CombiMatrix said this week that it has expanded an existing siRNA-based drug-discovery collaboration with Spanish non-profit research institute IrsiCaixa to include hepatitis C, marking the third viral disease area on which the company has focused its gene-silencing efforts.

Under the partnership, which was initiated in the area of HIV late last June , CombiMatrix designs and manufactures pooled siRNA compounds using its Express Track technology for testing at IrsiCaixa. CombiMatrix will own all compounds resulting from the arrangement.