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Cequent Pharmaceuticals, a pioneer in the development of novel products to deliver RNAi-based treatments to prevent and treat human disease, has initiated a long-term (26- week) toxicology study of CEQ508 – the company’s lead drug candidate based on its proprietary tkRNAi technology. This study is designed to enable a Phase II clinical trial slated for 2011. CEQ508 targets beta-catenin, a key oncogene implicated in the formation of colonic polyps and in the progression of polyps to colorectal cancer. The non-human primate (NHP) study will evaluate safety and gene knock-down with once-daily oral administration of CEQ508. As an addition to this study, Cequent has begun dosing with the therapeutic candidate optioned by Novartis to enable an upcoming IND application in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

April 1, 2010

MDRNA, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRNA), a leading RNAi-based drug discovery and development company, and Cequent Pharmaceuticals, a pioneer in the development of novel products to deliver RNAi-based therapeutics, announced today the signing of a definitive agreement pursuant to which MDRNA will acquire Cequent in an all stock transaction valued at approximately $46 million. The combined company will have multiple proprietary RNAi drug discovery platforms with the capability to deliver RNAi-based therapeutics via systemic, local and oral administration. In addition, the acquisition expands MDRNA's oncology pipeline with a product for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) -- a genetic disorder that is a precursor to colon cancer -- that will soon begin Phase 1 clinical testing under an Investigational New Drug application (IND) filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The transaction will include certain loan provisions that will fund MDRNA operations through the anticipated closing of the merger in early July 2010.

MDRNA, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRNA), a leading RNAi-based drug discovery and development company, and Cequent Pharmaceuticals, a pioneer in the development of novel products to deliver RNAi-based therapeutics, announced today the signing of a definitive agreement pursuant to which MDRNA will acquire Cequent in an all stock transaction valued at approximately $46 million. The combined company will have multiple proprietary RNAi drug discovery platforms with the capability to deliver RNAi-based therapeutics via systemic, local and oral administration. In addition, the acquisition expands MDRNA's oncology pipeline with a product for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) -- a genetic disorder that is a precursor to colon cancer -- that will soon begin Phase 1 clinical testing under an Investigational New Drug application (IND) filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The transaction will include certain loan provisions that will fund MDRNA operations through the anticipated closing of the merger in early July 2010.

February 12, 2009

Cequent Pharmaceuticals this week unveiled non-human primate data demonstrating the safety and gene-silencing ability of its lead drug candidate, a treatment for familial adenomatous polyposis dubbed CEQ501, in what the company is calling the first proof of activity of an oral RNAi drug.

Cequent Pharmaceuticals this week unveiled non-human primate data demonstrating the safety and gene-silencing ability of its lead drug candidate, a treatment for familial adenomatous polyposis dubbed CEQ501, in what the company is calling the first proof of activity of an oral RNAi drug.