Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, has granted Qiagen N.V., a non-exclusive license to provide research products and services in RNA interference (RNAi) under the Kreutzer-Limmer patent family. This patent family owned by Alnylam, covers small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and their use to mediate RNAi in mammalian cells.

Vincent Miles, senior vice president, Business Development of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals said, "Because Qiagen already has one of the four co-exclusive licenses for research products under the 'Tuschl' patent applications, this agreement emphasizes the importance of the Kreutzer-Limmer patent family for any commercialization of siRNAs. Alnylam intends to continue leveraging its leading intellectual property estate through partnerships that create value."

"Qiagen is a leading supplier of siRNA libraries and high throughput siRNA synthesis technology," Dr. Ulrich Schriek, Qiagen's Vice President Corporate Business Development said adding, "This license agreement with Alnylam further strengthens Qiagen's position as a key licensed supplier of siRNAs to the scientific community."

Qiagen is a leading provider of innovative enabling technologies and products for the separation, purification and handling of nucleic acids and proteins.