MDRNA Reports Potent Anti-Tumor Activity Against Multiple Targets in Liver and Bladder Cancer

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MDRNA, Inc. has reported in vivo data for bladder and liver cancer demonstrating further advancement of the Company's oncology programs. The Company reported a reduction in tumor growth in both liver and bladder cancers by targeting genes key to tumor progression, via both systemic and local delivery with the Company's proprietary UsiRNAs delivered by its novel DiLA2 platform.
In addition, MDRNA disclosed the establishment of an early collaborative effort with a major international pharmaceutical company, its second such effort.
In a presentation at the 2010 OneMedForum in San Francisco, Mr. J. Michael French, President & CEO of MDRNA, stated that the Company has demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity with a UsiRNA targeting PLK1 (Polo-like Kinase 1), a protein involved in cell mitosis and tumor progression.
Data from local (intravesical) application of a PLK1 UsiRNA in a DiLA2 liposome formulation in a mouse orthotopic bladder cancer model demonstrated a PLK1 UsiRNA dose-dependent decrease in bioluminescence in a mouse model of orthotopic bladder cancer, with greater than 90% reduction at a dose of 1 mg/kg. Decreased bioluminescence is generally considered to be a clear indication of reduced tumor growth. This study was conducted in conjunction with the Company's collaborators at the Vancouver Prostate Centre.
The PLK1 UsiRNA has also demonstrated activity in models of orthotopic liver cancer and subcutaneous liver tumors, in which the UsiRNA was delivered by systemic administration of a DiLA2 formulation.
MRNA-046, a DiLA2-formulated survivin UsiRNA, has been previously reported to have potent RNAi and anti-tumor activity in bladder and liver cancer. Effective delivery of a UsiRNA with DiLA2 liposomes has also been previously reported by MDRNA in non-human primates.
The additional early collaborative effort with a major international pharmaceutical company will utilize the broad capabilities of MDRNA's proprietary discovery engine for RNAi therapeutics and its world-class research team. The collaboration will focus on in vivo delivery of siRNAs using MDRNA's DILA2 liposome platform.
As part of the collaboration, research teams at MDRNA and the pharmaceutical company will examine safety and efficacy of systemic delivery of siRNA in animal models. Financial details of the collaboration were not disclosed.
In addition, MDRNA disclosed the establishment of an early collaborative effort with a major international pharmaceutical company, its second such effort.
In a presentation at the 2010 OneMedForum in San Francisco, Mr. J. Michael French, President & CEO of MDRNA, stated that the Company has demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity with a UsiRNA targeting PLK1 (Polo-like Kinase 1), a protein involved in cell mitosis and tumor progression.
Data from local (intravesical) application of a PLK1 UsiRNA in a DiLA2 liposome formulation in a mouse orthotopic bladder cancer model demonstrated a PLK1 UsiRNA dose-dependent decrease in bioluminescence in a mouse model of orthotopic bladder cancer, with greater than 90% reduction at a dose of 1 mg/kg. Decreased bioluminescence is generally considered to be a clear indication of reduced tumor growth. This study was conducted in conjunction with the Company's collaborators at the Vancouver Prostate Centre.
The PLK1 UsiRNA has also demonstrated activity in models of orthotopic liver cancer and subcutaneous liver tumors, in which the UsiRNA was delivered by systemic administration of a DiLA2 formulation.
MRNA-046, a DiLA2-formulated survivin UsiRNA, has been previously reported to have potent RNAi and anti-tumor activity in bladder and liver cancer. Effective delivery of a UsiRNA with DiLA2 liposomes has also been previously reported by MDRNA in non-human primates.
The additional early collaborative effort with a major international pharmaceutical company will utilize the broad capabilities of MDRNA's proprietary discovery engine for RNAi therapeutics and its world-class research team. The collaboration will focus on in vivo delivery of siRNAs using MDRNA's DILA2 liposome platform.
As part of the collaboration, research teams at MDRNA and the pharmaceutical company will examine safety and efficacy of systemic delivery of siRNA in animal models. Financial details of the collaboration were not disclosed.