Mirna to present data on miRNA Replacement Therapies for cancer at CPRIT Conference

Mirna Therapeutics, Inc., a leading developer of microRNA (miRNA)-based therapeutics, announced today that it will present new data at the inaugural CPRIT Innovations in Cancer Prevention and Research Conference, November 17-19, 2010 in Austin, TX. The Conference is organized by the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), an organization founded to expedite innovation and commercialization in the area of cancer research and to enhance access to evidence-based prevention programs and services throughout the state of Texas. Four posters will be presented highlighting Mirna's efforts in developing miRNA Replacement Therapies for cancer.

“Chemical Modifications Enhance the Activities, Stabilities and Pharmacokinetic Properties of miRNA Mimics”

Earlier this year, Mirna published data demonstrating proof-of-concept for "miRNA Replacement Therapy" (Wiggins et al., Cancer Research 2010). This approach is based on the premise that many cancers fail to express endogenous tumor suppressor miRNAs and that re-introducing mimics of these miRNAs into cancer cells induces cancer cell death and leads to inhibition of tumor growth and dissemination. Mirna's broad pipeline features mimics for eight key miRNAs in cancer, including mimics of let-7 and miR-34, two of the most widely published and recognized suppressor miRNAs.

The four posters will disclose new data showing significant advances in the development of clinically-relevant miRNA mimics and formulations. The data will focus on novel miRNA chemistries, efficacy, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicity parameters upon systemic administration in the animal. The posters are entitled "Therapeutic Applications of Tumor Suppressor miRNAs", Systemic Delivery of a miR-34 mimic Inhibits Tumor Growth in Mouse Models of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer", "Chemical Modifications Enhance the Activities, Stabilities and Pharmacokinetic Properties of miRNA Mimics", and "Systemic Delivery of Tumor Suppressor miRNAs to Mouse Tumor and Peripheral Tissues".

According to David Brown, Ph.D., Director of Research at Mirna Therapeutics, "the data presented at the Conference reflect our focused research and discovery efforts during the past year on increasing our understanding of the mechanism of action of our miRNA mimics and optimization of their potency in cancer."

Mirna Therapeutics is the recipient of a $10.3 million commercialization award from the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas.

Source: Mirna Therapeutics