Tekmira files IND with FDA

Tekmira Pharmaceuticals (TSX:TKM) has filed an investigational new drug application seeking approval from the FDA to begin a Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate PLK1 SNALP as a treatment for solid tumour cancers.

“This is another important milestone for Tekmira as we continue to both advance our own pipeline of RNA-interference drug candidates and support our partners as they move forward with their own RNAi programs using our leading SNALP delivery technology,” CEO Dr. Mark Murray said in a statement.

The trial is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2010. Tekmira’s therapeutic approach to treating cancer is to target PLK1 (polo-like kinase 1), a protein involved in tumour cell proliferation and a validated oncology target.