Business Wire - October 17, 2002
siRNA are short anti-sense (mirror image) oligonucleotides that exert their effect by causing messenger RNA degradation, and in turn, inhibit protein production.
"siRNA technology is an exciting new area of research that has its basis in natural processes of gene expression regulation that exist in all cells. Given that infectious organisms such as viruses have unique genomes, the potential for applying the siRNA technology to development of specific new anti-infectives is very promising," commented Dr. Omar Haffar, Chief Scientific Officer and Vice President of R&D at ITI.
International Therapeutics and City of Hope will co-own the intellectual property resulting from the collaboration. ITI has the option to license the joint technology.
International Therapeutics is also pleased to announce the addition of John J. Rossi, Ph.D., to the Company's Science Advisory Board (SAB). Dr. Rossi is Chair of the Molecular Biology Department and Dean of the Graduate School of Biology at City of Hope. Dr. Rossi has extensive experience in the field of ribozymes and RNA intervention. More recently, Dr. Rossi's group was the first to describe the effectiveness of siRNA as a therapeutic approach to HIV infection in vitro.
"Dr. Rossi brings to ITI a wealth of experience in the area of anti-sense technology and therapeutics. Having Dr. Rossi on our SAB is very important for the Company to be involved in this area of research," said Dr. Haffar.
International Therapeutics, Inc. (ITI) is a privately held Seattle biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of novel anti-viral therapies. The present focus of the Company is dedicated to finding new, safe and effective ways to combat HIV, a virus infecting over 40 million people worldwide. For more information, visit www.internationaltherapeutics.com.
City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute are world leading research and treatment centers for cancer and other life-threatening diseases, including diabetes and HIV/AIDS. A pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation and genetics, City of Hope is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. For more information, visit www.cityofhope.org. City of Hope. . .where the power of knowledge saves lives.
CONTACT: International Therapeutics, Inc. Bret MacPherson, 206/329-3563 bmacpher@wolfenet.com
SOURCE: International Therapeutics, Inc.
021017
BW021013
Copyright © 2002 - Business Wire. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Business Wire, Permissions Desk, Business Wire, 1185 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036; Tel: (212) 575-8822; FAX: (212) 575-1854. http://www.businesswire.com.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2002. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .