Marina Biotech, Inc. Provides Update on Its Broad Nucleic Acid-Based Drug Discovery Platform and 2012 Goals

BOTHELL, WA--(Marketwire - Jan 10, 2012) - Marina Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRNAD), a leading oligonucleotide-based drug discovery and development company, will provide an update on its nucleic acid-based drug discovery platform and 2012 goals at Biotech Showcase 2012 on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time (2:30 p.m. Pacific Time) at the Parc 55 Wyndham San Francisco in San Francisco.

"In 2011, I believe we established ourselves as the company with the broadest and most comprehensive nucleic acid-based therapeutics drug discovery platform in the industry," stated J. Michael French, President and CEO of Marina Biotech. "The company's broad platform includes an array of unique nucleic acid constructs, chemistries and delivery technologies that offer the diversity and innovation needed to drug historically undruggable targets through a variety of mechanisms of action including RNAi, mRNA translational inhibition, and steric blocking. This capability permits us to identify multiple, distinct therapeutic approaches allowing our partners to be focused on the target not the technology."

Mr. French continued, "In the last quarter alone, we brought in over $1.5 MM of non-dilutive capital from partnerships and licensing agreements. In 2011, I believe we were the only company to complete two deals in two distinct oligonucleotide therapeutic areas: RNAi and microRNA. In addition, we are the only company with two different technologies in clinical development pursuing two different oligonucleotide therapeutic approaches: RNAi and DNAi. Our goals in 2012 are very straightforward, continue to broaden our drug discovery platform through licenses and partnerships and advance our preclinical and clinical programs. I am encouraged by not only our own progress but that of the entire sector and believe that 2012 will be an important year for Marina Biotech as well as the nucleic acid-based therapeutics field."

In 2011, the Company established one of the industry's broadest nucleic acid-based drug discovery platforms:

• Two technologies partnered/licensed in two different oligonucleotide therapeutic areas: UsiRNA™ in DiLA2™ liposomal delivery via local administration and microRNA mimics in SMARTICLES^® liposomal delivery via systemic administration
  
  
• Two technologies in clinical development: shRNA delivered via a bacterial vector (tkRNAi™) in the treatment of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis and a single-stranded DNAi via SMARTICLES in the treatment of solid tumors
  
  

Marina Biotech's 2012 Goals include:

• Continued pursuit of strategic transactions including preclinical and clinical nucleic acid-based programs, additional delivery technologies and microRNA intellectual property
  
  
• Licensing of proprietary Unlocked Nucleobase Analog (UNA™) and Conformationally Restricted Nucleotide (CRN™) chemistries in the human, veterinary and agricultural fields as well as reagent and diagnostic areas
  
  
• Licensing of proprietary delivery technologies, including SMARTICLES, for the delivery of double and single-stranded nucleic acids
  
  
• Completing the Dose Escalating portion of the START-FAP Clinical Trial
  
  
• Establishing pharma collaboration(s) around multiple targets and therapeutic indications
  
  

About Marina Biotech, Inc.

Marina Biotech is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of oligonucleotide-based therapeutics utilizing multiple mechanisms of action including RNA interference (RNAi) and messenger RNA translational blocking. The Marina Biotech pipeline currently includes a clinical program in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (a precancerous syndrome) and two preclinical programs -- in bladder cancer and malignant ascites. Marina Biotech entered into an exclusive agreement with The Debiopharm Group for the development and commercialization of the bladder cancer program. In addition, Marina Biotech has recently entered into an agreement with Mirna Therapeutics to license its SMARTICLES^® technology for the delivery of microRNA mimics. Marina Biotech's goal is to improve human health through the development of RNAi- and oligonucleotide-based compounds and drug delivery technologies that together provide superior therapeutic options for patients. Additional information about Marina Biotech is available at http://www.marinabio.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this news release may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Federal Securities laws that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and involve factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) the ability of Marina Biotech to obtain additional funding; (ii) the ability of Marina Biotech to attract and/or maintain manufacturing, research, development and commercialization partners; (iii) the ability of Marina Biotech and/or a partner to successfully complete product research and development, including preclinical and clinical studies and commercialization; (iv) the ability of Marina Biotech and/or a partner to obtain required governmental approvals; and (v) the ability of Marina Biotech and/or a partner to develop and commercialize products prior to, and that can compete favorably with those of, competitors. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested in any forward-looking statements are contained in Marina Biotech's most recent periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Marina Biotech assumes no obligation to update and supplement forward-looking statements because of subsequent events.