Use of Aptamers Expands in Treatment of Human Diseases

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.”



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