Nijmegen/Utrecht, the Netherlands, January 10, 2014 / B3C newswire / – InteRNA Technologies B.V., the Dutch biopharma company engaged in the development of microRNA (miRNA)-based therapeutics, and the Neuroallianz Consortium, an academic industry partnership with UCB and the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn (Germany) as 2 of the total 10 partners have entered into an agreement where InteRNA will support the investigation of miRNAs in neurodegenerative diseases.
Under the agreement, InteRNA, working closely with Jeroen Pasterkamp, Professor of Translational Neuroscience at UMC Utrecht, will apply its platform for multi-parametric, high-throughput functional screening assays to identify and validate the biological role of individual miRNAs and novel therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative disease.
This collaboration forms an integral part of the Neuroallianz project miRNAs in Neurodegenerative Diseases partnered by the University of Bonn and UCB and funded by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) in Germany. Though InteRNA is building its own pipeline of miRNA drug candidates for cancer, it has shown validity of its platform for discovery and validation of miRNAs drug candidates and their mode of action for other disease indications.
“The selection of InteRNA to support this program validates the uniqueness of our platform and confirms its potential use outside oncology”, said Roel Schaapveld, CEO of InteRNA Technologies.
About InteRNA Technologies
InteRNA Technologies develops cancer therapeutics based on a broadly applicable proprietary technology platform for the rapid identification and validation of therapeutic miRNAs. The Company has exclusive access to one of the largest miRNA libraries in the world. At present, InteRNA has established in vivo proof of concept for multiple pipeline candidates. The Company is pursuing a proactive partnership strategy to acquire appropriate delivery technologies for its products and expects to engage in corporate partnerships to progress several of its products into clinical development. InteRNA Technologies was incorporated in December 2006 by Aglaia Oncology Fund as a spin-off from the Hubrecht Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
About Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn
Bonn is one of the large universities in Germany, with 32,000 students, 500 professors, 3,500 academic staff and 4,800 technical and administrative staff. It offers a wide disciplinary spectrum comprising some ninety different degree programmes, from Agricultural Science to Tibetan Studies. This diversity is what characterizes Bonn as a full-range university with a strong international orientation. Its academic and research profile features internationally renowned specializations in the fields of Mathematics, Physics/Astronomy, Economics, Chemistry, Pharma Research, Biosciences, Genetic Medicine, Neurosciences and Philosophy/Ethics.
About the Neuroallianz Consortium
The Neuroallianz Consortium, a public-private biopharma research alliance since 2009, focuses on the research and development of innovative diagnostics and therapeutics for improved treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The consortium comprises of a strategic partnership between publicly funded research institutions, biotechnology companies and the pharmaceutical industry. Its objective is the translation of innovative research into novel therapeutic targets and diagnostics methods for improved staging of neurodegenerative diseases.
About UCB
UCB (Brussels, Belgium) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With 9,000 people in approximately 40 countries, the company generated revenue of EUR 3.4 billion in 2012. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels.
Contact:
Roel Schaapveld, PhD, MBA
CEO
InteRNA Technologies B.V.
Corporate office
Nijmegen City Centre
Jonkerbosplein 52
6534 AB Nijmegen
The Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0)24 352 96 33 / +31 (0)30 2532386
E-mail: schaapveld@interna-technologies.com
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