Roche’s Genentech unit licensed a SanegeneBio RNAi program in a deal that pays $200 million upfront and up to $1.5 billion in development and commercialization milestones. The companies said Roche will handle later clinical development and commercialization while Sanegene retains early-stage activity and research operations across Boston and China. The agreement highlights renewed Big Pharma investment in RNAi platforms and expands Sanegene’s validation after prior collaborations with Eli Lilly and Innovent. The transaction was disclosed in a February company release and reflects Roche’s strategic re-entry into RNA therapeutics after prior pullbacks and selective reacquisitions.