tekmira pharmaceuticals corp (TKM) Snapshot

Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced that data demonstrating its ongoing lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology innovations and manufacturing related advancements were presented at the 15th Annual TIDES Summit: Oligonucleotide and Peptide(R) Therapeutics from Research through Commercialization taking place in Boston, MA. TKM-Ebola, an anti-Ebola viral therapeutic, is being developed under a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD) Joint Project Manager Transformational Medical Technologies (JPM-TMT) Office, with a total contract value of approximately $140 million. The company demonstrated that when siRNA targeting the Ebola virus and delivered by Tekmira's LNP technology were used to treat previously infected non-human primates, the result was 100% protection from an otherwise lethal dose of Zaire Ebola virus. Tekmira's productive collaboration with the JPM-TMT was recently modified and expanded to include significant advances in LNP formulation technology since the initiation of the program in 2010. Some of the innovations highlighted in Tekmira's session at the TIDES Summit include: A new formulation, more potent than any LNP currently in clinical trials, is being incorporated into the TKM-Ebola program. This new TKM-Ebola LNP formulation has demonstrated significant increases in potency in non-human primates infected with the Zaire Ebola virus. At 0.5 mg/kg, 100% of the infected animals survived after receiving TKM-Ebola daily for seven days. The previous LNP formulation provided the same level of protection and 100% survival at 2 mg/kg. Tekmira scientists have developed a lyophilized (freeze-dried) LNP to eliminate cold-chain requirements and facilitate use in tropical climates. Importantly, the lyophilized LNP formulation also provided 100% survival in non-human primates infected with the Zaire Ebola virus with no loss in potency at 0.5 mg/kg dosed daily for seven days. At 0.2 mg/kg, 67% of infected non-human primates survived. Tekmira has also been working on LNP formulations that can provide significant potency when administered subcutaneously. Tekmira presented data demonstrating that LNP administered subcutaneously in a rodent model can knockdown a liver target by 96% at 1.0 mg/kg with a single administration or 67% knockdown at 0.5 mg/kg after a single administration. Tekmira believes this potent knockdown in the liver after subcutaneous administration compares favorably to other published data using conjugate delivery systems. Tekmira continues to build upon its leadership position and invest in its RNAi technologies by making advancements in LNP potency, tolerability, biodistribution, targeting, process development, and manufacturing, as well as the evaluation of new RNAi payloads. These LNP innovations will support the advancement of multiple RNAi therapeutics -- from both Tekmira and its partners -- that address a wide variety of disease indications.

Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. For the first quarter 2013, net loss and comprehensive loss was CAD 2,622,415 or CAD 0.18 per basic and diluted share on total revenue was CAD 2,195,283 against net loss and comprehensive loss was CAD 3,159,878 or CAD 0.25 per basic and diluted share on total revenue was CAD 3,563,982 a year ago. Loss from operations was CAD 3,083,371 compared to CAD 2,634,936 a year ago. Net cash used in operating activities was CAD 2,904,479 compared to CAD 4,252,020 a year ago. Acquisition of property and equipment was CAD 206,539 compared to CAD 839 a year ago. Under a DoD contract to develop TKM-Ebola, Tekmira is being reimbursed for costs incurred, including an allocation of overheads, and is being paid an incentive fee. For this contract, the company recorded CAD 2,000,000 in revenue in first quarter 2013 as compared to CAD 3,500,000 in first quarter 2012.

Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation Presents at Bloom Burton & Co Healthcare Investor Conference, May-22-2013 03:30 PM. Venue: Toronto Board of Trade, 1 First Canadian Place, Toronto, ON M5X 1C1, Canada.