Tekmira Sues RNAi Drug-delivery Partner Alnylam

Vancouver, BC-based Tekmira Pharmaceuticals said last week it had filed litigation against long-time partner Alnylam Pharmaceuticals concerning lipid nanoparticle technology for delivering RNAi treatments.

Tekmira alleges Alnylam, of Cambridge, MA, "exploited its confidential relationship as a collaborator with Tekmira to engage in inappropriate and harmful conduct concerning Tekmira's proprietary lipid nanoparticle (LNP) siRNA delivery technology," according to a company statement. It also contends Alnylam incorporated its confidential information into patent filings and claimed ownership in direct violation of a licensing