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Silence Therapeutics and AstraZeneca Announce Collaboration to Develop Novel Approaches for siRNA Drug Delivery

18 Mar 2008 - Silence Therapeutics plc announced a collaboration with AstraZeneca, focused on the development of a range of novel approaches for the delivery of siRNA molecules. The deal builds on Silence Therapeutics' leading expertise in the delivery of siRNA molecules, in particular its success with the functional systemic delivery of siRNA in vivo using its proprietary AtuPLEX technology. The financial details of this collaboration, in which both parties will contribute expertise and know-how, have not been disclosed.
 
This new deal is independent of the parties' three-year collaboration signed in July 2007, whose aim is to develop novel siRNA therapeutics against specific targets exclusive to AstraZeneca.
 
As a result of today's agreement, Silence Therapeutics and AstraZeneca will work together to develop new and improved approaches for the delivery of siRNA molecules. The successful delivery of siRNA molecules to different tissue sites is critical to realize the exciting potential of siRNA to treat a broad range of diseases. Under the terms of the agreement both Silence Therapeutics and AstraZeneca will be allowed to commercialise the truly novel delivery systems that they develop together.
 
Silence Therapeutics will retain the right to sign further 'delivery' deals to capture value from its current AtuPLEX delivery technology as well as any improvements to this technology that it generates either independently or as part of this collaboration.