TG licenses Sirna's HD RNAi program

USA-based Targeted Genetics Corp has acquired full exclusive rights to its preclinical Huntington's disease program from Sirna Therapeutics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of US drug major Merck & Co. In exchange for these rights, which include a license to intellectual property that TG may need to develop and commercialize an HD product, the firm will pay Sirna an undisclosed royalty on future sales. Sirna has also assigned to TG a licensing agreement it has with the University of Iowa that covers certain IP related to RNA interference including adeno-associated virus expressed RNAi.

In 2005, Targeted Genetics and Sirna Therapeutics formed a collaboration to develop HD therapeutics using an AAV-delivered RNAi approach targeting the HD gene. This collaboration was based on preclinical proof-of-concept established by University of Iowa researchers. AAV vectors express for long periods of time and allow for infrequent dosing, which is highly desirable when administering a therapeutic directly to the brain, the firm noted.