| HHIssues@aol.com 2005-06-16, 8:53 am |
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source: HearingExchange
http://www.biotech-intelligence.com...2220572b91.html
Sirna Therapeutics Announces Collaboration with Massachusetts General
Hospital to Evaluate Potential of siRNAs in Hearing Restoration
Sirna Therapeutics (UNITED STATES)
June 13, 2005
Research Collaboration to Evaluate RNA Interference (RNAi) in Promoting
Inner Ear Hair Cell Re-growth and Functional Differentiation
BOULDER, Colo., and SAN FRANCISCO, June 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Sirna Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:RNAI), a leading RNAi therapeutics
company, announced today that it has entered into a sponsored research
collaboration with Dr. Zheng-Yi Chen at Massachusetts General Hospital,
a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. Under the collaboration,
Sirna will provide Dr. Chen and his team short interfering RNAs
(siRNAs) and related formulations to evaluate their effectiveness as
modulators of the retinoblastoma (pRb) gene pathway to promote
re-growth and differentiation of hair cells that under natural
conditions do not grow or divide in adult mammals.
Previous research by Dr. Chen's lab demonstrated that selectively
knocking out the retinoblastoma protein (pRb) in the mouse inner ear
can foster regeneration and differentiation of hair cells whose
function is to convert sound vibrations into nerve impulses. These
results were published in a recent issue of the journal Science(1) in a
study that concluded that modulation of the pRb pathway may ultimately
lead to mammalian hair cell regeneration, differentiation and
functional recovery. Sirna and Dr. Chen believe that a chemically
modified siRNA, by virtue of its potency and specificity, is a viable
modality for the transient modulation of the pRb pathway.
Dr. Zheng-Yi Chen, Assistant Professor, Neurology Service, Center for
Nervous System Repair at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard
Medical School, said, "The research to be supported by Sirna will
fundamentally test the hypothesis that a modified siRNA can be
effective in selectively turning off, or 'knocking down,' the
retinoblastoma protein which plays a key role in controlling growth and
division of inner ear hair cells in mammals. We also intend to
ascertain whether any ensuing protein knockdown from RNAi has the
desired therapeutic impact of restoring hearing."
"We are pleased to collaborate with Massachusetts General Hospital, a
leading research institution," said Dr. Roberto Guerciolini, Sirna's
Chief Medical Officer. "Dr. Chen has dedicated more than 10 years to
successfully identifying the protein targets most closely associated
with regulating the cell cycle for mammalian hair cells. If the
research we are supporting demonstrates that the temporary knockdown of
the retinoblastoma protein in mice will result in regeneration and
functional differentiation of hair cells, it will open the opportunity
for the therapeutic application of siRNAs for the treatment of hearing
loss related to hair cell destruction. Academic research
collaborations, such as this, are an important part of Sirna's mission
to advance our understanding of the biological relevance of RNAi and
development of siRNAs as potential therapeutics."
About Hair Cells
Named for the hair-like projections on their surfaces, hair cells form
a ribbon of vibration sensors along the length of the cochlea, the
organ of the inner ear that senses sound. Receiving sonic vibrations
though the eardrum and bones of the middle ear, hair cells convert them
to electrical signals that are carried to the brain by the auditory
nerve. Among the earliest structures to form in embryonic development,
hair cells are very sensitive to damage from a variety of sources
including excessive noise, toxins, and/or infection. If damaged, hair
cells will not naturally regenerate in mammals, and their death in
sufficient numbers accounts for most types of hearing loss.
About RNA interference
RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural, selective process for turning off
genes. RNAi is triggered by short interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules
that engage a group of cellular proteins, known as RISC (RNA induced
silencing complex). The RISC guides the siRNA to its target messenger
RNA (mRNA, the messenger between DNA and proteins) by complementary
base pairing for the targeted break-up of the mRNA thus halting protein
expression or viral replication. The RISC-siRNA-complex binds and
cleaves multiple mRNA molecules in a catalytic fashion.
About Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital, established in 1811, is the original
and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. The
Massachusetts General Hospital conducts the largest hospital-based
research program in the United States, with an annual research budget
of more than $450 million and major research centers in AIDS,
cardiovascular research, cancer, cutaneous biology, medical imaging,
neurodegenerative disorders, transplantation biology and photomedicine.
In 1994, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's
Hospital joined to form Partners HealthCare System, an integrated
health care delivery system comprising the two academic medical
centers, specialty and community hospitals, a network of physician
groups, and nonacute and home health services.
About Sirna Therapeutics
Sirna Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing
RNAi-based therapies for serious diseases and conditions, including
age- related macular degeneration (AMD), hepatitis B and C,
dermatology, asthma, Huntington's Disease, diabetes and oncology. Sirna
Therapeutics has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial for its most
advanced compound, Sirna-027, a chemically modified siRNA targeting the
clinically validated vascular endothelial growth factor pathway to
treat AMD. Sirna Therapeutics has strategic partnerships with Eli Lilly
and Company, Targeted Genetics and Archemix Corporation and a leading
intellectual property portfolio in RNAi. More information on Sirna
Therapeutics is available on the Company's web site at
http://www.sirna.com/.
Statements in this press release which are not strictly historical are
"forward-looking" statements which should be considered as subject to
many risks and uncertainties. For example, promising animal data often
does not lead to promising human results and most drug candidates fail
to become products. Additional risks and uncertainties include Sirna's
early stage of development and short operating history, Sirna's history
and expectation of losses and need to raise capital, Sirna's need to
obtain clinical validation and regulatory approval for products,
Sirna's need to obtain and protect intellectual property, risk of
third-party patent infringement claims, Sirna's need to attract and
retain qualified personnel, Sirna's need to engage collaborators,
availability of materials for product manufacturing, the highly
competitive nature of the pharmaceutical market, the limited trading
volume and history of volatility of Sirna's common stock, Sirna's
concentration of stock ownership, and risks from relocating Sirna
headquarters. These and additional risk factors are identified in
Sirna's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the Forms
10-K and 10-Q and in other SEC filings. Sirna undertakes no obligation
to revise or update any forward- looking statements in order to reflect
events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.
Contacts:
Rebecca Galler Robison, Senior Director, Corporate Strategy of Sirna
Therapeutics, Inc., +1-303-449-6500 or Zack Kubow of The Ruth Group,
+1-646-536-7020
(1) Sage, C. et al, Proliferation of Functional Hair Cells in vivo in
the Absence of the Retinoblastoma Protein. Science 2005; 307:1114-1118
Source: Sirna Therapeutics, Inc.
Web site: http://www.sirna.com/
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