Ambion Receives Commercial siRNA Vector License from UMASS

Austin, TX, November 8, 2002 – Ambion, Inc., announced it has been granted a worldwide exclusive research market license from the University of Massachusetts for technology detailed in a patent application covering vector technology for expressing small interfering RNA (siRNA).

RNA interference is a major advance in genomic research that allows researchers to quickly and reliably down-regulate the expression of specific genes in living cells. In human and other mammalian cell systems, RNA interference is induced by siRNA. Vectors that continually express siRNA intracellularly offer advantages over techniques involving transfection or introduction of pre-made siRNA. One major advantage is the ability to silence gene expression over long periods of time, which permits long-term studies of gene function.

RNA interference holds great promise for basic and applied research for both academic and industry researchers. Prior to this advance, researchers used the less robust antisense RNA technology to achieve the same goals. Ambion offers a range of siRNA-related products, including kits to synthesize, fluorescently label, and transfect siRNA. The siRNA expression vector technology is an important addition to this product line.

Dr. Matt Winkler, CEO of Ambion said, "RNA interference is revolutionizing the field of functional genomics. As the 'RNA Company', Ambion is very active in providing a variety of innovative tools for researchers who wish to harness this powerful technology. Because siRNA expression vectors permit long-term RNAi studies, they represent an extremely important development in the field. We believe that the University of Massachusetts patent application represents the earliest and broadest rights for siRNA vector technology, and Ambion is pleased to partner with them on an exclusive basis for the research market."

Ambion, Inc., is a market leader in the field of RNA-based life science research and molecular diagnostic products. Ambion maintains this leadership role by consistently developing innovative products for handling, preserving, isolating, detecting and measuring RNA. These products are used for research in areas such as molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, drug discovery, genomics and molecular diagnostics.