B-MS enters accord with Tekmira on siRNA delivery

The USA's Tekmira Pharmaceuticals has entered a research collaboration with drug major Bristol-Myers Squibb, focused on using its stable nucleic-acid lipid particle technology to deliver small interfering RNAs to specific organs and tissues outside of the liver. The relationship between the two builds upon earlier work conducted at B-MS using siRNA delivery technology provided by privately-held Protiva Biotherapeutics, which combined its business with Tekmira in May. The initial collaboration with B-MS focused on validating certain gene targets using siRNAs provided by the drug major and employed a number of different formulations involving SNALPs, Tekmira's proprietary lipid nanoparticle technology for the delivery of RNAs.