Ambion Inc and Cenix BioScience GmbH have formed a partnership to co-develop and commercialize the first human genome-wide siRNA library. RNAi is a revolutionary new method of targeted gene silencing that is achieved in mammalian cells through the use of short interfering RNA molecules or siRNAs, and which was voted the top scientific breakthrough of 2002 by Science Magazine. RNAi technology is greatly accelerating the functional characterization of disease-relevant genes for drug discovery and basic research efforts. Genome-wide siRNA libraries represent the most powerful new tool for fulfilling the promise of the Human Genome Project and molecular medicine initiatives in all disease areas, by enabling the efficient and systematic identification of novel therapeutic genes.

The systematic genome-scale application of RNAi was originally pioneered by the founders of Cenix. Applying over four years of industry-leading expertise in this area, which started with lower eukaryotes, Cenix will now use its proprietary algorithms to design fully optimized siRNA reagents that will enable high-throughput (HT) genome-wide screening in human cells. Ambion, an established market leader in the development, production and distribution of RNA based research products, will manufacture these reagents and market them to its extensive international customer base. The two companies are committed to regularly updating the siRNA library in accordance with the evolution of human genome sequence annotations. The first products are expected to be on the market in the middle of 2003.

Dr. Christophe Echeverri, CEO and CSO of Cenix BioScience, commented on the relationship, "We expect the discovery of new drug targets via genome-wide RNAi screening in human cells to drive a very wide and fast-growing range of biomedical research for years to come. In view of Ambion's robust R&D program, comprehensive line of top quality RNA research products and clear dedication to customer service, we are extremely pleased to have partnered with the industry's premiere RNA specialist for this crucial project."

Dr. Matt Winkler, CEO of Ambion said, "We are delighted to have partnered with Cenix on this exciting project. Cenix's leading expertise in multi-organism genome-wide applications of RNAi offers the perfect synergies to allow Ambion to continue expanding its comprehensive range of quality RNAi products, including siRNA products, in this important direction."

The siRNA product family resulting from this partnership will include comprehensive libraries to cover the entire genome, the "druggable genome", as well as more focused validated siRNA collections to target specific gene families, and specific genes. These products will therefore represent landmark additions to Ambion's current industry-leading line of siRNA products.