Marina Biotech and Mirna Therapeutics amend deal for microRNA-based therapeutics

USA-based RNAi-based drug discover Marina Biotech (Pinksheets: MRNA) and privately-held biotech firm Mirna Therapeutics have amended their license agreement on the development and commercialization of microRNA-based therapeutics utilizing Mirna's proprietary microRNAs and Marina Biotech's novel SMARTICLES liposomal delivery technology.

Under terms of the amendment, Mirna made certain pre-payments to Marina Biotech and now has additional rights to its lead program, MRX34, currently in Phase I clinical development for patients with unresectable primary liver cancer or metastatic cancer with liver involvement. In addition, under the terms of the accord, Mirna has optioned exclusivity on several additional miRNA targets. Further terms of the Agreement were not disclosed.

"Mirna and Marina Biotech have enjoyed a successful, durable collaboration by leveraging the systemic delivery of our proprietary, double-stranded, miRNA mimics with the SMARTICLES delivery technology," said Paul Lammers, president and chief executive of Mirna Therapeutics, adding: "Amendment of the license agreement strengthens the potential medical and commercial value of MRX34 as the first miRNA mimic to enter the clinic in cancer, and provides exclusivity for the use of SMARTICLES with other highly promising tumor suppressor miRNAs."