Thermo Fisher Scientific to Collaborate with Genentech on siRNA Therapeutics

Thermo Fisher Scientific to Collaborate with Genentech on Novel Technology Enabling Development of siRNA Therapeutics

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, has entered into a collaboration with Genentech, Inc. to develop novel small-interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutic technologies for indications of interest to Genentech.

Under the collaboration agreement, Thermo Fisher Scientific will provide Genentech with siRNA design, stabilization, delivery and related RNA interference (RNAi) technologies from its RNAi Discovery and Therapeutic Services laboratory in Lafayette, Colorado. Genentech may use these technologies in the development of potential siRNA-based drugs. Such drugs would work by reducing, or silencing, the expression of specific genes implicated in disease. The research could extend drug discovery efforts to disease targets where traditional discovery technologies have not been successful.

"We believe the collaboration between Genentech and Thermo Fisher Scientific represents the joining of two leading-edge innovators aimed at advancing the development of siRNA-based drug technologies," said Ian Jardine, vice president of global R&D for Thermo Fisher Scientific. "By combining Genentech's expertise in the development of biological therapeutics with Thermo Fisher's capabilities in RNAi and RNA chemistry, we hope to greatly advance this promising therapeutic class. Our work with Genentech will focus on developments that will enable in vivo target validation and potentially human therapeutic applications of RNAi technology."

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science, enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. With annual revenues of $10 billion, we have more than 30,000 employees and serve over 350,000 customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as environmental and industrial process control settings. Serving customers through two premier brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific, we help solve analytical challenges from routine testing to complex research and discovery. Thermo Scientific offers customers a complete range of high-end analytical instruments as well as laboratory equipment, software, services, consumables and reagents to enable integrated laboratory workflow solutions. Fisher Scientific provides a complete portfolio of laboratory equipment, chemicals, supplies and services used in healthcare, scientific research, safety and education. Together, we offer the most convenient purchasing options to customers and continuously advance our technologies to accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, enhance value for customers and fuel growth for shareholders and employees alike. Visit www.thermofisher.com.

SOURCE: Thermo Fisher Scientific