Use of Aptamers Expands in Treatment of Human Diseases

Archemix Corporation (Cambridge, MA, USA) and Pfizer Incorporated (New York, NY, USA) have signed a collaborative agreement to expand and exploit the use of aptamers in the treatment of human diseases.

Aptamers are single-stranded nucleic acids that form well-defined three-dimensional shapes, allowing them to bind target molecules in a manner that is conceptually similar to antibodies. Aptamers combine the optimal characteristics of small molecules and antibodies, including high specificity and affinity, chemical stability, low immunogenicity, and the ability to target protein-protein interactions. In contrast to monoclonal antibodies, aptamers are chemically synthesized rather than biologically expressed, which may offer a significant cost advantage.

Under the terms of the agreement, Archemix will use its proprietary Selex technology to discover and generate product candidates to three disease-associated targets identified by Pfizer. Pfizer will be responsible for developing and commercializing the resulting product candidates.

"We believe that the combination of Archemix's aptamer approach and Pfizer's drug development capabilities will allow therapeutic aptamers to be advanced rapidly,” said Dr. Errol De Souza, president of Archemix. "We have now completed three major partnerships in the last six months, and our collaboration with Pfizer is another example of the value of our aptamer technology and reflects the growing enthusiasm for the potential of aptamer therapeutics.”



Related Links:
Archemix
Pfizer