HALLE, Germany, January 16 2006 – Novosom, a German biotechnology company focused on DNA-based therapeutics, today announced a collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG to validate liver and pulmonary therapeutic targets in vivo using siRNA (or RNAi). The collaboration will use Novosom’s proprietary Smarticles® for in vivo siRNA delivery.

 

Target validation is an essential stage in the development of new drugs. In this regard, siRNA based approaches are now widely accepted within the industry. However, until now this could only be accomplished using cell based in vitro assays. Novosom and Boehringer Ingelheim will be collaborating to achieve in vivo target validation using siRNA in animals. It is anticipated that there will be significant advantages to validating targets in such an in vivo approach. Target validation in vivo is considered to be an essential step forward in the development of therapeutics.

 

Steffen Panzner, CEO of Novosom, AG commented:
”We are delighted at the potential for this collaboration and anticipate it will provide significant further validation of our technology and a potent endorsement of our approach. This collaboration is the next step in our key objective to generate therapeutic delivery systems for siRNA, decoys, plasmids and antisense.”  

 

Elias Papatheodorou, COO of Novosom AG added:
“This is the first of a number of collaborations that Novosom will be announcing in 2006. We are excited about the prospects of our Smarticles® molecules in oncology, immunology and liver therapeutics. We estimate that we will enter the clinic with therapeutic candidates within 2006”.

 

Boehringer Ingelheim will fund all research in the collaboration, which is envisaged to cover multiple targets.

 

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About Novosom

Novosom is working with its partners to develop unique DNA based therapeutics with a current focus in inflammation, oncology and liver diseases. Novosom’s Smarticle® molecules allow partners to deliver their active substance (siRNA, antisense, decoy, plasmid) inside the cell either for topical or systemic applications. Smarticles are an enabler of systemic treatments and an enhancer of topical treatments. Novosom currently has two product development agreements for Hepatitis B & C with Nucleonics. For this collaboration the first IND filing is expected in late fall 2006. In addition, the Company has several active therapeutically-relevant collaborations in oncology and inflammation. Novosom AG main investors include IBG Beteiligungsgesellschaft Sachsen-Anhalt mbH and MBG Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft Sachsen Anhalt.

 

Contacts

Media relations:
Douglas Pretsell, Ph.D., Account Director

Northbank Communications

t : +49 (0)89 57 00 18 06

e:  d.pretsell@northbankcommunications.com

 

At Novosom:

Elias Papatheodorou

Novosom AG

t.:+49 (0)345 55 59 846
e: elias.papatheodorou@novosom.com

 

Notes for editors

 

SiRNA

Post-transcriptional gene silencing also known as RNA interference or RNAi, is a phenomenon in which genes are silenced in a sequence-specific manner through targeted mRNA (messenger RNA) degradation. Researchers believe small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) may offer potential as a novel way to silence genes involved in disease, including genes encoded by viruses such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV, as well as genes involved in the establishment of inflammatory diseases and cancer.

SMARTICLES®

 

Novosom’s liposomal formulations, termed SMARTICLES®, are charge-reversible particles that enable the targeted delivery of oligonucleotides, plasmids and other materials directly into living cells. SMARTICLES® are stable in blood and distribute in the same manner as conventional liposomes. In contrast to conventional liposomes, however, SMARTICLES® become positively charged when they cross cell membranes, leading to effective delivery of their cargo within cells. Sites of inflammation and tumors, along with liver and spleen are primary targets for the SMARTICLES®.