a direct licensee of Ionis with respect to the rights sublicensed to the Sublicensee by Biogen; so long as (i) such Sublicensee is not in breach of its sublicense agreement, (ii) such Sublicensee agrees in writing to comply with all of the terms of this Agreement to the extent applicable to the rights originally sublicensed to it by Biogen, and (iii) such Sublicensee agrees to pay directly to Ionis such Sublicensee’s payments under this Agreement to the extent applicable to the rights sublicensed to it by Biogen. Biogen agrees that it will confirm clause (i) of the foregoing in writing at the request and for the benefit of Ionis and if requested, the Sublicensee.
|
(b) |
If this Agreement terminates for any reason, any Sublicensee of Biogen under Section 4.4.2 and any Sublicensee of Ionis under Section 4.6.2 will, from the effective date of such termination, automatically become a direct licensee with respect to the rights sublicensed to the Sublicensee by the applicable Party hereunder; so long as (i) such Sublicensee is not in breach of its sublicense agreement, (ii) such Sublicensee agrees in writing to comply with all of the terms of this Agreement to the extent applicable to the rights originally sublicensed to such Sublicensee, and (iii) with respect to Sublicensees of Ionis, such Sublicensee agrees to pay directly to Biogen such Sublicensee’s payments under Section 4.5.2 to the extent applicable to the rights sublicensed to it by Ionis. Each Party agrees that it will confirm clause (i) of the foregoing in writing at the request and for the benefit of the other Party and if requested, the Sublicensee.
|
4.1.4. |
No Implied Licenses. All rights in and to Licensed Technology not expressly licensed to Biogen under this Agreement are hereby retained by Ionis or its Affiliates. All rights in and to Biogen Technology not expressly licensed or assigned to Ionis under this Agreement, are hereby retained by Biogen or its Affiliates. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, no Party will be deemed by estoppel or implication to have granted the other Party any license or other right with respect to any intellectual property.
|
4.1.5. |
License Conditions; Limitations. Subject to Section 6.8, any license granted under Section 4.1.1 and the sublicense rights under Section 4.1.2 are subject to and limited by (i) any applicable Third Party Obligations, (ii) the Prior Agreements, and (iii) the Ionis In-License Agreements, in each case to the extent the provisions of such obligations or agreements have been specifically disclosed to Biogen in writing (or via electronic data room) prior to Biogen’s exercise of an Option. With respect to each Product, Ionis will promptly disclose to Biogen any Third Party Obligations Ionis believes apply to such Product during the Agreement Term, and Biogen will have the right to elect to exclude any Third Party Patent Rights and Know-How to which such Third Party Obligations apply by providing Ionis written notice prior to Option exercise. If, prior to Option exercise, Biogen provides Ionis with such a written notice to exclude certain Third Party Patent Rights and Know-How from such license, such Third Party Patent Rights and Know-How will not be included in the Licensed Technology licensed with respect to the applicable Product under this Agreement. If Biogen does not provide Ionis with such a written notice to exclude such Third Party Patent Rights and Know-How prior to Option exercise, such Third Party Patent Rights and Know-How (and any Third Party Obligations to the extent applicable to the applicable Product) will be included in the Licensed Technology licensed with respect to the applicable Product under this Agreement.
|
4.1.6. |
Trademarks for Products. Biogen or its designated Affiliate will be solely responsible for developing, selecting, searching, registering and maintaining and will be the exclusive owner of, all trademarks, trade dress, logos, slogans, designs, copyrights and domain names used on or in connection with Products.
|
4.2. |
Assignment of Ionis Product-Specific Patents; Grant Back to Ionis.
|
4.2.1. |
Assignment to Biogen. Within [***] after Biogen has paid Ionis [***] under Section 6.3 and following review and consideration by the JPC, Ionis will assign to Biogen or one or more of its designated Affiliates, Ionis’ ownership interest in (i) all Ionis Product-Specific Patents related to such Collaboration Program that are owned by Ionis (whether solely owned or jointly owned with one or more Third Parties), and (ii) any Jointly-Owned Program Patents Covering Products related to such Collaboration Program.
|
4.2.2. |
Grant Back to Ionis. Biogen grants to Ionis a worldwide, sublicensable license under any Ionis Product-Specific Patents and Jointly-Owned Program Patents assigned to Biogen under Section 4.2.1, which license shall be exclusive with respect to such Ionis Product-Specific Patents and non-exclusive with respect to such Jointly-Owned Program Patents, (i) for all [***], and (ii) to [***] to the extent permitted by this Agreement.
|
4.2.3. |
Original Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Original Agreement, with respect to Isis Product-Specific Patents and Jointly-Owned Program Patents (each as defined in the Original Agreement) assigned to Biogen under Section 4.2.1 of the Original Agreement, Biogen shall retain (i) the non-exclusive right under such Isis Product-Specific Patents and Jointly-Owned Program Patents to the extent necessary for Biogen to conduct any Biogen Activities that are Development activities with respect to any Development Candidate during the Option Period in accordance with this Agreement, (ii) effective upon Biogen’s exercise of the Option for a particular Collaboration Program in accordance with this Agreement, and without limiting the provisions of Section 6.6.1(b), the [***] and (iii) the [***] to the extent permitted by this Agreement. This Section 4.2.3 amends and supersedes Section 4.2.2 of the Original Agreement to the extent of any conflict.
|
4.3. |
Data Licenses.
|
4.3.1. |
Data License to Biogen. Ionis hereby grants Biogen a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicenseable license under any data included in the Ionis Program Know-How for (a) any use other than in connection with the development, manufacture or commercialization of an Oligonucleotide and (b) use in connection with the development, manufacture or commercialization of any Oligonucleotide that is being developed or commercialized by the Parties under any Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreement.
|
4.3.2. |
Data License to Ionis. Biogen hereby grants Ionis a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicenseable license under any data included in the Biogen Program Know-How solely for use in connection with the development, manufacture or commercialization of Oligonucleotides to the extent permitted by this Agreement and any Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreement.
|
4.4. |
Enabling Licenses.
|
4.4.1. |
Licenses During the Option Period.
|
(a) |
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Ionis hereby grants Biogen a worldwide, non-exclusive, sublicensable (but only as permitted in Section 4.4.2 below), royalty-free license under the Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Know-How and Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents solely to conduct Manufacturing and drug substance process and formulation development activities with respect to any Compound or Product under any Collaboration Program during the Option Period for such Collaboration Program; provided that the grant of rights pursuant to this Section 4.4.1(a) shall not include the right to Manufacture any Compound or Product for Commercialization.
|
(b) |
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including Biogen’s exclusivity covenants under Section 2.1.1), solely to the extent necessary for Biogen to conduct any Biogen Activities that are Development activities with respect to any Development Candidate during the Option Period in accordance with this Agreement, Ionis hereby grants Biogen a worldwide, non-exclusive, sublicensable (but only as permitted in Section 4.1.2 above), royalty-free license under the Licensed Technology. Biogen will pay Ionis [***] within [***] days after Biogen’s receipt of the applicable invoice. For clarity, the grant of rights pursuant to this Section 4.4.1(b) shall not include the right to Commercialize any such Product or to Manufacture any such Product for Commercialization.
|
4.4.2. |
Biogen’s Right to Sublicense. Biogen will have the right to grant sublicenses under the license granted under Section 4.4.1(a) above (a) in the case of a sublicense of Biogen’s right to conduct Manufacturing of Compounds or Products, other than any sublicense to conduct manufacturing in support of drug substance process and formulation development activities, solely to (i) [***] or (ii) a [***] and (b) in the case of a sublicense of Biogen’s right to conduct drug substance process and formulation development activities, including manufacturing in support thereof, to [***], provided that each such sublicense will be subject to, and consistent with, the Manufacturing Process Development Terms. If, within [***] days of first learning of any breach of such sublicense terms by any such Sublicensee, Biogen fails to take any action to enforce the sublicense terms of a sublicense granted pursuant to this Section 4.4.2, which failure would cause an adverse effect on Ionis, Biogen hereby grants Ionis the right to enforce such sublicense terms on Biogen’s behalf and will cooperate with Ionis (which cooperation will be [***], and will include Biogen joining any action before a court or administrative body filed by Ionis against such Sublicensee if and to the extent necessary to have legal standing before such court or administrative body) in connection with enforcing such terms. Biogen will provide Ionis with a true and complete copy of any sublicense granted pursuant to this Section 4.4.2 within 30 days after the execution thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 4.1.3(b) shall apply to sublicenses granted under this Section 4.4.2.
|
4.4.3. |
Enabling License to Biogen. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including Biogen’s exclusivity covenants under Section 2.1.1), Ionis hereby grants Biogen an irrevocable, worldwide, non-exclusive, sublicenseable license under any Ionis Program Technology Controlled by Ionis or its Affiliates at any time during the Agreement Term to research, develop, manufacture, have manufactured and commercialize (a) a product that is being developed or commercialized by Biogen, its Affiliates or its Sublicensee under any Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreement other than this Agreement, (b) products that do not include an Oligonucleotide as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, (c) Gene-Editing Products and (d) Duplex Products. Such license in clause (b), clause (c) and clause (d) above is royalty-free; except that if a product being sold by Biogen, its Affiliates or Sublicensees is Covered by a Target Related Ionis Program Claim, then on a country-by-country basis Biogen will pay Ionis a royalty equal to [***]% of Net Sales of any product sold by Biogen, its Affiliates or Sublicensees so long as such product is Covered by such Target Related Ionis Program Claim in such country. A “Target Related Ionis Program Claim” means a Valid Claim that (i) is within an Ionis Program Patent that is solely owned by Ionis, (ii) Covers a product being sold by Biogen, its Affiliates or Sublicensee, and (iii) claims a gene target, or a method of modulating such gene target to achieve a prophylactic or therapeutic effect/benefit.
|
4.4.4. |
Enabling License to Ionis. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including Ionis’ exclusivity covenants under Section 2.1.1), Biogen hereby grants Ionis an irrevocable, worldwide, non-exclusive, sublicenseable license under any Biogen Program Technology Controlled by Biogen or its Affiliates at any time during the Agreement Term, other than any Biogen Results licensed to Ionis under Section 4.5.1, to research, develop, manufacture, have manufactured and commercialize (a) products that include an Oligonucleotide as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (other than products that include an Oligonucleotide that is designed to bind to the RNA that encodes the same target as a product that is being developed or commercialized by Biogen, its Affiliates or Sublicensee under this Agreement or any other Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreement), (b) Gene-Editing Products and (c) Duplex Products. Such licenses are royalty-free; except that if a product being sold by Ionis, its Affiliates or Sublicensee is Covered by a Target Related Biogen Program Claim, then on a country-by-country basis Ionis will pay Biogen a royalty equal to [***]% of net sales of any product sold by Ionis, its Affiliates or Sublicensees, for so long as such product is Covered by such Target Related Biogen Program Claim in such country. For the purpose of the foregoing royalty calculation, “net sales” will be calculated in accordance with the definition of “Net Sales” as set forth in Appendix 1, applied mutatis mutandis to such calculation. The provisions of Sections 6.8.3(b) through 6.12 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to any royalty payments by Ionis to Biogen under this Section 4.4.4. A “Target Related Biogen Program Claim” means a Valid Claim that (i) is within a Biogen Program Patent that is solely owned by Biogen, (ii) Covers a product being sold by Ionis, its Affiliates or Sublicensee, and (iii) claims a gene target, or a method of modulating such gene target to achieve a prophylactic or therapeutic effect/benefit.
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4.5. |
Licenses to Ionis for Biogen Results.
|
4.5.1. |
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Biogen hereby grants Ionis an irrevocable, worldwide, non-exclusive, sublicensable license under the Biogen Results Controlled by Biogen or its Affiliate at any time during the Agreement Term, to research, develop, make, have made, import, export, use and sell (a) products that include an Oligonucleotide as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (other than products that include an Oligonucleotide that is designed to bind to the RNA that encodes the same target as a product that is being developed or commercialized by the Parties pursuant to an Option or exclusive license granted from Ionis to Biogen under the Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreements), (b) Gene-Editing Products and (c) Duplex Products.
|
4.5.2. |
The licenses granted in Section 4.5.1 shall be royalty-free with respect to any unpatented Know-How within the Biogen Results and with respect to any Biogen Manufacturing Program Patent that Ionis or its Affiliates exploits solely in connection with Ionis’ or its Affiliates’ internal programs. Such licenses will be royalty-bearing with respect to any Biogen Manufacturing Program Patent, including any Biogen Manufacturing Program Patent with respect to which Biogen files a patent application at any time after such Biogen Results arose, that Ionis sublicenses to a sublicensee (other than Third Party sublicensees acting on Ionis’ or its Affiliates’ behalf in connection with Ionis’ or its Affiliates’ internal programs) as follows: on a country-by-country, product-by-product and Biogen Manufacturing Program Patent-by-Biogen Manufacturing Program Patent basis, Ionis will pay Biogen a royalty on net sales of each such product equal to (a) [***]% if the product sold by or on behalf of Ionis’ Third Party sublicensees is Covered by one Biogen Manufacturing Program Patent, for so long as such product is Covered by such Biogen Manufacturing Program Patent in such country; (b) [***]% if the product sold by or on behalf of Ionis’ Third Party sublicensees is Covered by two Biogen Manufacturing Program Patents, for so long as such product is Covered by such Biogen Manufacturing Program Patents in such country; (c) [***]% if the product sold by or on behalf of Ionis’ Third Party sublicensees is Covered by three Biogen Manufacturing Program Patents, for so long as such product is Covered by such Biogen Manufacturing Program Patents in such country; and (d) [***]% if the product sold by or on behalf of Ionis’ Third Party sublicensees is Covered by four or more Biogen Manufacturing Program Patents, for so long as such product is Covered by such Biogen Manufacturing Program Patents in such country. The foregoing royalties shall not be cumulative, and in no event shall the royalty payable by Ionis under this Section 4.5.2 exceed [***]% of net sales of any such product. If one or more Biogen Manufacturing Program Patents expires, is invalidated or otherwise ceases to Cover a product bearing royalties as set forth above, the applicable royalty rate under this Section 4.5.2 shall be recalculated to reflect the number of Biogen Manufacturing Program Patents then-Covering such product. For the purpose of the foregoing royalty calculation, “net sales” will be calculated as follows: (i) in the case where the applicable sublicense agreement contains a definition of net sales that is customarily used in pharmaceutical industry technology licensing or collaboration contracts and was negotiated in good faith at arms-length, the definition of net sales under such sublicense agreement will be used in calculating the royalty payment to Biogen under this letter agreement, or (ii) in the case where (i) does not apply, the definition of “Net Sales” as set forth in Appendix 1 of this Agreement will be used mutatis mutandis. If Ionis grants a sublicense under this Section 4.5 to an entity that is an Ionis Affiliate at the time Ionis grants such sublicense, such applicable sublicense will [***], except that any sublicense Ionis grants to [***] under this Section 4.5.2 will [***]. The provisions of Sections 6.8.3(b) through 6.12 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to any royalty payments by Ionis to Biogen under this Section 4.5.2.
|
4.6. |
Right to Obtain Direct License from Biogen to Ionis Partner; Sublicensees of Ionis.
|
4.6.1. |
If requested by Ionis, Biogen shall grant a direct, royalty-bearing license under the Biogen Results to a bona fide Third Party licensee or Affiliate of Ionis designated by Ionis on the same terms as set forth in Section 4.5 with respect to sublicenses of Ionis. Biogen shall endeavor in good faith to grant such license within thirty (30) days of any such request by Ionis.
|
4.6.2. |
Ionis will have the right to grant sublicenses under the licenses granted under Section 4.5, provided that each such sublicense will be subject to, and consistent with, the terms and conditions of this Agreement. If, within [***] of first learning of any breach of such sublicense terms, Ionis fails to take any action to enforce the sublicense terms of a sublicense granted pursuant to this Section 4.6.2, which failure would cause an adverse effect on Biogen, Ionis hereby grants Biogen the right to enforce such sublicense terms on Ionis’ behalf and will cooperate with Biogen (which cooperation will [***], and will include Ionis joining any action before a court or administrative body filed by Biogen against such Sublicensee if and to the extent necessary for Biogen to have legal standing before such court or administrative body) in connection with enforcing such terms. Ionis will provide Biogen with a true and complete copy of any sublicense granted pursuant to this Section 4.6.2 within 30 days after the execution thereof.
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4.7. |
Ownership of and Assistance with Regulatory Filings.
|
4.7.1. |
In General. After exercising the Option for a particular Collaboration Program, Biogen will have sole ownership of all INDs, NDAs, MAAs, orphan drug designations and other regulatory filings and documentation with respect to the Products under such Collaboration Program. If Biogen requests, Ionis will assist Biogen in preparing regulatory filings for the Products, under terms negotiated in good faith between Ionis and Biogen, including payment for Ionis’ time at Ionis’ then applicable FTE Rate plus any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Ionis in providing such assistance, utilizing the payment mechanism set forth in Section 1.8.
|
4.7.2. |
Priority Review Vouchers. After exercising the Option for a particular Collaboration Program, if Biogen receives a Priority Review Voucher from the FDA for the applicable Development Candidate or Product, the following provisions will apply:
|
(a) |
Biogen will be the sole and exclusive owner of such Priority Review Voucher;
|
(b) |
if Biogen [***] or [***] such Priority Review Voucher [***], then [***] such Priority Review Voucher will [***] for the applicable [***] in the [***] which [***] is [***], subject to all applicable [***]; and
|
(c) |
Biogen will determine, in its sole discretion, whether to [***] the Priority Review Voucher [***] or [***] the Priority Review Voucher [***]. If Biogen determines to [***] the Priority Review Voucher [***], then Biogen will consider in good faith [***], to the [***] the Priority Review Voucher [***] or any of the [***].
|
4.8. |
Subcontracting.
|
4.8.1. |
Subject to the terms of this Section 4.8, each Party will have the right to engage Third Party subcontractors to perform certain of its obligations under this Agreement. Any subcontractor to be engaged by a Party to perform a Party’s obligations set forth in the Agreement will meet the qualifications typically required by such Party for the performance of work similar in scope and complexity to the subcontracted activity and will enter into such Party’s standard nondisclosure agreement consistent with such Party’s standard practices. Any Party engaging a subcontractor hereunder will remain responsible and obligated for such activities and will not grant rights to such subcontractor that interfere with the rights of the other Party under this Agreement. Each Party will be responsible for any income or non-income taxes that arise as a result of such Party’s use of any Third Party subcontractors hereunder, including payroll, income, withholding, sales and use, VAT, customs, duties excise or property taxes, and such taxes will not be reimbursable expenditures.
|
4.8.2. |
Ionis agrees that, where Biogen wishes to (sub)contract with a Third Party with respect to any of the rights granted under Section 4.4.1(a), Ionis shall, within [***] of any request by Biogen, provide Biogen with a letter of authorization as necessary for Biogen to be able to contract with such Third Party in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Biogen will ensure that any Third Party (sub)contractors Biogen uses to conduct the process development or manufacturing activities contemplated by Section 4.4.1(a) will be obligated to assign to Biogen all right, title and interest in and to any inventions developed by such (sub)contractors in the performance of such activities. Biogen will not enter into any new agreement or other obligation with any Third Party, or amend an existing agreement with a Third Party, in each case that restricts, limits, diminishes or encumbers the rights granted to Ionis under the Manufacturing Process Development Terms. In addition, after the Effective Date, Biogen will use reasonable efforts to include, in any agreement with a (sub)contractor that has substantial material obligations related to the Development, Manufacture or Commercialization of a Product, provisions requiring that, in the event the applicable Option is terminated, expires unexercised or this Agreement is terminated, such (sub)contractor would enter into an agreement with Ionis with respect to such Product that is substantially similar to such (sub)contractor’s agreement with Biogen and would reasonably cooperate with Ionis to facilitate the transition of such Product to Ionis following such termination or Option expiration, including the transfer to Ionis of data and information in such (sub)contractor’s possession related to the Product.
|
4.9. |
Technology Transfer.
|
4.9.1. |
Technology Transfer to Biogen during the Option Period. Within [***] after the Effective Date, Ionis will deliver to Biogen or one or more designated Affiliates, solely for use by Biogen, its Affiliates or a Third Party acting on Biogen’s behalf to conduct any Biogen Activities that are Development activities and any Manufacturing activities permitted under Section 4.4.1(a) in accordance with this Agreement, all Ionis Know-How and Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Know-How in Ionis’ Control that is necessary to conduct such Biogen Activities. If requested by Biogen, Ionis will provide Biogen with a reasonable level of assistance in connection with such transfer, which Biogen will reimburse Ionis for its time incurred in providing such assistance at the then-applicable FTE Rate, plus any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Ionis in providing such assistance, using the payment mechanism set forth in Section 1.8.
|
4.9.2. |
Technology Transfer to Biogen after Option Exercise. On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, Ionis will promptly, but no later than [***] after Biogen exercises its Option for such Collaboration Program hereunder, deliver to Biogen or one or more designated Affiliates:
|
(a) |
Ionis Know-How. All Ionis Know-How in Ionis’ possession that has not previously been provided hereunder, for use solely in accordance with the licenses granted under Section 4.1.1 and Section 10.4.2, and Ionis will and does hereby assign to Biogen all of Ionis’ right, title and interest in and to all Regulatory Materials (including drafts) that relate to the applicable Development Candidate; provided that, (x) notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to the provisions of Section 2.1, the Parties acknowledge that Ionis shall be permitted to use excerpts or portions of any such assigned Regulatory Materials in any other regulatory submissions, notifications, registrations, approvals and/or other filings and correspondence made to or with a Regulatory Authority in any country or jurisdiction related to products other than the Development Candidate, provided, further that such excerpts or portions shall not include (i) any non-public data or information, in each case, related solely to the applicable Development Candidate, or (ii) any Confidential Information of Biogen, and (y) for clarity, such assignment of Ionis’ right, title and interest in and to such Regulatory Materials shall not include the assignment of any Know-How (including any data) contained therein. If Ionis intends to use any excerpt or portion of any such assigned Regulatory Materials in accordance with clause (x) of the preceding sentence that are not in the public domain and do not relate to Ionis’ antisense oligonucleotide platform, Ionis shall, at least 30 days in advance of the anticipated submission of such excerpt or portion to a Regulatory Authority, notify Biogen of such intent and provide to Biogen a copy of such proposed excerpt or portion for review and comment. The Parties shall discuss in good faith any comments of Biogen with respect to such proposed excerpt or portion prior to submission thereof. To assist with the transfer and assignment of such Ionis Know-How, Ionis will make its personnel reasonably available to Biogen during normal business hours for up to [***] ([***]) of Ionis’ time for each Collaboration Program to transfer such Ionis Know-How under this Section 4.9.2(a). Thereafter, if requested by Biogen, Ionis will provide Biogen with a reasonable level of assistance in connection with such transfer, which Biogen will reimburse Ionis for its time incurred in providing such assistance at the then-applicable FTE Rate, plus any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Ionis in providing such assistance, using the payment mechanism set forth in Section 1.8.
|
(b) |
Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Know-How. Solely for use by Biogen, its Affiliates or a Third Party acting on Biogen’s behalf to Manufacture API in Biogen’s own or an Affiliate’s manufacturing facility, all Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Know-How in Ionis’ Control relating to Products, which is necessary for the exercise by Biogen, its Affiliates or a Third Party of the Manufacturing rights granted under Sections 4.1.1. Upon Biogen’s request, subject to Section 4.1.2, Ionis will provide up to [***] for [***] ([***]) of its time for each Collaboration Program to transfer such Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Know-How under this Section 4.9.2(b) to any Third Party Manufacturing API or Finished Drug Product on Biogen’s behalf solely to Manufacture API or Finished Drug Product in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Thereafter, if requested by Biogen, Ionis will provide Biogen with a reasonable level of assistance in connection with such transfer, which Biogen will reimburse Ionis for its time incurred in providing such assistance at the then-applicable FTE Rate, plus any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Ionis in providing such assistance, using the payment mechanism set forth in Section 1.8.
|
(c) |
API and Product. Upon Biogen’s written request, Ionis will sell to Biogen any bulk API, Clinical Supplies and Finished Drug Product, and any intermediates, impurity markers and reference standards relating to a Product in Ionis’ possession at the time of the applicable Option exercise, at a price equal to [***].
|
4.9.3. |
Results.
|
(a) |
Each Party shall share with the other Party on an Annual basis (preferably at in-person meetings) the results of such Party’s manufacturing process development activities, including all data, the identity and location of vendors, information and results received from vendors, and planned additional work, (a) in the case of Biogen, to the extent arising under the Manufacturing Process Development Terms (all Know-How and Patent Rights within the foregoing, the “Biogen Results”) and (b) in the case of Ionis, to the extent arising under or otherwise subject to a disclosure obligation of Ionis under this Agreement, (all Know-How and Patent Rights within the foregoing, the “Ionis Results” and, collectively with the Biogen Results, the “Results”). All intellectual property matters with respect to the Results, including any Patent Rights therein, will be governed by the intellectual property provisions of this Agreement, and the Know-How and Patent Rights included in the Ionis Results shall constitute Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Know-How and Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents, respectively, under this Agreement. If requested by either Party, Biogen and Ionis will establish a manufacturing committee to facilitate the exchange of Results between the Parties. For clarity, Biogen shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to determine whether to seek patent protection for any Biogen Results that are not jointly owned with Ionis, and Biogen shall control and be responsible for all aspects of the Prosecution and Maintenance of any Patent Right within such Biogen Results (each, a “Biogen Manufacturing Program Patent”) in accordance with Section 7.2.2(c) of this Agreement. Biogen shall notify Ionis within 30 days if Biogen files a patent application Controlled by Biogen or its Affiliates that claims any Biogen Results and shall provide Ionis with a copy of such patent application. Ionis will have no obligation to incorporate any Biogen Results into Ionis’ manufacturing processes.
|
(b) |
For clarity, the Manufacturing Process Development Terms, and not the enabling licenses set forth in Section 4.4.3 and Section 4.4.4, shall govern with respect to all Results.
|
5.1. |
Biogen Diligence. Following Option exercise for a Collaboration Program, Biogen will be solely responsible for all Development, Manufacturing and Commercialization activities, and for all costs and expenses associated therewith, with respect to the Development, Manufacture and Commercialization of Products under such Collaboration Program. If Biogen exercises one or more Options under this Agreement, Biogen will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to Develop, Manufacture and Commercialize at least one Product under this Agreement.
|
5.1.1. |
Integrated Development Plan for Products. On a Product-by-Product basis, Biogen will prepare a Development and global integrated Product plan outlining key aspects of the Development of each Product through Approval as well as key aspects of worldwide regulatory strategy, market launch, and Commercialization, including Product sales forecasts (each, an “Integrated Development Plan” or “IDP”). Biogen will prepare the IDP for each Product no later than [***] after Option exercise for the Collaboration Program to which such Product relates. The IDP will include [***]. Schedule 5.1.1 sets forth examples of the types of information Biogen expects will be available to include in the IDP at different stages of development and commercialization. Once Biogen has prepared such plans, Biogen will update the IDP consistent with Biogen’s standard practice and provide such updates to Ionis [***] ([***]) [***]. Biogen and Ionis will meet [***] to discuss the draft of the IDP and Biogen will consider, in good faith, any proposals and comments made by Ionis for incorporation in the final IDP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Biogen’s obligations to provide Ionis with information or reports with respect to a Product under this Section 5.1.1 will terminate if [***].
|
5.1.2. |
Investigator’s Brochure. Following Option exercise for a Collaboration Program, Biogen will keep Ionis reasonably informed with respect to the status, activities and progress of Development of Products under such Collaboration Program by providing a copy of the Investigator’s Brochure and any updates thereto to Ionis. Biogen’s obligations under this Section 5.1.2 will terminate if [***].
|
5.2. |
Regulatory Matters. Consistent with Section 4.7 and Section 4.9.2, if Biogen exercises an Option with respect to a Collaboration Program, Biogen shall have ownership of all INDs, NDAs, MAAs, Priority Review Vouchers, orphan drug designations and other regulatory filings and documentation with respect to Products under such Collaboration Program, and will be responsible for all communications with Regulatory Authorities regarding such Products. Subject to Section 5.2.2 and Section 5.2.3, Biogen will have sole decision-making authority with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 5.2.
|
5.2.1. |
Participation in Regulatory Meetings. On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, following Option exercise for a particular Collaboration Program, Biogen will provide Ionis with as much advance written notice as practicable of any meetings that Biogen has or plans to have with a Regulatory Authority regarding pre-approval or Approval matters for such Product or that directly relate to Ionis’ antisense oligonucleotide chemistry platform, and will allow [***] of Ionis to participate in any such meetings at the direction of Biogen; provided, however, that Biogen may exclude Ionis from any portion of such meeting that does not pertain to such Product or to Ionis’ antisense oligonucleotide chemistry platform.
|
5.2.2. |
Regulatory Communications. On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, following Option exercise for a particular Collaboration Program, Biogen will promptly provide Ionis with copies of documents and communications submitted to (including drafts thereof) and received from Regulatory Authorities [***] that materially impact the Development or Commercialization of such Product for Ionis’ review and comment, and Biogen will consider in good faith including any comments provided by Ionis to such documents and communications. During such period, Biogen will promptly notify Ionis upon receipt of any such documents or communications from any Regulatory Authority [***].
|
5.2.3. |
Class Generic Claims. To the extent Biogen intends to make any claims in a Product label or regulatory filing that are class generic to ASOs, Biogen will provide such claims and regulatory filings to Ionis in advance and will consider in good faith any proposals and comments made by Ionis, provided, however, that Biogen is not obligated to incorporate such proposals and comments in any such claims and regulatory filings.
|
5.2.4. |
Applicable Laws. Biogen will perform its activities pursuant to this Agreement in compliance with good laboratory and clinical practices and cGMP, in each case as applicable under the laws and regulations of the country and the state and local government wherein such activities are conducted.
|
5.3. |
Pharmacovigilance Agreement; Global Safety Database.
|
5.3.1. |
Pharmacovigilance Agreement. No later than [***] prior to the date on which Biogen reasonably anticipates that it will exercise an Option, the Parties shall enter into a written pharmacovigilance agreement governing each Party’s respective obligations with respect to safety-related matters, including matters relating to the collection, review, assessment, tracking, exchange and filing of information related to adverse events associated with such Product, on terms substantially the same as the terms of the safety data exchange agreements entered into by the Parties with respect to the ALS Collaboration Programs and Biogen Conducted Non-ALS Collaboration Programs (each as defined in the Amended and Restated Strategic Neurology Drug Discovery and Development Collaboration, Option and License Agreement between the Parties dated October 20, 2017).
|
5.3.2. |
Ionis’ Antisense Safety Database.
|
(a) |
Ionis maintains an internal database that includes information regarding the tolerability of its drug compounds, individually and as a class, including information discovered during preclinical and clinical development (the “Ionis Internal ASO Safety Database”). In an effort to maximize understanding of the safety profile and pharmacokinetics of Ionis compounds, Biogen will cooperate in connection with populating the Ionis Internal ASO Safety Database. To the extent collected by Biogen and in the form in which Biogen uses/stores such information for its own purposes, Biogen will provide Ionis with information concerning toxicology, pharmacokinetics, safety pharmacology study(ies), serious adverse events and other safety information related to Products as soon as practicable following the date such information is available to Biogen (but not later than [***] after Biogen’s receipt of such information). In connection with any reported serious adverse event, Biogen will provide Ionis all serious adverse event reports, including initial, interim, follow-up, amended, and final reports. In addition, with respect to Products, Biogen will provide Ionis with copies of Annual safety updates filed with each IND and the safety sections of any final Clinical Study reports within [***] following the date such information is filed or is available to Biogen, as applicable. Furthermore, Biogen will promptly provide Ionis with any supporting data and answer any follow-up questions reasonably requested by Ionis. All such information disclosed by Biogen to Ionis will be Biogen Confidential Information; provided, however, that Ionis may disclose any such Biogen Confidential Information to (i) Ionis’ other partners pursuant to Section 5.3.2(b) below if such information is regarding class generic properties of ASOs, or (ii) any Third Party, in each case, so long as Ionis does not disclose the identity of a Product or Biogen. Biogen will deliver all such information to Ionis for the Ionis Internal ASO Safety Database to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, California 92010, Attention: Chief Medical Officer (or to such other address/contact designated in writing by Ionis). Biogen will also cause its Affiliates and Sublicensees to comply with this Section 5.3.2(a).
|
(b) |
From time to time, Ionis utilizes the information in the Ionis Internal ASO Safety Database to conduct analyses to keep Ionis and its partners informed regarding class generic properties of ASOs, including with respect to safety. As such, if and when Ionis identifies safety or other related issues that may be relevant to a Product (including any potential class-related toxicity), Ionis will promptly (and in no event later than five Business Days following identification by Ionis) inform Biogen of such issues and, if requested, provide the data supporting Ionis’ conclusions.
|
5.4. |
Research and Manufacturing Records. Each Party shall maintain, consistent with its then-current internal policies and practices, and cause its employees and subcontractors to maintain, consistent with its internal policies and Applicable Law, for at least ten (10) years, records and laboratory notebooks, inventory, purchase and invoice records and Manufacturing records, in each case, with respect to the Products in sufficient detail and in a good scientific manner appropriate for (i) inclusion in filings with Regulatory Authorities for such Products, and (ii) obtaining and maintaining intellectual property rights and protections, including Patent Rights for such Products. Such records and laboratory notebooks shall be complete and accurate in all material respects and shall fully and properly reflect all work done, data and developments made, and results achieved. Each Party shall allow the other Party, to the extent necessary for such regulatory or intellectual property protection purposes, to inspect or copy such records, subject to redaction by such Party.
|
6.1. |
Up-Front Fee. Within [***] Business Days following the Effective Date, Biogen will pay Ionis an up-front fee of $25,000,000.
|
6.2. |
License Fee. On an Option-by-Option basis, together with Biogen’s written notice to Ionis stating that Biogen is exercising such Option in accordance with this Agreement, Biogen will pay to Ionis a license fee of (A) $[***] if such Option is for the [***] Collaboration Program, or (B) $[***] if such Option is for the [***] Collaboration Program.
|
6.3. |
Development Milestone Payments. On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, Biogen will pay to Ionis the milestone payments as set forth in Table 1 below when a milestone event (each, a “Development Milestone Event”) listed in Table 1 is first achieved by a Development Candidate under such Collaboration Program:
|
Table 1
|
|||
Development Milestone
Event
|
Development Milestone
Event Payment for [***]
Collaboration Program
|
Development Milestone
Event Payment for [***]
Collaboration Program
|
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
$[***]
|
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
$[***]
|
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
$[***]
|
|
[***]
|
$[***]
|
$[***]
|
6.4. |
Sales Milestone Payments. On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, Biogen will pay to Ionis the milestone payments as set forth in Table 2 below when a milestone event (each, a “Sales Milestone Event”, and together with the Development Milestone Events, the “Milestone Events”) listed in Table 2 is first achieved by a Product under such Collaboration Program:
|
Table 2
|
||
Sales Milestone Event
|
Sales Milestone Event Payment
|
|
Annual Worldwide Net Sales of a Product > $[***]
|
$[***]
|
|
Annual Worldwide Net Sales of a Product > $[***]
|
$[***]
|
|
Annual Worldwide Net Sales of a Product > $[***]
|
$[***]
|
|
Annual Worldwide Net Sales of a Product > $[***]
|
$[***]
|
6.5. |
Limitations on Milestone Payments; Exceptions; Notice.
|
6.5.1. |
On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, each milestone payment set forth in Table 1 and Table 2 above will be paid only once upon the first achievement of the Milestone Event by a Development Candidate under such Collaboration Program, regardless of how many Development Candidates related to such Collaboration Program achieve such Milestone Event.
|
6.5.2. |
If the [***] Milestone Event is not achieved because Development activities transpired such that achievement of such Milestone Event was unnecessary or did not otherwise occur, then upon achievement of the [***] Milestone Event, the Milestone Event payment applicable to the [***] Milestone Event will also be due. Similarly, if the “Annual Worldwide Net Sales of a Product > $[***]” Sales Milestone Event is achieved in a particular Calendar Year and the “Annual Worldwide Net Sales of a Product > $[***]” Sales Milestone Event is also achieved in such Calendar Year, then both the “Annual Worldwide Net Sales of a Product > $[***]” and the “Annual Worldwide Net Sales of a Product > $[***]” Sales Milestone Event payments are due.
|
6.5.3. |
Each time a Milestone Event is achieved under this ARTICLE 6, Biogen will send Ionis a written notice thereof promptly (but no later than five Business Days) following the date of achievement of such Milestone Event and such payment will be due within [***] of the date such notice was delivered.
|
6.6. |
Royalty Payments to Ionis.
|
6.6.1. |
Biogen Full Royalty. As partial consideration for the rights granted to Biogen hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Section 6.6.1 and Section 6.6.2, Biogen will pay to Ionis royalties on a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis on Annual worldwide Net Sales of Products included in the applicable Collaboration Program sold by Biogen, its Affiliates or Sublicensees, on a country-by-country basis, in each case in the amounts as follows in Table 3 below (the “Biogen Full Royalty”):
|
Table 3
|
||||
Royalty
Tier
|
Annual Worldwide Net Sales of
Products for the applicable
Collaboration Program
|
Royalty
Rate for [***]
Collaboration
Program
|
Royalty
Rate for [***]
Collaboration
Program
|
|
1
|
For the portion of Annual Worldwide Net Sales < $[***]
|
[***]%
|
[***]%
|
|
2
|
For the portion of Annual Worldwide Net Sales > $[***] but < $[***]
|
[***]%
|
[***]%
|
|
3
|
For the portion of Annual Worldwide Net Sales > $[***] but < $[***]
|
[***]%
|
[***]%
|
|
4
|
For the portion of Annual Worldwide Net Sales > $[***] but < $[***]
|
[***]%
|
[***]%
|
|
5
|
For the portion of Annual Worldwide Net Sales > $[***] but < $[***]
|
[***]%
|
[***]%
|
|
6
|
For the portion of Annual Worldwide Net Sales > $[***] but < $[***]
|
[***]%
|
[***]%
|
|
7
|
For the portion of Annual Worldwide Net Sales > $[***]
|
[***]%
|
[***]%
|
(a) |
Biogen will pay Ionis royalties on Net Sales of Products [***] under Applicable Laws, and Biogen will provide reports and payments to Ionis consistent with Section 6.9. No royalties are due on Net Sales of Products arising from compassionate use and other programs providing for the delivery of Product at no cost. The sales of Products arising from named patient, compassionate use, or other similar programs will not be considered a First Commercial Sale for purposes of calculating the Full Royalty Period.
|
(b) |
For purposes of clarification, any Ionis Product-Specific Patents assigned to Biogen (i) under the Original Agreement that would, but for such assignment, Cover the applicable Product, or (ii) as set forth in Section 4.2.1, will still be considered Ionis Product-Specific Patents for determining the royalty term and applicable royalty rates under this ARTICLE 6.
|
6.6.2. |
Application of Royalty Rates. All royalties set forth under Section 6.6.1 are subject to the provisions of this Section 6.6.2, and are payable as follows:
|
(a) |
Full Royalty Period. Biogen’s obligation to pay Ionis the Biogen Full Royalty above with respect to a Product will continue on a country-by-country and Product-by-Product basis from the date of First Commercial Sale of such Product until the later of the date of expiration of (i) the last Valid Claim within the Licensed Patents Covering such Product in the country in which such Product is made, used or sold, [***], or (iii) the [***] anniversary of the First Commercial Sale of such Product in such country (such royalty period, the “Full Royalty Period”).
|
(b) |
Competition from Generic Products. Subject to Section 6.6.2(d), on a country-by-country and Product-by-Product basis, if, within the [***] a Generic Product is sold in a country, then the Biogen Full Royalty rate used to pay Ionis royalties on a Product in such country will be reduced to [***]% of the otherwise applicable Biogen Full Royalty rate. For the purpose of determining the [***] for a particular Product under this Section 6.6.2(b), if requested by Biogen, Ionis and Biogen will meet and confer and mutually agree upon the Parties’ best estimate of when the Full Royalty Period [***] in each country where Products are being sold.
|
(c) |
Reduced Royalty Period. Subject to Section 6.6.2(d), on a country-by-country and Product-by-Product basis, after the expiration of the Full Royalty Period and until the end of the Reduced Royalty Period, in lieu of the royalty rates set forth in Table 3 of Section 6.6.1, Biogen will pay Ionis royalty rates (the “Biogen Reduced Royalty”) on Net Sales of Products calculated on a Calendar Year-by-Calendar Year basis by [***]; provided, however, that the Biogen Reduced Royalty rate in each country will in no event exceed the [***].
|
(d) |
Limitation on Aggregate Reductions and Offsets for Biogen Royalties.
|
(i) |
Aggregate Royalty Reductions. In no event will the aggregate royalty reductions under Section 6.6.2(b) and Section 6.6.2(c) reduce the royalties payable to Ionis on Net Sales of a Product in any given period to an amount that is less than the [***] for such Product.
|
(ii) |
Aggregate Royalty Offsets During Full Royalty Period. During the Full Royalty Period, in no event will the aggregate royalty offsets under Section 6.8.2(b) and Section 6.8.3 reduce the royalties payable to Ionis on Net Sales of a Product in any given period to an amount that is less than the greater of (i) [***], and (ii) [***], provided that Biogen shall have the right to carry forward as offsets against future royalties payable to Ionis with respect to the applicable Product, any amounts that but for this Section 6.6.2(d)(ii), Biogen would have been entitled to deduct from any royalty payments to Ionis.
|
(iii) |
Aggregate Royalty Offsets During Reduced Royalty Period. During the Reduced Royalty Period, in no event will the aggregate royalty offsets under Section 6.8.2(b) and Section 6.8.3 reduce the royalties payable to Ionis on Net Sales of a Product in any given period to an amount that is less than the greater of (i) [***], and (ii) [***], provided that Biogen shall have the right to carry forward as offsets against future royalties payable to Ionis with respect to the applicable Product, any amounts that but for this Section 6.6.2(d)(iii), Biogen would have been entitled to deduct from any royalty payments to Ionis.
|
(e) |
End of Royalty Obligation for Products. On a country-by-country and Product-by-Product basis, other than [***], Biogen’s obligation to make royalty payments hereunder for such Product in such country will end on the expiration of the Reduced Royalty Period for such Product in such country. “Reduced Royalty Period” means, on a country-by-country and Product-by-Product basis, the period commencing upon the expiration of [***] in such country and ending when the [***].
|
(f) |
Royalty Examples. Schedule 6.6.2(f) attached hereto contains examples of how royalties will be calculated under this Section 6.6.
|
(g) |
Allocation of Net Sales. If, by reason of one or more royalty rate adjustments under this Section 6.6.2, different royalty rates apply to Net Sales of a Product from different countries, Biogen will [***] such Net Sales [***]. Schedule 6.6.2(g) attached hereto contains examples of how Net Sales of such Product from different countries at different royalty rates will be [***].
|
6.7. |
Reverse Royalty Payments to Biogen for a Discontinued Product.
|
6.7.1. |
Reverse Royalty for a Discontinued Product. If Ionis or any of its Affiliates or Sublicensees Commercializes a Discontinued Product for which Biogen has paid Ionis a license fee under Section 6.2, then, following the First Commercial Sale of such Discontinued Product by Ionis or its Affiliates or Sublicensees, Ionis will pay Biogen or its designated Affiliate a royalty of [***]% of Annual worldwide Net Sales of such Discontinued Product (“Reverse Royalties”). Ionis’ obligation to pay Biogen Reverse Royalties will [***].
|
6.7.2. |
Applicable Royalty Provisions. In addition to this Section 6.7, the definition of Net Sales in Appendix 1 and the other provisions contained in this ARTICLE 6 governing payment of royalties from Biogen to Ionis will govern the payment of Reverse Royalties from Ionis to Biogen under this Section 6.7, mutatis mutandis, including the provisions of Sections 6.6.2, 6.8, 6.9, 6.10, 6.11, and 6.12.
|
6.8. |
Third Party Payment Obligations.
|
6.8.1. |
Existing Ionis In-License Agreements.
|
(a) |
Certain of the Licensed Technology Controlled by Ionis as of the Effective Date licensed to Biogen under Section 4.1.1 is in-licensed or acquired by Ionis under the agreements with Third Party licensors or sellers listed on Schedule 6.8.1 or in a separate written agreement between the Parties (all such license or purchase agreements being the “Ionis In-License Agreements”), and certain milestone or royalty payments and license maintenance fees may become payable by Ionis to such Third Parties under the Ionis In-License Agreements based on the Development and Commercialization of a Product by Biogen under this Agreement.
|
(b) |
Any payment obligations arising under the Ionis In-License Agreements as existing on the Effective Date, as they apply to Products, will be paid by [***] as [***].
|
6.8.2. |
New Third Party Agreements Prior to Development Candidate Designation.
|
(a) |
If, prior to the designation of a Development Candidate under Section 1.4.2(b) with respect to a Collaboration Program, either Party becomes aware of Third Party Patent Rights or Know-How that are necessary to Develop, Manufacture or Commercialize a Product under such Collaboration Program, Ionis will seek to obtain a sublicensable license under such Third Party Patent Rights or Know-How. If Ionis obtains such a license, such Third Party Patent Rights or Know-How shall automatically be deemed “Licensed Technology” under this Agreement, and any payment obligations arising under such license, as they apply to Products, will be paid by [***] as [***]. If any such Third Party Patent Right would have been considered an Ionis Product-Specific Patent had Ionis Controlled such Patent Right on the Effective Date, then Biogen shall have the right to review and comment on the terms of any license with respect to such Third Party Patent Right prior to execution thereof, and Ionis shall only enter into such license in the final form approved by Biogen (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned).
|
(b) |
If Ionis fails to obtain such a license under such Third Party Patent Rights or Know-How, then Ionis will so notify Biogen, and Biogen may seek to obtain such a Third Party license. If Biogen obtains such a Third Party license, then, subject to Section 6.6.2(d), Biogen may offset an amount equal to [***]% of [***] against [***] (including pursuant to Biogen’s right to carry any excess amounts forward to subsequent Calendar Quarters as set forth in Section 6.6.2(d)).
|
6.8.3. |
New Third Party Agreements Following Development Candidate Designation.
|
(a) |
Additional Ionis IP.
|
(i) |
If, following the designation of a Development Candidate under Section 1.4.2(b) with respect to a Collaboration Program, either Party becomes aware of any Additional Core IP or any Patent Right or Know-How that would have been considered an Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patent or Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Know-How had Ionis Controlled such Patent Right or Know-How on the Effective Date (such Patent Rights and Know-How, “Additional Manufacturing IP” and, collectively with the Additional Core IP, the “Additional Ionis IP”), Ionis will have the first right, but not the obligation, to negotiate with and obtain a license from the Third Party Controlling such Additional Ionis IP. If Ionis obtains such a Third Party license, Ionis will include such Additional Ionis IP in the license granted to Biogen under Section 4.1.1, and any financial obligations under such Third Party agreement will be paid solely by [***] as [***].
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(ii) |
If, however, Ionis elects not to obtain such a license to such Additional Ionis IP, Ionis will so notify Biogen, and Biogen may obtain such a Third Party license. If Biogen obtains such a Third Party license, then, subject to Section 6.6.2(d), Biogen may offset an amount equal to [***]% of [***] against [***] of this Agreement [***] (including pursuant to Biogen’s right to carry any excess amounts forward to subsequent Calendar Quarters as set forth in Section 6.6.2(d)).
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(iii) |
If it is unclear whether certain Third Party Patent Rights or Know-How constitute Additional Ionis IP, Ionis will send written notice to such effect to Biogen, and the Parties will engage a mutually agreed upon independent Third Party intellectual property lawyer with expertise in the patenting of ASOs, and appropriate professional credentials in the relevant jurisdiction, to determine the question of whether or not such Third Party intellectual property is Additional Ionis IP. The determination of the Third Party expert engaged under the preceding sentence will be binding on the Parties solely for purposes of determining whether Biogen is permitted to [***]. The costs of any Third Party expert engaged under this Section 6.8.3(a)(iii) will be paid by the Party against whose position the Third Party lawyer’s determination is made.
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(iv) |
If a Third Party Controlling Additional Ionis IP is awarded a judgment from a court of competent jurisdiction arising from its claim against Biogen asserting that [***], Biogen will be permitted to (i) [***], and (ii) [***] (in each case ((A) and (B)), subject to Biogen’s right to carry any excess amounts forward to subsequent Calendar Quarters as set forth in Section 6.6.2(d)).
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(b) |
Other Intellectual Property. If following the designation of a Development Candidate under Section 1.4.2(b) with respect to a Collaboration Program, either Party becomes aware of Third Party Patent Rights or Know-How that would be [***] Develop, Manufacture or Commercialize a Product under such Collaboration Program and that do not constitute Additional Ionis IP [***], then such Party will promptly provide the other Party with written notice of any such Third Party Patent Rights or Know-How, and Biogen will have the sole right, but not the obligation, to negotiate with and obtain a license from the Third Party Controlling such Third Party Patent Rights or Know-How. Except as expressly set forth in Section 7.1.3(b), if Biogen obtains such a Third Party license, and subject to Section 6.6.2(d), Biogen may offset an amount equal to [***]% of [***] against [***] (including pursuant to Biogen’s right to carry any excess amounts forward to subsequent Calendar Quarters as set forth in Section 6.6.2(d)); provided, however, [***].
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6.9. |
Payments.
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6.9.1. |
Commencement. Beginning with the Calendar Quarter in which the First Commercial Sale for a Product is made and for each Calendar Quarter thereafter, Biogen will make royalty payments to Ionis under this Agreement within [***] following the end of each such Calendar Quarter. Each royalty payment will be accompanied by a report, summarizing Net Sales for Products during the relevant Calendar Quarter and the calculation of royalties due thereon, including country, units, sales price and the exchange rate used and the aggregate reduction to gross sales to arrive at Net Sales. Following the end of the first full Calendar Quarter subsequent to First Commercial Sale in a Major Market of any Product (but not in any subsequent Calendar Quarter unless there is a material change in the amount of any reduction to gross sales or the methodology used by Biogen to calculate any such reduction), Biogen will also include in such report a description of the reductions to gross sales to arrive at Net Sales, broken down by each category of reduction listed in clauses (a) through (d) of the definition of “Net Sales” and a non-binding qualitative analysis describing how Biogen anticipates such reductions may fluctuate over time. If no royalties are payable in respect of a given Calendar Quarter, Biogen will submit a written royalty report to Ionis so indicating together with an explanation as to why no such royalties are payable. In addition, beginning with the Calendar Quarter in which the First Commercial Sale for a Product is made and for each Calendar Quarter thereafter, within [***] following the end of each such Calendar Quarter, Biogen will provide Ionis a [***] report estimating the total Net Sales of, and royalties payable to Ionis for, Products projected for such Calendar Quarter.
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6.9.2. |
Mode of Payment. All payments under this Agreement will be (i) payable in full in United States dollars, regardless of the country(ies) in which sales are made, (ii) made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by Ionis in writing, and (iii) irrevocable, non-refundable and non-creditable. Whenever for the purposes of calculating the royalties payable under this Agreement conversion from any foreign currency will be required, all amounts will first be calculated in the currency of sale and then converted into United States dollars by applying the monthly average rate of exchange as utilized by Biogen, in accordance with GAAP, fairly applied and as employed on a consistent basis throughout Biogen’s operations.
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6.9.3. |
Records Retention. Commencing with the First Commercial Sale of a Product, Biogen will keep complete and accurate records pertaining to the sale of Products for a period of [***] after the year in which such sales occurred, and in sufficient detail to permit Ionis to confirm the accuracy of the Net Sales or royalties paid by Biogen hereunder.
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6.10. |
Audits. After Biogen is granted a license under Section 4.1.1 for a particular Product, during the Agreement Term and for a period of [***] thereafter, at the request and expense of Ionis, Biogen will permit an independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing appointed by Ionis, at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice, but in no case more than [***], to examine such records as may be necessary for the purpose of verifying the calculation and reporting of Net Sales (including for purposes of determining if a milestone is due under Section 6.4) and the correctness of any royalty payment made under this Agreement for any period within the preceding [***]. As a condition to examining any records of Biogen, such auditor will sign a nondisclosure agreement reasonably acceptable to Biogen in form and substance. Any and all records of Biogen examined by such independent certified public accountant will be deemed Biogen’s Confidential Information. Upon completion of the audit, the accounting firm will provide both Biogen and Ionis with a written report disclosing whether the royalty payments made by Biogen are correct or incorrect and the specific details concerning any discrepancies (“Audit Report”). If, as a result of any inspection of the books and records of Biogen, it is shown that Biogen’s payments under this Agreement were less than the royalty amount (or sales milestone amount) which should have been paid, then Biogen will make all payments required to be made by paying Ionis the difference between such amounts to eliminate any undisputed discrepancy revealed by said inspection within 45 days of receiving the Audit Report, with interest calculated in accordance with Section 6.12. If, as a result of any inspection of the books and records of Biogen, it is shown that Biogen’s payments under this Agreement were greater than the royalty amount which should have been paid, [***]; provided, however, that if [***]. Ionis will pay for such audit, except that if Biogen is found to have underpaid Ionis by more than [***]% of the amount that should have been paid, Biogen will reimburse Ionis’ reasonable costs of the audit.
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6.11. |
Taxes.
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6.11.1. |
Taxes on Income. Each Party will be solely responsible for the payment of all taxes imposed on its share of income arising directly or indirectly from the activities of the Parties under this Agreement.
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6.11.2. |
Withholding Tax. The Parties agree to cooperate with one another and use reasonable efforts to lawfully avoid or reduce tax withholding or similar obligations in respect of royalties, milestone payments, and other payments made by the paying Party to the receiving Party under this Agreement. To the extent the paying Party is required to deduct and withhold taxes, interest or penalties on any payment, the paying Party will pay the amounts of such taxes to the proper governmental authority for the account of the receiving Party and remit the net amount to the receiving Party in a timely manner. The paying Party will promptly furnish the receiving Party with proof of payment of such taxes. If documentation is necessary in order to secure an exemption from, or a reduction in, any withholding taxes, the Parties will provide such documentation to the extent they are entitled to do so.
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6.11.3. |
Tax Cooperation. Ionis will provide Biogen with any and all tax forms that may be reasonably necessary in order for Biogen to lawfully not withhold tax or to withhold tax at a reduced rate under an applicable bilateral income tax treaty. Following Biogen’s timely receipt of such tax forms from Ionis, Biogen will not withhold tax or will withhold tax at a reduced rate under an applicable bilateral income tax treaty, if appropriate under the Applicable Laws. Ionis will provide any such tax forms to Biogen upon request and in advance of the due date. Each Party will provide the other with reasonable assistance to determine if any taxes are applicable to payments under this Agreement and to enable the recovery, as permitted by Applicable Law, of withholding taxes resulting from payments made under this Agreement, such recovery to be for the benefit of the Party who would have been entitled to receive the money but for the application of withholding tax under this Section 6.11.
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6.12. |
Interest. Any undisputed payments to be made hereunder that are not paid on or before the date such payments are due under this Agreement will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the lesser of (i) the rate announced by Bank of America (or its successor) as its prime rate in effect on the date that such payment would have been first due plus 1% or (ii) the maximum rate permissible under Applicable Law.
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6.13. |
Exclusion of Products under Original Agreement. For clarity, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or the Original Agreement, irrespective of whether an [***] Compound or an [***] Compound meets the definition of a “Compound” as defined in the Original Agreement, if any such [***] Compound or [***] Compound is designated an [***] Development Candidate, an [***] Development Candidate, or a Backup Compound under this Agreement, then such [***] Development Candidate, [***] Development Candidate, and/or Backup Compound will be subject to the terms of this Agreement and not the terms of the Original Agreement.
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7.1. |
Ownership.
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7.1.1. |
Ionis Technology and Biogen Technology. As between the Parties, Ionis will own and retain all of its rights, title and interest in and to the Licensed Know-How and Licensed Patents and Biogen will own and retain all of its rights, title and interest in and to the Biogen Know-How and Biogen Patents, subject to any assignments, rights or licenses expressly granted by one Party to the other Party under this Agreement.
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7.1.2. |
Agreement Technology. As between the Parties, Biogen is the sole owner of any Know-How discovered, developed, invented or created solely by or on behalf of Biogen or its Affiliates under this Agreement (“Biogen Program Know-How”) and any Patent Rights that claim or cover Biogen Program Know-How (“Biogen Program Patents” and together with the Biogen Program Know-How, the “Biogen Program Technology”), and will retain all of its rights, title and interest thereto, subject to any rights or licenses expressly granted by Biogen to Ionis under this Agreement. As between the Parties, Ionis is the sole owner of any Know-How discovered, developed, invented or created solely by or on behalf of Ionis or its Affiliates under this Agreement (“Ionis Program Know-How”) and any Patent Rights that claim or cover such Know-How (“Ionis Program Patents” and together with the Ionis Program Know-How, the “Ionis Program Technology”), and will retain all of its rights, title and interest thereto, subject to any assignment, rights or licenses expressly granted by Ionis to Biogen under this Agreement. Any Know-How discovered, developed, invented or created jointly under this Agreement by or on behalf of both Parties or their respective Affiliates or Third Parties acting on their behalf (“Jointly-Owned Program Know-How”), and any Patent Rights that claim or cover such Jointly-Owned Program Know-How (“Jointly-Owned Program Patents”, and together with the Jointly-Owned Program Know-How, the “Jointly-Owned Program Technology”), are owned jointly by Biogen and Ionis on an equal and undivided basis, including all rights, title and interest thereto, subject to any rights or licenses expressly granted by one Party to the other Party under this Agreement. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, neither Party will have any obligation to account to the other for profits with respect to, or to obtain any consent of the other Party to license or exploit, Jointly-Owned Program Technology by reason of joint ownership thereof, and each Party hereby waives any right it may have under the laws of any jurisdiction to require any such consent or accounting. Each Party will promptly disclose to the other Party in writing, and will cause its Affiliates to so disclose, the discovery, development, invention or creation of any Jointly-Owned Program Technology. The Biogen Program Patents, Ionis Program Patents and Jointly-Owned Program Patents are collectively referred to herein as the “Program Patents.”
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7.1.3. |
Joint Patent Committee.
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(a) |
The Parties will establish a Joint Patent Committee (the “JPC”). The JPC will serve as the primary contact and forum for discussion between the Parties with respect to intellectual property matters arising under this Agreement, including the preparation of the intellectual property assessment to be included in each Development Candidate Data Package and the activities set forth in this ARTICLE 7, and will cooperate with respect to any such activities. Ionis’ obligation to participate in the JPC will terminate upon Biogen’s exercise of (or the expiration or termination of) the last Option. Thereafter, Ionis will have the right, but not the obligation, to participate in JPC meetings. In preparing the intellectual property assessment to be included in each Development Candidate Data Package, the JPC will discuss a strategy with regard to intellectual property considerations with respect to the applicable Development Candidate, including prosecution and maintenance, defense and enforcement of Ionis Product-Specific Patents that would be or are licensed to Biogen under Section 4.1.1 in connection with a Product and Biogen Product-Specific Patents, defense against allegations of infringement of Third Party Patent Rights, and licenses to Third Party Patent Rights or Know-How, in each case to the extent such matter would be reasonably likely to have a material impact on this Agreement or the Original Agreement or the licenses granted hereunder or thereunder, which strategy will be considered in good faith by the Party entitled to prosecute, enforce or defend such Patent Rights, as applicable, hereunder, but will not be binding on such Party.
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(b) |
Ionis or Biogen (as applicable) will provide the JPC with notice of any Know-How or Patent Rights discovered, developed, invented or created jointly by such Party and a Third Party in the performance of activities under the ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan or activities under the preclinical toxicology strategy for a Collaboration Program, or solely by a Third Party performing activities under the ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan or activities under the preclinical toxicology strategy for a Collaboration Program on such Party’s behalf (such Know-How and Patent Rights, the “Collaborator IP”) promptly after such Party receives notice or otherwise becomes aware of the existence of such Collaborator IP. The JPC will determine whether any such Collaborator IP would be infringed by the Development, registration, Manufacture or Commercialization of the applicable Development Candidate or any Compound under consideration for potential designation as a Development Candidate. If the JPC (or independent patent counsel engaged pursuant to this Section 7.1.3(b)) determines that any Collaborator IP would be infringed by such Development, registration, Manufacture or Commercialization, [***]; provided that, [***].
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(c) |
In addition, the JPC will be responsible for the determination of inventorship of Program Patents in accordance with United States patent laws. In case of a dispute in the JPC (or otherwise between Ionis and Biogen) over inventorship of Program Patents, if the JPC cannot resolve such dispute, such dispute will be resolved by independent patent counsel not engaged or regularly employed in the past two years by either Party and reasonably acceptable to both Parties. The decision of such independent patent counsel will be binding on the Parties. Expenses of such patent counsel will be shared equally by the Parties.
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(d) |
The JPC will comprise an equal number of members from each Party. The JPC will meet as often as agreed by them (and at least semi-Annually), to discuss matters arising out of the activities set forth in this ARTICLE 7. The JPC will determine by unanimous consent the JPC operating procedures at its first meeting, including the JPC’s policies for replacement of JPC members, and the location of meetings, which will be codified in the written minutes of the first JPC meeting. To the extent reasonably requested by either Party, the JPC will solicit the involvement of more senior members of their respective legal departments (up to the most senior intellectual property attorney, where appropriate) with respect to critical issues, and may escalate issues to the Executives for input and resolution pursuant to Section 12.1. Each Party’s representatives on the JPC will consider comments and suggestions made by the other in good faith. If either Party deems it reasonably advisable, the Parties will enter into a mutually agreeable common interest agreement covering the matters contemplated by this Agreement.
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7.2. |
Prosecution and Maintenance of Patents. The Parties acknowledge and agree that it is critical to the success of the Products under this Agreement and to the continued success of Spinraza®, that the Parties closely coordinate the Prosecution and Maintenance of any Patent Rights for Products under this Agreement with the Prosecution and Maintenance of the Patent Rights for Spinraza® under the Original Agreement. Such efforts will include Ionis’ coordination with Biogen prior to Option exercise of Ionis’ Prosecution and Maintenance of the Ionis Product-Specific Patents and any Jointly-Owned Program Patents Covering Products.
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7.2.1. |
Patent Filings. The Party responsible for Prosecution and Maintenance of any Patent Rights as set forth in Section 7.2.2 and Section 7.2.3 will endeavor to obtain patent protection for the applicable Product as it Prosecutes and Maintains its other patents Covering products in development, using counsel of its own choice but reasonably acceptable to the other Party, in such countries as the responsible Party sees fit. On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, until the earlier of the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1 and the expiration or termination of Biogen’s right to be granted such license, Ionis will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to diligently Prosecute and Maintain all Ionis Product-Specific Patents and any Jointly-Owned Program Patents Covering Products, in each case to the extent that Ionis has the right to Prosecute and Maintain such Patent Rights.
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7.2.2. |
Licensed Patents and Biogen Patents.
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(a) |
Licensed Patents In General. Prior to the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1 for a Product, Ionis will control and be responsible for all aspects of the Prosecution and Maintenance of all Licensed Patents that are the subject of such license grant, subject to Section 7.2.2(b) and Section 7.2.3; provided if Biogen reasonably believes that Ionis’ planned Prosecution and Maintenance of a Product-Specific Patent that would be subject to a license granted to Biogen under Section 4.1.1, is reasonably likely to adversely affect the scope, validity or enforceability of a Product-Specific Patent Covering Spinraza® under the Original Agreement, then the Parties through the JPC will try to develop a strategy that maximizes the protection for the potential Development Candidates under this Agreement but is not reasonably likely to adversely affect the scope, validity or enforceability of a Product-Specific Patent Covering Spinraza® under the Original Agreement. If the Parties cannot agree on such a strategy then either Party may refer the matter to (and the Parties will engage) a mutually agreed upon independent Third Party intellectual property lawyer with expertise in the patenting of ASOs, and appropriate professional credentials in the relevant jurisdiction, to determine if Ionis’ planned Prosecution and Maintenance is reasonably likely to adversely affect the scope, validity or enforceability of a Product-Specific Patent Covering Spinraza® under the Original Agreement. If such independent Third Party intellectual property lawyer believes Ionis’ planned Prosecution and Maintenance is reasonably likely to adversely affect the scope, validity or enforceability of a Product-Specific Patent Covering Spinraza® under the Original Agreement, such lawyer will propose a strategy to maximize the protection for the potential Development Candidates under this Agreement but is not reasonably likely to adversely affect the scope, validity or enforceability of a Product-Specific Patent Covering Spinraza®. The determination and recommended strategy of the Third Party expert engaged under this Section 7.2.2(a) will be binding on the Parties solely for purposes of setting the Prosecution and Maintenance strategy for the relevant Product-Specific Patent under this Agreement. The costs of any Third Party expert engaged under this Section 7.2.2(a) will be paid by the Party against whose position the Third Party lawyer’s determination is made. During the Agreement Term, Ionis will control and be responsible for all aspects of the Ionis Core Technology Patents and Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents.
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(b) |
Licensed Patents After License Grant. After the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1 for a Product, Biogen will control and be responsible for all aspects of the Prosecution and Maintenance of all the Ionis Product-Specific Patents and Jointly-Owned Program Patents that are the subject of such license to the same extent Ionis had the right to control and was responsible for such Prosecution and Maintenance immediately prior to such license.
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(c) |
Biogen Patents. During the Agreement Term, Biogen will control and be responsible for all aspects of the Prosecution and Maintenance of all Biogen Patents, subject to Section 7.2.4.
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7.2.3. |
Jointly-Owned Program Patents. Ionis will control and be responsible for all aspects of the Prosecution and Maintenance of Jointly-Owned Program Patents that do not Cover Products. Prior to the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1, Ionis will control and be responsible for all aspects of the Prosecution and Maintenance of Jointly-Owned Program Patents Covering Products that are the subject of such license. After the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1, Biogen will control and be responsible for all aspects of the Prosecution and Maintenance of Jointly-Owned Program Patents Covering Products that are the subject of such license.
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7.2.4. |
Other Matters Pertaining to Prosecution and Maintenance of Patents.
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(a) |
Each Party will keep the other Party informed through the JPC as to material developments with respect to the Prosecution and Maintenance of the Ionis Core Technology Patents, Product-Specific Patents and Jointly-Owned Program Patents for which such Party has responsibility for Prosecution and Maintenance pursuant to Section 7.2.2, Section 7.2.3 or this Section 7.2.4, including by providing copies of material data as it arises, any office actions or office action responses or other correspondence that such Party provides to or receives from any patent office, including notice of all interferences, reissues, re-examinations, oppositions or requests for patent term extensions, and all patent-related filings, and by providing the other Party the timely opportunity to have reasonable input into the strategic aspects of such Prosecution and Maintenance.
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(b) |
If Biogen elects (a) not to file and prosecute patent applications for the Jointly-Owned Program Patents, Ionis Product-Specific Patents that have been licensed or assigned to Biogen under this Agreement or Biogen Product-Specific Patents (“Biogen-Prosecuted Patents”) in a particular country, (b) not to continue the prosecution (including any interferences, oppositions, reissue proceedings, re-examinations, and patent term extensions, adjustments, and restorations) or maintenance of any Biogen-Prosecuted Patent in a particular country, or (c) not to file and prosecute patent applications for the Biogen-Prosecuted Patent in a particular country following a written request from Ionis to file and prosecute in such country, then Biogen will so notify Ionis promptly in writing of its intention (including a reasonably detailed rationale for doing so) in good time to enable Ionis to meet any deadlines by which an action must be taken to establish or preserve any such Patent Right in such country; and except as set forth in Section 7.2.4(c), Ionis will have the right, but not the obligation, to file, prosecute, maintain, enforce, or otherwise pursue such Biogen-Prosecuted Patent in the applicable country at its own expense with counsel of its own choice. In such case, Biogen will cooperate with Ionis to file for, or continue to Prosecute and Maintain or enforce, or otherwise pursue such Biogen-Prosecuted Patent in such country in Ionis’ own name, but only to the extent that Biogen is not required to take any position with respect to such abandoned Biogen-Prosecuted Patent that would be reasonably likely to adversely affect the scope, validity or enforceability of any of the other Patent Rights being prosecuted and maintained by Biogen under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Ionis assumes responsibility for the Prosecution and Maintenance of any such Biogen-Prosecuted Patent under this Section 7.2.4(b), Ionis will have no obligation to notify Biogen if Ionis intends to abandon such Biogen-Prosecuted Patent.
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(c) |
Notwithstanding Section 7.2.4(b) above, if, after having consulted with outside counsel, Biogen reasonably determines that filing or continuing to prosecute a patent application in a particular country for a Biogen-Prosecuted Patent (the “Conflicting Patent Right”) is reasonably likely to adversely affect the scope, validity or enforceability of a patent application or issued patent in a particular country for another Biogen-Prosecuted Patent (the “Superior Patent Right”), in each case where both the Conflicting Patent Right and the Superior Patent Right if issued would meet the criteria set forth in clause (i) of Section 6.6.2(a), then so long as Biogen continues to Prosecute and Maintain the Superior Patent Right in accordance with this Agreement, Ionis will not have the right under Section 7.2.4(a) above to file or prosecute the Conflicting Patent Right.
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(d) |
If, during the Agreement Term, Ionis intends to abandon any Ionis Product-Specific Patent for which Ionis is responsible for Prosecution and Maintenance without first filing a continuation or substitution, then, if Biogen’s right to obtain a license under Section 4.1.1 to such Ionis Product-Specific Patent has not expired or terminated, Ionis will notify Biogen of such intention at least [***] days before such Patent Right will become abandoned, and Biogen will have the right, but not the obligation, to assume responsibility for the Prosecution and Maintenance thereof at its own expense (subject to Section 7.3.1) with counsel of its own choice. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Biogen assumes responsibility for the Prosecution and Maintenance of any such Ionis Product-Specific Patent under this Section 7.2.4(d), Biogen will have no obligation to notify Ionis if Biogen intends to abandon such Ionis Product-Specific Patent.
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(e) |
The Parties, through the JPC, will cooperate in good faith to determine if and when any divisional or continuation applications will be filed with respect to any Program Patents or Product-Specific Patents, and where a divisional or continuation patent application filing would be practical and reasonable, then such a divisional or continuation filing will be made.
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(f) |
If the Party responsible for Prosecution and Maintenance pursuant to Section 7.2.3 intends to abandon such Jointly-Owned Program Patent without first filing a continuation or substitution, then such Party will notify the other Party of such intention at least [***] days before such Jointly-Owned Program Patent will become abandoned, and such other Party will have the right, but not the obligation, to assume responsibility for the Prosecution and Maintenance thereof at its own expense (subject to Section 7.3.1) with counsel of its own choice, in which case the abandoning Party will, and will cause its Affiliates to, assign to the other Party (or, if such assignment is not possible, grant a fully-paid exclusive license in) all of their rights, title and interest in and to such Jointly-Owned Program Patents. If a Party assumes responsibility for the Prosecution and Maintenance of any such Jointly-Owned Program Patents under this Section 7.2.4(f), such Party will have no obligation to notify the other Party of any intention of such Party to abandon such Jointly-Owned Program Patents.
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(g) |
In addition, the Parties will consult, through the JPC, and take into consideration the comments of the other Party for all matters relating to interferences, reissues, re-examinations and oppositions with respect to those Patent Rights in which such other Party (i) has an ownership interest, (ii) has received a license thereunder in accordance with this Agreement, or (iii) may in the future, in accordance with this Agreement, obtain a license or sublicense thereunder.
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7.3. |
Patent Costs.
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7.3.1. |
Jointly-Owned Program Patents. Unless the Parties agree otherwise, Ionis and Biogen will share equally the Patent Costs associated with the Prosecution and Maintenance of Jointly-Owned Program Patents; provided that either Party may decline to pay its share of costs for filing, prosecuting and maintaining any Jointly-Owned Program Patents in a particular country or particular countries, in which case the declining Party will, and will cause its Affiliates to, assign to the other Party (or, if such assignment is not possible, grant a fully-paid exclusive license in) all of their rights, titles and interests in and to such Jointly-Owned Program Patents.
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7.3.2. |
Licensed Patents and Biogen Patents. Except as set forth in Section 7.3.1, each Party will be responsible for all Patent Costs incurred by such Party prior to and after the Effective Date in all countries in the Prosecution and Maintenance of Patent Rights for which such Party is responsible under Section 7.2; provided, however, that after the date the license under Section 4.1.1 is granted to Biogen, Biogen will be solely responsible for Patent Costs arising from the Prosecution and Maintenance of the Ionis Product-Specific Patents.
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7.4. |
Defense of Claims Brought by Third Parties.
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7.4.1. |
If a Third Party initiates a Proceeding claiming a Patent Right owned by or licensed to such Third Party is infringed by the Development, Manufacture or Commercialization of a Product, (a) Ionis will have the first right, but not the obligation, to defend against any such Proceeding initiated prior to the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1 at its sole cost and expense, and (b) Biogen will have the first right, but not the obligation, to defend against any such Proceeding initiated after the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1 at its sole cost and expense. If the Party having the first right to defend against such Proceeding (the “Lead Party”) elects to defend against such Proceeding, then the Lead Party will have the sole right to direct the defense and to elect whether to settle such claim (but only with the prior written consent of the other Party, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The other Party will reasonably assist the Lead Party in defending such Proceeding and cooperate in any such litigation at the request and expense of the Lead Party. The Lead Party will provide the other Party with prompt written notice of the commencement of any such Proceeding that is of the type described in this Section 7.4, and the Lead Party will keep the other Party apprised of the progress of such Proceeding. If the Lead Party elects not to defend against a Proceeding, then the Lead Party will so notify the other Party in writing within [***] days after the Lead Party first receives written notice of the initiation of such Proceeding, and the other Party (the “Step-In Party”) will have the right, but not the obligation, to defend against such Proceeding at its sole cost and expense and thereafter the Step-In Party will have the sole right to direct the defense thereof, including the right to settle such claim. In any event, the Party not defending such Proceeding will reasonably assist the other Party and cooperate in any such litigation at the request and expense of the Party defending such Proceeding. Each Party may at its own expense and with its own counsel join any defense initiated or directed by the other Party under this Section 7.4. Each Party will provide the other Party with prompt written notice of the commencement of any such Proceeding under this Section 7.4, and such Party will promptly furnish the other Party with a copy of each communication relating to the alleged infringement that is received by such Party.
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7.4.2. |
Discontinued Product. If a Third Party initiates a Proceeding claiming that any Patent Right or Know-How owned by or licensed to such Third Party is infringed by the Development, Manufacture or Commercialization of a Discontinued Product, Ionis will have the first right, but not the obligation, to defend against and settle such Proceeding at its sole cost and expense. Biogen will reasonably assist Ionis in defending such Proceeding and cooperate in any such litigation at the request and expense of Ionis. Each Party may at its own expense and with its own counsel join any defense directed by the other Party. Ionis will provide Biogen with prompt written notice of the commencement of any such Proceeding, or of any allegation of infringement of which Ionis becomes aware and that is of the type described in this Section 7.4.2, and Ionis will promptly furnish Biogen with a copy of each communication relating to the alleged infringement received by Ionis.
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7.4.3. |
Interplay Between Enforcement of IP and Defense of Third Party Claims. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7.4.1 and Section 7.4.2, to the extent that a Party’s defense against a Third Party claim of infringement under this Section 7.4 involves (i) the enforcement of the other Party’s Know-How or Patent Rights (e.g., a counterclaim of infringement), or (ii) the defense of an invalidity claim with respect to such other Party’s Know-How or Patent Rights, then, in each case, the general concepts of Section 7.5 will apply to the enforcement of such other Party’s Know-How or Patent Rights or the defense of such invalidity claim (i.e., each Party has the right to enforce its own intellectual property, except that the relevant Commercializing Party will have the initial right, to the extent provided in Section 7.5, to enforce such Know-How or Patent Rights or defend such invalidity claim, and the other Party will have a step-in right, to the extent provided in Section 7.5, to enforce such Know-How or Patent Rights or defend such invalidity claim).
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7.4.4. |
Effect of Defense of Third Party Claims on Original Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.4, if, prior to the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1, Biogen reasonably believes that Ionis’ election to defend against a Proceeding (and Ionis’ strategy with respect to such defense) under this Section 7.4 would be reasonably likely to adversely affect a Product-Specific Patent Covering Spinraza® under the Original Agreement, then the Parties through the JPC will try to develop a strategy with respect to such defense that maximizes the protection for the potential Development Candidates under this Agreement but is not reasonably likely to adversely affect the Product-Specific Patent Covering Spinraza® under the Original Agreement. If the Parties cannot agree on such a strategy then either Party may refer the matter to (and the Parties will engage) a mutually agreed upon independent Third Party intellectual property lawyer with expertise in the patenting of ASOs, and appropriate professional credentials in the relevant jurisdiction, to determine if Ionis’ planned defense against a Proceeding (and Ionis’ strategy with respect thereto) is reasonably likely to adversely affect a Product-Specific Patent Covering Spinraza® under the Original Agreement. If such independent Third Party intellectual property lawyer believes Ionis’ planned defense against a Proceeding (and Ionis’ strategy with respect thereto) is reasonably likely to adversely affect a Product-Specific Patent Covering Spinraza® under the Original Agreement, such lawyer will propose a strategy to maximize the protection for the potential Development Candidates under this Agreement but is not reasonably likely to adversely affect a Product-Specific Patent Covering Spinraza®. The determination and recommended strategy of the Third Party expert engaged under this Section 7.4.4 will be binding on the Parties solely for purposes of setting the defense strategy against the relevant Proceeding under this Agreement. The costs of any Third Party expert engaged under this Section 7.4.4 will be paid by the Party against whose position the Third Party lawyer’s determination is made.
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7.5. |
Enforcement of Patents Against Competitive Infringement.
|
7.5.1. |
Duty to Notify of Competitive Infringement. If either Party learns of an infringement, unauthorized use, misappropriation or threatened infringement by a Third Party to which such Party does not owe any obligation of confidentiality with respect to any Product-Specific Patents by reason of the development, manufacture, use or commercialization of a product directed against the RNA that encodes SMN in the Field (“Competitive Infringement”), such Party will promptly notify the other Party in writing and will provide such other Party with available evidence of such Competitive Infringement; provided, however, that for cases of Competitive Infringement under Section 7.5.7 below, such written notice will be given within 10 days.
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7.5.2. |
Prior to License Grant.
|
(a) |
For any Competitive Infringement with respect to a Product occurring after the Effective Date but before the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1, Ionis will have the first right, but not the obligation, to institute, prosecute, and control a Proceeding with respect thereto, by counsel of its own choice, and Biogen will have the right to be represented in that action by counsel of its own choice at its own expense, provided, however, Ionis will have the sole right to control such litigation; and provided, further, that, if Biogen reasonably believes that Ionis’ election to institute, prosecute, and control a Proceeding with respect to such Competitive Infringement (and Ionis’ strategy with respect thereto) under this Section 7.5.2 would be reasonably likely to adversely affect a Product-Specific Patent Covering Spinraza® under the Original Agreement, then the Parties through the JPC will try to develop a strategy that maximizes the protection for the potential Development Candidates under this Agreement but is not reasonably likely to adversely affect a Product-Specific Patent Covering Spinraza® under the Original Agreement. If the Parties cannot agree on such a strategy then either Party may refer the matter to (and the Parties will engage) a mutually agreed upon independent Third Party intellectual property lawyer with expertise in the patenting of ASOs, and appropriate professional credentials in the relevant jurisdiction, to determine if Ionis’ planned enforcement against a Competitive Infringement (and Ionis’ strategy with respect thereto) is reasonably likely to adversely affect a Product-Specific Patent Covering Spinraza® under the Original Agreement. If such independent Third Party intellectual property lawyer believes Ionis’ planned enforcement against a Competitive Infringement (and Ionis’ strategy with respect thereto) is reasonably likely to adversely affect a Product-Specific Patent Covering Spinraza® under the Original Agreement, such lawyer will propose a strategy to maximize the protection for the potential Development Candidates under this Agreement but is not reasonably likely to adversely affect a Product-Specific Patent Covering Spinraza®. The determination and recommended strategy of the Third Party expert engaged under this Section 7.5.2 will be binding on the Parties solely for purposes of setting the enforcement strategy against the relevant Competitive Infringement under this Agreement. The costs of any Third Party expert engaged under this Section 7.5.2 will be paid by the Party against whose position the Third Party lawyer’s determination is made.
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(b) |
Ionis will provide Biogen with prompt written notice of the commencement of any such Proceeding, and Ionis will keep Biogen apprised of the progress of such Proceeding. If Ionis fails to initiate a Proceeding within a period of 90 days after receipt of written notice of such Competitive Infringement (subject to a 90 day extension to conclude negotiations, which extension will apply only in the event that Ionis has commenced good faith negotiations with an alleged infringer for elimination of such Competitive Infringement within such 90 day period), Biogen will have the right to initiate and control a Proceeding with respect to such Competitive Infringement by counsel of its own choice; provided that Ionis will have the right to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice at its own expense. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Ionis will at all times have the sole right to institute, prosecute, and control any Proceeding under this Section 7.5.2 to the extent involving any Ionis Core Technology Patents or Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents.
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7.5.3. |
Following License Grant. For any Competitive Infringement with respect to a particular Product (except for a Discontinued Product) occurring after the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1, so long as part of such Proceeding Biogen also enforces any Patent Rights Controlled by Biogen (including any Ionis Product-Specific Patents assigned by Ionis to Biogen under this Agreement) being infringed that Cover the Product, then Biogen will have the first right, but not the obligation, to institute, prosecute, and control a Proceeding with respect thereto by counsel of its own choice at its own expense, and Ionis will have the right, at its own expense, to be represented in that action by counsel of its own choice; however, Biogen will have the right to control such litigation. If Biogen fails to initiate a Proceeding within a period of 90 days after receipt of written notice of such Competitive Infringement (subject to a 90 day extension to conclude negotiations, if Biogen has commenced good faith negotiations with an alleged infringer for elimination of such Competitive Infringement within such 90 day period), Ionis will have the right to initiate and control a Proceeding with respect to such Competitive Infringement by counsel of its own choice, and Biogen will have the right to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice at its own expense. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Ionis will at all times have the sole right to institute, prosecute, and control any Proceeding under this Section 7.5.3 to the extent involving any Ionis Core Technology Patents or Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents.
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7.5.4. |
Joinder.
|
(a) |
If a Party initiates a Proceeding in accordance with this Section 7.5, the other Party agrees to be joined as a party plaintiff where necessary and to give the first Party reasonable assistance and authority to file and prosecute the Proceeding. Subject to Section 7.5.5, the costs and expenses of each Party incurred pursuant to this Section 7.5.4(a) will be borne by the Party initiating such Proceeding.
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(b) |
If one Party initiates a Proceeding in accordance with this Section 7.5, the other Party may join such Proceeding as a party plaintiff where necessary for such other Party to seek lost profits with respect to such infringement.
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7.5.5. |
Share of Recoveries. Any damages or other monetary awards recovered with respect to a Proceeding brought pursuant to this Section 7.5 will be shared as follows:
|
(a) |
the amount of such recovery will first be applied to the Parties’ reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with such Proceeding (which amounts will be allocated pro rata if insufficient to cover the totality of such expenses); then
|
(b) |
any remaining proceeds constituting direct or actual damages for acts of infringement occurring prior to the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1 with respect to the applicable Product will be (i) [***]; or (ii) [***]; then
|
(c) |
any remaining proceeds constituting direct or actual damages for acts of infringement occurring after the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1 with respect to the applicable Product [***]; then
|
(d) |
any remaining proceeds constituting punitive or treble damages will be allocated between the Parties as follows: the Party initiating the Proceeding will receive and retain [***]% of such proceeds and the other Party will receive and retain [***]% of such proceeds.
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7.5.6. |
Settlement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary under this ARTICLE 7, neither Party may enter a settlement, consent judgment or other voluntary final disposition of a suit under this ARTICLE 7 that disclaims, limits the scope of, admits the invalidity or unenforceability of, or grants a license, covenant not to sue or similar immunity under a Patent Right Controlled by the other Party without first obtaining the written consent of the Party that Controls the relevant Patent Right.
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7.5.7. |
35 USC 271(e)(2) Infringement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.5, solely with respect to Licensed Patents that have not been assigned to Biogen under this Agreement for a Competitive Infringement under 35 USC 271(e)(2), the time period set forth in Section 7.5.2 during which a Party will have the initial right to bring a Proceeding will be shortened to a total of 25 days, so that, to the extent the other Party has the right, pursuant to such Section to initiate a Proceeding if the first Party does not initiate a Proceeding, such other Party will have such right if the first Party does not initiate a Proceeding within 25 days after such first Party’s receipt of written notice of such Competitive Infringement.
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7.6. |
Other Infringement.
|
7.6.1. |
Jointly-Owned Program Patents. With respect to the infringement of a Jointly-Owned Program Patent which is not a Competitive Infringement, the Parties will cooperate in good faith to bring suit together against such infringing party or the Parties may decide to permit one Party to solely bring suit. Any damages or other monetary awards recovered with respect to a Proceeding brought pursuant to this Section 7.6.1 will be shared as follows: (i) the amount of such recovery will first be applied to the Parties’ reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with such Proceeding (which amounts will be allocated pro rata if insufficient to cover the totality of such expenses); (ii) any remaining proceeds constituting direct damages will be [***], and (iii) any remaining proceeds constituting punitive or treble damages will be allocated as follows: (A) if the Parties jointly initiate a Proceeding pursuant to this Section 7.6.1, [***]; and (B) if only one Party initiates the Proceeding pursuant to this Section 7.6.1, such Party will receive [***]% of such proceeds and the other Party will receive [***]% of such proceeds.
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7.6.2. |
Patents Solely Owned by Ionis. Ionis will retain all rights to pursue an infringement of any Patent Right solely owned by Ionis which is other than a Competitive Infringement and Ionis will retain all recoveries with respect thereto.
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7.6.3. |
Patents Solely Owned by Biogen. Biogen will retain all rights to pursue an infringement of any Patent Right solely owned by Biogen which is other than a Competitive Infringement and Biogen will retain all recoveries with respect thereto.
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7.7. |
Patent Listing.
|
7.7.1. |
Biogen’s Obligations. Biogen will promptly, accurately and completely list, with the applicable Regulatory Authorities during the Agreement Term, all applicable Patent Rights that Cover each Product. Prior to such listings, the Parties will meet, through the JPC, to evaluate and identify all applicable Patent Rights, and Biogen will have the right to review, where reasonable, original records relating to any invention for which Patent Rights are being considered by the JPC for any such listing. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Biogen will retain final decision-making authority as to the listing of all applicable Patent Rights for the Products that are not Ionis Core Technology Patents or Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents, regardless of which Party owns such Patent Rights.
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7.7.2. |
Ionis’ Obligations. Ionis will promptly, accurately and completely list, with the applicable Regulatory Authorities during the Agreement Term, all applicable Patent Rights that Cover a Discontinued Product. Prior to such listings, the Parties will meet, through the JPC, to evaluate and identify all applicable Patent Rights, and Ionis will have the right to review, where reasonable, original records relating to any invention for which Patent Rights are being considered by the JPC for any such listing. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Ionis will retain final decision-making authority as to the listing of all applicable Patent Rights for such Discontinued Products, as applicable, regardless of which Party owns such Patent Rights.
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7.8. |
Joint Research Agreement under the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this ARTICLE 7, neither Party will have the right to make an election under 35 U.S.C. § 102(c) of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act when exercising its rights under this ARTICLE 7 without the prior written consent of the other Party, which will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. With respect to any such permitted election, each Party will use reasonable efforts to cooperate and coordinate their activities with the other Party with respect to any submissions, filings or other activities in support thereof. The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is a “joint research agreement” as defined in 35 U.S.C. § 100(h).
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7.9. |
Obligations to Third Parties. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, each Party’s rights and obligations with respect to Licensed Technology under this ARTICLE 7 will be subject to the Third Party rights and obligations under any (i) New Third Party License obtained in accordance with Section 6.8.2(a) or Section 6.8.3(a)(i), (ii) Prior Agreements, and (iii) Ionis In-License Agreements; provided, however, that, to the extent that Ionis has a non-transferable right to prosecute, maintain or enforce any Patent Rights licensed to Biogen hereunder and, this Agreement purports to grant any such rights to Biogen, Ionis will act in such regard with respect to such Patent Rights at Biogen’s direction.
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7.10. |
Additional Right and Exceptions. Notwithstanding any provision of this ARTICLE 7, Ionis retains the sole right to Prosecute and Maintain Ionis Core Technology Patents and Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents during the Agreement Term and to control any enforcement of Ionis Core Technology Patents and Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents, and will take the lead on such enforcement solely to the extent that the scope or validity of any Patent Rights Controlled by Ionis and Covering the Ionis Core Technology Patents or Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents is at risk.
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7.11. |
Patent Term Extension. The Parties will cooperate with each other in gaining patent term extension wherever applicable to a Product. After the date Biogen is granted the license under Section 4.1.1 with respect to a Product, Biogen will have the sole right to determine which relevant patents will be extended.
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8.1. |
Representations and Warranties of Both Parties. Each Party hereby represents and warrants to the other Party, as of the Effective Date, that:
|
8.1.1. |
such Party is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization and has full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the provisions hereof;
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8.1.2. |
such Party has taken all necessary action on its part to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of its obligations hereunder;
|
8.1.3. |
this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Party, and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms hereof;
|
8.1.4. |
the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Party will not constitute a default under or conflict with any agreement, instrument or understanding, oral or written, to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or violate any law or regulation of any court, governmental body or administrative or other agency having jurisdiction over such Party;
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8.1.5. |
no government authorization, consent, approval, license, exemption of or filing or registration with any court or governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, under any Applicable Laws, rules or regulations currently in effect, is or will be necessary for, or in connection with, the transaction contemplated by this Agreement or any other agreement or instrument executed in connection herewith, or for the performance by it of its obligations under this Agreement and such other agreements; and
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8.1.6. |
it has not employed (and, to the best of its knowledge, has not used a contractor or consultant that has employed) and in the future will not employ (or, to the best of its knowledge, use any contractor or consultant that employs, provided that such Party may reasonably rely on a representation made by such contractor or consultant) any Person debarred by the FDA (or subject to a similar sanction of EMA or foreign equivalent), or any Person which is the subject of an FDA debarment investigation or proceeding (or similar proceeding of EMA or foreign equivalent), in the conduct of the Preclinical Studies or Clinical Studies of the Products and its activities under each Collaboration Program.
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8.2. |
Representations and Warranties of Ionis. Ionis hereby represents and warrants to Biogen, as of the Effective Date, that:
|
8.2.1. |
Ionis Controls the Licensed Patents existing as of the Effective Date and is entitled to grant all rights and licenses (or sublicenses, as the case may be) it purports to grant to Biogen under this Agreement;
|
8.2.2. |
to the best of its knowledge and belief, there are no additional licenses (beyond those that would be granted to Biogen under Section 4.1.1 upon the exercise of the Option for a Product arising under the Collaboration Programs) under any intellectual property owned or Controlled by Ionis or its Affiliates as of the Effective Date that would be required in order for Biogen to further Develop and Commercialize a Product;
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8.2.3. |
the Licensed Technology existing as of the Effective Date constitutes all of the Patent Rights and Know-How Controlled by Ionis as of the Effective Date that are necessary to Develop, Manufacture or Commercialize the Compounds contemplated under the Collaboration Programs in the Field. Ionis has not previously assigned, transferred, conveyed or otherwise encumbered its right, title and interest in the Licensed Technology in a manner that conflicts with any rights granted to Biogen hereunder with respect to Products;
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8.2.4. |
neither Ionis nor its Affiliates owns or Controls any Patent Rights or Know-How covering formulation or delivery technology as of the Effective Date that would be useful or necessary in order for Biogen to further Develop or Commercialize the Compounds contemplated under the Collaboration Programs;
|
8.2.5. |
there are no claims, judgments or settlements against or owed by Ionis or its Affiliates or pending against Ionis or, to the best of Ionis’ knowledge, threatened against Ionis, in each case relating to the Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Know-How or Ionis Know-How that could impact activities under this Agreement. To the best of Ionis’ knowledge, there are no claims, judgments or settlements against or owed by any Third Party that is party to a Prior Agreement, or pending or threatened claims or litigation against any Third Party that is party to a Prior Agreement, in each case relating to the Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Know-How or Ionis Know-How that would impact activities under this Agreement;
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8.2.6. |
Schedule 8.2.6(a), Schedule 8.2.6(b) and Schedule 8.2.6(c) set forth true, correct and complete lists of all Ionis Core Technology Patents, Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents, and Ionis Product-Specific Patents that apply to the Compounds as of the Effective Date, respectively, and indicates whether each such Patent Right is owned by Ionis or licensed by Ionis from a Third Party and if so, identifies the licensor or sublicensor from which the Patent Right is licensed. Ionis Controls such Patent Rights existing as of the Effective Date and is entitled to grant all rights and licenses (or sublicenses, as the case may be) under such Patent Rights it purports to grant to Biogen under this Agreement;
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8.2.7. |
at the Effective Date (a) there is no fact or circumstance known by Ionis that would cause Ionis to reasonably conclude that any Licensed Patent is invalid or un-enforceable, (b) there is no fact or circumstance known by Ionis that would cause Ionis to reasonably conclude the inventorship of each Licensed Patent is not properly identified on each patent, (c) all official fees, maintenance fees and annuities for the Licensed Patents have been paid and all administrative procedures with governmental agencies have been completed, and (d) none of the Licensed Patents is currently involved in any interference, reissue, re-examination, cancellation or opposition proceeding and neither Ionis, nor any of its Affiliates, has received any written notice from any Person, or has knowledge, of such actual or threatened proceeding;
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8.2.8. |
Ionis has set forth on Schedule 6.8.1 or in a separate written agreement with Biogen true, correct and complete lists of the agreements with Third Party licensors or sellers pursuant to which Ionis has licensed or acquired the Licensed Technology Controlled by Ionis as of the Effective Date that is necessary or useful to conduct the research, Development, Manufacture or Commercialization of the Products. All Ionis In-License Agreements are in full force and effect and have not been modified or amended. Neither Ionis nor, to the best knowledge of Ionis, the Third Party licensor in an Ionis In-License Agreement is in default with respect to a material obligation under such Ionis In-License Agreement, and neither such party has claimed or has grounds upon which to claim that the other party is in default with respect to a material obligation under, any Ionis In-License Agreement;
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8.2.9. |
Schedule 8.2.9 is a complete and accurate list of all agreements that create Third Party Obligations with respect to the Ionis Core Technology Patents and Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents that affect the rights granted by Ionis to Biogen under this Agreement with respect to Collaboration Programs;
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8.2.10. |
to the best of Ionis’ knowledge, the Development, Manufacture (as manufactured by Ionis at its facility as of the Effective Date) and Commercialization of the Compounds or Products as contemplated by this Agreement does not [***]; and
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8.2.11. |
as of the Effective Date, Ionis has no [***].
|
8.3. |
Ionis Covenants. Ionis hereby covenants to Biogen that, except as expressly permitted under this Agreement:
|
8.3.1. |
Ionis will promptly amend Schedule 8.2.6(a), Schedule 8.2.6(b) and Schedule 8.2.6(c) and submit such amended Schedules to Biogen if Ionis becomes aware that any Ionis Core Technology Patents, Ionis Manufacturing and Analytical Patents or Ionis Product-Specific Patents are not properly identified on such Schedule.
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8.3.2. |
during the Agreement Term, Ionis will maintain and not breach any Ionis In-License Agreements and any agreements with Third Parties entered into after the Effective Date (“New Third Party Licenses”) that provide a grant of rights from such Third Party to Ionis that are Controlled by Ionis and are licensed or may become subject to a license from Ionis to Biogen for a Development Candidate under this Agreement;
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8.3.3. |
Ionis will promptly notify Biogen of any material breach by Ionis or a Third Party of any New Third Party License, and in the event of a breach by Ionis, will permit Biogen to cure such breach on Ionis’ behalf upon Biogen’s request;
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8.3.4. |
Ionis will not amend, modify or terminate any Ionis In-License Agreement or New Third Party License in a manner that would adversely affect Biogen’s rights hereunder without first obtaining Biogen’s written consent, which consent may be withheld in Biogen’s sole discretion;
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8.3.5. |
Ionis will not enter into any new agreement or other obligation with any Third Party, or amend an existing agreement with a Third Party, in each case that restricts, limits or encumbers the rights granted to Biogen under this Agreement;
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8.3.6. |
Ionis will cause its Affiliates, licensees and sublicensees to comply with the terms of Section 2.1;
|
8.3.7. |
all employees and contractors of Ionis performing Development activities hereunder on behalf of Ionis will be obligated to assign all right, title and interest in and to any inventions developed by them, whether or not patentable, to Ionis or such Affiliate, respectively, as the sole owner thereof; and
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8.3.8. |
if, after the Effective Date, Ionis becomes the owner or otherwise acquires Control of any formulation or delivery technology that would be necessary or useful in order for Biogen to further Develop, Manufacture or Commercialize a Product, and Biogen has exercised the applicable Option and the license granted to Biogen under this Agreement with respect to such Product is in effect, Ionis will make such technology available to Biogen on commercially reasonable terms.
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8.4. |
DISCLAIMER. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, NEITHER PARTY NOR ITS AFFILIATES MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR EXTENDS ANY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. BIOGEN AND IONIS UNDERSTAND THAT EACH PRODUCT IS THE SUBJECT OF ONGOING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND THAT NEITHER PARTY CAN ASSURE THE SAFETY, USEFULNESS OR COMMERCIAL OR TECHNICAL VIABILITY OF EACH PRODUCT.
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9.1. |
Indemnification by Biogen. Biogen will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Ionis and its Affiliates, and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents, from and against any and all liabilities, damages, losses, costs and expenses including the reasonable fees of attorneys (collectively “Losses”) arising out of or resulting from any and all Third Party suits, claims, actions, proceedings or demands (“Claims”) based upon:
|
9.1.1. |
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Biogen, its Affiliates or Sublicensees and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents, in connection with Biogen’s performance of its obligations or exercise of its rights under this Agreement;
|
9.1.2. |
any breach of any representation or warranty or express covenant made by Biogen under ARTICLE 8 or any other provision under this Agreement;
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9.1.3. |
the Development or Manufacturing activities that are conducted by or on behalf of Biogen or its Affiliates or Sublicensees (which will exclude any Development or Manufacturing activities that are conducted by or on behalf of Ionis pursuant to this Agreement); or
|
9.1.4. |
the Commercialization of a Product by or on behalf of Biogen or its Affiliates or Sublicensees;
|
9.2. |
Indemnification by Ionis. Ionis will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Biogen and its Affiliates, and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents, from and against any and all Losses arising out of or resulting from any and all Claims based upon:
|
9.2.1. |
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Ionis, its Affiliates or Sublicensees or its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents, in connection with Ionis’ performance of its obligations or exercise of its rights under this Agreement;
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9.2.2. |
any breach of any representation or warranty or express covenant made by Ionis under ARTICLE 8 or any other provision under this Agreement;
|
9.2.3. |
any Development or Manufacturing activities that are conducted by or on behalf of Ionis or its Affiliates or Sublicensees (which will exclude any Development or Manufacturing activities that are conducted by or on behalf of Biogen pursuant to this Agreement); or
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9.2.4. |
any development, manufacturing or commercialization activities that are conducted by or on behalf of Ionis or its Affiliates or Sublicensees with respect to a Discontinued Product.
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9.3. |
Procedure. If a Person entitled to indemnification under Section 9.1 or Section 9.2 (an “Indemnitee”) seeks such indemnification, such Indemnitee will (i) inform the indemnifying Party in writing of a Claim as soon as reasonably practicable after such Indemnitee receives notice of such Claim, (ii) permit the indemnifying Party to assume direction and control of the defense of the Claim (including the sole right to settle such Claim at the sole discretion of the indemnifying Party, provided that (A) such settlement or compromise does not admit any fault or negligence on the part of the Indemnitee, or impose any obligation on, or otherwise materially adversely affect, the Indemnitee or other Party and (B) the indemnifying Party first obtain the written consent of the Indemnitee with respect to such settlement, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld), (iii) cooperate as reasonably requested (at the expense of the indemnifying Party) in the defense of the Claim, and (iv) undertake reasonable steps to mitigate any Losses with respect to the Claim. The provisions of Section 7.4 will govern the procedures for responding to a Claim of infringement described therein. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the indemnifying Party will have no liability under Section 9.1 or Section 9.2, as the case may be, for Claims settled or compromised by the Indemnitee without the indemnifying Party’s prior written consent.
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9.4. |
Insurance.
|
9.4.1. |
Ionis’ Insurance Obligations. Ionis will maintain, at its cost, reasonable insurance against liability and other risks associated with its activities contemplated by this Agreement. Ionis will furnish to Biogen evidence of such insurance upon request.
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9.4.2. |
Biogen’s Insurance Obligations. Biogen will maintain, at its cost, reasonable insurance against liability and other risks associated with its activities contemplated by this Agreement, provided, that, at a minimum, Biogen will maintain, in force from 30 days prior to enrollment of the first patient in a Clinical Study, a [***] insurance policy providing coverage of at least $[***] per claim and $[***] Annual aggregate and, provided further that such coverage is increased to at least $[***] at least 30 days before Biogen initiates the First Commercial Sale of a Product hereunder. Biogen will furnish to Ionis evidence of such insurance upon request. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Biogen may self-insure to the extent that it self-insures for its other products.
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9.5. |
LIMITATION OF CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. EXCEPT FOR (a) CLAIMS OF A THIRD PARTY THAT ARE SUBJECT TO INDEMNIFICATION UNDER THIS ARTICLE 9, (b) CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF A PARTY’S WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THIS AGREEMENT, (c) A PARTY’S BREACH OF ARTICLE 2, OR A BREACH OF SECTION 10.4.4(a) BY BIOGEN OR ITS AFFILIATES OR (d) CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF A PARTY’S BREACH OF ITS CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, NEITHER PARTY NOR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES WILL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ITS AFFILIATES FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE OR OTHER INDIRECT DAMAGES OR LOST OR IMPUTED PROFITS OR ROYALTIES, LOST DATA OR COST OF PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES, WHETHER LIABILITY IS ASSERTED IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE AND STRICT PRODUCT LIABILITY), INDEMNITY OR CONTRIBUTION, AND IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THAT PARTY OR ANY REPRESENTATIVE OF THAT PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF, OR OTHERWISE MIGHT HAVE ANTICIPATED THE POSSIBILITY OF, ANY SUCH LOSS OR DAMAGE.
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10.1. |
Agreement Term; Expiration. This Agreement is effective as of the Effective Date and, unless earlier terminated pursuant to the other provisions of this ARTICLE 10, will continue in full force and effect until this Agreement expires as follows:
|
10.1.1. |
on a country-by-country basis, on the date of expiration of all payment obligations by the Commercializing Party under this Agreement with respect to all Products (or Discontinued Products) in such country;
|
10.1.2. |
in its entirety upon the expiration of all payment obligations under this Agreement with respect to all Products (or Discontinued Products) in all countries pursuant to Section 10.1.1;
|
10.1.3. |
where no Development Candidates have been designated by the expiration of the ASO Development Candidate Identification Term as described in Section 1.9; and
|
10.1.4. |
where every Option has expired as a result of Biogen not providing Ionis a written notice stating Biogen is exercising such Options and paying Ionis the applicable license fees under Section 6.2 by the Option Deadline.
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10.2. |
Termination of the Agreement.
|
10.2.1. |
Biogen’s Termination for Convenience. At any time following payment by Biogen of the up-front fee under Section 6.1, subject to Section 10.4.1 below, Biogen may terminate this Agreement for convenience, in its entirety or on a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program or Product-by-Product basis, at any time by [***] days’ written notice to Ionis of such termination.
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10.2.2. |
Termination for Failure to Divest Directly Competitive Product. If a Competing Acquirer does not, during the Divestiture Period, divest itself of a Directly Competitive Product, terminate the development and commercialization of such Directly Competitive Product or assign this Agreement to a Third Party that is not itself developing or commercializing a Directly Competitive Product as set forth in Section 12.5, Biogen may terminate this Agreement immediately upon providing written notice to Ionis.
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10.2.3. |
Termination Due to Failure to Obtain HSR Clearance.
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(a) |
If the Parties make an HSR Filing with respect to a Collaboration Program under Section 3.3 of this Agreement and the HSR Clearance Date has not occurred on or prior to [***] days after the effective date of the latest HSR Filing made by the Parties, this Agreement will terminate solely with respect to the applicable Collaboration Program (i) at the election of either Party immediately upon notice to the other Party, if the FTC or the DOJ has instituted (or threatened to institute) any action, suit or proceeding including seeking, threatening to seek or obtaining a preliminary injunction under the HSR Act against Biogen and Ionis to enjoin or otherwise prohibit the transactions contemplated by this Agreement related to such Collaboration Program, or (ii) at the election of either Party, immediately upon notice to the other Party, if the Parties have not resolved any and all objections of the FTC and DOJ as contemplated by Section 3.3.2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 10.2.3 will not apply if an HSR Filing is not required to fully perform this Agreement with respect to a proposed Collaboration Program.
|
(b) |
If Biogen has paid the up-front fee under Section 6.1 and this Agreement is terminated with respect to a Collaboration Program in accordance with Section 10.2.3(a), then, until [***] as follows:
|
(i) |
If Ionis [***]; and
|
(ii) |
If (a) Ionis, (b) its Affiliates or (c) the licensee [***].
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10.2.4. |
Termination for Material Breach.
|
(a) |
Biogen’s Right to Terminate. If Biogen believes that Ionis is in material breach of this Agreement (other than with respect to a failure to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts under ARTICLE 1, which is governed by Section 10.2.5 below), then Biogen may deliver notice of such material breach to Ionis. If the breach is curable, Ionis will have [***] days to cure such breach. If Ionis fails to cure such breach within the [***]-day period, or if the breach is not subject to cure, Biogen in its sole discretion may terminate this Agreement with respect to the Collaboration Program affected by such breach by providing written notice to Ionis. Without limiting the foregoing, breach by a Party of ARTICLE 2 of this Agreement constitutes a material breach of this Agreement with respect to the Collaboration Program affected by such breach.
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(b) |
Ionis’ Right to Terminate. On a Product-by-Product basis, if Ionis believes that Biogen is in material breach of (i) a payment obligation under ARTICLE 6 with respect to a Product or (ii) one or more material provisions of this Agreement with respect to a Product, where such material breaches have occurred multiple times over the course of at least a [***]-month period (where such material breach is not a single continuous event) demonstrating a pattern of failing to timely comply with Biogen’s obligations under this Agreement (other than with respect to a failure to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts under Section 5.1, which is governed by Section 10.2.5 below), then Ionis may deliver notice of such material breach with respect to such Product to Biogen. If the breach is curable, Biogen will have [***] days to cure such breach (except to the extent such breach involves the failure to make a payment when due, which breach must be cured within [***] days following such notice). If Biogen fails to cure such breach within the [***]-day or [***]-day period, as applicable, or if the breach is not subject to cure, Ionis in its sole discretion may terminate this Agreement with respect to the Collaboration Program affected by such breach by providing written notice to Biogen.
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10.2.5. |
Remedies for Failure to Use Commercially Reasonable Efforts.
|
(a) |
If Ionis, in Biogen’s reasonable determination, fails to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts in the activities contemplated in ARTICLE 1 prior to the date Biogen is granted a license under Section 4.1.1 with respect to a Collaboration Program, Biogen will notify Ionis and, within [***] days thereafter, Ionis and Biogen will meet and confer to discuss and resolve the matter in good faith, and attempt to devise a mutually agreeable plan to address any outstanding issues related to Ionis’ use of Commercially Reasonable Efforts in ARTICLE 1. Following such a meeting, Ionis will have [***] days to cure such outstanding issues related to its use of Commercially Reasonable Efforts. If by the end of the [***]-day period, Ionis fails to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts as contemplated by ARTICLE 1 with respect to the applicable Collaboration Program, then subject to Section 10.2.6 below, Biogen will have the right, at its sole discretion, to (i) terminate this Agreement as it relates to the applicable Collaboration Program, or (ii) if the breach involves a Collaboration Program prior to Option exercise, trigger the alternative remedy provisions of Section 10.3 below as it relates to the applicable Collaboration Program in lieu of terminating this Agreement for such Collaboration Program by providing written notice to Ionis.
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(b) |
If Biogen, in Ionis’ reasonable determination, fails to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts under Section 5.1 above, Ionis will notify Biogen and, within [***] days thereafter, Ionis and Biogen will meet and confer to discuss and resolve the matter in good faith, and attempt to devise a mutually agreeable plan to address any outstanding issues related to Biogen’s use of Commercially Reasonable Efforts in Section 5.1. Following such a meeting, Biogen will have [***] days to cure such outstanding issues related to its use of Commercially Reasonable Efforts. If by the end of the [***]-day period, Biogen fails to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts as contemplated by Section 5.1, then subject to Section 10.2.6 below, Ionis will have the right, at its sole discretion, to terminate this Agreement.
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10.2.6. |
Disputes Regarding Material Breach. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Breaching Party in Section 10.2.4 or Section 10.2.5 disputes in good faith the existence, materiality, or failure to cure of any such breach which is not a payment breach, and provides notice to the Non-Breaching Party of such dispute within such [***]-day period, the Non-Breaching Party will not have the right to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 10.2.4 or Section 10.2.5, or trigger the alternative remedy provisions of Section 10.3, as applicable, unless and until it has been determined in accordance with Section 12.1 that this Agreement was materially breached by the Breaching Party and the Breaching Party fails to cure such breach within [***] days following such determination. It is understood and acknowledged that during the pendency of such dispute, all the terms and conditions of this Agreement will remain in effect and the Parties will continue to perform all of their respective obligations hereunder, including satisfying any payment obligations.
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10.2.7. |
Termination for Insolvency.
|
(a) |
Either Party may terminate this Agreement if, at any time, the other Party files in any court or agency pursuant to any statute or regulation of any state or country a petition in bankruptcy or insolvency or for reorganization or for an arrangement or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee of the Party or of substantially all of its assets; or if the other Party proposes a written agreement of composition or extension of substantially all of its debts; or if the other Party will be served with an involuntary petition against it, filed in any insolvency proceeding, and such petition will not be dismissed within 90 days after the filing thereof; or if the other Party will propose or be a party to any dissolution or liquidation; or if the other Party will make an assignment of substantially all of its assets for the benefit of creditors.
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(b) |
All rights and licenses granted under or pursuant to any section of this Agreement are and will otherwise be deemed to be for purposes of Section 365(n) of Title 11, United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) licenses of rights to “intellectual property” as defined in Section 101(56) of the Bankruptcy Code. The Parties will retain and may fully exercise all of their respective rights and elections under the Bankruptcy Code. Upon the bankruptcy of any Party, the non-bankrupt Party will further be entitled to a complete duplicate of, or complete access to, any such intellectual property, and such, if not already in its possession, will be promptly delivered to the non-bankrupt Party, unless the bankrupt Party elects in writing to continue, and continues, to perform all of its obligations under this Agreement.
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10.2.8. |
Termination for Patent Challenge. Ionis may terminate this Agreement if Biogen (i) commences or otherwise voluntarily determines to participate in any action or proceeding, challenging or denying the enforceability or validity of any claim within an issued patent or patent application within such Licensed Patents, or (ii) directs, supports or actively assists any other Person in bringing or prosecuting any action or proceeding challenging or denying the validity of any claim within an issued patent or patent application within such Licensed Patents and, in each case ((i) or (ii)), within [***] days’ written notice from Ionis, Biogen fails to rescind any and all of such actions, provided however that, nothing in this clause prevents Biogen from taking any of the actions referred to in this clause and provided further that Ionis will not have the right to terminate if Biogen:
|
(a) |
takes any such action as described in clause (i) or (ii) above as may be necessary or reasonably required to assert a cross-claim or a counter-claim or to respond to a court request or order or administrative law request or order, including asserting invalidity as a defense in any court proceeding brought by Ionis asserting infringement of a Licensed Patent; or
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(b) |
Acquires a Third Party that has an existing challenge, whether in a court or administrative proceeding, against a Licensed Patent; or
|
(c) |
licenses a product for which Ionis has an existing challenge, whether in a court or administrative proceeding, against a Licensed Patent.
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10.3. |
Alternative Remedies to Termination Available to Biogen Prior to Option Exercise. If, prior to Option exercise with respect to a particular Collaboration Program, Biogen elects to exercise the alternative remedy provisions of this Section 10.3 in lieu of terminating this Agreement for such Collaboration Program by providing written notice of such election to Ionis in accordance with Section 10.2.5(a), then, solely with respect to the Collaboration Program giving rise to Biogen’s exercise of these alternative remedy provisions, this Agreement will continue in full force and effect with the following modifications:
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(a) |
Ionis will have no further rights or obligations to Develop the Product under the applicable Collaboration Program or participate in the JSC, JPC or any other subcommittees or working groups established pursuant to this Agreement. Biogen will solely make all decisions that this Agreement would otherwise require or permit the JSC, JPC or any other subcommittees or working groups, or the Parties collectively, to make; provided, however, that Biogen will not have the right to create any obligations or incur any liabilities for or on behalf of Ionis;
|
(b) |
effective as of the date of Biogen’s notice to Ionis electing the alternative remedy provisions of this Section 10.3, Biogen will be deemed for all purposes of this Agreement to have exercised the applicable Option;
|
(c) |
Biogen will have and Ionis grants, the exclusive license granted to Biogen under Section 4.1.1 for the applicable Collaboration Program;
|
(d) |
Biogen may exclude Ionis from all discussions with Regulatory Authorities regarding the applicable Products, except to the extent Ionis’ participation is required by a Regulatory Authority or is otherwise reasonably necessary to comply with Applicable Law;
|
(e) |
Biogen’s obligation to make further disclosures of Know-How or other information to Ionis regarding the applicable Products pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to Section 4.9) will terminate, other than reports required by Section 6.9.1, Section 10.4.3 (if applicable), and as reasonably required to permit Ionis to perform its obligations under this Agreement; provided such remedy will not limit or diminish the scope of any licenses granted by Biogen to Ionis under this Agreement; and
|
(f) |
Ionis will perform its obligations under Section 4.9 with respect to the applicable Product within [***] days of Biogen electing to exercise its alternative remedies under this Section 10.3, and will provide to Biogen and its Third Party contractors all Know-How, assistance, assignments and other support reasonably requested to assist Biogen in assuming complete responsibility for the Development and Manufacture of the applicable Products in an efficient and orderly manner.
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10.4. |
Consequences of Expiration or Termination of the Agreement.
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10.4.1. |
In General. If this Agreement expires or is terminated by a Party in accordance with this ARTICLE 10 at any time and for any reason, the following terms will apply to any Product that is the subject of such expiration or termination:
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(a) |
Return of Information and Materials. The Parties will return (or destroy, as directed by the other Party) all data, files, records and other materials containing or comprising the other Party’s Confidential Information, except to the extent such Confidential Information is necessary or useful to conduct activities for a surviving Product or Spinraza®. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties will be permitted to retain one copy of such data, files, records, and other materials for archival and legal compliance purposes.
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(b) |
Accrued Rights. Termination or expiration of this Agreement for any reason will be without prejudice to any rights or financial compensation that will have accrued to the benefit of a Party prior to such termination or expiration. Such termination or expiration will not relieve a Party from obligations that are expressly indicated to survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement. For purposes of clarification, milestone payments under ARTICLE 6 accrue as of the date the applicable Milestone Event is achieved even if the payment is not due at that time.
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(c) |
No Effect on Original Agreement. For clarity, the expiration or termination of this Agreement shall not modify the rights and obligations of the Parties under the Original Agreement.
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(d) |
Survival. The following provisions of this Agreement will survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement: Section 1.9 (End of ASO Development Candidate Identification Term); Section 1.10 (Carryover Development Candidates); ARTICLE 2 (Exclusivity Covenants) (solely to the extent set forth in Section 2.4 (Exclusivity Under Original Agreement)); Section 3.2 (Option and Option Deadline) (but only with respect to each Party’s transfer obligations thereunder); Section 4.1.3 (Effect of Termination on Sublicenses); Section 4.2.2 (Grant Back to Ionis); Section 4.3 (Data Licenses); Section 4.4.3 (Enabling License to Biogen); Section 4.4.4 (Enabling License to Ionis); Section 4.5 (Licenses to Ionis for Biogen Results); Section 4.6 (Right to Obtain Direct License from Biogen to Ionis Partner; Sublicensees of Ionis); Section 4.7.2 (Priority Review Vouchers) (but not in the case where this Agreement is terminated under Section 10.2.2, Section 10.2.4(a) or Section 10.2.5(a)); Section 5.4 (Research and Manufacturing Records); Section 6.7 (Reverse Royalty Payments to Biogen for a Discontinued Product); Section 6.9.3 (Records Retention); Section 6.10 (Audits); Section 6.13 (Exclusion of Products under Original Agreement); Section 7.1.1 (Ionis Technology and Biogen Technology); Section 7.1.2 (Agreement Technology); Section 8.4 (Disclaimer); ARTICLE 9 (Indemnification; Insurance); Section 10.2.3(b); Section 10.2.7 (Termination for Insolvency); Section 10.4 (Consequences of Expiration or Termination of the Agreement) (except Section 10.4.5 (Remedies Available to Biogen after Ionis’ Material Breach After Option Exercise)); ARTICLE 11 (Confidentiality); ARTICLE 12 (Miscellaneous) and Appendix 1 (Definitions) (to the extent definitions are embodied in the foregoing listed Articles and Sections).
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10.4.2. |
Natural Expiration. If this Agreement expires in accordance with Section 10.1.1 or Section 10.1.2, the following terms will apply to any Product that is the subject of such expiration:
|
(a) |
Perpetual, Royalty-Free Non-Exclusive License. If Biogen has been granted a license under Section 4.1.1 for a particular Product, then upon expiration of the Reduced Royalty Period for such Product in all countries in which such Product is being or has been sold, Ionis will and hereby does grant to Biogen a perpetual, non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, fully paid-up, sublicensable license under the Ionis Know-How to Manufacture, Develop and Commercialize the applicable Product.
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10.4.3. |
Termination Before License Grant. If this Agreement expires or is terminated by a Party in accordance with this ARTICLE 10 before Biogen has been granted a license under Section 4.1.1 for a particular Product, then, in addition to the terms set forth in Section 10.4.1, the following terms will apply to each Product or Collaboration Program that is the subject of such expiration or termination:
|
(a) |
Biogen’s Option under ARTICLE 3 will expire.
|
(b) |
Solely in the event that this Agreement expires or is terminated by a Party in its entirety or upon termination of both Collaboration Programs without Option exercise by Biogen, Ionis will be free to Develop and Commercialize the applicable Product (and any other applicable Compounds or other ASOs designed to bind to the RNA that encodes SMN) on its own or with a Third Party, subject to the provisions of Section 1.10 and ARTICLE 2 of this Agreement.
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(c) |
Solely in the event that this Agreement expires or is terminated by a Party in its entirety or upon termination of both Collaboration Programs without Option exercise by Biogen, neither Party will have any further obligations under Section 2.1 of this Agreement, except as expressly set forth in Section 2.4 of this Agreement.
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(d) |
Solely in the event that this Agreement expires or is terminated by a Party in its entirety or upon termination of both Collaboration Programs without Option exercise by Biogen, to the extent requested by Ionis, Biogen will promptly (1) assign to Ionis any manufacturing agreements with a CMO identified by Ionis to which Biogen is a party, solely to the extent such manufacturing agreements relate to the Collaboration Programs, and (2) transfer to Ionis all data, results and information (including Biogen’s Confidential Information and any regulatory documentation (including drafts)) related to the testing and Clinical Studies under the Collaboration Programs in the possession of Biogen and its contractors to the extent such data, results and information were generated by or on behalf of Biogen under this Agreement; and Ionis will pay all out-of-pocket direct Third Party costs and expenses in transferring such data, results and information together with Biogen’s FTE Cost in transferring such data, results and information.
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(e) |
Except as explicitly set forth in Section 10.4.1(a) or 10.4.1(b), Biogen will have no further rights and Ionis will have no further obligations with respect to the terminated Products and Collaboration Programs.
|
(f) |
If this Agreement is terminated in its entirety by Biogen for convenience, then:
|
(i) |
Biogen will, and does hereby, grant to Ionis a sublicensable, worldwide, exclusive license or sublicense, as the case may be, to all Biogen Technology Controlled by Biogen as of the date of such reversion that Covers the applicable Discontinued Product(s) solely as necessary to Develop, make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, have sold, import and otherwise Commercialize the applicable Discontinued Product(s) in the Field (such license will be sublicensable by Ionis in accordance with Section 4.1.2, mutatis mutandis); and
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(ii) |
Within 30 days following the date of the termination, Biogen will assign, and hereby does assign, to Ionis all of Biogen’s right, title and interest in and to all Regulatory Materials, including any IND and orphan drug designation that relate to the applicable Discontinued Product(s), provided that, (x) notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to the provisions of Section 2.1, the Parties acknowledge that Biogen shall be permitted to use excerpts or portions of any such assigned Regulatory Materials in any other regulatory submissions, notifications, registrations, approvals and/or other filings and correspondence made to or with a Regulatory Authority in any country or jurisdiction related to products under the Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreements or products that do not include an Oligonucleotide as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, provided, further that, for such products that do not include an Oligonucleotide as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, such excerpts or portions shall not include any Confidential Information of Ionis, and (y) for clarity, such assignment of Biogen’s right, title and interest in and to such Regulatory Materials shall not include the assignment of any Know-How (including any data) contained therein. If Biogen intends to use any excerpt or portion of any such assigned Regulatory Materials in accordance with clause (x) of the preceding sentence, Biogen shall, at least 30 days in advance of the anticipated submission of such excerpt or portion to a Regulatory Authority, notify Ionis of such intent and provide to Ionis a copy of such proposed excerpt or portion for review and comment. The Parties shall discuss in good faith any comments of Ionis with respect to such proposed excerpt or portion prior to submission thereof.
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10.4.4. |
Termination After License Grant. If this Agreement is terminated by a Party in accordance with this ARTICLE 10 after Biogen has been granted a license under Section 4.1.1 for a particular Product, then, in addition to the terms set forth in Section 10.4.1, the following terms will apply to any Product or Collaboration Program that is the subject of such termination:
|
(a) |
The applicable licenses granted by Ionis to Biogen under this Agreement will terminate. Biogen, its Affiliates and Sublicensees will cease selling the applicable Products, unless Ionis elects to have Biogen continue to sell the applicable Products as part of the Transition Services to the extent provided in Section 10.4.6.
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(b) |
Solely in the event that this Agreement expires or is terminated by a Party in its entirety, neither Party will have any further obligations under Section 2.1 of this Agreement, except as expressly set forth in Section 2.4 of this Agreement.
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(c) |
Except as explicitly set forth in Section 10.4.1(a), Biogen will have no further rights and Ionis will have no further obligations with respect to the terminated Product and Collaboration Program(s).
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(d) |
If (i) Biogen terminates the Agreement under Section 10.2.1 (Biogen’s Termination for Convenience) or (ii) Ionis terminates this Agreement under Section 10.2.4(b) (Ionis’ Right to Terminate) or Section 10.2.5 (Remedies for Failure to Use Commercially Reasonable Efforts), in each case, in its entirety, then the following additional terms will also apply:
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(i) |
Biogen will, and does hereby, grant to Ionis a sublicensable, worldwide, exclusive license or sublicense, as the case may be, to all Biogen Technology Controlled by Biogen as of the date of such reversion that Covers the Discontinued Product(s) solely as necessary to Develop, make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, have sold, import and otherwise Commercialize the Discontinued Product(s) in the Field (such license will be sublicensable by Ionis in accordance with Section 4.1.2, mutatis mutandis);
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(ii) |
Within 60 days following the date of the termination, Biogen will assign back to Ionis any Product-Specific Patents and Ionis’ interest in any Program Patents that relate to the applicable Discontinued Product(s) previously assigned by Ionis to Biogen under this Agreement;
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(iii) |
Within 60 days following the date of the termination, Biogen will transfer to Ionis solely for use with respect to the Development and Commercialization of the applicable Discontinued Product(s), any Know-How, data, results and copies of Regulatory Materials in the possession of Biogen as of the date of such reversion to the extent related to such Discontinued Product(s), and any other information or material specified in Section 4.9, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, as between the Parties, title to any intellectual property that is Biogen Technology within any of the foregoing will remain with Biogen subject to the license granted to Ionis under Section 10.4.4(d)(i), except as otherwise provided in Section 10.4.4(d)(iv) below;
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(iv) |
Within [***] days following the date of the termination, Biogen will assign, and hereby does assign, to Ionis all of Biogen’s right, title and interest in and to all Regulatory Materials, including any NDA, IND and orphan drug designation that relate to the applicable terminated Product(s), provided that, (x) notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to the provisions of Section 2.1, the Parties acknowledge that Biogen shall be permitted to use excerpts or portions of any such assigned Regulatory Materials in any other regulatory submissions, notifications, registrations, approvals and/or other filings and correspondence made to or with a Regulatory Authority in any country or jurisdiction related to products under the Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreements or products that do not include an Oligonucleotide as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, provided, further that, for such products that do not include an Oligonucleotide as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, such excerpts or portions shall not include any Confidential Information of Ionis, and (y) for clarity, such assignment of Biogen’s right, title and interest in and to such Regulatory Materials shall not include the assignment of any Know-How (including any data) contained therein. If Biogen intends to use any excerpt or portion of any such assigned Regulatory Materials in accordance with clause (x) of the preceding sentence, Biogen shall, at least 30 days in advance of the anticipated submission of such excerpt or portion to a Regulatory Authority, notify Ionis of such intent and provide to Ionis a copy of such proposed excerpt or portion for review and comment. The Parties shall discuss in good faith any comments of Ionis with respect to such proposed excerpt or portion prior to submission thereof;
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(v) |
Biogen will, and does hereby, exclusively license to Ionis any trademarks that are specific to the Discontinued Product(s) solely for use with such Discontinued Product(s); provided, however, in no event will Biogen have any obligation to license to Ionis any trademarks used by Biogen both in connection with the Product and in connection with the sale of any other product or service, including any BIOGEN- or BIOGEN-formative marks;
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(vi) |
Ionis will control and be responsible for all aspects of the Prosecution and Maintenance of all Jointly-Owned Program Patents arising from the terminated Product and/or Collaboration Program, and Biogen will provide Ionis with (and will instruct its counsel to provide Ionis with) all of the information and records in Biogen’s and its counsel’s possession related to the Prosecution and Maintenance of such Jointly-Owned Program Patents; provided, however, if Ionis intends to abandon any such Jointly-Owned Program Patents without first filing a continuation or substitution, then Ionis will notify Biogen of such intention at least [***] days before such Patent Right will become abandoned, and Biogen will have the right, but not the obligation, to assume responsibility for the Prosecution and Maintenance thereof at its own expense with counsel of its own choice; and
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(vii) |
Ionis will have the obligation to pay royalties to Biogen under Section 6.7 with respect to the Discontinued Product(s). Such payments will be governed by the financial provisions in Section 6.8.3(b), and the definition of Net Sales will apply to sales of Discontinued Product(s) by Ionis, in each case mutatis mutandis.
|
(e) |
If Ionis terminates this Agreement in its entirety due to Biogen’s material breach or Biogen terminates this Agreement in its entirety for convenience, upon Ionis’ written request pursuant to a mutually agreed supply agreement, Biogen will sell to Ionis any bulk API, Clinical Supplies and Finished Drug Product with respect to the Discontinued Product(s) in Biogen’s possession at the time of such termination, at a price equal to [***].
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(f) |
Solely in the event that this Agreement expires or is terminated by a Party in its entirety, to the extent requested by Ionis, Biogen will promptly assign to Ionis any manufacturing agreements solely to the extent related to the Discontinued Product(s) and identified by Ionis to which Biogen is a party.
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10.4.5. |
Remedies Available to Biogen for Ionis’ Material Breach After Option Exercise.
|
(a) |
Termination of Committees and Information Sharing. If, after Option exercise, Ionis materially breaches this Agreement and fails to cure such breach within the time periods set forth under Section 10.2.4(a) or Section 10.2.5(a), and Biogen does not wish to terminate this Agreement in its entirety (an “Ionis Breach Event”), then, in addition to any other remedies Biogen may have under this Agreement or otherwise, Biogen will have the right to do any or all of the following in Biogen’s discretion solely with respect to the Collaboration Programs that are the subject of the Ionis Breach Event:
|
(i) |
terminate Ionis’ right to participate in the JPC, which will be disbanded (except to the extent it is performing activities under an Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreement);
|
(ii) |
terminate Ionis’ participation in any ongoing research and development programs under the applicable Collaboration Program and Biogen’s funding obligations associated therewith;
|
(iii) |
solely make all decisions required or permitted to be made by the JPC or the Parties collectively under this Agreement in connection with the Development and Commercialization of the applicable Product; provided, however, that Biogen will not have the right to create any obligations or incur any liabilities for or on behalf of Ionis;
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(iv) |
exclude Ionis from all discussions with Regulatory Authorities regarding applicable Products, except to the extent Ionis’ participation is required by a Regulatory Authority or is otherwise reasonably necessary to comply with Applicable Law;
|
(v) |
terminate Biogen’s obligation to make further disclosures of Know-How or other information to Ionis pursuant to this Agreement related to the applicable Products, including pursuant to Section 4.9 and Section 5.3.2, other than reports required by Section 6.9.1, Section 10.4.4 (if applicable), and as reasonably required to permit Ionis to perform its obligations under this Agreement; provided such remedy will not limit or diminish the scope of any licenses granted by Biogen to Ionis under this Agreement; and
|
(vi) |
if Ionis has not completed the activities that are its responsibility under the Collaboration Programs, then Biogen may, but will not be obligated to, assume all responsibility for all such activities that would have otherwise been Ionis’ responsibility under this Agreement.
|
(b) |
Biogen’s Right of Setoff. If there is an [***] and Biogen does not wish to [***], then, in addition to any other remedies Biogen may have under this Agreement or otherwise, Biogen may setoff against any amounts owed to Ionis pursuant to ARTICLE 6 (Financial Provisions) solely with respect to the Collaboration Program that is the subject of the Ionis Breach Event [***] (the “Setoff Amount”). If Biogen exercises its setoff right under this Section 10.4.5(b), Biogen will provide Ionis with a written certificate, signed by Biogen’s Chief Financial Officer, certifying that the amount setoff by Biogen represents [***]. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Ionis notifies Biogen in writing (a “Setoff Dispute Notice”) that it disputes Biogen’s assertion that Ionis is in material breach of this Agreement or the amount setoff by Biogen (a “Setoff Dispute”), then (i) both Parties will participate in the dispute resolution process set forth on Schedule 10.4.5(b), and (ii) pending the Parties' agreement regarding the appropriate setoff (if any) or a determination by the Advisory Panel of the proper amount that Biogen may setoff (if any) in accordance with Schedule 10.4.5(b), Biogen will pay the Setoff Amount into an interest-bearing escrow account established for the purpose at a bank. If the Parties cannot settle their dispute by mutual agreement, then, in accordance with Schedule 10.4.5(b) the Advisory Panel will determine (1) the amount (if any) that Biogen may setoff against future payments solely with respect to the Collaboration Program that is the subject of the Ionis Breach Event to Ionis going forward, and (2) whether any portion of the escrow account should be released to Ionis or returned to Biogen, provided that any decision or determination by the Advisory Panel (a “Panel Decision”) will not be treated as an arbitral award but will be binding on the Parties until and unless a court of competent jurisdiction (the “Trial Court”) has determined in a judgment regarding some or all of the issues decided in the Panel Decision, and in any Action contemplated by the next sentence hereof the Trial Court will determine the facts and the law de novo, and will give a Panel Decision only such persuasive effect, if any, that after review of all of the facts and the law presented to the Trial Court by the Parties, the Trial Court deems appropriate, provided, that the escrow agent will comply with a Panel Decision that determines that any portion of the escrow account should be released to Ionis or returned to Biogen. If it is determined in a judgment by the Trial Court that Ionis owes Biogen any damages, then, during the pendency of any appeal of the Trial Court’s decision (or, if the Trial Court’s decision is not appealed, until Biogen recoups such amount), Biogen may setoff against any future payments solely with respect to the Collaboration Programs that are the subject of the Ionis Breach Event to Ionis under this Agreement the amount of any such damages not paid by Ionis. If it is determined in a Trial Court that Biogen has setoff an amount that exceeds the amount of losses, damages and expenses actually incurred by Biogen as a result of Ionis’ breach of this Agreement, then Biogen will promptly pay Ionis the amount of such excess, plus interest on such amount as provided for in Section 6.12 (Interest), with interest accruing from the time Biogen applied such excess setoff. If, with respect to a Setoff Dispute, Ionis provides a Setoff Dispute Notice to Biogen and Biogen fails to do any of the following: (X) appoint a member of the Advisory Panel to the extent required in Section 2 of Schedule 10.4.5(b); (Y) meet with the Advisory Panel as required in Section 3 of Schedule 10.4.5(b); or (Z) pay the Setoff Amount into an interest-bearing escrow account established for the purpose at a bank, then Biogen will forfeit its right to set off under this Section 10.4.5(b) and Schedule 10.4.5(b) with respect to any and all Setoff Disputes.
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10.4.6. |
Transition Services. In the case where (i) Biogen terminates this Agreement in its entirety under Section 10.2.1 (Biogen’s Termination for Convenience) or (ii) Ionis terminates this Agreement in its entirety under Section 10.2.4(b) (Ionis’ Right to Terminate) or Section 10.2.5 (Remedies for Failure to Use Commercially Reasonable Efforts), the terms of this Section 10.4.6 shall apply.
|
(a) |
In such event, the Parties wish to provide a mechanism to ensure that patients who were being treated with a Product prior to such termination or who desire access to a Product can continue to have access to such Product while the regulatory and commercial responsibilities for such Product are transitioned from Biogen to Ionis. As such, Ionis may request Biogen perform transition services as listed on Schedule 10.4.6 and such other transition services that the Parties mutually agree in writing to (1) provide patients with continued access to the applicable Products, (2) transition the responsibilities under all Approvals and ongoing Clinical Studies for the applicable Product to Ionis or its designee, and (3) transition the then-current supply process and responsibilities for the Products to Ionis or its designee (collectively, the “Transition Services”). Subject to the Parties agreeing on a transition plan as described in Section 10.4.6(b), Biogen will perform such Transition Services using reasonable efforts for a period not to exceed [***] months from the termination date; provided that Biogen and Ionis may mutually agree to conduct the Transition Services for a longer period of time. Notwithstanding the provision of the Transition Services under this Section 10.4.6(a), Ionis shall not conduct activities with respect to any Discontinued Products to the extent prohibited by ARTICLE 2 of this Agreement.
|
(b) |
Ionis may elect to have Biogen perform the Transition Services by providing written notice to Biogen no later than 30 days following the effective date of the termination. If Ionis requests Transition Services, then Ionis shall propose a transition plan setting forth the Transition Services to be performed by Biogen, including delivery and transition dates consistent with those set forth on Schedule 10.4.6, and, for a period of 30 days after such request, the Parties will use good faith efforts to negotiate a mutually agreeable version of such transition plan. In addition, the Parties will, within 30 days after such request, establish a transition committee consisting of at least each Party’s Alliance Managers, a representative from each Party’s chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) group who was responsible for the Products prior to the termination, and up to two additional representatives from each Party who are from other relevant functional groups to facilitate a smooth transition. While Biogen is providing Transition Services, Biogen and Ionis will mutually agree on talking points and a communication plan to customers, specialty pharmacies, physicians, Regulatory Authorities, patient advocacy groups, and clinical study investigators, and Biogen will make all such communication to such entities in accordance with the mutually agreed talking points.
|
(c) |
Ionis will pay Biogen for the Transition Services at [***]% of Biogen’s internal costs to perform the Transition Services, calculated using the same methodology as Biogen used to calculate such expenses for such Product in its most recently audited financial statements prior to the termination date. In addition, Ionis will reimburse [***]% of Biogen’s out-of-pocket costs to perform the Transition Services. Ionis will own all revenue derived from the Products after the termination date and Biogen will remit all such revenues to Ionis no later than the [***] day following the end of the month in which such revenue was received.
|
(d) |
Ionis or its designee will be sufficiently prepared to accept the transition of Development, Manufacturing and Commercialization activities with respect to the Products to Ionis or such designee on the timelines set forth on Schedule 10.4.6 for the Transition Services. Biogen will have no liability under this Agreement with respect to a failure of or delay in the Transition Services to the extent caused by any failure or delay by Ionis or its designee in accepting the transition of Development, Manufacturing and Commercialization activities with respect to the Products. In the event that Biogen encounters any delays beyond Biogen’s reasonable control, the Parties shall discuss in good faith and agree upon extended timelines for completion of the Transition Services.
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11.1. |
Confidentiality; Exceptions. Except to the extent expressly authorized by this Agreement or otherwise agreed in writing, the Parties agree that, during the Agreement Term and for five years thereafter, the receiving Party (the “Receiving Party”) and its Affiliates will keep confidential and will not publish or otherwise disclose or use for any purpose other than as provided for in this Agreement any confidential or proprietary information or materials, patentable or otherwise, in any form (written, oral, photographic, electronic, magnetic, or otherwise) which is disclosed to it by the other Party (the “Disclosing Party”) or its Affiliates or otherwise received or accessed by a Receiving Party in the course of performing its obligations or exercising its rights under this Agreement or the Original Agreement, including trade secrets, Know-How, inventions or discoveries, proprietary information, formulae, processes, techniques and information relating to the past, present and future marketing, financial, and research and development activities of any product or potential product or useful technology of the Disclosing Party or its Affiliates and the pricing thereof (collectively, “Confidential Information”).
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11.2. |
Authorized Disclosure. Except as expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement, a Receiving Party or its Affiliates may use and disclose to Third Parties Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party as follows: (i) solely in connection with the performance of its obligations or exercise of rights granted or reserved in this Agreement under confidentiality provisions no less restrictive than those in this Agreement, provided, that Confidential Information may be disclosed by a Receiving Party to a governmental entity or agency without requiring such entity or agency to enter into a confidentiality agreement; (ii) to the extent reasonably necessary to file or prosecute patent, copyright and trademark applications (subject to Section 11.3 below), complying with applicable governmental regulations, obtaining Approvals, conducting Preclinical Studies or Clinical Studies, marketing the Products, or as otherwise required by Applicable Law, regulation, rule or legal process (including the rules of the SEC and any stock exchange); provided, however, that if a Receiving Party or any of its Affiliates is required by law or regulation to make any such disclosure of a Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information it will, except where impracticable for necessary disclosures, give reasonable advance notice to the Disclosing Party of such disclosure requirement and will use its reasonable efforts to secure confidential treatment of such Confidential Information required to be disclosed; (iii) in communication with actual or potential lenders, investors, merger partners, acquirers, consultants, or professional advisors on a need-to-know basis, in each case under confidentiality provisions no less restrictive than those of this Agreement; (iv) to the extent such disclosure is required to comply with existing expressly stated contractual obligations owed to such Party’s or its Affiliates’ licensor with respect to any intellectual property licensed to the other Party under this Agreement; or (v) as mutually agreed to in writing by the Parties.
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11.3. |
Press Release; Publications; Disclosure of Agreement.
|
11.3.1. |
Public Announcements. On or promptly after the Effective Date, the Parties will jointly issue a public announcement of the execution of this Agreement in form and substance mutually agreed by the Parties. Except to the extent required to comply with Applicable Law, regulation, rule or legal process or as otherwise permitted in accordance with this Section 11.3, neither Party nor such Party’s Affiliates will make any public announcements, press releases or other public disclosures concerning this Agreement or the terms or the subject matter hereof without the prior written consent of the other, which will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
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11.3.2. |
Use of Name. Except as set forth in Section 11.3.8, neither Party will use the other Party’s name in a press release or other publication without first obtaining the prior consent of the Party to be named.
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11.3.3. |
Notice of Significant Events. Each Party will immediately notify (and provide as much advance notice as possible, but at a minimum two Business Days’ advance notice to) the other Party of any event materially related to a Product (including in such notice any disclosure of starting/stopping of a Clinical Study, clinical data or results, material regulatory discussions, filings, Approval or Biogen’s sales projections) so the Parties may analyze the need for or desirability of publicly disclosing or reporting such event.
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11.3.4. |
Prior to License Grant. Prior to the date Biogen has been granted a license under Section 4.1.1 with respect to a Product, such Product is the sole property of Ionis and, subject to the provisions of this Section 11.3.4, Ionis will have the sole right to issue press releases, publish, present or otherwise disclose the progress and results regarding such Product to the public, which shall be consistent with its practice with its other compounds and products; provided that, with respect to any proposed press release or other similar public communication by Ionis disclosing regulatory discussions or data or results arising from a Collaboration Program or Development activities under this Agreement, or that may be reasonably anticipated to impact Spinraza®, (i) Ionis will submit such proposed communication to Biogen for review at least two Business Days in advance of such proposed public disclosure, (ii) Biogen will have the right to review and recommend changes to such communication, (iii) Ionis will in good faith consider any changes that are timely recommended by Biogen, and (iv) to the extent such communication discloses data or results arising from a Collaboration Program or Development activities, (x) if Biogen informs Ionis that such communication contains Biogen Confidential Information, then Ionis will delete such Biogen Confidential Information from such communication, and (y) if Biogen informs Ionis that such communication would disclose inventions made by either Party in the course of a Collaboration Program or Development activities under this Agreement that have not yet been protected through the filing of a patent application, or the public disclosure of such communication could be expected to have a material adverse effect on any Patent Rights or Know-How solely owned or Controlled by Biogen, then Ionis will either (a) delay such proposed publication for up to 60 days from the date Biogen informed Ionis of its objection to such communication, to permit the timely preparation and first filing of patent application(s) on the information involved or (b) remove the identified disclosures prior to the publication of such communication.
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11.3.5. |
After License Grant. After the date Biogen has been granted a license under Section 4.1.1 with respect to a Product, subject to the provisions of this Section 11.3.5, Biogen will have the sole right to issue press releases, publish, present or otherwise disclose the progress and results regarding such Product to the public, which shall be consistent with its practice with its other compounds and products; provided that with respect to any proposed press release or other similar public communication by Biogen disclosing regulatory discussions, Biogen’s sales projections or data or results arising from a Collaboration Program or Development activities under this Agreement, (i) Biogen will submit such proposed communication to Ionis for review at least two Business Days in advance of such proposed public disclosure, (ii) Ionis will have the right to review and recommend changes to such communication, (iii) Biogen will in good faith consider any changes that are timely recommended by Ionis, and (iv) to the extent such communication discloses data or results arising from a Collaboration Program or Development activities, (x) if Ionis informs Biogen that such communication contains Ionis Confidential Information, then Biogen will delete such Ionis Confidential Information from such communication, and (y) if Ionis informs Biogen that such communication would disclose inventions made by either Party in the course of a Collaboration Program or Development activities under this Agreement that have not yet been protected through the filing of a patent application, or the public disclosure of such communication could be expected to have a material adverse effect on any Patent Rights or Know-How solely owned or Controlled by Ionis, then Biogen will either (a) delay such proposed publication for up to 60 days from the date Ionis informed Biogen of its objection to such communication, to permit the timely preparation and first filing of patent application(s) on the information involved or (b) remove the identified disclosures prior to the publication of such communication.
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11.3.6. |
Scientific or Clinical Presentations for Products. Regarding any proposed scientific publications or public presentations related to summaries of data or results arising from a Collaboration Program or Development activities under this Agreement, the Parties acknowledge that scientific lead time is a key element of the value of the Products under this Agreement and further agree to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to control public scientific disclosures of such data or results, to prevent any potential adverse effect of any premature public disclosure of such data or results. The Parties will establish a procedure for publication review and each Party will first submit to the other Party through the JPC an early draft of all such publications or presentations, whether they are to be presented orally or in written form, at least [***] days prior to submission for publication including to facilitate the publication of any summaries of such data or results as required on the clinical trial registry of each respective Party, as applicable. Each Party will review such proposed publication in order to avoid the unauthorized disclosure of a Party’s Confidential Information and to preserve the patentability of inventions arising from the Collaboration Programs. If, during such [***]-day period, the other Party informs such Party that its proposed publication contains Confidential Information of the other Party, then such Party will delete such Confidential Information from its proposed publication. In addition, if at any time during such [***]-day period, the other Party informs such Party that its proposed publication discloses inventions made by either Party in the course of a Collaboration Program or Development activities under this Agreement that have not yet been protected through the filing of a patent application, or the public disclosure of such proposed publication could be expected to have a material adverse effect on any Patent Rights or Know-How solely owned or Controlled by such other Party, then such Party will either (i) delay such proposed publication for up to [***] days from the date the other Party informed such Party of its objection to the proposed publication, to permit the timely preparation and first filing of patent application(s) on the information involved or (ii) remove the identified disclosures prior to publication. With respect to each Clinical Study, Biogen shall determine authorship or attribution with respect to any proposed publications regarding the results of such Clinical Study, by interpreting and applying the authorship and attribution principles of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors’ Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals.
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11.3.7. |
SEC Filings. Each Party will give the other Party a reasonable opportunity to review all material filings with the SEC describing the terms of this Agreement prior to submission of such filings, and will give due consideration to any reasonable comments by the non-filing Party relating to such filing.
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11.3.8. |
Subsequent Disclosure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent information regarding this Agreement or a Product has already been publicly disclosed, either Party (or its Affiliates) may subsequently disclose the same information to the public without the consent of the other Party.
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11.3.9. |
Acknowledgment. Each Party will acknowledge in any press release, public presentation or publication regarding the Collaboration Programs or a Product, the other Party’s role in discovering and developing the Product or Discontinued Product, as applicable, that the Product is under license from Ionis and otherwise acknowledge the contributions from the other Party, and each Party’s stock ticker symbol (e.g., Nasdaq: IONS, BIIB).
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(a) |
Biogen understands and acknowledges the importance to Ionis of continuing to be associated with the drugs it discovers under the Collaboration Programs. As such, Biogen agrees that it will use reasonable efforts to prominently acknowledge Ionis’ role in the discovery of a Product in any scientific, medical and other Product-related communications to the extent such communications address the research, discovery or commercialization of a Product, by prominently including the words “Discovered by Ionis” or equivalent language (collectively, the “Ionis Attribution Language”) in any such communications; provided, however, that Biogen shall have no obligation to include the Ionis Attribution Language in any of the following: (i) communications or materials where such inclusion would be prohibited by Applicable Laws or applicable Third Party institutional, corporate or other policies; (ii) communications that Biogen does not control, such as publications with non-Biogen lead authors; (iii) materials primarily focused on or directed to patients, or other materials where Biogen branding is not prominently featured; or (iv) abstracts or other communications with a word limitation, if Biogen reasonably determines that such word limitation would preclude the inclusion of the Ionis Attribution Language, provided that, in each case, Biogen will use reasonable efforts to have the Ionis Attribution Language included in any such communication, consistent with the efforts that Biogen uses to have statements regarding its own contributions to the Product included in such communication.
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(b) |
Ionis may include the Products (and identify Biogen as its partner for the Products) in Ionis’ drug pipeline.
|
12.1. |
Dispute Resolution.
|
12.1.1. |
Escalation. In the event of any Dispute (other than a Setoff Dispute, which Setoff Dispute will be resolved pursuant to Section 12.1.3, or dispute regarding the construction, validity or enforcement of either Party’s Patent Rights, which disputes will be resolved pursuant to Section 12.2), either Party may, within [***] days after either Party notifies the other Party that the Dispute has not been resolved (provided, that such notice cannot be given less than [***] days after the Dispute has arisen), make a written request that the Dispute be referred for resolution to the Executive Vice President, Business Development of Biogen and the Chief Operating Officer of Ionis (the “Executives”). Within [***] days of either Party’s written request that the Dispute be referred to the Executives, the Executives will meet in person at a mutually acceptable time and location or by means of telephone or video conference to negotiate a settlement of a Dispute. If the Executives fail to resolve the Dispute within such [***]-day period, then the Dispute will be referred to mediation under Section 12.1.2.
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12.1.2. |
Mediation. If a Dispute subject to Section 12.1.1 cannot be resolved pursuant to Section 12.1.1, or if neither Party timely makes the written request that the Dispute be referred to the Executives, the Parties will resolve any such Dispute in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures set forth in Schedule 12.1.2.
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12.1.3. |
Setoff Disputes. Setoff Disputes will be resolved in accordance with Section 10.4.5(b) and Schedule 10.4.5(b).
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12.1.4. |
Technical Failure. If Biogen disagrees with Ionis’ determination that a Technical Failure has occurred under Section 1.2, Biogen may refer the matter to an independent qualified Third Party expert accepted by both Parties for final resolution of the dispute. The expert will use the information, materials and data provided to her or him by either Party to promptly resolve the dispute. The decision of the expert will be binding upon both Parties. The Parties will equally share the costs of the expert. Should the Parties fail to agree on the expert within 10 days following either Party’s request to nominate an expert under this Section 12.1.4, each Party will nominate an independent expert (who will not be a current or former employee of a Party or any of their Affiliates or have any personal or financial interest in a Party or any of their Affiliates), and promptly thereafter, those two independent experts will agree on the Third Party expert to resolve the dispute in accordance with this Section 12.1.4. In the event of any expert proceeding under this Section 12.1.4, Ionis will not be required to conduct the applicable ASO Development Candidate Identification Plan during the pendency of such proceeding.
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12.2. |
Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Venue; Service of Process.
|
12.2.1. |
This Agreement and any Dispute will be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, U.S.A., without reference to conflicts of laws principles.
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12.2.2. |
Subject to the provisions of Section 12.1, each Party by its execution hereof, (a) hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (or, if but only if such court lacks, or will not exercise, subject matter jurisdiction over the entirety of a Dispute, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if but only if such court lacks, or will not exercise, subject matter jurisdiction over the entirety of a Dispute, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware, with respect to the Dispute) for the purpose of any Dispute arising between the Parties in connection with this Agreement (each, an “Action”) and (b) hereby waives to the extent not prohibited by Applicable Law, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such Action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that venue in the above-named courts is improper, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that any such Action brought in the above-named courts should be dismissed on grounds of forum non conveniens, should be transferred or removed to any court other than the above-named courts, or should be stayed by reason of the pendency of some other proceeding in any other court other than the above-named courts, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such courts and (c) hereby agrees not to commence any such Action other than before the above-named courts. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, a Party may commence any Action in a court other than the above-named court solely for the purpose of enforcing an order or judgment issued by the above-named court.
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12.2.3. |
Each Party hereby agrees that service of process: (a) made in any manner permitted by Delaware law, or (b) made by overnight express courier service (signature required), prepaid, at its address specified pursuant to Section 12.7, will constitute good and valid service of process in any such Action and (c) waives and agrees not to assert (by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise) in any such Action any claim that service of process made in accordance with clause (a) or (b) does not constitute good and valid service of process.
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12.3. |
Remedies. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, each Party will be entitled to seek, in addition to any other right or remedy it may have, at law or in equity, a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction, without the posting of any bond or other security, enjoining or restraining the other Party from any violation or threatened violation of this Agreement, and the Parties agree that in the event of a threatened or actual material breach of this Agreement injunctive relief would be appropriate. Neither Party will be entitled to recover any Losses relating to any matter arising under one provision of this Agreement to the extent that such Party has already recovered Losses with respect to such matter pursuant to other provisions of this Agreement (including recoveries under Section 9.1 or Section 9.2). Except for the offsets and credits explicitly set forth in Section 6.10 and Section 10.4.5(b), neither Party will have the right to setoff any amount it is owed or believes it is owed against payments due or payable to the other Party under this Agreement.
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12.4. |
Assignment and Successors. Neither this Agreement nor any obligation of a Party hereunder may be assigned by either Party without the consent of the other, which will not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, [***]; provided, if Biogen transfers or assigns this Agreement to [***] described in this Agreement, then Biogen (or such Affiliate), will [***] due Ionis under ARTICLE 6 for the [***] such that Ionis receives [***] or assignment. In addition, Ionis may assign or transfer its rights to receive payments under this Agreement (but no liabilities), without Biogen’s consent, to an Affiliate or to a Third Party in connection with a payment factoring transaction. Any purported assignment or transfer made in contravention of this Section 12.4 will be null and void.
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12.5. |
Change of Control.
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12.5.1. |
On a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, if, at any time during the applicable Option Period, a Change of Control occurs involving Ionis and a Person that, at the time of the close of such Change of Control, is developing in human clinical trials or commercializing a Directly Competitive Product within the Field or is engaged in a Directly Competitive Collaboration Program (such pre-existing Directly Competitive Product, a “Pre-Existing Competitive Product”) or, at any time during the Agreement Term after the closing of such Change of Control, develops or acquires a Directly Competitive Product or begins a Directly Competitive Collaboration Program (such Person being hereinafter referred to as a “Competing Acquirer”) and such Competing Acquirer has not, within [***] of either (i) the closing of the Change of Control in the event the Directly Competitive Product is being developed in human clinical trials or commercialized, or the Directly Competitive Collaboration Program exists, as of such closing date or (ii) the date of first development or acquisition of such Directly Competitive Product or the date on which such Competing Acquirer begins such Directly Competitive Collaboration Program (the “Divestiture Period”) divested itself of the Directly Competitive Product or Directly Competitive Collaboration Program, or terminated development and commercialization of such Directly Competitive Product or such Directly Competitive Collaboration Program, then (A) Ionis will provide written notice to Biogen of the closing of such Change of Control or Divestiture Period, as applicable, (B) [***]; (C) solely with respect to any Collaboration Program that relates to such Directly Competitive Product or Directly Competitive Collaboration Program for which Initiation of IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies have not occurred, subject to Section 12.5.2, elect to have Ionis complete Ionis Activities under this Agreement for such Collaboration Program until such time as the applicable Collaboration Program is ready to begin IND-Enabling Toxicology Studies, after which Biogen may elect to exercise its rights under clause (D) of this Section 12.5.1 with respect to such Collaboration Program (in which case the applicable deadline for Biogen’s notice under such clause will be extended until [***] after designation of a Development Candidate for such Collaboration Program), and (D) Biogen will have the right, within [***] following such written notice, to either:
|
(a) |
if unexercised, exercise the applicable Option by notifying Ionis in writing of Biogen’s election to license the applicable Product at a prorated license fee payment as compared to the license fee payment set forth in Section 6.2, based upon the stage of Development of the applicable Product at the time of Change of Control or Divestiture Period, as applicable, which license fee payment shall be negotiated by the Parties in good faith at the time of such notification by Biogen. If Biogen exercises the applicable Option pursuant to this Section 12.5, [***]. Upon Biogen’s exercise of its Option pursuant to this Section 12.5.1(a), Biogen will be deemed to have obtained and Ionis will be deemed to have granted the license set forth in Section 4.1.1; or
|
(b) |
Allow such [***]-day period to lapse without providing any such notice of election under this Section 12.5, or otherwise provide Ionis with written notice within such period electing not to exercise the applicable Option pursuant to Section 12.5.1(a) above, in either of which cases Ionis and Biogen will continue to exercise their rights and perform their respective obligations with respect to the applicable Product under the terms of this Agreement.
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12.5.2. |
At any time while Ionis is conducting activities pursuant to Section 12.5.1, to separate its Development activities under this Agreement from development activities relating to a Directly Competitive Product (“Directly Competing Development Activities”), Ionis will, and will cause the Competing Acquirer to, (a) establish separate teams to conduct Development activities under this Agreement and such Directly Competing Development Activities, (b) prevent any Know-How that is Confidential Information relating to the Development of the applicable Product from being disclosed to, or used by, individuals performing such Directly Competing Development Activities and (c) not use or reference any Know-How that is Confidential Information or conduct any activities Covered by any Patent Rights, in each case Controlled by Ionis or its Affiliates prior to the effective date of the Change of Control in the development, manufacture or commercialization of the Directly Competitive Product.
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12.6. |
Force Majeure. No Party will be held responsible to the other Party nor be deemed to be in default under, or in breach of any provision of, this Agreement for failure or delay in performing any obligation of this Agreement when such failure or delay is due to force majeure, and without the fault or negligence of the Party so failing or delaying. For purposes of this Agreement, force majeure means a cause beyond the reasonable control of a Party, which may include acts of God; acts, regulations, or laws of any government; war; terrorism; civil commotion; fire, flood, earthquake, tornado, tsunami, explosion or storm; pandemic; epidemic and failure of public utilities or common carriers. In such event the Party so failing or delaying will immediately notify the other Party of such inability and of the period for which such inability is expected to continue. The Party giving such notice will be excused from such of its obligations under this Agreement as it is thereby disabled from performing for so long as it is so disabled for up to a maximum of 90 days, after which time the Parties will negotiate in good faith any modifications of the terms of this Agreement that may be necessary to arrive at an equitable solution, unless the Party giving such notice has set out a reasonable timeframe and plan to resolve the effects of such force majeure and executes such plan within such timeframe. To the extent possible, each Party will use reasonable efforts to minimize the duration of any force majeure.
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12.7. |
Notices. Any notice or request required or permitted to be given under or in connection with this Agreement will be deemed to have been sufficiently given if in writing and personally delivered or sent by certified mail (return receipt requested), electronic mail transmission (receipt verified), or overnight express courier service (signature required), prepaid, to the Party for which such notice is intended, at the address set forth for such Party below:
|
If to Ionis, addressed to:
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Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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|
2855 Gazelle Court
|
||
Carlsbad, CA 92010
|
||
Attention: Chief Operating Officer
|
||
E-mail: [***]
|
||
with a copy to:
|
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
|
|
2855 Gazelle Court
|
||
Carlsbad, CA 92010
|
||
Attention: General Counsel
|
||
E-mail: [***]
|
||
If to Biogen, addressed to:
|
Biogen MA Inc.
|
|
225 Binney Street
|
||
Cambridge, MA 02142
|
||
Attention: Vice President Corporate Development
|
||
E-mail: [***]
|
||
with a copy to:
|
Biogen MA Inc.
|
|
225 Binney Street
|
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Cambridge, MA 02142
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Attention: Chief Legal Officer
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E-mail: [***]
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and:
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Ropes & Gray LLP
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Prudential Tower
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800 Boylston Street
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Boston, MA 02199-3600
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Attention: Susan Galli, Esq.
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E-mail: [***]
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12.8. |
Export Clause. Each Party acknowledges that the laws and regulations of the United States restrict the export and re-export of commodities and technical data of United States origin. Each Party agrees that it will not export or re-export restricted commodities or the technical data of the other Party in any form without the appropriate United States and foreign government licenses.
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12.9. |
Waiver. Neither Party may waive or release any of its rights or interests in this Agreement except in writing. The failure of either Party to assert a right hereunder or to insist upon compliance with any term or condition of this Agreement will not constitute a waiver of that right or excuse a similar subsequent failure to perform any such term or condition. No waiver by either Party of any condition or term in any one or more instances will be construed as a continuing waiver or subsequent waiver of such condition or term or of another condition or term.
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12.10. |
Severability. If any provision hereof should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the Parties will negotiate in good faith a valid, legal and enforceable substitute provision that most nearly reflects the original intent of the Parties and all other provisions hereof will remain in full force and effect in such jurisdiction and will be liberally construed in order to carry out the intentions of the Parties hereto as nearly as may be possible. Such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
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12.11. |
Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with the Schedules and Appendices hereto) is a comprehensive and integrated statement of the agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, except as expressly set forth in Section 2.4 and Section 4.2.3 with respect to the Original Agreement, this Agreement in no way supersedes, modifies or otherwise affects any of the Ionis/Biogen Additional Agreements, which will remain in full force and effect in accordance with each of their respective terms. There are no covenants, promises, agreements, warranties, representations, conditions or understandings, either oral or written, between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof other than as set forth herein and therein. No subsequent alteration, amendment, change or addition to this Agreement will be binding upon the Parties hereto unless reduced to writing and signed by the respective authorized officers of the Parties.
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12.12. |
Independent Contractors. Nothing herein will be construed to create any relationship of employer and employee, agent and principal, partnership or joint venture between the Parties. Each Party is an independent contractor. Neither Party will assume, either directly or indirectly, any liability of or for the other Party. Neither Party will have the authority to bind or obligate the other Party and neither Party will represent that it has such authority.
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12.13. |
Interpretation. Except as otherwise explicitly specified to the contrary, (a) references to a section, exhibit or schedule means a section of, or schedule or exhibit to this Agreement, unless another agreement is specified, (b) the word “including” (in its various forms) means “including without limitation,” (c) the words “shall” and “will” have the same meaning, (d) references to a particular statute or regulation include all rules and regulations thereunder and any predecessor or successor statute, rules or regulation, in each case as amended or otherwise modified from time to time, (e) words in the singular or plural form include the plural and singular form, respectively, (f) references to a particular Person include such Person’s successors and assigns to the extent not prohibited by this Agreement, (g) unless otherwise specified, “$” is in reference to United States dollars, and (h) the headings contained in this Agreement, in any exhibit or schedule to this Agreement and in the table of contents to this Agreement are for convenience only and will not in any way affect the construction of or be taken into consideration in interpreting this Agreement.
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12.14. |
Books and Records. Any books and records to be maintained under this Agreement by a Party or its Affiliates or Sublicensees will be maintained in accordance with GAAP (or any successor standard), consistently applied.
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12.15. |
Further Actions. Each Party will execute, acknowledge and deliver such further instruments, and do all such other acts, as may be necessary or appropriate in order to carry out the expressly stated purposes and the clear intent of this Agreement.
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12.16. |
Construction of Agreement. The terms and provisions of this Agreement represent the results of negotiations between the Parties and their representatives, each of which has been represented by counsel of its own choosing, and neither of which has acted under duress or compulsion, whether legal, economic or otherwise. Accordingly, the terms and provisions of this Agreement will be interpreted and construed in accordance with their usual and customary meanings, and each of the Parties hereto hereby waives the application in connection with the interpretation and construction of this Agreement of any rule of law to the effect that ambiguous or conflicting terms or provisions contained in this Agreement will be interpreted or construed against the Party whose attorney prepared the executed draft or any earlier draft of this Agreement.
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12.17. |
Supremacy. In the event of any express conflict or inconsistency between this Agreement and any Schedule or Appendix hereto, the terms of this Agreement will apply. The Parties understand and agree that the Schedules and Appendices hereto are not intended to be the final and complete embodiment of any terms or provisions of this Agreement, and are to be updated from time to time during the Agreement Term, as appropriate and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
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12.18. |
Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, notwithstanding variations in format or file designation which may result from the electronic transmission, storage and printing of copies of this Agreement from separate computers or printers. Facsimile signatures and signatures transmitted via electronic mail in PDF format will be treated as original signatures.
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12.19. |
Compliance with Laws. Each Party will, and will ensure that its Affiliates and Sublicensees will, comply with all relevant laws and regulations and good laboratory and clinical practices and cGMP in exercising its rights and fulfilling its obligations under this Agreement.
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BIOGEN MA INC.
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By:
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/s/ Michel Vounatsos
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Name:
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Michel Vounatsos
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Title:
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Chief Executive Officer
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IONIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
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By:
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/s/ B. Lynne Parshall
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Name:
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B. Lynne Parshall
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Title:
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Chief Operating Officer
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(a) |
was in the lawful knowledge and possession of the Receiving Party or its Affiliates prior to the time it was disclosed to, or learned by, the Receiving Party or its Affiliates, or was otherwise developed independently by the Receiving Party or its Affiliates, as evidenced by written records kept in the ordinary course of business, or other documentary proof of actual use by the Receiving Party or its Affiliates;
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(b) |
was generally available to the public or otherwise part of the public domain at the time of its disclosure to the Receiving Party or its Affiliates;
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(c) |
became generally available to the public or otherwise part of the public domain after its disclosure and other than through any act or omission of the Receiving Party or its Affiliates in breach of this Agreement; or
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(d) |
was disclosed to the Receiving Party or its Affiliates, other than under an obligation of confidentiality, by a Third Party who had no obligation to the Disclosing Party or its Affiliates not to disclose such information to others.
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(a) |
The JSC will determine the JSC operating procedures, including frequency of meetings (at least quarterly), location of meetings, and responsibilities for agendas and minutes. The JSC will codify these operating procedures in the written minutes of the first meeting.
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(b) |
The JSC may hold meetings in person or by audio or video conference as determined by the JSC; but at least two meetings per year will be in person (one held at Ionis’ facilities, and the other held at Biogen’s facilities in the U.S.). Alliance Managers will attend JSC meetings as participating non-members. In addition, upon prior approval of the other Party, each Party may invite its employees or consultants to attend JSC meetings, including any subject matter expert(s) with valuable knowledge of SMN2 or Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
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(c) |
The co-chairs will be responsible for ensuring that activities occur as set forth in this Agreement, including ensuring that JSC meetings occur, JSC recommendations are properly reflected in the minutes, and any dispute is given prompt attention and resolved in accordance with Section 7.1.3 and Section 12.1, as applicable.
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(d) |
The JSC members from the same Party will collectively have one vote. The JSC will strive to make recommendations with approval of both Ionis members and Biogen members, and record such recommendations in the minutes of the JSC meeting.
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(e) |
The JSC may form subcommittees and working groups as it determines in order to carry out its activities under this Agreement, all of which will dissolve when the JSC dissolves.
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(a) |
Promoting the overall health of the relationship between the Parties;
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(b) |
Developing a mutually agreed alliance launch plan covering any activities and systems that the Parties need to implement within the first 100 days after the Effective Date to support the Collaboration Programs;
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(c) |
Organizing JSC meetings, including agendas, drafting minutes, and publishing final minutes;
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(d) |
Supporting the co-chairs of the JSC with organization of meetings, information exchange, meeting minutes, and facilitating dispute resolution as necessary;
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(e) |
Preparing status and progress reports on the above as determined necessary by the JSC;
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(f) |
Ensuring compliance in maintaining the Ionis Internal ASO Safety Database as outlined in Section 5.3; and
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(g) |
Ensuring proper approval of publications prior to submission as required in Section 11.3.
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1. |
Mediation.
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/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
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San Diego, California
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February 28, 2018
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1.
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I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.;
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2.
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Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;
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3.
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Based on my knowledge, the consolidated financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, consolidated results of operations and consolidated cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;
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4.
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The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
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a)
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Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
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b)
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Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
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c)
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Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
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d)
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Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
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5.
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The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
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a)
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All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
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b)
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Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
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Dated: February 28, 2018
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/s/ STANLEY T. CROOKE
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Stanley T. Crooke, M.D., Ph.D.
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Chief Executive Officer
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1.
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I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.;
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2.
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Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;
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3.
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Based on my knowledge, the consolidated financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, consolidated results of operations and consolidated cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;
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4.
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The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
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a)
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Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
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b)
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Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
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c)
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Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
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d)
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Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
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5.
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The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
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a)
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All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
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b)
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Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
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Dated: February 28, 2018
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/s/ ELIZABETH L. HOUGEN
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Elizabeth L. Hougen
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Chief Financial Officer
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1.
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The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, to which this Certification is attached as Exhibit 32.1 (the “Annual Report”), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
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2.
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The information contained in the Annual Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Company at the end of the period covered by the Annual Report and the results of operations of the Company for the period covered by the Annual Report.
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Dated: February 28, 2018
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/s/ STANLEY T. CROOKE
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/s/ ELIZABETH L. HOUGEN
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Stanley T. Crooke, M.D., Ph.D.
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Elizabeth L. Hougen
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Chief Executive Officer
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Chief Financial Officer
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