Sirna Therapeutics

Sirna Therapeutics was a pioneering biotechnology company focused on developing therapies based on RNA interference (RNAi) technology. Originally founded as Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals in 1992, the company rebranded in 2003 to pivot from ribozymes toward short interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics. Its lead candidate, Sirna-027, was developed for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration and reached Phase 2 clinical trials. The company's platform aimed to silence specific genes involved in disease progression across various therapeutic areas, including ophthalmology, antiviral, and metabolic diseases. In 2006, Sirna was acquired by Merck & Co. for approximately $1.1 billion, marking a major milestone in the commercial validation of RNAi technology.