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Quark, Biocon to Collaborate on RNAi Drug Development in India

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Quark Pharmaceuticals and Indian biotech firm Biocon announced this week that they have formed a partnership to develop and market siRNA-based drugs.

Under the deal, Biocon will have access to Quark's RNAi technology and knowhow to create novel drugs for the Indian market, as well as certain other undisclosed territories.

Biocon will also be able to co-develop and sell Quark's investigational glaucoma treatment QPI-1007 in those areas. The drug recently completed a phase I/IIa trial in a related condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

Additional terms of the arrangement were not disclosed.

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