BOTHELL, WA, Feb 13, 2009 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- MDRNA, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRNA) announced today that it has entered into
an agreement with Roche (SWX: ROG) in which Roche will obtain a
non-exclusive license to a portion of MDRNA's technology platform for
the development of RNAi-based therapeutics. Terms of the agreement
were not disclosed.
"We are pleased to have Roche recognize the value of our drug
discovery platform," stated J. Michael French, President and Chief
Executive Officer of MDRNA. "To have a portion of our platform
in-licensed by Roche, a company with a significant effort in
RNAi-based therapeutics, is a great testament to our intellectual
property estate as well as the strong science being performed by our
researchers. This agreement provides us the necessary resources to
continue to pursue multiple, non-exclusive research collaborations,
as well as future financing opportunities. We look forward to working
with Roche to capitalize on the platform capability we are licensing
to them as part of this agreement."
About MDRNA, Inc.
MDRNA is a biotechnology company focused on the development and
commercialization of therapeutic products based on RNA interference
(RNAi). Our goal is to improve human health through the development of
RNAi-based compounds and drug delivery technologies that together
provide superior therapeutic options for patients. Over the past
decade, we have developed substantial capabilities in molecular
biology, cellular biology, lipid chemistry, peptide chemistry,
pharmacology and bioinformatics, which we are applying to a wide
range of RNAi technologies and delivery approaches. These
capabilities plus the in-licensing of key RNAi-related intellectual
property have rapidly enabled us to become a leading RNAi-based
therapeutics company with a pre-clinical pipeline in key therapeutic
areas including oncology, metabolic disorders and inflammation.
Through our capabilities, expertise and know-how, we are
incorporating multiple RNAi technologies as well as peptide- and
lipid-based delivery approaches into a single integrated drug
discovery platform that will be the engine for our clinical pipeline
as well as a versatile platform for establishing broad therapeutic
partnerships with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. We are
also investing in new technologies that we expect to lead to safer
and more effective RNAi-based therapeutics while aggressively
building upon our broad and extensive intellectual property estate.
By combining broad expertise in siRNA science with proven delivery
platforms and a strong IP position, MDRNA is well positioned as a
leading RNAi-based drug discovery and development company. Additional
information about MDRNA, Inc. is available at
http://www.mdrnainc.com.
MDRNA Forward-Looking Statement
Statements made in this news release may be forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Federal Securities laws that are
subject to certain risks and uncertainties and involve factors that
may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or
suggested. Factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in forward-looking statements include, but are
not limited to: (i) the ability of MDRNA or a subsidiary to obtain
additional funding; (ii) the ability of MDRNA or a subsidiary to
attract and/or maintain manufacturing, research, development and
commercialization partners; (iii) the ability of MDRNA, a subsidiary
and/or a partner to successfully complete product research and
development, including preclinical and clinical studies and
commercialization; (iv) the ability of MDRNA, a subsidiary and/or a
partner to obtain required governmental approvals; and (v) the
ability of MDRNA, a subsidiary and/or a partner to develop and
commercialize products that can compete favorably with those of
competitors. Additional factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those projected or suggested in any
forward-looking statements are contained in MDRNA's most recent
periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q that are filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. MDRNA assumes no obligation to
update and supplement forward-looking statements because of
subsequent events.
Contact:
Matthew D. Haines
Senior Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
(212) 209-3874
Email Contact
McKinney|Chicago (Media)
Alan Zachary
(312) 944-6784 x 316 or
(708) 707-6834
Email Contact
SOURCE: MDRNA, Inc.
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