Madrigal Pharmaceuticals wins exclusive global license to Ribo’s liver‑targeted siRNA programs for MASH

Madrigal wins exclusive global license to Ribo’s liver‑targeted siRNA assets for MASH

Madrigal Pharmaceuticals is securing exclusive worldwide rights to six pre‑clinical small interfering RNA (siRNA) programs from Suzhou Ribo Life Science and its subsidiary Ribocure, the companies announce. The agreement grants Madrigal the right to develop, manufacture and commercialize multiple liver‑directed assets that use Ribo’s validated GalSTAR™ siRNA delivery platform and siRNA chemical modification technologies. The licensed portfolio includes existing pre‑clinical candidates and gives both parties an option to expand into new programs, including bi‑specific siRNAs that target two disease genes simultaneously.

The deal pairs Ribo’s targeting and chemistry know‑how with Madrigal’s clinical and commercial experience in metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatohepatitis (MASH), the companies say. Ribo highlights GalSTAR™ as a liver‑focused delivery system designed to improve siRNA stability, potency and hepatocyte targeting, while Madrigal brings experience advancing therapies through regulatory pathways and commercial launch — including having brought to market the first approved drug for MASH. Both firms envision integrating translational biomarkers and preclinical data to accelerate candidate selection and to design efficient clinical development paths.

The collaboration aims to pursue multi‑mechanistic approaches for patients with unmet needs and to explore combination strategies with existing therapies, the partners state. If programs advance, they plan coordinated clinical development and potential manufacturing scale‑up to support global commercialization. The companies also emphasise options to nominate additional targets and to share preclinical data across regulatory regions to maximize patient reach and partner value.

Financial terms and milestone structure

Under the agreement, Madrigal pays Ribo an upfront fee of US$60 million and agrees potential cumulative development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments that could reach up to US$4.4 billion, plus royalties on net sales. The license is exclusive worldwide, providing Madrigal full control over further development and commercialization of the specified siRNA candidates.

Public‑health context and executive comments

Ribo and Ribocure executives underscore the pressing need for new MASH therapies, citing the disease’s rising prevalence and severe outcomes, including progression to cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. Dr. Zicai Liang, CEO of Suzhou Ribo, and Dr. Li‑Ming Gan, co‑CEO of Ribo/Ribocure, frame the collaboration as leveraging complementary strengths to expand therapeutic options for patients with moderate‑to‑advanced fibrosis and other high‑risk populations.