Intradigm Corporation, a
leading developer of targeted, systemic RNA interference (RNAi)
therapeutics, announced study results that demonstrated the company's
RNAi Nanoplex (NPX) delivery technology platform is capable of effectively
delivering small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting both vascular
endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF)
pathways, two clinically validated pathways in the treatment of various
cancers. Study data demonstrated that mice treated with Intradigm's
proprietary peptide-based, biodegradable polymer (PolyTran(TM)) carrying
each of VEGF-, VEGFR2- or EGFR-targeted siRNAs experienced significant
tumor growth inhibition that was similar to that of mice receiving the
study's positive control (VEGF antibody Bevacizumab or EGFR tyrosine kinase
inhibitor Erlotinib). In addition, mice in the active siRNA treatment
groups demonstrated no apparent toxicity or significant weight loss.
These study findings, which also confirmed the gene-silencing mechanism
of action of Intradigm's technology, were presented by Intradigm scientists
on Sunday, April 13 at the 2008 American Association for Cancer Research
(AACR) Annual Meeting in San Diego.
"We are very pleased with these study results as they confirm the
gene-silencing mechanism of our RNAi NPX delivery technology, as well as
its ability to systemically deliver siRNAs to tumors in a safe and
effective manner," said Mohammad Azab, M.D., president and chief executive
officer of Intradigm. "Furthermore, by effectively targeting VEGF, VEGFR2,
and EGFR, three established oncology targets, with our siRNAs, we have
demonstrated the versatility of the RNAi NPX delivery technology which
could be translated into multiple product opportunities for Intradigm's
pipeline of RNAi therapeutics."
The findings presented today support data from several other in vivo
models, including xenograft models of different cancers, which have
demonstrated the efficacy of the RNAi NPX delivery technology.
ABOUT THE RNAi NANOPLEX DELIVERY TECHNOLOGY
To address the issue of effective and targeted delivery of RNAi
therapeutics, Intradigm has developed and in-licensed an extensive
intellectual property portfolio around its proprietary RNAi Nanoplex (NPX)
delivery technology. The RNAi NPX delivery technology is a modular,
multi-component delivery vector that carries active siRNA molecules in its
core with the flexibility to attach a Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) layer
and/or a targeting ligand to the polymer-siRNA NPX to improve circulation
half life and achieve selective distribution to the target tissue. At the
core of the RNAi NPX delivery technology is Intradigm's proprietary
peptide-based biodegradable polymer known as PolyTran(TM). PolyTran enables
safe systemic delivery of the siRNAs. Additionally, this platform is unique
in its ability to offer tissue specific targeting of siRNA through the
attachment of specific ligands directed to target cell receptors. An
additional key strength of the RNAi NPX delivery technology is its ability
to incorporate multiple siRNAs in a single drug product. These
multi-targeted therapeutics can simultaneously silence several mRNAs that
represent parallel or synergistic elements of the same disease pathway
resulting in a more comprehensive and/or novel therapeutic potential.
Recent technology licensing agreements with institutions such as the
University of Massachusetts Medical School and the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology have enhanced Intradigm's existing intellectual property
portfolio and provided the company with the rights and know-how to leverage
a broad family of polymers and polymer structures, as well as next
generation siRNA structures, in connection with its RNAi NPX delivery
technology.
ABOUT INTRADIGM
Intradigm is a private biotechnology company dedicated to the
development of targeted, systemic RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics for
the treatment of serious diseases with an initial focus on oncology.
At present, Intradigm is working to build a high-value internal
pipeline of RNAi oncology therapeutics, and is actively advancing its lead
drug candidate, ICS-283, for a variety of cancer indications. The company
is pursuing a comprehensive integrated RNAi therapeutic development
strategy that incorporates advanced RNAi delivery technology, RNAi
structural technology and novel, proprietary therapeutic siRNA sequences.
For more information on Intradigm, please visit intradigm.
Intradigm Corporation
intradigm