New Initiative in Phase I Human Clinical Trial Is TKM – PLK1

Tekmira Pharmaceutical Corporation is one of the leading developers of RNA interface (RNAi) therapeutics, has commenced patient dosing in a Phase 1 human clinical trial to its lead oncology merchandise, TKM-PLK1. TKM-PLK1 works on polo-like kinase 1, or PLK1, a cell cycle healthy protein that is involved in tumor cell distribution and a confirmed oncology target. By the interference of PLK1 stops the new tumor cell from finishing cell division. Once if the tumor cell division is controlled that leads to cell cycle arrest and cancer cell die.

According to the CEO and President of Tekmira Pharmaceutical Corporation Dr. Mark J. Murray, “We are always welcome to the new Phase 1 human clinical trial for the lead oncology product. TKM-PLK1 has clearly shown the efficiency towards anti-tumor and tumor outside the liver in preclinical models of liver cancer. We support our strong belief that PLK1 represents an excellent target for RNAi.”

It is clearly shown in the preclinical animal studies that TKM-PLK1 selectively kills cancer cells, while sparing normal cells in healthy tissue. TKM-PLK1 is formulated with Tekmira proprietary lipid nano particle (LNP), which is encapsulated with interfering RNA (siRNA) designed to silence PLK1. This plays an important role in significant number of cancer indications, which also includes breast, colorectal, ovarian cancers, and non-small cell lung. Annually, more than 500,000 people are affected in the United States.