Isis Pharmaceuticals has collaborated with Biogen Idec for a second time for the development and commercialisation of an antisense drug candidate for the rare genetic neuromuscular disease myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Biogen Idec will pay US$12 M upfront and gain an option to license the DM1 drug candidate through the completion of Phase II clinical trials. The companies have an existing alliance in spinal muscular atrophy.