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Alnylam Announces Manufacturing Agreement with
Dowpharma(SM) for RNAi Therapeutics
CAMBRIDGE, MA and MIDLAND, MI-(March 29, 2005)- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:
ALNY), a leading RNAi therapeutics company, and Dowpharma(SM), a business unit
of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), announced today 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 on 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."
About RNA Interference (RNAi)
RNA interference, or RNAi, is a naturally occurring mechanism within cells for
selectively silencing and regulating specific genes. Since many diseases are
caused by the inappropriate activity of specific genes, the ability to silence
and regulate such genes selectively through RNAi could provide a means to treat
a wide range of human diseases. The discovery of RNAi has been heralded by many
as a major breakthrough, and the journal Science named RNAi the top scientific
achievement of 2002, as well as one of the top 10 scientific advances of 2003.
About Alnylam
Alnylam is a biopharmaceutical company seeking to develop and commercialize
novel therapeutics based on RNA interference, or RNAi. Growing from its
foundation as the world's first company focused on RNAi therapeutics, the
company's leadership in the field of RNAi is supported by its preeminent
founders and advisors and its strengths in fundamental patents, technology, and
know-how that underlie the commercialization of RNAi therapeutics. Alnylam is
developing a pipeline of RNAi products using Direct RNAi(tm) to treat ocular,
central nervous system, and respiratory diseases and Systemic RNAi(tm) to treat
a broad range of diseases, including oncology, metabolic, and autoimmune
diseases. The company's global headquarters are in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
For additional information, please visit www.alnylam.com.
About Dowpharma
DowpharmaSM serves the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries with
innovative technologies, products, and services in drug discovery, development,
delivery and manufacturing. Dowpharma has one of the broadest and deepest
capabilities in the global outsourcing industry with service that include
process development, route selection, methods development, custom solubilization,
chiral capabilities, and associated analytical services, as well as
manufacturing and scale-up from feasibility, through clinical trials, to
commercial manufacturing.
Dowpharma manufactures small molecule Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)
and intermediates, nucleic acid medicines, cGMP polymers, peptides and
therapeutic proteins from microbial fermentation and plant-based systems.
Dowpharma draws upon over 30 years of excellent cGMP regulatory compliance in
the organic synthesis of APIs and pharmaceutical intermediates with the ability
to provide client support in filing and validation strategies. Dowpharma
operates research, process development, and manufacturing facilities in North
America and Europe. More information is available at www.dowpharma.com.
About Dow
Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical,
plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer
markets. With annual sales of $40 billion, Dow serves customers in 175
countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress: food,
transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and
construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable
development, Dow and its 43,000 employees seek to balance economic,
environmental and social responsibilities. References to "Dow" or the "Company"
mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise
expressly noted.
For editorial information:
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Investor Contact:
Lilian Stern
Stern Investor Relations, Inc.
(212) 362-1200
Dowpharma
Business Contact:
Kathleen Davis
Dowpharma
The Dow Chemical Company
(989) 636-2760
kadavis@dow.com
Media Contact:
Kathryn Morris
KMorrisPR
(845) 635-9828
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