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Mirus Bio Enters into Research Agreement with Genzyme
MADISON, Wis., September 8, 2004 - Mirus Bio Corporation today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Genzyme Corporation covering research applications of Mirus’ proprietary hydrodynamic gene delivery technology. Under this agreement, Genzyme will have the non-exclusive right to utilize a range of Mirus’ technologies in its research programs, including its Pathway IV ™ protocol, a novel method to efficiently deliver genes to muscle via the blood stream. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“We are pleased to add Genzyme to our growing portfolio of licensing and collaboration partnerships,” commented Russell R. Smestad, President of Mirus. “Genzyme and Mirus have had a successful collaboration in this area for several years, selected results of which have been published. This agreement establishes this technology as an important research platform for Genzyme for years to come.”
Mirus pioneered the concept of “hydrodynamic” nucleic acid delivery, a unique and highly effective method to deliver nucleic acids to liver, muscle and other tissues via injection into the blood stream. Two key protocols have emerged with broad utility. The company’s tail vein injection protocol is ideally suited for research applications to assess gene function, express secreted proteins, create animal models, and produce antibodies via genetic immunization. The Pathway IV ™ protocol is a robust platform for both research and clinical applications. This technique is elegant in its simplicity. With blood flow in an arm or leg temporarily occluded by a tourniquet or blood pressure cuff, a plasmid DNA (pDNA) solution is rapidly injected intravenously. This elevates the pressure within the occlusion zone, transiently making the blood vessel wall more permeable and allowing the pDNA to migrate into the adjoining muscle cells. Blood flow is then restored to normal within a few minutes, with no adverse affects to the vasculature.
Mirus actively seeks relationships with other companies to jointly develop and commercialize therapeutic products as well as to make its technology available for use in internal research programs.
About Mirus:
Mirus Bio Corporation is a leader in the emerging fields of gene therapy and RNA interference, based upon its expertise in nucleic acid chemistry and delivery. The company currently markets state-of-the-art DNA and siRNA transfection and labeling products to researchers worldwide. In addition, the company is developing novel human therapeutics enabled by its proprietary Pathway IV ™ delivery platform. The company’s lead therapeutic is a treatment for Muscular Dystrophy, which is being developed collaboratively with Transgene S.A. of Strasbourg, France.
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