Madrigal Pharmaceuticals Secures Ribo's GalSTAR siRNA Suite to Expand MASH Pipeline

Madrigal secures GalSTAR siRNA suite to broaden MASH portfolio

Madrigal Pharmaceuticals is obtaining exclusive worldwide rights to six pre‑clinical small interfering RNA (siRNA) programs from Suzhou Ribo Life Science and its Ribocure unit, the companies announce on Feb. 11, 2026. The deal gives Madrigal access to Ribo’s liver‑targeting GalSTAR™ delivery platform and associated siRNA chemistry, positioning the company to expand its pipeline in metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

Madrigal to develop multi‑mechanistic siRNA therapies for MASH

Madrigal is taking on development, manufacturing and global commercialization for multiple pre‑clinical siRNA assets that use GalSTAR™ to target the liver, aiming to create complementary, potentially multi‑mechanistic treatments for MASH. The collaboration includes options to add new programs and to pursue bi‑specific siRNAs capable of simultaneously silencing two disease‑driving genes, leveraging Ribo’s chemical modification know‑how to improve stability, delivery and potency. Company leaders frame the move as a strategic fit: Madrigal brings clinical experience in MASH, while Ribo supplies siRNA platform expertise to accelerate translational development and broaden therapeutic approaches beyond existing modalities.

The agreement sets a path for integrated scientific and clinical coordination between the partners, with plans to use translational biomarkers and preclinical data to streamline development timelines and evaluate combination strategies with approved or late‑stage therapies. Both parties envisage manufacturing scale‑up if programs advance and plan to nominate future targets jointly, aiming to maximize patient benefit and commercial reach across global markets. The collaboration emphasizes addressing the growing public‑health burden of MASH, which can progress to cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma and is a leading cause of liver transplantation in women.

GalSTAR platform and bispecific siRNA potential

Ribo’s GalSTAR™ platform is presented as a validated liver‑targeting delivery system that, together with proprietary chemical modifications, may enable potent, durable gene silencing in hepatic cell types implicated in MASH. The partners highlight the scientific opportunity of bispecific siRNAs to hit multiple pathways simultaneously, a tactic they say could offer differentiated efficacy in complex fibrotic disease.

Financial and strategic terms

Financial terms include a US$60 million upfront payment to Ribo, potential milestone payments that could total up to US$4.4 billion, and royalties on net sales, while Madrigal holds exclusive global development and commercialization rights. Executives from both companies signal continued investment in GalSTAR chemistry and close coordination to accelerate clinical translation.