Nastech acquires RNAi therapeutics program targeting influenza

By Ted A. Knutson

Washington, Feb. 23 - Nastech Pharmaceutical Co. Inc. announced Thursday the expansion of its RNAi therapeutics pipeline by starting an RNAi therapeutics program targeting influenza and respiratory diseases.

In connection with this new program, Nastech also announced the acquisition of the RNAi intellectual property estate and other RNAi technologies of Galenea Corp., which includes certain intellectual property licensed from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for the development of RNAi therapeutics against respiratory viral infections, including influenza, rhinovirus, and other respiratory diseases.

The intellectual property acquired from Galenea includes patent applications licensed from MIT that have early priority dates in the antiviral RNAi field. Nastech also acquired Galenea's research and intellectual property relating to pulmonary drug delivery technologies.

Additionally, Nastech assumes Galenea's pending grant applications from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Department of Defense to support the development of RNAi-based antiviral drugs.

RNA interference, or RNAi, is a cellular mechanism that can be used to turn off the production of a protein.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"This unique combination of Nastech's proprietary RNAi therapeutics delivery technologies with the intellectual property and technology developed by Galenea and MIT advances Nastech's position in developing innovative RNAi therapeutics. This acquisition strengthens Nastech's existing RNAi therapeutics pipeline through the addition of Galenea's ongoing programs that target influenza and other respiratory diseases," said Steven C. Quay, M.D., Ph.D., chairman, president and chief executive officer of Nastech, in a news release.

He added the RNAi therapeutics program targeting influenza may offer an effective treatment for a future influenza pandemic.

Nastech is a Bothell, Wash.-based company focused on developing therapeutics using advanced molecular biology-based drug delivery technologies,

© 2015 Prospect News.
All content on this website is protected by copyright law in the U.S. and elsewhere. For the use of the person downloading only.
Redistribution and copying are prohibited by law without written permission in advance from Prospect News.
Redistribution or copying includes e-mailing, printing multiple copies or any other form of reproduction.