Alnylam

Zuidas: NEW HUB FOR

ANANT MURTHY

More proof that Zuidas is fast becoming an exciting life sciences hub, is the recent arrival of US-based Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, a global biopharmaceutical company whose new office is next to the EMA. Based on Nobel Prizewinning science, the biotech leader has a revolutionary approach to the treatment of rare diseases. Now, it’s investing millions in the Netherlands as a growing home-base for its European activities. Hello Zuidas caught up with Anant Murthy, general manager for the MidSize Market Region, to learn more.

What kind of company is Alnylam? Alnylam was founded in 2002 based on the Nobel Prizewinning discovery of RNA interference. DNA, which is our genetic code, produces RNA, and RNA produces proteins we need to survive. Proteins also cause disease. If somebody has a genetic disease, typically the RNA is overproducing, underproducing, or misproducing some protein. The discovery that our bodies have a natural way of regulating RNA opened a path to creating medicines that let us turn production of some proteins on or off – almost like a light switch. After years of biochemistry research, our first medicine was approved in 2018 and now is available around the world.

Is this therapy used for one disease, or is the application broader? There are many diseases where RNAi can offer benefit. Our first medicine targets amyloidosis, where a gene mutation causes amyloid deposits in nerves and organs. Early symptoms are numbness, vision loss, then heart and gastrointestinal problems and eventually

CUTTING-EDGE BIOTECH

multiple organ failure. There’s a 50% chance of passing on the mutation, which makes it devastating for families. There are quite a few patients in the north of the Netherlands with this mutation. But more broadly, we’re working on a whole new class of innovative treatments for rare genetic, cardiometabolic and hepatic infectious diseases.

What attracted Alnylam to Zuidas in particular? Even before the EMA moved from London to Zuidas, we were attracted to the world-class medical and research centres here. We’ve had research partnerships with some of them for years, so it was a natural progression to build an international hub in Amsterdam. Also, it’s a very international city, which is perfect when you’re recruiting from around the world. Infrastructurally it’s fantastic and quality of life is high. Also logistically, because we ship a lot of our medicines via Schiphol and distribute them from here around the world. So there are lots of advantages.

You’re the general manager of the midsize cluster. What’s your role in the organization? My primary role is overseeing operations in this cluster of Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the Nordics, Portugal and Canada. I also oversee our activities in the Netherlands as it’s an important strategic hub for us.

How is COVID-19 affecting you as a health and life sciences company? It’s had a tremendous effect. Our first priority was the safety of our employees, many of whom regularly visit hospitals and doctors. In this new office, we’re taking measures so it will be safe for everyone to use. Also, we don’t want to create risk for communities we’re trying to help, so we’ve had to rethink how we do clinical trials. For instance, by administering treatments at home. But despite COVID and the macroeconomic uncertainty, we’re going full steam ahead in Zuidas with this state-ofthe-art facility.

Diversity and inclusion are key values for Alnylam. How are you achieving that? Our vision is for a diverse and inclusive biotech industry that benefits our employees and the patients we strive to serve. Part of that is our commitment to ensuring broad patient access to our medicines. Within Alnylam, we build on the diversity of our employees, who represent all different talents, backgrounds and experiences, dozens of countries and more than 20 languages.