Santaris Pharma is “Fierce,” on Leading Edge of Biotech
HØRSHOLM, DENMARK – June 24, 2008 – Santaris Pharma announced today that it has been named to the annual FierceBiotech “Fierce 15” list, designating it as one of the top biotech companies of 2008. The editors of FierceBiotech evaluated hundreds of privately-held firms based on company vision, revenue potential, quality of deals, strength of technology, partnerships, and competitive market position. Santaris Pharma was determined to be one of the “fiercest,” proven by their creativity and innovations in the industry. An internationally recognized daily newsletter reaching more than 65,000 biotech and pharma industry professionals, FierceBiotech provides subscribers with a quick authoritative briefing on the day’s top stories, with a special focus on drug discovery and clinical trials. "Santaris has been breaking new ground with its advancement of a microRNA therapy into the clinic in late May," said John Carroll, Editor of FierceBiotech. "A successful proof-of-concept trial for hepatitis C is being billed as a potential medical breakthrough, offering a key to modulating networks of genes." "FierceBiotech is recognized for its advanced understanding of biotechnology companies and the industry as a whole," said Søren Tulstrup, who replaces Keith McCullagh as CEO of Santaris Pharma as per July 1st. "Being selected as a member of the ‘Fierce 15’ is an honor that highlights Santaris Pharma’s achievements in the exciting new field of RNA Medicines and the Company's potential to make a significant impact in the wider biotech market.” The Fierce 15 celebrates the spirit of being “fierce” – championing innovation and creativity, even in the face of intense competition. The complete list of ‘Fierce 15’ companies is available in today’s issue of FierceBiotech and on the FierceBiotech Web site at www.fiercebiotech.com.
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About Santaris Pharma
Santaris Pharma is a Danish clinical stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company was formed in 2003 and has the exclusive rights to LNA technology, a 3rd generation antisense chemistry used to develop new classes of RNA medicines, called RNA antagonists. Santaris Pharma’s messengerRNA antagonists and microRNA antagonists are being developed to silence mRNAs and microRNAs associated with various diseases, including cancer, metabolic disorders and viral infections. Santaris Pharma completed a Euro 40m second round of equity financing in May 2006 and a Euro 20m third round of equity financing in December 2007. Santaris Pharma has a global alliance with Enzon Pharmaceuticals of New Jersey to develop and co‐commercialise a series of Santaris Pharma RNA antagonists for the treatment of cancer and a worldwide strategic alliance with GlaxoSmithKline for the discovery, development and commercialization of novel medicines against viral diseases.
About Santaris Pharma’s Locked Nucleic Acid technology (LNA)
LNA is the first true conformational analogue of RNA (ribonucleic acid). The ribose sugar in LNA is ‘locked’ in the three‐dimensional shape of RNA by virtue of its rigid bicyclic structure. The result is that when incorporated into oligonucleotides, LNA conveys dramatically enhanced binding affinity to complementary RNA sequences. Drug molecules with multiple LNA substitutions therefore have truly unprecedented potencies. The greater potency of LNA in binding complementary RNA sequences means that LNA oligonucleotide drugs can be made significantly shorter than previous antisense or siRNA drugs. These shorter RNA antagonist drugs are taken up efficiently by cells and tissues, thereby overcoming many of the delivery problems of RNAi to date. As LNA drugs are resistant to degradation when given systemically, have long tissue half lives, and are taken up readily by many tissues they have greater potency than other oligonucleotide chemistries.
For further information, please contact
Randi Krogsgaard
Director Corporate Communications
Direct +45 45179879
Cell: +45 20488384
e-mail: rmk@santaris.com