In 2010, both the companies have signed a multi-year target validation agreement under which Tekmira offers Bristol-Myers Squibb with LNP formulations designed to validate the function of certain genes.
As per the original target validation pact, Bristol-Myers Squibb is utilizing small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules formulated by Tekmira in LNPs to silence target genes of interest.
Bristol-Myers Squibb is also organizing preclinical work to validate the function of certain genes and is sharing the data with Tekmira.
The tie up allows Bristol-Myers to negotiate the first licensing agreement on certain RNAi products developed by Tekmira that evolve from proprietary gene targets validated by Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Tekmira received $3m under the agreement signed last year.
Tekmira president and CEO Mark Murray said they are now expanding that work to include further evaluation of Tekmira’s proprietary LNP technology to identify formulations capable of targeting tumors and certain tissues outside of the liver.
"The new work also includes additional cellular targets that were beyond the scope of the original agreement. Bristol-Myers Squibb will continue to share the data from this research with Tekmira," Murray said.