Two new studies published this week have revealed how microRNA
silences genes and prevents protein production, which could lead to
new anticancer therapies.
Biobanking firm Asterand has launched a new online service to offer
researchers access to human RNA samples via the internet that it
claims could potentially speed up the early stage drug discovery
process.
US researchers have developed a novel delivery vehicle for siRNA,
an up-and-coming technology for switching off genes in the body
that could accelerate its use in drug development.
Alnylam has been issued a US patent, which protects its method of
making small interfering RNAs with and without chemical
modifications, which is set to have far reaching implications in
future drug discovery.
SR Pharma has recruited Genzyme, BioSpring and OctoPlus to
formulate and manufacture its lead RNAi therapeutic product Atu027
to good manufacturing practice (GMP) standards, as its liposomal
drug delivry system moves forward.
Biotechnology firm SR Pharma has announced a technical breakthrough
in the formulation of siRNA drugs, enabling them to be stored at
room temperature and reconstituted in one simple step, thus
extending shelf life and making administration...
A novel lab technique, which involves RNA interference to silence
genes in immune cells, is set to provide biology researchers
broader access to RNA interference, especially for scientists doing
research in immunology.
Agilent Technologies has stepped out of its comfort zone to pursue
a new line of business in ribonucleic acid (RNA) production, with
the recent acquisition of SynPro.
Kreatech has launched the first complete miRNA isolation and
labelling kit, which combines the upstream isolation of small RNA
and the reagents necessary to label these DNA samples for
microarray analysis, offering a more complete...
Isis Pharmaceuticals and Rosetta Genomics has announced a joint
research collaboration to develop microRNA related therapies for
the treatment of liver cancer, demonstrating the therapeutic
potential of microRNA as a drug target...
Sirna Therapeutics has been granted a US patent covering a more
efficient process for the chemical synthesis and manufacturing of
GMP-quality ribonucleic acids (RNA), for use in RNA-based drugs.
Kreatech Biotechnology launches its latest small RNA kit that
targets microRNA and siRNA arrays that directly labels any and all
sizes of naturally occurring nucleic acids without the need of
enzymes.
Benetic has announced the signing of two major agreements, one that
grants Sigma-Aldrich license for the use of Benitec's RNAi
technology. Sigma's acquisition of an equity stake in Benitec also
signals its intentions regarding...
Dharmacon and Alcon are to collaborate on the discovery of new
therapies for eye disease using RNAi technology. The specificity
and novel molecular mechanism of RNAi may allow for the development
of safer and more effective drugs...
S R Pharma have released its interim results for the first half of
2005, which show the continued consolidation of Research and
Development costs as resources were diverted to acquire contract
development services provider, Atugen.
Ambion and Rosetta Genomics have announced a licensing and
commercialisaton agreement to advance microRNA research. The
results will facilitate microRNA research that hails this as a
promising area in the treatment of a range of diseases.
The first study of systemic siRNA efficacy at therapeutically
relevant doses has been published by Sirna Therapeutics, who have
demonstrated an almost complete reduction of the hepatitis B virus
(HBV). The study establishes a strong...
A small interfering RNA (siRNA) library developed by Ambion has
been used to provide a detailed analysis of endocytosis, the
process by which cells internalise nutrient, cell signalling, and
other molecules.
US scientists have shown that microRNA (miRNA) plays an essential
role in the development of the fruit fly. The discovery means that
miRNA could emerge as a new target for interventions aimed at
treating disease, or as a therapeutic...
Topigen Pharmaceuticals has launched a new 3rd generation chemistry
technology, which has been designed for improving
oligonucleotide-based therapeutics that has the potential for broad
gene-targeting drug applications.
MorphoSys Antibodies by Design, ProQinase and the Natural and
Medical Sciences Institute (NMI) have announced the start of a
collaboration to develop an adenoviral siRNA-kinome-chip (ASK
chip), that could revolutionise the analysis...
Topigen Pharmaceuticals introduces its proprietary technology that
becomes the third generation chemistry to deal specifically with
oligonucleotide therapeutics with potential for broad based
gene-targeting drug applications.
Researchers have discovered that a certain virus appears to cloak
itself with a recently discovered gene-silencing device to evade
detection and destruction by immune cells. The study is the first
to show how a virus uses the gene...
Qiagen has announced the acquisition of RNAture's nucleic acid
isolation products from Hitachi Chemical Research Centre. The
latest acquisition sees Qiagen purchase an extensive range of
products that addresses high-throughput...
Degussa has agreed to sell its nucleic acid unit Proligo to
Sigma-Aldrich for an undisclosed purchase price, on the grounds
that it does not have the resources in-house to grow Proligo from
its current sixth place ranking in the sector.
Dharmacon and Genentech have entered into a collaboration in which
RNA interference (RNAi) technology is to be used in future drug
discovery and development research. One focus of the deal is gene
silencing, a powerful and increasingly...
A new report identifies the nucleic acid (NA) therapeutic market to
reach over $210 billion (€161bn), illustrating a solid and
potentially very profitable approach to treatment of cancer,
rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular conditions,...
RNA interference (RNAi) technology took a major leap forward after
Sirna Therapeutics initiated the first program that uses RNAi to
treat asthma, a condition that costs an estimated $13 billion (€9.8
billion) in healthcare costs in...
With the advent of ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) offering a
radical approach to drug discovery, the emphasis is now placed on
finding the most efficient means to deliver or transfect RNAi into
mammalian target genes,writes...
In the race to develop therapeutics based on RNA interference,
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals has claimed a first with the publication of
a study showing in vivo RNAi-mediated gene silencing in
mammals by a method that potentially can be...
Dharmacon has launched a range of small interfering RNA (siRNA)
transfection reagents designed specifically to enhance transfection
efficiency, a crucial procedure in initial drug target
identification to late-stage therapeutic development.
The first ever-manufacturing agreement for a drug based on small
interfering RNA emphasises the potential of this pioneering
therapeutic approach, which could be a fertile stamping ground for
contract manufacturers.
Nitto Denko and antisense specialist Isis Pharmaceuticals have
jointly developed a new solid support for the manufacture of
oligonucleotides that promises to reduce the high manufacturing
costs for this type of drug.
RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics to combat human illnesses such
as Huntingdon's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and
hepatitis C are set to fuel the rapid growth in the RNAi research
product market over the next year.
Dharmacon, supplier of RNA and RNAi research products, has launched
a range of siRNA reagents for its siGenome human siRNA collection,
which supports all phases of research ranging from functional
genomics and initial drug target...
The potential to use a phenomenon known as RNA interference (RNAi)
to selectively switch off genes associated with disease has
captured the attention of drug developers, but as with antisense
before it, delivering the agents is the...
Elchrom Scientific introduces a novel purification technology
enabling a greater yield of ultra pure siRNA synthetic
oligonucleotides at a faster turn around rate, rapidly increasing
siRNA oligonucleotides (oligos) quantity required...
The first ever application to start clinical trials of a
therapeutic based on small interfering RNA (siRNA) - for the wet
form of the eye disease age-related macular degeneration - has been
filed by Acuity Pharmaceuticals.
The market for oligonucleotides is set to more than double in the
next few years, promising rewards for those companies that can meet
the demand for custom ingredients and manufacturing services.
Qiagen has sold off its embattled nucleic acid synthesis business
in a management buyout, but has retained a minority stake and all
activities relating to RNA interference (RNAi), a potent new drug
discovery tool.
A new alliance between Merck & Co and Alnylam, a specialist in
the development of therapeutics based on RNA interference (RNAi)
could fast-track the first drug in this class though to market.
A Korean company has developed a new way of making peptide nucleic
acids - a promising drug category that has been limited to date by
an expensive and cumbersome synthetic process.
A conference on the hot topic of RNA interference will be held in
London, UK in October, with the keynote address delivered by
leading RNAi researcher Craig Mello.
Germany's atugen, a specialist in RNA interference technologies for
switching off genes, has demonstrated the feasiblity of delivering
a small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based drug and achieving a
physiological response in animals.
A US company is gearing up to start trials of a novel drug that
could provide the first orally-active treatment for a range of
genetic disorders, including cystic fibrosis and muscular
dystrophy, writes Phil Taylor.
Dutch nucleic acid specialist Qiagen reported strong growth in
sales in the first quarter of 2004, ahead of its forecasts, as
spending by companies in the pharmaceutical industry returns to
historical levels, writes Wai Lang Chu.
The market for RNA interference (RNAi) products used as research
tools and therapeutics is still at an embryonic stage, but looks
set to more than double in value by the end of the decade,
according to new market research.
