Contact Information: Contacts: MDRNA, Inc.: Peter Garcia Chief Financial Officer (425) 908-3603 mbales@mdrnainc.com Westwicke Partners (Investors): Stefan Loren, Ph.D. (443) 213-0507 sloren@westwicke.com John Woolford (443) 213-0506 john.woolford@westwicke.com McKinney|Chicago (Media): Alan Zachary (312) 944-6784 x 316 or (708) 707-6834 azachary@mckinneychicago.com
MDRNA Reports Potent Anti-Tumor Activity Against Multiple Targets in Liver and Bladder Cancer
Announces Additional Early Collaborative Effort With Major International Pharmaceutical Company
| Source: MDRNA, Inc.
BOTHELL, WA--(Marketwire - January 13, 2010) - MDRNA, Inc. (NASDAQ : MRNA ), a leading
RNAi-based drug discovery and development company, reported today in vivo
data for bladder and liver cancer demonstrating further advancement of the
Company's oncology programs. The Company reported a reduction in tumor
growth in both liver and bladder cancers by targeting genes key to tumor
progression, via both systemic and local delivery with the Company's
proprietary UsiRNAs delivered by its novel DiLA2 platform. In addition,
MDRNA disclosed the establishment of an early collaborative effort with a
major international pharmaceutical company, its second such effort.
In a presentation at the 2010 OneMedForum in San Francisco today, Mr. J.
Michael French, President & CEO of MDRNA, stated that the Company has
demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity with a UsiRNA targeting PLK1
(Polo-like Kinase 1), a protein involved in cell mitosis and tumor
progression. Data from local (intravesical) application of a PLK1 UsiRNA
in a DiLA2 liposome formulation in a mouse orthotopic bladder cancer model
demonstrated a PLK1 UsiRNA dose-dependent decrease in bioluminescence in a
mouse model of orthotopic bladder cancer, with greater than 90% reduction
at a dose of 1 mg/kg. Decreased bioluminescence is generally considered to
be a clear indication of reduced tumor growth. This study was conducted in
conjunction with the Company's collaborators at the Vancouver Prostate
Centre.
The PLK1 UsiRNA has also demonstrated activity in models of orthotopic
liver cancer and subcutaneous liver tumors, in which the UsiRNA was
delivered by systemic administration of a DiLA2 formulation. MRNA-046, a
DiLA2-formulated survivin UsiRNA, has been previously reported to have
potent RNAi and anti-tumor activity in bladder and liver cancer. Effective
delivery (per RNAi activity and tolerability) of a UsiRNA with DiLA2
liposomes has also been previously reported by MDRNA in non-human primates.
"The data we're reporting regarding the potent activity of a PLK1 UsiRNA
further validates the strength and speed at which our proprietary
RNAi-based drug discovery platform can generate novel compounds," stated
Mr. French. "We have demonstrated that UsiRNAs against multiple non-cancer
and cancer targets are highly active in rodents and non-human primates, and
can be delivered with DiLA2 liposomes by intravenous or local routes. In
our oncology programs, we have now demonstrated significant knockdown of
both survivin and PLK1, which are high profile targets implicated in
apoptosis and proliferation, respectively. Both of these targets have been
difficult to inhibit by traditional small molecule and monoclonal antibody
approaches. The ability for a single RNAi drug product to target both an
apoptotic and proliferation pathway will provide for a potentially more
efficacious therapeutic compound against multiple cancers. Taken as a
whole, MDRNA's UsiRNA and delivery technologies represent a unique and
proprietary approach to the use of RNAi-based therapeutics to treat human
diseases."
The additional early collaborative effort with a major international
pharmaceutical company will utilize the broad capabilities of MDRNA's
proprietary discovery engine for RNAi therapeutics and its world-class
research team. The collaboration will focus on in vivo delivery of siRNAs
using MDRNA's DILA2 liposome platform. As part of the collaboration,
research teams at MDRNA and the pharmaceutical company will examine safety
and efficacy of systemic delivery of siRNA in animal models. Financial
details of the collaboration were not disclosed.
"Today we also disclosed the establishment of a second early collaborative
effort today," continued Mr. French. "Between the collaboration we
disclosed in September 2009 and this new effort, we believe we are on track
to complete a major R&D collaboration well before our goal of mid 2010."
The MDRNA presentation given at the OneMedForum will be webcast live today,
January 13 at 11:15am PST. Access to the MDRNA audio webcast is available
live via the following link:
http://www.onemedplace.com/onemedforum/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=96 and will be archived for replay for 3 months.
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 oncology. 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 Statements
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 to
obtain additional funding; (ii) the ability of MDRNA to attract and/or
maintain manufacturing, research, development and commercialization
partners; (iii) the ability of MDRNA and/or a partner to successfully
complete product research and development, including preclinical and
clinical studies and commercialization; (iv) the ability of MDRNA and/or a
partner to obtain required governmental approvals; and (v) the ability of
MDRNA 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.