Intradigm's NPX siRNA delivery platform cuts tumor growth in mice

Intradigm Corp, a US developer of targeted, systemic RNA interference therapeutics, says that new study data show its RNAi Nanoplex delivery technology platform is capable of effectively delivering siRNAs targeting both vascular endothelial growth factor and epidermal growth factor pathways, two clinically-validated targets in cancer therapy.

The firm says that findings presented at the 2008 American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting, held in San Diego, demonstrated that mice treated with its proprietary peptide-based, biodegradable polymer (PolyTran) carrying each of VEGF-, VEGFR2- or EGFR-targeted siRNAs experienced significant tumor growth inhibition which was similar to that of mice receiving the study's positive control: VEGF antibody Avastin (bevacizumab) or EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor Tarceva (erlotinib). In addition, mice in the active siRNA treatment groups demonstrated no apparent toxicity or significant weight loss, the firm noted.

Mohammad Azab, chief executive of Intradigm, said that, "by effectively targeting VEGF, VEGFR2 and EGFR, three established oncology targets, with our siRNAs, we have demonstrated the versatility of the RNAi NPX delivery technology which could be translated into multiple product opportunities for Intradigm's pipeline of RNAi therapeutics."