Santa Barbara – October 13, 2026 -- Rona Therapeutics will receive up to $100 million in upfront and near-term milestone payments from Roche under an exclusive worldwide license for its investigational RNAi candidate targeting activin receptor-like kinase 7 (ALK7), with potential for a further $1.06 billion in milestones.
Rona is eligible for $1.06 billion in milestones plus tiered royalties
The additional $1.06 billion covers development, regulatory and commercial milestones. Rona is also eligible for tiered royalties on global net sales. Combined with the upfront and near-term payments, headline deal value reaches roughly $1.16 billion if all milestones are met.
The candidate uses Rona's proprietary extrahepatic delivery platform, which targets tissue outside the liver. Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) receives the exclusive license for the asset worldwide.
ALK7 inhibition targets adipose tissue directly, unlike incretin therapies
ALK7 is encoded by the ACVR1C gene and is predominantly expressed in adipose tissue. Rona describes it as a genetically validated target for obesity and metabolic diseases. The ALK7 signaling pathway regulates adipocyte lipid storage, lipolysis and energy homeostasis.
Rona says inhibiting ALK7 in adipocytes could selectively reduce visceral and other ectopic fat depots while preserving lean mass. Human genetic studies have linked reduced ALK7 activity to favorable fat distribution and metabolic phenotypes.
Incretin-based therapies act mainly on appetite and energy intake through the central nervous system. ALK7 inhibition works on adipose tissue biology instead. Rona says this mechanism could allow ALK7-targeted therapies to be used on their own or alongside established obesity treatments.
Roche adds an RNAi asset to its CVRM pipeline
Boris L. Zaïtra, Head of Corporate Business Development at Roche, said the partnership complements the company's cardiovascular, renal and metabolism (CVRM) pipeline and reinforces its commitment to next-generation metabolic therapies.
Rona CEO and Founder Stella Shi said the deal pairs Rona's extrahepatic RNAi research platform with Roche's global development and commercialization expertise in obesity and metabolic diseases. Rona was founded in 2021 and has advanced multiple programs into global development.
The source does not disclose the candidate's clinical stage or a development timeline.