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Pharmaceutical industry

Alnylam and Tekmira Collaborate to Develop RNAi Therapeutic for Ebola Virus Infection

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, a leading developer of RNAi therapeutics, has granted Tekmira Pharmaceuticals a new InterfeRx license to develop an RNAi therapeutic for the treatment of Ebola virus infection. The collaboration is focused on advancing the development of TKM-Ebola, a systemically delivered RNAi therapeutic that utilizes Tekmira's lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery technology. The license agreement includes royalties on sales of any resulting product under the licensing agreement.

Key Takeaways:

  • Alnylam has granted Tekmira a new InterfeRx license to develop an RNAi therapeutic for Ebola virus infection, expanding their existing collaboration in the field of RNAi therapeutics.
  • The license agreement includes royalties on sales of any resulting product under the licensing agreement, providing a potential revenue stream for Alnylam.
  • The collaboration aims to advance the development of TKM-Ebola, a systemically delivered RNAi therapeutic that has demonstrated 100% protection from the fatal virus in pre-clinical models.
  • The US government has awarded Tekmira a US$140 million contract to develop TKM-Ebola, which will support the development of the candidate through FDA approval.
  • Alnylam is committed to enabling the broader biomedical industry with access to its leading intellectual property position through its InterfeRx licensing program.
  • The company has formed alliances with leading companies to advance the development of RNAi therapeutics, including Medtronic, Novartis, and Biogen Idec.
  • Tekmira has completed a Phase I clinical trial with its TKM-ApoB program for hypercholesterolemia and is developing their TKM-PLK1 program for the treatment of solid tumors.

Statistics:

  • US$140 million: The value of the contract awarded by the US government to further develop TKM-Ebola.
  • 100%: The degree of protection demonstrated by TKM-Ebola in pre-clinical models against the fatal virus.
  • 8: The number of RNAi therapeutic products that Alnylam has developed, including ALN-VSP and ALN-TTR01.

Sources:

  • Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALNY) - "Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Grants Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation New InterfeRx License" [www.alnylam.com](http://www.alnylam.com)
  • Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation (TSX: TKM) - "Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation Signs US$140 Million Contract with the US Government for the Development of a Novel Ebola Treatment" [www.tekmirapharm.com](http://www.tekmirapharm.com)
  • The Lancet, Vol 375, May 29, 2010 - "Administration of TKM-Ebola results in 100% protection from the fatal virus" [www.thelancet.com](http://www.thelancet.com)

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