AMBiotech | News



	NIH NIGMS Awards AM Biotechnologies a $950,000 Phase II SBIR Grant – New Reagents for the Synthesis of High Potency siRNAs AM Biotechnologies has successfully demonstrated the efficacy of a new class of siRNAs that have a modified phosphorodithioate (PS2-siRNAs) backbone. A $950,000 NIH Phase II SBIR that was recently awarded to the company will expand the development of the novel RNA thiophosphoramidite reagents that enable synthesis of PS2-siRNA. This expansive project will increase the scale of reagent production; optimize the protocols for solid-phase synthesis of PS2-siRNA for in vitro and in vivo applications; and will screen PS2-siRNA libraries to identify design rules that maximize the gene silencing activity of PS2-siRNAs. Additionally, AM Biotechnologies will demonstrate increased antitumor efficacy of unformulated PS2-siRNAs in a murine model of metastatic colorectal cancer, and will also develop formulated PS2-siRNAs for increased antitumor efficacy in a murine model of metastatic ovarian cancer. Completion of this two-year project will enable AM and its commercial partners to proceed with full commercialization of the RNA thiophosphoramidite reagents, which will be another important step toward the realization of effective siRNA-based therapeutics.