RXi Pharmaceuticals to
Present New Preclinical Data Demonstrating the Robust Performance of
its RNAi Therapeutics Platform
March 25, 2010
WORCESTER, Mass.--(BUSINESS
WIRE)--RXi Pharmaceuticals
Corporation (Nasdaq:
RXII), a
biopharmaceutical company pursuing the development and
commercialization of proprietary therapeutics based on
RNA interference (RNAi), announced that Pamela Pavco, Ph.D.,
Vice President of Pharmaceutical Development, will be presenting at
the 3rd International Scar Club Meeting in Montpellier, France on
March 26, 2010. The presentation will not be webcast.
Dr.
Pavcos presentation describes new preclinical data exemplifying the
performance of RXis proprietary self-delivering rxRNA (sd-rxRNA)
compounds in an in vivo model of compromised skin. Data
generated using a fluorescently-tagged sd-rxRNA compound
demonstrate spontaneous cellular uptake into dermal cells and a
significant, sustained and reproducible silencing of the targeted
mRNA. The data presented establish the efficacy of
locally-administered sd-rxRNA in
animal models and support the potential use of these novel
compounds for clinical applications where direct or local
administration is possible.
"We
are very encouraged with the substantial progress we have made with
our therapeutic platform, especially our proprietary sd-rxRNA,
said Noah D. Beerman, President and
Chief Executive
Officer of RXi. Delivery remains one of the most important
objectives in our efforts to advance RNAi therapeutics into
patients. Our demonstration that sd-rxRNA compounds efficiently
enter cells in vivo and effect significant gene silencing
without the need for an additional delivery vehicle is an important
advancement for RXi in its progression toward the clinic.
About
RNAi and sd-rxRNA
Regarded as a revolutionary discovery in biology, RNAi is a
naturally occurring mechanism whereby short, double-stranded RNA
molecules interfere with the expression of genes in living cells.
This mechanism has the potential to be harnessed to silence or
specifically block the production of disease-causing proteins before
they are made. This technology can potentially be used to treat
human diseases by turning-off genes that lead to disease in the
first place. RXi Pharmaceuticals is using RNAi technology to develop
RNA-derived molecules targeting disease-causing genes.
sd-rxRNA is a proprietary technology recently developed at RXi
which enables the efficient delivery of RNAi compounds without the
requirement of an additional delivery vehicle.
About
RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation
RXi
Pharmaceuticals is a discovery-stage biopharmaceutical company
pursuing the development and commercialization of proprietary
therapeutics based on RNA interference (RNAi) for the treatment of
human diseases. RXi has a comprehensive therapeutic platform that
includes both RNAi compounds and advanced delivery methods. RXi uses
its own version of RNAi compounds -- rxRNA -- that provide an
advanced alternative to conventional small interfering RNAs (siRNAs)
and define the next generation of RNAi technology. rxRNA compounds
are designed specifically for therapeutic use and contain many of
the properties required to progress RNAi based drugs into the
clinic. RXi Pharmaceuticals believes it is well positioned to
compete successfully in the RNAi-based therapeutics market with its
accomplished scientific advisors, including Dr.
Craig Mello,
recipient of the 2006 Nobel Prize for his co-discovery of RNAi; a
management team that is experienced in developing RNAi products; and
a strong early
intellectual property position in RNAi chemistry and
delivery.
http://www.rxipharma.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This
press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future
expectations, plan and future development of RXi Pharmaceutical
Corporations products and technologies. These forward-looking
statements about future expectations, plans and prospects of the
development of RXi Pharmaceutical Corporations products and
technologies involve significant risks, uncertainties and
assumptions, including the risk that the development of our RNAi-based
therapeutics may be delayed or may not proceed as planned and we may
not be able to complete development of any RNAi-based product, the
risk that the FDA approval process may be delayed for any drugs that
we develop, risks related to development and commercialization of
products by our competitors, risks related to our ability to control
the timing and terms of collaborations with third parties and the
possibility that other companies or organizations may assert patent
rights that prevent us from developing our products. Actual results
may differ materially from those
RXi Pharmaceuticals
Corporation contemplated by these forward-looking statements.
RXi Pharmaceuticals
Corporation does not undertake to update any of these
forward-looking statements to reflect a change in its views or
events or circumstances that occur after the date of this release.
RXi
Pharmaceuticals
Investor Relations
508-929-3615
ir@rxipharma.com
or
Investors
S. A. Noonan Communications
Susan Noonan,
212-966-3650
susan@sanoonan.com
or
Media
Rx Communications Group
Eric Goldman,
917-322-2563
egoldman@rxir.com
