Dow Chemical's business unit Dowpharma(TM) will manufacture Alnylam's RNAi therapeutics

04-Jul-2006

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Dowpharma(SM), a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, announced an agreement for the manufacture and supply of candidate RNAi therapeutics for Alnylam's lead development programs in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Dowpharma will manufacture short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), the molecules that induce RNAi, for use in clinical trials.

"This agreement is an important step in our transition to a clinical-stage company as we rapidly advance multiple RNAi therapeutic candidates into human trials," said John Maraganore, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. "Dowpharma is a high-quality partner who will provide Alnylam access to large-scale synthesis and purification of siRNAs necessary for clinical development."

The Dowpharma contract service agreement will provide Alnylam with large quantities of GMP-certified siRNAs necessary for near-term toxicology and clinical studies of RNAi therapeutic candidates. Dowpharma will manufacture siRNAs for use in certain Alnylam programs, including those in AMD and RSV.

"We are very pleased to support the development of Alnylam's breakthrough therapeutics, which have such great potential to significantly enhance people's lives," said Nick Hyde, Business Director, Dowpharma. "Dowpharma can support Alnylam's success in this application through our breadth and competence in operational excellence, technical development, and analytical insight. We look forward to working with our colleagues at Alnylam on the development of these important therapeutics."

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