Archemix – Milestone Pandemonium

CLSDF has highlighted the history and relationship of Archemix to CO in previous posts; read about it (here). It has been a very busy 2008 thus far for the Cambridge-based aptamer therapeutics company who has now (I believe it is technically a - sub - based upon University Colorado orgins…?) licensed out the right to discover and develop therapeutic aptamers to Pfizer (NYSE: PFE), Merck (NYSE: MRK), Nuvelo (NASDAQ: NUVO), Takeda (TSE: 4502), Elan (NYSE: ELN), NascaCell Technologies and Ophthotech.

Most recently Archemix has been awarded an undisclosed milestone payment from Ophthotech Corp. for development of their aptamer candidate E10030 an anti-platelet derived growth factor being developed for age-related macular degeneration. Opthotech is now enrolling a Phase I study of E10030 and Archemix is eligible for additional follow-on milestone payments and royalties on future sales of E10030.

Archemix has also recently been awarded a $1M milestone payment by Nuvelo for development of their aptamer candidate NU172 for thrombin-inhibition and blood clot formation stimulation. Nuvelo is enrolling a Phase I study of NU172 and Archemix is eligible for additional follow-on milestone payments and royalties on future sales of NU172.

Finally, an expansion of the strategic alliance with NascaCell Technologies was announced on the use and development of aptamers for drug discovery applications. Under the terms of the new agreement, NascaCell receives non-exclusive rights to uses of aptamers for target validation, mode of action studies, drug discovery, and aptamer structure-based drug design. Specific financial terms were not disclosed

***NOTE*** Take a look at the new Boulder Biotech Company Tree (HERE)!
***NOTE*** Read the new eBook CLSDF 2007 - What's In A Year? (HERE)!

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