AbbVie and ADARx Join Forces to Advance Next-Generation siRNA Therapies

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AbbVie and ADARx Pharmaceuticals announced today a new strategic collaboration and license option agreement to co-develop small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics targeting diseases in neuroscience, immunology, and oncology.¹ The deal combines AbbVie’s biotherapeutic development capabilities with ADARx’s proprietary RNA platform, aiming to support the future of precision gene silencing therapies.

siRNA: Controlling Disease at the Genetic Level

siRNA acts upstream in the disease cascade, interfering directly with messenger RNA (mRNA) to stop the production of disease-driving proteins. Unlike small molecules or monoclonal antibodies, which typically act post-translationally or at the protein level, siRNAs silence the gene expression machinery itself.²

In immunology, this technology could revolutionize the management of chronic autoimmune skin diseases such as hidradenitis suppurativa, lupus erythematosus, or dermatomyositis, where dysregulated immune signaling drives persistent tissue inflammation. In oncology, siRNA-based approaches could selectively knock down oncogenes or tumor-promoting proteins in skin cancers such as melanoma, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, or Merkel cell carcinoma.

Why This Matters for Dermatology

While the collaboration does not specifically target dermatologic diseases, the implications for skin-related specialties are significant.

With autoimmune skin diseases often involving systemic inflammation and cytokine dysregulation, siRNA therapies could offer a new line of attack by selectively silencing genes encoding pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-17, TNF-α, or type I interferons.

In skin cancer management, siRNA therapeutics could target tumor-specific drivers or resistance pathways that limit the efficacy of current immune checkpoint inhibitors or targeted therapies.

Dermatologists involved in translational medicine may find novel research pathways through the use of siRNA in in vitro and in vivo models of skin disease, particularly in genetically defined patient subsets.

Broader Implications for the Future of RNA Medicine

Under the terms of the agreement, ADARx will receive $335 million in upfront funding from AbbVie and is eligible for billions in milestone and royalty-based payments. AbbVie brings to the table extensive capabilities in antibody engineering, antibody-drug conjugates, and therapeutic delivery technologies. These strengths will complement ADARx’s innovations in siRNA structure, tissue-specific delivery, and gene silencing precision.

“siRNA is a promising genetic medicine approach for silencing disease-causing genes, but challenges still remain in targeting and delivering siRNA effectively,” said Jonathon Sedgwick, PhD, senior vice president and global head of discovery research at AbbVie, in a news release.¹ “We are very pleased to collaborate with ADARx, leveraging their proprietary RNA technology alongside our antibody, ADC, and therapeutic area R&D expertise.”

Zhen Li, PhD, co-founder and CEO of ADARx, emphasized the strategic value of the collaboration, stating that it “further validates the differentiated RNA technology we have developed at ADARx” and could unlock “tremendous clinical and commercial potential.”¹

References

1. AbbVie and ADARx Pharmaceuticals announce collaboration and license option agreement to develop next-generation siRNA therapies across multiple therapeutic areas. News release. AbbVie Inc. Published May 14, 2025. Accessed May 14, 2025. https://news.abbvie.com/2025-05-14-AbbVie-and-ADARx-Pharmaceuticals-Announce-Collaboration-and-License-Option-Agreement-to-Develop-Next-Generation-siRNA-Therapies-Across-Multiple-Therapeutic-Areas
2. Dana H, Chalbatani GM, Mahmoodzadeh H, et al. Molecular mechanisms and biological functions of siRNA. Int J Biomed Sci. 2017;13(2):48-57.