MDNRA obtains peptide IP for RNAi
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
MDRNA plans to improve the delivery of RNAi therapeutics after signing an exclusive licence agreement to intellectual property from the University of Michigan that covers cationic peptides. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Dr Michael Houston, vice-president of chemistry and formulations, says that the university's peptides have "the potential of being critical components of RNAi-based therapeutic formulations". The company is using its proprietary platform for creating novel lipids from amino acids, DiLA, to enhance gene expression knockdown. The peptides covered by the university's IP can form stable siRNA nanoparticle complexes, thereby protecting the siRNA while increasing the efficiency and efficacy of formulations. Results to date have shown enhanced knockdown of target proteins in vivo and improved delivery efficiency, says MDRNA. The company has recently restructured and changed its focus away from intranasal delivery towards RNAi (Scrip Online, August 8th, 2008).