San Diego, California, USA – April 23, 2026

Atrium Therapeutics announced it has achieved a $15 million development milestone payment from Bristol Myers Squibb under their global cardiovascular collaboration, marking a key advancement in the development of RNA-based therapeutics targeting cardiac diseases. The milestone was triggered by the successful delivery of a cardiology development candidate, underscoring the strength of Atrium’s targeted RNA delivery platform and reinforcing the strategic value of its partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb in advancing next-generation cardiovascular therapies.

Milestone Achievement Validates RNA Therapeutics Platform

The milestone payment reflects successful progress in Atrium’s RNA-based drug development pipeline, particularly its ability to deliver high-quality cardiology candidates using its proprietary targeted delivery technology. The collaboration between Atrium and Bristol Myers Squibb focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative RNA therapeutics designed to treat multiple cardiovascular conditions, including rare genetic cardiomyopathies.

Atrium’s platform combines the precision of small interfering RNA (siRNA) with the targeting capabilities of monoclonal antibodies, enabling selective delivery of therapeutic molecules directly to heart tissue. This approach aims to overcome traditional challenges associated with non-specific tissue distribution, thereby improving efficacy and safety profiles of RNA-based treatments.

The achievement of this milestone highlights the robust scientific foundation and translational potential of Atrium’s technology, positioning it as a key innovator in precision cardiology and RNA therapeutics.

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Strategic Collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb Drives Growth

Under the terms of the collaboration, Bristol Myers Squibb will fund all future clinical development, regulatory submissions, and commercialization activities, significantly accelerating the pathway to market for Atrium’s pipeline candidates. In addition to the $15 million milestone already received, Atrium is eligible for up to approximately $1.35 billion in research and development milestones, $825 million in commercial milestone payments, and tiered royalties on net sales.

This collaboration model allows Atrium to leverage the global development and commercialization expertise of Bristol Myers Squibb, while maintaining focus on innovation and early-stage research. The partnership reflects a broader industry trend toward strategic alliances that combine cutting-edge biotech platforms with large pharmaceutical infrastructure, enabling faster and more efficient drug development.

The milestone also signals continued momentum in the collaboration, reinforcing confidence in the long-term value creation potential of the partnership.

Advancing Precision Cardiology for Rare Diseases

Atrium Therapeutics is advancing a pipeline of precision RNA therapeutics targeting rare and genetically driven cardiovascular diseases, including PRKAG2 syndrome and phospholamban (PLN) cardiomyopathy—conditions with no approved disease-modifying therapies.

By targeting the underlying genetic drivers of disease, Atrium’s approach represents a shift toward precision medicine in cardiology, offering the potential to transform treatment paradigms and improve patient outcomes. The company’s technology enables non-viral delivery of siRNA molecules, reducing risks associated with viral vectors while maintaining high specificity and therapeutic effectiveness.

As cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of global mortality, the development of innovative, targeted therapies is critical. The progress achieved through this collaboration highlights the growing importance of RNA-based therapeutics in addressing complex and previously untreatable conditions.

With strong financial backing, strategic collaboration, and a differentiated technology platform, Atrium Therapeutics is well-positioned to drive the next wave of innovation in cardiovascular medicine, bringing novel, precision therapies closer to patients in need.

Source: Atrium Therapeutics, Bristol Myers Squibb press release