Polyplus-transfection appoints ten additional biologists and chemists to support multiple pre-clinical studies

Sep 15 2011

Polyplus-transfection SA, which specializes in the development of innovative solutions for the delivery of nucleic acids in research and therapeutics, today celebrates ten years of continuous growth.

From its launch in 2001, Polyplus-transfection has sold its lines of proprietary transfection reagents through a large network of international distributors covering more than 30 countries worldwide. During the past decade, Polyplus-transfection has evolved into two business units; the core commercial transfection reagent business and therapeutic research business focused on nucleic acid delivery systems, and has moved from four to forty two employees. In partnership with its private equity investors, Polyplus has part funded its therapeutic research with revenue from its commercial transfection reagent sales, funding and loans, and has successfully raised a total of EUR 7.8M in venture funding since 2001.

The most recent funding round of EUR 2.5M which closed in December 2010, is driving the acceleration of Polyplus’ pre-clinical study programs with the hire of ten additional scientists and the expansion of Polyplus’ laboratory and office facilities in Illkirch (France). Polyplus-transfection is a specialist of in-vivo intracellular nucleic acid transfer, and is currently conducting two main research programs dedicated to development of RNA interference-based therapeutics: STICKY SIRNA and RNAPLUS. Since 2001, the scientific team of the company has authored more than 20 scientific papers and has significantly expanded the companies IP estate in the field of nucleic acid delivery.

“Ten years is a significant milestone for any company. Polyplus-transfection has clearly proven the sustainability of its business model and now serves thousands of customers worldwide with quality products, while continuing to invest in the build out of a world class research and discovery organisation,” says Mark Bloomfield, CEO of Polyplus-transfection. “Moreover, Polyplus continues to benefit from a close and valued relationship with its institutional investors who have provided the funding, support and guidance needs to bring our STICKY SIRNA and SIRNAPLUS delivery technologies into pre-clinical development.”

“The latest results from our preclinical studies in lung metastatic cancer and prostate cancer models show that STICKY SIRNA is effective in inhibiting both the cell cycle as well as chemotherapy resistance resulting in significantly reduced tumor growth and increase mice survival when administered in combination with widely used chemotherapy drugs such as Cisplatin,” says Dr. Patrick Erbacher CSO at Polyplus-transfection. “Further, based on this preclinical data we are now seeking partners to take STICKY SIRNA in to clinical trials as a powerful tool for antitumor therapy.”

About Polyplus-transfection

Polyplus-transfection SA is a biotechnology company that develops, markets and sells innovative solutions for the in vivo, in vitro and ex vivo delivery of nucleic acids in research, bioproduction and therapeutics. Located close to the University of Strasbourg in Eastern France, Polyplus-transfection has been ISO 9001-certified since 2002 and supplies its proprietary range of reagents for the transfection of genes, oligonucleotides and siRNA through a worldwide distributor network. Polyplus reagents are involved in a growing number of clinical trials worldwide. In addition, Polyplus-transfection holds a broad estate of patents and licenses including original methods for therapeutic siRNA delivery.