On September 4, 2024, HAYA Therapeutics, a biotechnology company pioneering precision RNA-guided regulatory genome targeting therapeutics for chronic diseases, announced a multi-year agreement with Eli Lilly and Company to apply HAYA’s advanced RNA-guided regulatory genome platform to support preclinical drug discovery efforts in obesity and related metabolic conditions. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised HAYA on patent matters related to the transaction.

HAYA's proprietary platform enables the identification of tissue-, disease-, and cell-specific long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) targets and the development of RNA-targeting therapies. The collaboration will explore multiple new lncRNA targets for the development of obesity treatments. Under the terms of the agreement, HAYA will receive an upfront payment, including an equity investment, and could be eligible for up to $1 billion in payments depending on the achievement of certain clinical and commercial milestones, along with royalties on product sales.

The Wilson Sonsini team that advised HAYA on patent matters related to the transaction was led by Minyoung Shin, Mike Hostetler, Esther Cynn, Tiara Wong, and Jen Zeng.

For more information, please see HAYA's news release. Additional coverage can be found on BioSpace, Fierce Biotech, and Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News.