RXi Partners with University of Massachusetts Med School on RNAi Therapeutics for Ocular Disease

RXi Pharmaceuticals is collaborating with a researcher at The University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) to assess the application of RXi’s self-delivering RNAi (sd-rxRNA™) compounds for ocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration. Along with Shalesh Kaushal, M.D., Ph.D., chairman of the department of ophthalmology at UMMS, the group will evaluate the delivery and silencing activity of sd-rxRNAs in preclinical models.

“RXi’s next-generation sd-rxRNA compounds incorporate many drug-like properties of a successful therapeutic and may improve the clinical success of RNAi therapeutics,” states Dr. Kaushal.

“Leveraging academic collaborations is an essential part of our business strategy,” comments Noah D. Beerman, president and CEO of RXi. “We are eager to explore the use of our sd-rxRNA compounds in additional therapeutic areas such as ocular disease.”

RXi has designed its sd-rxRNA technology to enable the delivery of RNAi compounds without the need for an additional delivery vehicle. RXi’s version of RNAi compounds called rxRNA™ provides an alternative to conventional siRNAs. RXi is using its expertise in RNAi compound design and delivery to identify lead therapeutic candidates for inflammatory and metabolic diseases.