In the second piece of news today on the hot topic of RNA interference, Qiagen of the Netherlands is to collaborate with US firm Intradigm on RNAi compounds for use both as tools for drug discovery and as potential therapeutics.

Qiagen has developed a position in the synthesis of small interfering RNA sequences (siRNA) using its proprietary TOM-Amidite technology, and is a licensed supplier of siRNA with a large library of sequences targeted towards genes commonly targeted in drug discovery. Intradigm will bring to the collaboration its work on solving the problems associated with delivering siRNA in a form that retains activity in vivo.

The US company has already demonstrated that siRNA sequences targeting the virus that caused the recent epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) can be delivered into the airways.

An early task for the alliance will be the design and manufacture of at least 48 sets of siRNA oligonucleotides that will be screened as potential SARS treatments in collaboration with government and academic institutions in the USA and China.