Sirna Therapeutics, Inc. announced the promotion of five executives who will play key roles in the company's progress towards filing an IND for its first therapeutic compound in RNA interference (RNAi) in late 2004. The company also announced the departure of Marvin Tancer, vice president, Operations and chief financial officer, who is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities.

"With these promotions, which are effective immediately, we are recognizing the achievements of these individuals in making Sirna a leader in the field of RNAi therapeutics," said Howard W Robin, president and CEO of Sirna. "These changes will enhance our ability to take on the challenges of clinical development and therapeutic application of chemically modified small interfering RNAs."

Marvin Tancer, vice president, Operations and chief financial officer, will leave the company, effective December 31, 2003, to pursue other opportunities. Earlier this year, Tancer played a leadership role in the company's successful restructuring and subsequent financing that brought $53 million to Sirna for its work on RNA interference therapeutics. "We are grateful to Marvin for his contributions," said Robin. "He has been a key player in Sirna's transition to its strong position in RNA interference, and we wish him all the best for his future endeavours."