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news.Silence Therapeutics, a global biotechnology company and Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma, have agreed to expand their ongoing small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery collaboration. Under the terms of the expansion, the companies are expected to examine delivery to additional disease targets selected by Dainippon Sumitomo.
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As per the collaboration, which was originally signed in August 2009, the companies will leverage Silence’s proprietary siRNA molecules and multiple lipid delivery and targeting technologies to demonstrate functional delivery of RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics to specific disease targets in the body.
Silence Therapeutics said that several of its proprietary assets are being leveraged as part of this collaboration. These include AtuRNAi, a novel siRNA molecule which is chemically modified to improve stability, reduce manufacturing costs and increase yields, all of which are key considerations in the emerging RNAi therapeutics space.
Additionally, a number of Silence Therapeutics’ proprietary lipid delivery and targeting technologies for siRNAs, including AtuPLEX, are also being used as part of the collaborative research efforts.
Philip Haworth, CEO at Silence Therapeutics, said: “We believe that the decision to expand this collaboration less than eight months after its initiation and within three months of the merger between Silence and Intradigm provides clear evidence that both Silence and Dainippon Sumitomo are not only pleased with the progress already achieved through this partnership but also with its future potential.
“While we at Silence have long believed in the significant value and potential of our proprietary technologies, it is gratifying to have a partner support our activities with a rapid expansion of this key collaboration.”