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MDRNA Expands RNAi Bladder Cancer Program With the Vancouver Prostate Centre
Decision to Expand Based Upon Promising Pre-Clinical Results
| Source: MDRNA Inc.
BOTHELL, WA--(Marketwire - November 24, 2009) - MDRNA, Inc. (NASDAQ : MRNA ), a leading
RNAi-based drug discovery and development company, today announced the
extension and expansion of its collaboration with the Vancouver Prostate
Centre (VPC), covering the discovery and development of
RNAi-based therapeutics for the treatment of bladder cancer. Research
conducted by scientists and surgeons from both institutions demonstrated
that MDRNA's UsiRNA targeting human survivin and delivered via DiLA2
liposomes achieved up to 90% target knockdown in a mouse model of
orthotopic bladder cancer. The effects of UsiRNA persisted for the duration
of the three week study, and the level of survivin mRNA knockdown was
associated with a significant reduction in tumor growth as measured by
fluorescence from luciferase-expressing tumor cells.
"Intravesical delivery of the survivin UsiRNA using MDRNA's DiLA2 liposome
formulation specifically targeted to a bladder tumor has yielded
encouraging results that could lead to the development of useful therapies
in patients with bladder cancer," said Dr. Alan So, an Assistant Professor
in the Department of Urologic Sciences at the University of British
Columbia, Research Scientist at the Vancouver Prostate Centre, and the
study's principal investigator. "We are looking forward to expanding our
current studies as the success of RNAi cancer therapeutics will be
dependent upon the development of safe and efficacious delivery systems
such as those being developed by MDRNA."
The collaboration with VPC's world-renowned clinical cancer research lab
was formed in 2008 to investigate MDRNA's UsiRNAs and DiLA2 delivery
platform in one of the Centre's well-validated bladder cancer models. The
VPC is a National Centre of Excellence for translational research located
at the University of British Columbia and the Vancouver General Hospital.
In light of current results demonstrating efficient delivery and high
potency for RNAi, the program will expand to evaluate UsiRNAs targeting
other critical pathways in cancer, the impact on tumor biology, tumor
growth, and survival rates. These studies are considered essential to
identify the most effective target and dosing regimens for clinical
intervention. MDRNA recently presented detailed results of the initial
research at the International Society for Biological Therapy of Cancer.
"The encouraging data gathered so far supports our decision to add bladder
cancer to our internal pipeline and provides further validation of the
value of our RNAi drug discovery platform to potential pharmaceutical
partners," said Dr. Barry Polisky, Chief Scientific Officer of MDRNA. "The
expansion of this program reflects the value of VPC's world-class clinical
research laboratory and the rewarding relationship that exists between
MDRNA and VPC's outstanding scientific and medical teams. Together we are
making progress to discover and develop novel treatments for this important
unmet medical need."
About UsiRNAs and Unlocked Nucleobase Analogs
A UsiRNA is a duplex siRNA containing at least one Unlocked Nucleobase
Analog (UNA). In a UsiRNA, UNAs are non-nucleotide monomers and
synthesized much like RNA in the construction of a double-stranded
oligonucelotide for use as an RNAi-based therapeutic. In the case of the
UsiRNA, UNA is substituted for specific nucleotides in both the guide and
passenger strands. UsiRNAs are fully recognized by the cellular RNAi
machinery, as demonstrated by their potent activity. MDRNA has also shown
that substitution of UNA for specific RNA increases stability to nucleases,
substantially reduces cytokine induction, and reduces passenger and guide
strand-mediated offtarget effects. The high potency, and improved drug-like
properties, associated with UsiRNAs provide the potential to greatly
enhance RNAi-based therapeutics.
About the DiLA2 Delivery Platform
The DiLA2 Delivery Platform is MDRNA's proprietary platform for creating
novel liposomal delivery systems based on di-alkylated amino acids (DiLA2).
The DiLA2 Platform enables MDRNA to tailor the charge, linker length, and
acyl chain characteristics to improve delivery of the liposomes to target
tissue of interest. In vivo studies have demonstrated effective delivery in
models of metabolic disease, cancer, and other diseases. DiLA2 based
liposomes are well tolerated for repeat dose, and systemic and local
administration. MDRNA is also utilizing condensing peptides to form
peptide-siRNA nanoparticles to further increase the delivery efficiency of
its DiLA2 delivery systems. In addition, the platform is designed to permit
attachment of peptides and other targeting molecules for delivery to a
variety of tissues, and thus provide for a diverse therapeutic portfolio.
About MDRNA, Inc.
MDRNA is a biotechnology company focused on the development and
commercialization of therapeutic products based on RNA interference (RNAi).
Our goal is to improve human health through the development of RNAi-based
compounds and drug delivery technologies that together provide superior
therapeutic options for patients. Over the past decade, we have developed
substantial capabilities in molecular biology, cellular biology, lipid
chemistry, peptide chemistry, pharmacology and bioinformatics, which we are
applying to a wide range of RNAi technologies and delivery approaches.
These capabilities plus the in-licensing of key RNAi-related intellectual
property have rapidly enabled us to become a leading RNAi-based
therapeutics company with a pre-clinical pipeline in oncology. Through our
capabilities, expertise and know-how, we are incorporating multiple RNAi
technologies as well as peptide- and lipid-based delivery approaches into a
single integrated drug discovery platform that will be the engine for our
clinical pipeline as well as a versatile platform for establishing broad
therapeutic partnerships with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
We are also investing in new technologies that we expect to lead to safer
and more effective RNAi-based therapeutics while aggressively building upon
our broad and extensive intellectual property estate. By combining broad
expertise in siRNA science with proven delivery platforms and a strong IP
position, MDRNA is well positioned as a leading RNAi-based drug discovery
and development company. Additional information about MDRNA, Inc. is
available at http://www.mdrnainc.com.
MDRNA Forward-Looking Statements
Statements made in this news release may be forward-looking statements
within the meaning of Federal Securities laws that are subject to certain
risks and uncertainties and involve factors that may cause actual results
to differ materially from those projected or suggested. Factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to: (i) the ability of MDRNA to
obtain additional funding; (ii) the ability of MDRNA to attract and/or
maintain manufacturing, research, development and commercialization
partners; (iii) the ability of MDRNA and/or a partner to successfully
complete product research and development, including preclinical and
clinical studies and commercialization; (iv) the ability of MDRNA and/or a
partner to obtain required governmental approvals; and (v) the ability of
MDRNA and/or a partner to develop and commercialize products that can
compete favorably with those of competitors. Additional factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested
in any forward-looking statements are contained in MDRNA's most recent
periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q that are filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. MDRNA assumes no obligation to update
and supplement forward-looking statements because of subsequent events.