ALNYLAM INITIATES RNAi THERAPEUTIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS INFECTION

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, a leading RNAi therapeutics company, has initiated a therapeutic development program for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection.

RSV is a major cause of respiratory illness in young children, the elderly and immune-deficient patient populations. RSV infects nearly every child by the age of two years and typically results in cold-like symptoms; however, it may lead to lower respiratory tract infections or respiratory failure.

Children born prematurely or with pulmonary, cardiac and immune deficiencies are at the highest risk for severe RSV infection that can result in hospitalization, morbidity and even death. Alnylam will implement its Direct RNAi technology to treat RSV infection by targeting key viral genes at the site of infection.