Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Starpharma's DNT and EMD Biosciences Sign siRNA and DNA Reagent License and Supply Agreement

Home > Press > Starpharma's DNT and EMD Biosciences Sign siRNA and DNA Reagent License and Supply Agreement

Abstract:
Starpharma (ASX: SPL) (OTC: SPHRY) , through its US subsidiary company Dendritic Nanotechnologies Inc (DNT), has entered into a worldwide exclusive license and supply agreement with EMD Biosciences, part of Merck KGaA's Performance and Life Science Chemicals division.

Starpharma's DNT and EMD Biosciences Sign siRNA and DNA Reagent License and Supply Agreement

MELBOURNE, Australia | Posted on February 19th, 2007

Under the terms of this agreement, DNT will supply EMD Biosciences with Priofect(TM) transfection reagents based on Priostar(TM) proprietary dendrimers for the DNA and siRNA transfection research markets. Terms of the agreement, which includes royalties and milestone payments, were not disclosed.

DNT's PrioFect(TM) transfection reagents are part of the US$200 million- market for nucleic acid, DNA and small interfering RNA (siRNA) research. PrioFect(TM) transfection reagents are the only transfection reagents with nanometer-size control, enabling EMD to offer researchers siRNA transfection reagents with sizes optimized for individual cell lines.

Under this commercial arrangement DNT retains full rights to all in vivo aspects of transfecting nucleic acids with Priostar technology, a market segment that experienced significant deal-making activity 2006.

"The license and supply agreement with EMD Biosciences, the first since Starpharma acquired DNT, is significant because it will lead to the first commercial application of Priostar dendrimers. We are delighted to be working with such an innovative company," said Dr Jackie Fairley, CEO of Starpharma.

"And importantly, the agreement introduces Starpharma as a player in siRNA research, an area that is undergoing rapid growth and seems poised to become a major source of new medicines for many human diseases," Dr Fairley added.

"We are pleased to be working with DNT, a leader in nanotechnology, to develop unique and highly efficient transfection reagents that will be marketed through the Novagen brand of products," stated Lisa Johnson, Vice President of Corporate Development for EMD Biosciences. "Through our collaboration with DNT, we will provide leading edge technology for a rapidly growing transfection reagent market segment and will utilize the technology as a foundation for future product platforms."

Small interfering RNA is a crucial component of a cellular process called RNA interference (RNAi) that causes degradation of specific RNA molecules and, as a result, prevents expression of the corresponding genes. The technology has the potential to provide highly specific medicines for existing and new disease targets. The researchers who first reported the biological process of RNAi were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine.

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About Starpharma
Starpharma Holdings Limited (ASX: SPL) (OTC: SPHRY) is a world leader in the development of dendrimer nanotechnology for pharmaceutical, life-science and other applications. SPL is principally composed of two operating companies, Starpharma Pty Ltd in Melbourne, Australia and Dendritic Nanotechnologies, Inc in Michigan, USA. Products based on SPL's dendrimer technology are already on the market in the form of diagnostic elements and laboratory reagents.

The Company's lead pharmaceutical development product is VivaGel(TM) (SPL7013 Gel), a vaginal microbicide designed to prevent the transmission of STIs, including HIV and genital herpes.

Starpharma's proprietary dendrimer platform, which includes Priostar, also has potential in targeted diagnostics and in drug delivery for a wide variety of drugs. Improvements including enhanced solubility, targeting and reduced toxicity have been demonstrated for a number of existing drugs. More broadly the company, via DNT is actively exploring dendrimer opportunities in materials science with applications as diverse as adhesives, lubricants and water remediation. SPL has a comprehensive IP portfolio that comprises more than 180 patents/applications issued and pending across 32 patent families -- a unique level of IP concentration among nanotechnology companies.

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Contacts:
Media
Rebecca Wilson
Buchan Consulting
Tel: +61 2 9237 2800
Mob: +61 417 382 391

Starpharma
Dr Jackie Fairley
Chief Executive Officer, Starpharma Holdings Ltd
+61 3 8532 2704

Dr Robert Berry
President
DNT
Tel: 989.774.1799

Ben Rogers
Company Secretary
Starpharma Holdings Ltd
+61 3 8532 2702