Tekmira and Pfizer in research collaboration

Tekmira Pharmaceuticals (TSX:TKM) has initiated a new research collaboration with Pfizer to evaluate Tekmira’s stable nucleic acid-lipid particle (SNALP) technology to deliver small interfering RNA molecules provided by Pfizer (NYSE:PFE).

This is Tekmira’s first formal research collaboration with Pfizer. Tekmira will be responsible for preparing the SNALP formulations and Pfizer will evaluate the formulations in preclinical models. Financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.

“The collaboration combines Tekmira’s expertise in the delivery of RNA interference therapeutics with Pfizer’s research excellence in nucleic acid therapeutics,” Tekmira CEO Mark Murray said in a statement.

“Our goal is to sign additional collaborative agreements in 2010,” he added.