Alnylam wins $23M biodefense contract

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals is launching a new initiative dubbed Alnylam Biodefense after winning a $23 million government contract to develop new biodefense therapies. Alnylam will use its RNAi technology that works as a switch on genes, turning them on and off. Its researchers will concentrate on hemorrhagic fever viruses like Ebola. Alnylam says that the government support will help it push other therapies now in the pipeline.

- read the Boston Business Journal report on Alnylam

ALSO: The House passed a new biodefense bill today that would create the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to develop therapies for pandemic viruses and biodefense attacks. The authority would "streamline" the development of new drugs. Report