Alnylam and Tekmira have reported that they will jointly participate in a new research collaboration focused on the discovery of novel cationic lipids and lipid nanoparticles, for the systemic delivery of RNAi therapeutics.
Under the terms of the two-year research collaboration, Alnylam will receive exclusive rights to all new inventions as well as rights to sublicense any resulting intellectual property to Alnylam’s current and future partners.
In addition to that, Tekmira will receive rights to use new inventions for their own RNAi therapeutic programs, licensed under Alnylam intellectual property through its InterfeRx program.
The research collaboration will be focused on generating novel cationic lipids to be evaluated in lipid nanoparticles for the systemic delivery of RNAi drugs.
Alnylam and Tekmira have each advanced a systemic RNAi therapeutic program to the clinic, using Tekmira’s stable nucleic acid lipid particle (SNALP) technology.
Barry Greene, president and chief operating officer of Alnylam, said: “We are excited to participate with Tekmira to support research efforts that will focus on the discovery of novel lipids for nanoparticle-based formulations of RNAi therapeutics that we believe will have the potential to push the frontiers of systemic delivery to further improve potency and broaden biodistribution.”