Marina Biotech Reports That Partner Mirna Therapeutics Presented Interim Phase 1 Data on Its First-in-Class microRNA-34 Mimic

BOTHELL, WA--(Marketwired - Nov 20, 2014) - Marina Biotech, Inc. (OTCQB: MRNA), a leading nucleic acid-based drug discovery and development company focused on rare diseases, today reported that its partner, Mirna Therapeutics, presented interim safety and preliminary efficacy data from a multicenter, open-label Phase 1 clinical trial of MRX34. MRX34 is a microRNA34 mimic formulated in the Company's SMARTICLES^® delivery technology. The data show that MRX34 has a manageable safety profile in patients with advanced primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), other solid tumors with liver metastasis, and hematological malignancies. A maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was established at 110 mg/m² for MRX34 administered twice weekly for three weeks followed by one week off. Dose escalation is on-going for a second dosing regimen wherein MRX34 is administered daily for five consecutive days followed by two weeks off. While this Phase 1 study is intended to investigate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and dosing regimens, treatment with MRX34 has provided early signals of clinical activity in advanced cancer patients with primary liver, neuroendocrine, colorectal and small cell lung cancers, as well as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

The findings were presented yesterday by Dr. Muhammad Shaalan Beg, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and co-leader of the gastro-intestinal oncology group at University of Texas Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center in Dallas, Texas, at the 26^th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics hosted by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the American Association for Cancer (AACR) taking place in Barcelona, Spain from November 18-21, 2014.

"We are very pleased with Mirna Therapeutics' progress in developing this first-in-class microRNA mimic," stated J. Michael French, president and Chief Executive Officer of Marina Biotech. "Thus far nearly 100 patients have been dosed with a SMARTICLES formulated oligonucleotide. We believe SMARTICLES is emerging as one of the most versatile technologies in the sector delivering both single and double-stranded oligonucleotides to two different cell compartments (nucleus and cytoplasm) and to tissue systems outside the liver. We look forward to the continued success of the Mirna team and the advancement of MRX34 in the treatment of multiple cancers."