MDRNA Enters Into Research Deal With Pfizer

The relationship is expected to focus on the evaluation of MDRNA’s proprietary di-alkylated amino acids (DiLA2) platform and UsiRNA constructs for RNA interference (RNAi). This marks MDRNA’s fourth early collaborative effort announced with a major pharmaceutical company in the past nine months.

Furthermore, MDRNA is expected to be responsible for formulating Pfizer’s oligonucleotides in DiLA2 formulations for in-vivo preclinical evaluation to be performed at Pfizer. Additionally, MDRNA’s research team will design and synthesize UsiRNAs directed against targets specified by Pfizer.

Michael French, president and CEO at MDRNA, said: “We are extremely pleased to be working with Pfizer. As Pfizer has made a commitment to the research and development of RNAi therapeutics, this is a significant opportunity for MDRNA to again demonstrate the broad capabilities of its world-class research team and proprietary drug discovery engine for RNAi-based therapeutics.”

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.

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.