The Big Red Biotech Blog

Antisense Drug Gains FDA Approval

Isis Pharmaceuticals antisense drug, mipomersen (Kynamro), recieved FDA approval for the treatment of a rare familal hypercholesterolemia (say fast 3x).  The drug was developed in partnership with Genzyme (now part of Sanofi) and triggers a $25 M milestone payment to Isis.

This is the first time a drug of this type has been approved and Isis says that this validates its strategy and platform. Isis CEO, Stanley Crooke, said that the drug is "the culmination of two decades of work to create a new, more efficient drug technology platform."  Isis says its pipeline shows the validity of the antisense approach which can be applied to a variety of diseases -- including rare or orphan ones. See Xconomy.

Posted by Bruce Lehr Jan 30th 2013.

Solstice Delivers the RNAi

Solstice Biologics says that is has solved the problem of delivering RNAi into a cell with its new 'limitless' RNAi technology.  The technology employs a covalently bound molecule to form an RNAi pro-drug -- called Ribonucleic Neutrals (RNN).  The pro-drug crosses the membrane and is converted by an intracellular enzyme into an active RNAi drug. 

Company founder, Steven Dowdy, says "The only reason that these Big Pharmas got out of the RNAi business was because of delivery.  Therefore by solving the delivery problem it will likely bring most of them back inside to take a second look."

Previously, Novartis, Roche and others have withdrawn from clinical programs in the RNAi area. Seemingly Solstice believes, 'if you build it they will come'. We'll see. See In-Pharmatechnologist.

Posted by Bruce Lehr Jan 15th 2013.

RNAi Deal: "Pay Me Now in order to Pay Me Less Later"

Alnylam, on the eve of trial with Tekmira in an appropriation of trade secrets suit, agreed to pay the latter $65 M now and up to $10 M next year to settle. That's a lot better than the $1 B that Tekmira was pursuing in its suit.

Alnylam paid $30 M to terminate a contract manufacturing agreement with Tekmira, and the additional $35 M to terminate previous license agreements to use Tekmira's lipid nanoparticle drug delivery technology. The additional $10M could come from milestones payments related to 3 Alnylam drugs in the clinic. Tekmira would get the money in 2013 and forgo potentially higher milestone and royalty payments in the future.

Alnylam will still have a license to use the Tekmira technology in conjunction with its own delivery systems to deliver RNAi drugs to the inside of cells.  But, Alnylam will have to do its own manufacturing or find someone else who will. It won't be Tekmira or Alnylam's erstwhile partner Alcana Technologies. The latter is also being removed from the palying field in a settlement with Tekmira that will preclude Alcana from playing in RNAi for 5 years. Tekmira has alleged that Alcana was an "instrument of Alnylam."

Now Tekmira can pursue its clinical program with the extra $65 M.  And Alnylam can pursue its three clinical candidates.  And each can try to establish the real utlity of an RNAi drug in the clinic which heretofore has not happened. See Fierce Biotech and Xconomy.

Posted by Bruce Lehr Nov 13th 2012.

 

Alnylam Cashes RNAi Check from Genzyme for $22.5 M

Cha-ching!

RNAi pioneer Alnylam announced that Genzyme will be paying it $22.5 M in upfront fees to license its phase I drug ALN-TTR02 in Asia.  The drug performed very well in studies completed in July 2012 for the treatment of transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis.  The disease effects primarily adults in the 30-40 yrs range and can damage their nerves and/or heart. 

Genzyme agreed to the upfront and a royalty that could run to the mid-teens for the TTR program.  It is an orphan disease that will fit well with the Genzyme portfolio.  It is somewhat unusual for a company to pay this much upfront for a phase I program, but the results we very good in a phase 1 trial (knocking down the disease causing TTR protein by 94% when 50% is considered therapeutically relevant) and it is an orphan disease.  A defined patient population in a growing part of the world, a very good clinical result and a prospect for quicker/cheaper clinical trials and commercialization means you cut the deal.

Alnylam's stock took off on word of the announcement.  The company plans to pursue therapies in 5 other areas with the licensing and royalty proceeds. See Fierce Biotech and Xconomy.

Posted by Bruce Lehr October 22nd 2012.

Biogen Idec and Isis Deal: Antisense Resurgence?

A couple days ago Biogen Idec and Isis announced they woudl be partnering on another deal to apply Isis antisense technology to type 1 myotonic dystrophy. Under the deal, Isis gets a smallish $12 M upfront payment with back loaded milestones of $259 M possible.

Isis scientists are wagering they can fight myotonic dystrophy type 1 now that they have identified a gene that contains three individual DNA bases that repeat extensively, which leads to the production of long, toxic RNA molecules that accumulate in cells and cause the muscle problems. By creating an antisense molecule, Isis and Biogen are hoping to target and get rid of the toxic RNA.  The condition affects about 150,000 patients.

“Myotonic dystrophy has an identifiable genetic cause, the program fits with our mission to bring innovative therapies to patients with serious neurologic diseases, and Isis’ antisense compound has the potential to make a real difference,” said Steve Holtzman, Biogen’s executive vice president of corporate development.

This type of genetically focused drug development program could also be a relatively quick effort.  Dire need for a new treatments in rare conditions can raise the prospect of filing for approval based on proof-of-concept studies. Rare diseases also don't require the big studies with thousands of patients needed to demonstrate safety in a large population. Any treatments for these diseases can also fetch six-figure prices. And that helps explain why a number of Big Pharma companies have been beefing up their work in the rare disease arena.

It's been awhile since antisense therapies have been getting positive press.  Hopefully this deal will work out for both companies and the affected patients. It would also be good to see the technology successfully deployed for at least some conditions. See Xconomy and Fierce Biotech.

Posted by Bruce Lehr Jun 30th 2012

 

Not a Good Day for Senior Directors (and others) at Alnylam

Boston Business Journal reports that Alnylam will layoff 52 employees (previously discussed as a restructuring program) on March 23rd.  This 33% trimming of the staff will contribute to savings of approximately $20 M.  Layoffs will include positions for Senior Director of Biotherapics, Senior Director of Business Development, Senior Director of Pharma Operations, and a Senior Director for IT -- along with 9 senior scientists and 14 research associates among the casualties. The one time employee costs of termination will be on order of $4 M.

See what happens when most of Big Pharma gives up on RNAi -- at least for now.

Posted by Bruce Lehr Feb 16th 2012.

RNAi Woes Continue to Force Cut Backs

Alnylam announced that it will need to trim back its staff by another 33% so that it can conserve cash and focus on its two lead candidates in the clinic.  The Company stated it will trim 56 persons' jobs -- saving about $20 M per year.  It will also focus on its phase I development programs with amyloidosis and hemophilia. 

The whole RNAi field has been thrown in disarray over the past couple years as the drugs have proven to be difficult to deliver into cells.  Roche, Merck and Novartis among big players have deeply curtailed or stopped their RNAi programs. No current RNAi drugs are on the market despite billions of dollars in development funding.

Undeterred (Ok maybe deterred), Alnylam will take its $260 M in the bank and push forward on its two candidates.  It says it will become less of a platform company and try to make the transition to a product company.  In the meantime, focus and austerity are the catch phrases until better clinical success and more investment is forthcoming. See Xconomy and Fierce Biotech.

Posted by Bruce Lehr Jan 23rd 2012.

Alnylam Claims 1st with RNAi in Clinic

Today Alnylam reported a preliminary assessment of a small Phase I study (20 patients) showing statistically significant  results in sharply reducing the levels of bad cholesterol in patients suffering from severe hypercholesterolemia. Alnylam also touted the use of second-generation lipid nanoparticles to effectively deliver an RNAi treatment (called ALN-PCS) in this study.

"...we believe is the first ever demonstration of efficacy for an RNAi therapeutic toward a clinically validated endpoint, namely LDL-C, a defined risk factor for coronary artery disease and acute myocardial infarction....," said Akshay Vaishnaw, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Alnylam.

The new drug was well-tolerated at a variety of doses, and no one has dropped out of the study because of side effects, although a mild rash was observed in patients on the treatment, the company said. The study is still ongoing.

Albeit with a very small patient population and in aa early phase I trial, this is the first positive news from the clinic for an RNAi treatment in some time -- and comes on the heels of several Big Pharma players giving up on RNAi last year.  Kudos for now.  See Fierce Biotech and Xconomy.

 

Posted by Bruce Lehr Jan 4th 2012

 

GSK Hooks Up with Alnylam on siRNA Enabled Vaccines

GSK and the RNAi-company Alnylam announced a new licensing deal where by GSK will use siRNAs from the latter to apply to its vaccine program.  The Alnylam technology involved is termed VaxiRNA.  The deal is initially focused on influenza vaccine production. Under terms of the agreement, GSK will provide research funding and certain milestone payments to Alnylam. 

Alnylam’s VaxiRNA platform applies siRNAs for the silencing of specific genes that limit or prevent efficient growth of viruses in vaccine manufacturing systems, including those in cell culture.  Alnylam says this new platform addresses the significant unmet commercial need for innovative technologies that can improve the manufacture of vaccine products, especially where vaccine production is a limiting factor for the scale and speed of global immunization needs.

The deal comes at a good time for Alnylam, which lost partnerships with Novartis and Roche earlier in the year, and is expected to report a loss of 35 cents per share for Qtr 3 in a late day earnings call. They could use the shot in the arm so to speak. See GEN and Xconomy.

 

 

Posted by Bruce Lehr Nov 1st 2011.

Market Reacts to RXi Split Up

As reported in Xconomy and Fierce Biotech this morning, RXi Pharmaceuticals plans to split in two parts -- Galena BioPharma that will focus on creating cancer vaccines and RXi Pharmaceuticals that will continue to try to develop RNAi based drugs. The move was spurred by investors who wanted to see the combined RXi offer its shareholders a quicker return.

Galena will focus on the continued development and commercialization of its lead product NeuVax (E75) for breast cancer, and its newly acquired Folate Binding Protein-E39 for ovarian and endometrial tumors.  The latter is headed toward Phase I trials by the end of 2011.

RXi for its part will continue its focus on RNAi drugs -- its lead candidate being RXi-109 for the treatment of scarring and fibrosis. It will also work on the therapeutic value of gene silencing more broadly -- and is still seeking partners. Investors were thrilled and showed it by driving RXi stock down 25%. 

 

 

 

 

Posted by Bruce Lehr Sep 26th 2011.

Merck Shutters RNAi Center in San Francisco

Merck announced the closing of the RNAi research center it obtained in its acquisition of Sirna Therapeutics five years ago.  The company still plans to utilize the RNAi technology throughout its global R&D operation according to a company spokesman.

Merck’s acquisition of Sirna raised eyebrows across the industry from the beginning, because of the high price tag ($1.1 billion), and the early-stage nature of RNAi technology. This technology has intrigued scientists for several years, because it offers the potential of hitting biological targets of disease that are currently inaccessible by conventional small-molecules or larger biotech drugs.

Merck hasn’t pointed to any RNAi-based drugs that have emerged in its pipeline, and it has publicly emphasized the challenge it has faced finding ways to effectively deliver these drugs in the body.  There are no such RNAi-based drugs approved yet by the FDA for sale in the U.S. (or elsewhere).  Roche earlier this year also pulled the plug on its RNAi program.  See Xconomy.

Posted by Bruce Lehr July 29th 2011.

 

Tekmira Amends Alnylam Suit Expands Defendants

Tekmira amended its complaint against Alnylam yesterday with new claims alleging "breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, tortious interference with contractual relationships and civil conspiracy.  For good measure, they also added AlCana Technologies as a defendant.

AlCana alleged wrongodings include "misappropriation of trade secrets, tortious interference with contractual relations, unjust enrichment, unfair and decptive acts and trade practices, and civil conspiracy.  Sounds bad, doesn't it?

Tekmira is looking for $1 billion plus damages -- including royalties and profits the two defendants would receive from taking Tekmira's technology and to terminate its license with Alnylam.  Sounds like we're headed to divorce court for sure.  See PBR.

 

 

Posted by Bruce Lehr June 7th 2011.

Alnylam Inks Deal with Precision NanoSystems

Xconomy reports this morning that Alnylam Pharmaceuticals has signed a deal with Precision Nanosystems to use the latter's small lipid nanoparticle drug delivery system to help Alnylam get its RNAi drugs to their cell targets -- specifically in the liver.

Alnylam Inks Deal with Precision NanoSystems.

Thus Alnylam has found an alternative partner to work with on nanoparticle delivery -- given that its last partner, Tekmira, is now suing them for $1 billion.  Tekmira claims that Alnylam "misappropriated" their technology which the latter emphatically denies.  

Posted by Bruce Lehr April 19th 2011.

 

Alnylam Responds to Tekmira Suit

Ah, where did we leave off when we last visited the Tekmira suit against Alnylam for misappropriating trade secrets?  Let's see.

Alnylam Responds to Tekmira Suit.              

Alnylam: No we didn't

Tekmira: Yes you did.

Alnylam: No we did not.

Tekmira: Yes you did, you owe us $1 billion.

Alnylam: Talk to the hand.

Posted by Bruce Lehr April 6th 2011.

Reprise Biotech's Losing RNAi Interest?

The Patent Doc blog discusses whether Big Pharma has lost all interest in RNAi or not. RNAi of course was touted when discovered to be the next generation of new blockbuster therapeutics.  Billions of dollars have been spent on research to date while not yielding any approvals. The biggest hurdle to success continues to be problems in delivering the drug to the right place - both a targeting and stability issue (in bloodstream).

Several celebrated Big Pharma players have backed away from RNAi work in the past two years, including Roche (after a $500 M investment), Pfizer, and Abbott.  Novartis decided to end its 5-year partnership with Alnylam late last year though will still continue to work on programs it had going internally.

Regardless, the Patent Doc post points out that similar delays in initial acceptance are common in drug development with new technologies, and that mAbs also took more than 20 years to gain approval before blockbusters like Avastin or Humira showed up. There are about a dozen RNAi drugs in clinical trials now despite the apparent turmoil --which is still a high water mark for the technology. 

The opera is not over until the Fat Lady sings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by Bruce Lehr March 26th 2011.

Alnylam CEO Professes Surprise at Tekmira Nano Suit

 Alnylam CEO John Maraganore said he was taken by surprise by Tekmira's suit.  He said he learned of it in an email from his counterpart at Tekmira, Mark Murray, only minutes before the latter's press release.

Alnylam CEO: Tekmira Accusation of Trade Secret Misuse was a Big Surprise;.

Maraganore characterizes the whole thing as a complete surprise -- contrary to Tekmira's position that they had complained about the issue without receiving a response or satisfaction on their concerns. Maraganore said that doesn't represent Alnylam's point of view.

"I don’t think it’s a good strategy when you have a partnership. It’s certainly not a good strategy when you have a partner that has done as much funding as we have in the past, and frankly, has been there to support them for many, many years. It’s not what I would call the best example of relationship management I’ve ever seen.", said Maraganore, and he continued, " It seems to me this is a very misguided approach. The focus should be on clinical progress and science, and frankly, receiving their milestones and royalties."  See Xconomy Boston.

 

Posted by Bruce Lehr March 19th 2011.

 

Who invented nano particle delivery of RNAi?

Tekmira claims they are the inventors of lipid-based nano particle delivery of RNAi that works in the bloodstream. They've collaborated with Alnylam on such therapeutics for liver cancer and TTR-mediated amyloidosis. 

Alnylam says it has independently developed such lipid-based delivery technology and has filed patents accordingly.  Presumably, Alnylam's licensing deals with Tekmira would not apply for the delivery materials covered by Alnylam's patents.  Tekmira has cried "Foul!" and has filed suit for patent infringment among other things.

"It comes down to inventorship on some patent applications filed by Alnylam," said Alan Carr, biotech analyst at Needham & Company, "And Tekmira believes that they contributed to it and that they should have at least partial ownership of it."  See Xconomy Boston.

See you in court, Boys, see you in court.

 

 

 

Posted by Bruce Lehr March 18th 2011.

Tekmira Sues Alnylam for $1 Billion for Stolen Trade Secrets

Tekmira Pharmaceuticals filed suit in Massachuesetts Superior Court seeking $1 billion in damages from its collaborator Alnylam Pharmaceuticals.  Among other things, Tekmira accuses Alnylam of misappropriation and misuse of trade secrets, know-how and other confidential information.

Tekmira Sues Alnylam for $1 Billion, Accusing Partner of Misusing RNAi Trade Secrets.

More specifically, Tekmira accuses Alnylam of replicating Tekmira's proprietary RNAi lipid nanoparticle delivery technology, filing patents based on this technology (effectively duplicating some Tekmira filings) and sharing confidential know-how about the technology with unauthorized third parties. Oops!

Tekmira says it is suing to regain control over its proprietary lipid nanoparticle technology to preseve its full value.  It hopes that pursuing the case in Massachuesetts courts will speed a decision within about 12 months and reduce expenses associated with litigation.

Alnylam responds that Tekmira's claim is without merit.  They also expressed disappointment that the disagreement couldn't be worked out directly, and that the resources of the two firms couldn't remain singly focused on establishing the value of RNAi therapeutics.

 

 

 

 

Posted by Bruce Lehr March 17th 2011.

 

RNAi Patent Litigation Settled Among Key Players

Unlike the NFL so far, all the key players in the RNAi field got together and worked it out. 

The deal between Alnylam, Max Planck Society, UMass, and the Whitehead Institute and MIT concerns the prosecutio and disposition of the Tuschl I and Tuschl II patents.

Alnylam, UMass, and Others Settle RNAi Patent Litigation.

Max Planck will take the lead role in coordinating all prosecution of the Tuschl II family of patents worldwide.  UMass will lead prosecution of Tuschl I patents outside the US, and will sublicense TuschI II patents to Merck with permission from Alnylam.  Alnylam will receive a portion ofthe licensing fees.

Alnylam can focus on its drug programs for RSV, liver cancers, and Huntington's disease.  Max Planck will worry about the patent prosecution of TuschI II. Everyone seems happier for the experience.

 

Posted by Bruce Lehr March 15th 2011.

Big Pharma Backs Off RNAi

Fierce Biotech reports on a New York Times feature article that recounts how Big Pharma is currently withdrawing from its previous activity with RNAi therapeutics. The story points out that Roche started the trend publicly last fall with its announced withdraw from the field.  But other companies like Abbott, and Pfizer have similarly cut their investment (see here).

Merck-Sirna and Novartis-Alnylam deals have also failed to show much in terms of deliverables though Novartis continues to work targets uncovered in its Alnylam deal but decided not to extend it further. Now Big Pharma companies who were pioneers working with the RNAi innovators are focusing their efforts elsewhere looking for more immediate payoffs. In some cases, RNAi may no longer be the only or even best means to effect certain cellular pathways thus reducing the need to rely on this technology.

It may be many many years before any therapies utilizing RNAi hit the clinics -- and the pioneer RNAi companies may be the ones who will back that play.

 

 

 

Posted by Bruce Lehr Feb 8th 2011.

Delbiopharm Partners on RNAi with Marina Biotech

Delbiopharm and Marina Biotech will partner on the development of treatments against bladder cancer using Marina's RNAi technology.  Delbio will pay $25 M in R&D milestones and Marina will also receive royalties on sales of any therapeutic reaching commericialization.

In additon to bladder cancer, Marina's pipeline has therapies aimed at treating familial adenomatous polyposis and hepatocellular carcinoma.  See Fierce Biotech.

Posted by Bruce Lehr Feb 5th 2011.

 

Alnylam Lays Out 2015 Goals

According to Xconomy, Alnylam has established these goals for itself to be reached in its RNAi business by 2015. 

Alnylam Lays Out 2015 Goals.

The goals include:

• Move 5 RNAi development programs into advanced clinicals by 2015
• Move new candidate for treatment of refractory anemia into clinic by 2012
• Establish new development parnerships
• End year with more than $275M in cash - which means spending less than $70 M (net)

As noted in a post yesterday, RNAi based therapy companies are finding it increasingly difficult to find new development partners - especially in the past couple down economic years.  The technology has really not proven itself yet in the clinics - so Big Pharma appears to becoming more cautious in making new deals in this area.  Thus, it may be very important indeed for Alnylam to strike a deal or two next year with new partners.

 

Posted by Bruce Lehr Jan 6th 2011.

Pharma Industry Takes Sober View of RNAi

GenomeWeb reports that Calando, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, RXi Pharmaceuticals, Marina Biotech and Rosetta Genomics were among the leading RNAi companies that missed their goals to form development and commercialization partnerships in 2010.

Calando, Others Miss 2010 Partnering Guidance as Industry Takes Sober View of RNAi | GenomeWeb.

This is seen as a sobering sign for RNAi based therapeutics - as the platform remains unproven and Big Pharma seems reluctant to continue to invest in unproven platforms in this environment. Companies seem more eager to pay for a proven platform than to pay for technologies where they assume substantial risk (and potential reward) for its development.

There seems to be considerable pessimism in the industry as to RNAi's future as a therapeutic. This stems from its early promises in 2002 when the technology hit the scene and some very big deals like Novartis-Alnylam (2005), Merck-Sirna (2006), and Roche-Alnylam (2007) that have borne no discernable fruit.

 

 

 

Posted by Bruce Lehr Jan 5th 2011.

 

Leading Innovators Make Choices!

This is another good article from the Innovate on Purpose blog.  The basic premise of the post is "To Innovate is to Choose".  There are always far more good ideas than the resources necessary to fund and develop the ideas.  Therefore, idea selection is about making choices in the face of limited information which could be wrong in hindsight.  That's one of the first problems with innovation - we ask people to make hard choices with limited information about products or services that may, or may not, be successful. But, making the choice is necessary to realizing the success.

Innovation has another challenge to most executives when it comes to choice: every choice he or she makes is risky and uncertain.  Most executives are uncomfortable in this situation and seek to limit options and choices, seeking clarity and safety, or at least consensus.  This is why most "innovation" seem so bland. If you eliminate risk, you eliminate true innovation. Perhaps beggars can't be choosers, but innovators must be.

This leads me to examine Roche.  I've written here often that I think Roche is the leading innovator among Big Pharma companies.  They are one of the few to put a stake in the ground and state that they will not pursue follow-on biologics or generics as a key strategy for their future.  They are an innovative drug company and proud of it. 

Today's news about Roche deciding to cut its RNAi program may be another piece of evidence on their innovation leadership.  As the first paragraph indicates, resources are scarce and the best innovators make the hard choices about where to put their money to do the most good. Roche has decided it has better places to invest than in RNAi therapeutics.  This choice may or may not turn out to be correct - but it is another example of them having the resolve to make the hard choice - even after investing $331 M in Alnylam in 2007.  The In the Pipeline blog asks if other Big Pharma companies invested in RNAi wish they had the stones to do the same?

The willingness to make the hard choices is a defining characteristic of the successful innovator. 

 

 

Posted by Bruce Lehr November 17th 2010.

Roche Starts Cutting 4800 Jobs. Kills RNAi.

Back in early September, Roche announced a "Group-wide Operational Excellence" program aimed at reducing costs substantially and making the company more efficient - R&D was one area cited as being a target for efficiency gains.

Today, stories appeared in Fierce Biotech, PharmaGossip, the WSJ and Pharmalot blog detailing the plan's implementation. Roche today announced it will cut 4800 jobs that will save the company an expected $2.4 billion.  Cuts became necessary due to some savings expected to be gained from streamlining post the Genentech integration.  Roche has also experienced major revenue delays with its taspoglutide and T-DM1 molecules not being approved when expected.  It's Tamiflu franchise has also seen a significant dip in sales. Less revenue = less jobs.  Simple equation really - albeit unsatisfying if you are one of the 4800 affected.

Here's the job cut summary:

• 2650 sales jobs will be cut mostly from primary care business
• 1350 jobs will come from manufacturing
• 800 product development jobs gone
• 600 jobs cut from research and early development
• 640 jobs come from the diagnostics group
• 260 administrative jobs will cease
• 800 jobs will be saved through internal transfers and 700 will be transferred to outside companies
• The net job loss will be 4800 or about 6% of Roche's WW workforce

Other notable actions in this reorganization include, Roche closing plants in Florence, SC, Boulder, CO and in Graz, Aus (diagnostics).  Roche will also kill its RNAi program completely.  That means it will stop activities in Kulmback, Ger; Nutley, NJ and Madison, WI. 

As reported in Xconomy today, the Roche decision to leave RNAi work has had reverberations on the RNAi companies themselves.  Both Alnylam and Tekmira stock experienced some negative wave effects from the Roche decision.  Both companies have been Roche partners in the past on RNAi therapeutics - or in Tekmira's case delivery of RNAi molecules.  Alnylam landed a $331 M upfront payment from Roche back in July 2007 and Tekmira garnered $18.4 M in May 2009.  Both companies indicated that they were sorry to see Roche go but have other partnerships ongoing. 

Alnylam lost another key partnership with Novartis in past couple of months as their 5-year development agreement was not renewed.  But they still have agreements with Takeda, Sanofi-Aventis and Biogen Idec.  Tekmira stated it  has ongoing partnerships with Takeda, Pfizer and BMS.  However, it should give someone pause when Roche - who many consider to be the leading innovator in the industry right now at least among Big Pharma - decides to cease RNAi work.

 

 

Posted by Bruce Lehr November 17th 2010.