The partnership centres on Ochre's discovery platform, which combines machine learning with big data, including advanced imaging and deep genomic phenotyping, as well as in-house RNA chemistry and ex vivo human-organ perfusion models, to identify and understand new regenerative targets for chronic liver diseases. The goal is to develop treatments that can modulate these targets and enhance the liver's self-repair capabilities, potentially preventing or even reversing disease progression. As part of the multi-target collaboration, Ochre will receive up to $35 million in upfront, plus near-term research-based milestone payments. It is also eligible for milestones tied to clinical, regulatory, and commercial success as well as tiered royalties, pushing the deal's overall value potentially over $1 billion. A 'nudge' to help regeneration
The UK biotech raised $30 million in a series A round in 2022. Its work to date has involved analysing thousands of donated human livers to better understand the causes of disease, and exploring if changes to RNA can extend the lifespan of transplanted livers. "What we're trying to do is give the liver a little nudge in the right direction to support it to regenerate," according to Ochre’s chief scientific officer Quin Wills. Cells in a cirrhotic liver, for example, have lost a decision-making process that would enable them to start dividing and restore capacity. Wills says that "by changing certain 'switches' using these RNA therapies, we help them make those decisions again."