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news.Tekmira Pharmaceuticals has selected ApoB Snalp and PLK1 Snalp as its two lead product candidates and plans to advance both into clinical development in 2009.
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ApoB Snalp will enter a Phase I human clinical trial in the first half of 2009 as a treatment for high cholesterol. In preclinical studies, ApoB Snalp was shown to eliminate diet-induced high cholesterol, returning blood cholesterol levels to normal with a single treatment.
PLK1 Snalp will enter a Phase I human clinical trial in the second half of 2009 as a treatment for cancer. PLK1 Snalp has been shown in preclinical studies to selectively kill cancer cells, while sparing normal cells in healthy tissue.
Tekmira expects to select its third siRNA product candidate in 2009. The company has the right to develop a total of seven siRNA products based on access to Alnylam’s leading intellectual property in the RNAi field.
Mark Murray, president and CEO of Tekmira, said: “We are now moving forward with a clear two-part strategy: first, to focus on developing products exclusively in the RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics field with our two lead product candidates, ApoB and PLK1, and second, to support our partners as they advance products based on our leading delivery technology.”