New Data Include Use of Novel sd-rxRNA™ with Improved Pharmacology with Both Local and Systemic Administration
RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Nasdaq: RXII), a biopharmaceutical company pursuing the development and commercialization of proprietary therapeutics based on RNA interference (RNAi), today announced the presentation of new preclinical data from its advanced RNAi therapeutic platform at its Annual Investor Event held in New York City on Monday, October 5, 2009.
The presented data include results with novel self-delivering (sd-rxRNA™) RNAi compounds, which do not require an additional delivery vehicle to enter cells. The data show significantly improved pharmacological properties of these molecules, with applicability in a broad range of therapeutic applications.
“We are excited about the progress we are making in our sd-rxRNA™ research efforts,” said Tod Woolf, Ph.D. President and CEO of RXi Pharmaceuticals. “A key highlight from our presentation was that recently obtained data with our proprietary sd-rxRNA™ markedly improves the delivery of systemically and locally administered RNAi compounds. RXi and our collaborators in RNAi consider advances in the delivery to be the most important factor for the successful commercialization of RNAi therapeutics. ”
RXi’s therapeutic platform leverages its Next Generation rxRNA™ compounds and advanced delivery technologies to enable its internal programs and external collaborations. This provides RXi with multiple opportunities for the potential development of a sustainable pipeline of RNAi based products for unmet medical needs.
Key findings and highlights from the event include the following:
- Dr. Craig Mello, Nobel Laureate and RXi’s co-founder and Chairman of its Scientific Advisory Board, provided novel insights into the RNAi mechanism which have aided in the design of RXi’s novel rxRNA™ compounds.
- Data presented on the length of compounds showed that reducing the size of RNAi compounds could be important for cellular uptake.
- sd-rxRNA™ compounds were shown to have improved pharmacological and
drug-like properties compared to unmodified classic siRNA (short
interfering RNA). Research findings on sd-rxRNAs show:
- Increased serum stability
- Improved retention in the circulation
- Minimal immune response activation
- Efficient cellular uptake and internalization to many diverse cell types
- Systemic delivery to the liver with effective gene silencing
- Local delivery via intradermal injection with effective gene silencing
- An update to the status of indications currently being pursued by RXi
was provided:
- Compromised skin - RXi is performing animal studies based on positive data showing spontaneous uptake and enhanced tissue penetration with sd-rxRNA compounds.
- Inflammatory diseases - RXi is working with researchers from the University of Massachusetts to deliver rxRNA™ compounds using an advanced delivery vehicle that targets macrophage cells.
- Liver diseases - RXi is exploring sd-rxRNA™ delivery to the liver upon subcutanteous administration to animal models without the use of an additional delivery vehicle. Delivery to the liver may have many applications such as controlling hypercholesterolemia as well as several other metabolic indications.
- Ocular diseases - RXi has shown spontaneous cellular uptake of its sd-rxRNA™ compounds by retinal cells and is working with an academic collaborator to further address retinal diseases.
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) - RXi has established an academic collaboration with one of the leading ALS researchers to explore delivery of sd-rxRNA compounds to the spinal cord.
- Oncology - RXi has an active pharmaceutical collaboration to explore the potential of using the rxRNA™ therapeutic platform in this area.
- RXi summarized its intellectual property position including its alternative path to RNAi based on the length of rxRNA™ duplexes and distinct end-structures and multiple layers of patent protection for both rxRNA™ compounds and delivery vehicles.
About RNA Interference (RNAi)
Regarded as a revolutionary discovery in biology, RNA interference (RNAi) is a naturally occurring mechanism whereby short, double-stranded RNA molecules interfere with the expression of genes in living cells. This mechanism has the potential to be harnessed to “silence” or specifically block the production of disease-causing proteins before they are made. This technology can potentially be used to treat human diseases by “turning-off” genes that lead to disease in the first place. RXi Pharmaceuticals is using RNAi technology to develop RNA-derived molecules targeting disease-causing genes.
About RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation
RXi Pharmaceuticals is a discovery-stage biopharmaceutical company pursuing the development and potential commercialization of proprietary therapeutics based on RNA interference (RNAi) for the treatment of human diseases. RXi has a comprehensive therapeutic platform that includes both RNAi compounds and delivery methods. RXi uses its own version of RNAi compounds -- rxRNA™ -- that provide an advanced alternative to conventional small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and define the next generation of RNAi technology. rxRNA™ compounds are designed specifically for therapeutic use and contain many of the properties needed to move RNAi based drugs into the clinic. RXi Pharmaceuticals believes it is well positioned to compete successfully in the RNAi-based therapeutics market with its accomplished scientific advisors, including Dr. Craig Mello, recipient of the 2006 Nobel Prize for his co-discovery of RNAi; a management team that is experienced in developing RNAi products; and a strong early intellectual property position in RNAi chemistry and delivery. www.rxipharma.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future expectations, plan and future development of RXi Pharmaceutical Corporation’s products and technologies. These forward-looking statements about future expectations, plans and prospects of the development of RXi Pharmaceutical Corporation’s products and technologies involve significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risk that the development of our RNAi-based therapeutics may be delayed or may not proceed as planned and we may not be able to complete development of any RNAi-based product, the risk that the FDA approval process may be delayed for any drugs that we develop, risks related to development and commercialization of products by our competitors, risks related to our ability to control the timing and terms of collaborations with third parties and the possibility that other companies or organizations may assert patent rights that prevent us from developing our products. Actual results may differ materially from those RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation contemplated by these forward-looking statements. RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect a change in its views or events or circumstances that occur after the date of this release.
Contacts:
RXi Pharmaceuticals
Donna Falcetti, 508-929-3615
ir@rxipharma.com
or
Investors
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A. Noonan Communications
Susan Noonan, 212-966-3650
susan@sanoonan.com
or
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Communications Group
Eric Goldman, 917-322-2563
egoldman@rxir.com
