By Jason Derry —

Archemix Corp. has announced alliances with Isis Pharmaceuticals and SomaLogic.  Archemix, a biotechnology company located in Cambridge, MA, filed an initial public offering July 25, 2007.  Archemix focuses on developing apatmers as directed therapeutics to prevent and treat chronic and acute diseases.  One of Archemix’s lead drug candidates is currently set
to move into Phase IIa clinical trials for treating acute coronary syndrome and into Phase Ib clinical trials for treating thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.  The alliance with Isis gives Archemix access to several oligonucleotide composition and method patents.  The alliance with SomaLogic clarifies a cross-licensing agreement by which Archemix will hold exclusive rights to therapeutic areas, while SomaLogic holds exclusive rights in diagnostics and ex vivo
detection applications.  In addition, Archemix has the option to give targets for aptamer development to SomaLogic.

Jason Derry, Ph.D., who graduated with honors from DePaul University
College of Law, is a molecular biologist and founding author of Patent Docs.