Sirna posts positive data on RNAi therapy

Sirna Therapeutics posted positive data from an early stage trial of its experimental therapy for macular degeneration. Sirna-027 demonstrated its ability to ward off loss of vision in 24 of 26 patients with wet, age-related macular degeneration. Sirna has been focused on developing a therapy using RNAi technology, which stops cells from making proteins that--in this case--damage the eye. In this case the therapy is intended to prevent the development of blood vessels in the retina. Sirna inked a $250 million licensing deal on its RNAi work with Allergan last year. "This is the first demonstration of biological activity of a chemically optimized siRNA in humans," said Sirna CMO Roberto Guerciolini.

- read the San Francisco Chronicle article on Sirna and RNAi