Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: InteRNA Technologies and Cenix BioScience Ink Research Agreement for miRNA Drug Discovery

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Abstract:
InteRNA Technologies B.V. and Cenix BioScience GmbH announce signing of a Research Agreement comprising functional screens in human cell lines using InteRNA's proprietary library of miRNAs.

InteRNA Technologies and Cenix BioScience Ink Research Agreement for miRNA Drug Discovery

BILTHOVEN, The Netherlands and DRESDEN, Germany | Posted on November 17th, 2008

Cenix will apply InteRNA's unique lentiviral-based miRNA overexpression library in high throughput screening assays in combination with high content, multi-parametric phenotypic analyses to identify the biological role of individual miRNAs and novel therapeutic targets in the area of cancer.

"We are very much pleased to work in collaboration with Cenix to further advance our drug discovery efforts to identify miRNA regulated targets for cancer therapy. Cenix' unique expertise on small RNA-based high-throughput screening and phenotypic analyses will be instrumental in our discovery programs", said Roel Schaapveld, Chief Operating Officer of InteRNA Technologies.

"We very much appreciate the confidence that our colleagues at InteRNA are showing by commissioning Cenix to contribute in such a substantial manner to their discovery programs" said Dr. Christophe Echeverri, CEO/CSO of Cenix. "The planned work promises very exciting scientific and technological challenges that are clearly in line with the recent diversification of Cenix activities into the miRNA space, and which we look forward to tackling together".

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About Cenix BioScience GmbH
Founded in 1999, Cenix BioScience is the first contract research organization specialized in combining advanced applications of RNA interference (RNAi) gene silencing with high content phenotypic analyses to enhance and accelerate the discovery and pre-clinical development of novel therapeutics. Now in its 10th year, Cenix has built-up a solid track record, successfully advancing therapeutic programs for numerous major industry and academic partners by addressing the specific needs of each through fully-customized, cutting-edge research offerings covering a wide range of disease fields. The well-established core capabilities in high throughput RNAi and multi-parametric microscopy assays have yielded optimized protocols in a broad and ever-growing collection of cultured mammalian cells, and are now complemented by microRNA-focused experimentation and in vivo applications of synthetic siRNAs. As such, Cenix is a mature and fully-proven industrial research partner, applying the highest of scientific best practices and offering a breadth and depth of expertise second to none world wide.

About InteRNA Technologies B.V.

InteRNA Technologies B.V. actively explores and exploits opportunities to translate its unique collection of miRNAs and miRNA discovery and validation technologies into successful diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic applications. The company’s primary focus is to unravel the role of its proprietary miRNAs in cancer.

InteRNA Technologies was incorporated in 2006 by Aglaia Oncology Fund and has established close relationships with the research groups of its founders Edwin Cuppen, PhD, and Eugene Berezikov, PhD, of the Hubrecht Institute (Utrecht, the Netherlands), leading scientific groups in the field of miRNA research.

More information on InteRNA can be accessed at www.interna-technologies.com.

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Contacts:

InteRNA Technologies B.V.
Roel Q.J. Schaapveld, PhD, MBA
COO
Phone: +31 (0)30 229 6095

or
Cenix BioScience GmbH
Birte Sönnichsen, PhD
COO
Phone: +49 (0)351 4173-0