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Abstract
(Marketwire - April 3, 2009) - Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation (TSX:TKM) announced today that one of the company's collaborators, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALNY), has initiated a Phase 1 human clinical trial of ALN-VSP in the United States. ALN-VSP, a product that utilizes Tekmira's SNALP technology, is being developed as a treatment for advanced liver cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma and other solid tumors with liver involvement. A milestone payment is payable to Tekmira upon the initiation of the Phase 1 trial and additional milestone payments become due as ALN-VSP is advanced through development.
ALN-VSP contains small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules formulated for systemic delivery with Tekmira's SNALP technology. Tekmira has supported Alnylam in their advancement of ALN-VSP by generating preclinical data, providing analytical services and in the manufacture of ALN-VSP for clinical trials. Pre-clinical data in mouse tumor model studies have demonstrated robust efficacy of ALN-VSP, including suppression of targeted genes, demonstration of an RNAi mechanism of action, tumor reduction, and extension of survival.
There are forward-looking statements and information contained herein that are not based on historical fact, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believes", "may", "plans", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipates", "intends", "expects", and similar expressions, and the negative of such expressions. These statements are only predictions.