UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 29, 2011 (June 28, 2011)
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
 
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
         
Delaware   000-50743   77-0602661
         
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)
     
300 Third Street, Cambridge, MA   02142
     
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617) 551-8200
Not applicable
 
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
     Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2. below):
o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 


 

Item 1.01.   Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a Sponsored Research Agreement dated as of July 27, 2009 with The University of British Columbia (“UBC”) and AlCana Technologies, Inc. (“AlCana”) (the “Research Agreement”), which Research Agreement the Company now deems to be a material agreement under Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K. The Research Agreement is focused on the discovery of novel lipids for use in lipid nanoparticle (“LNP”) formulations for the systemic delivery of RNAi therapeutics. Pursuant to the terms of the Research Agreement, the Company is funding collaborative research over an initial two-year period, and recently exercised its right to extend the collaborative research and the Company’s funding for a third year, through July 2012. The collaborative research is being conducted by scientists at the Company together with scientists at UBC and AlCana.
Under the Research Agreement, the Company has exclusive rights to all new inventions relating to the delivery of oligonucleotides and other nucleic acid constructs, as well as sole rights to sublicense any resulting intellectual property to its current and future collaborators. UBC and AlCana are eligible to receive up to an aggregate of $1.325 million in milestone payments from the Company for each Licensed Product (as defined in the Research Agreement) directed to a particular Target (as defined in the Research Agreement), together with single-digit royalty payments on annual product sales.
Concurrent with the execution of the Research Agreement, the Company also entered into a Supplemental Agreement with Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation (“Tekmira”), Protiva Biotherapeutics Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tekmira (“Protiva”), UBC and AlCana (the “Supplemental Agreement”), which contains additional terms regarding the intellectual property rights arising out of the Research Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Supplemental Agreement, each of Tekmira and Protiva has the right to use new inventions under the Research Agreement for its own RNAi therapeutic programs that are licensed under the Company’s InterfeRx program and would be required to pay milestones and royalties to UBC and AlCana in connection with such use.
Pursuant to the terms of the Supplemental Agreement, each of Tekmira and Protiva waived all prohibitions and restrictions on certain former Tekmira employees who are now working at UBC and AlCana in connection with their performance of the collaborative research under the Research Agreement and granted the Company, AlCana, UBC and such former Tekmira employees a covenant not to sue for any cause of action relating to such activities that arose out of their former employment with Tekmira.
Item 8.01.   Other Events.
On June 28, 2011, the Company served and filed an Answer and Counterclaim to Plaintiff’s First Amended Complaint in the action entitled Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Protiva Biotherapeutics, Inc., v. Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and AlCana Technologies, Inc. pending in the Business Litigation Section of the Suffolk County Superior Court, in Boston, Massachusetts. A copy of the Company’s Answer and Counterclaim to Plaintiff’s First Amended Complaint is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 


 

Item 9.01.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.
     (d) Exhibits
         
  10.1†    
Sponsored Research Agreement dated as of July 27, 2009 by and among the Company, The University of British Columbia and AlCana Technologies, Inc.
  10.2†    
Supplemental Agreement effective July 27, 2009 by and among the Company, Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Protiva Biotherapeutics Inc., The University of British Columbia and AlCana Technologies, Inc.
  99.1    
Answer and Counterclaim of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
 
  Indicates confidential treatment requested as to certain portions, which portions were omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a Confidential Treatment Request.

 


 

SIGNATURE
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
  ALNYLAM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
 
 
Date: June 29, 2011  By:   /s/ Michael P. Mason    
    Michael P. Mason   
    Vice President, Finance and Treasurer   
 

 


 

EXHIBIT INDEX
         
Exhibit No.   Description
  10.1†    
Sponsored Research Agreement dated as of July 27, 2009 by and among the Company, The University of British Columbia and AlCana Technologies, Inc.
  10.2†    
Supplemental Agreement effective July 27, 2009 by and among the Company, Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Protiva Biotherapeutics Inc., The University of British Columbia and AlCana Technologies, Inc.
  99.1    
Answer and Counterclaim of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
 
  Indicates confidential treatment requested as to certain portions, which portions were omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a Confidential Treatment Request.

 

Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTION COPY
Confidential Materials omitted and filed separately with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Asterisks denote omissions.
SPONSORED RESEARCH AGREEMENT
      THIS SPONSORED RESEARCH AGREEMENT (together with the attached Exhibits, the “ Agreement ”), dated as of July 27, 2009 (the “ Effective Date ”), is by and among Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc ., a Delaware corporation with a principal office at 300 Third Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA (“ Alnylam ”), The University of British Columbia , a corporation continued under the University Act of British Columbia, Canada, with offices at 103-6190 Agronomy Road, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (“ UBC ”) and AlCana Technologies, Inc. , a British Columbia corporation with a principal business address at 2714 West 31st Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6L 2A1 (“ AlCana ”). Each of Alnylam, UBC and AlCana may be referred to herein individually as a “ Party ” and collectively as the “ Parties .”
1.   Background. Alnylam, AlCana, UBC, and Principal Investigator each have expertise in liposomal formulations for the delivery of oligonucleotides, and wish to conduct the research program for novel liposomal formulations (the “ Research Program ”) described in the Workplan attached as Exhibit A hereto, as may be amended from time to time pursuant to Section 3.1(a) (the “ Workplan ”). UBC and Principal Investigator believe such research will benefit the research, teaching, education and public service goals of UBC. The Parties agree that the Research Program will be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. Alnylam desires to obtain certain rights and licenses to certain technologies arising out of or in connection with such Research Program. UBC and AlCana are willing to grant to Alnylam such rights and licenses (directly and indirectly) under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Supplemental Agreement (defined below).
 
2.   Definitions.
  2.1   Affiliate ” means, with respect to an entity, any corporation, company, partnership, joint venture and/or other entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such entity. As used in this Section, “control” means (a) in the case of corporate entities, direct or indirect ownership of at least fifty percent (50%) of the stock or shares having the right to vote for the election of directors, and (b) in the case of non-corporate entities, the direct or indirect power to manage, direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the non-corporate entity or the power to elect at least fifty percent (50%) of the members of the governing body of such non-corporate entity.
 
  2.2   Agreement ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
 
  2.3   Agreement Term ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 10.1.
 
  2.4   AlCana ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
 
  2.5   AlCana Collaboration IP ” means the collective reference to AlCana Program Developments and AlCana’s interest in Joint Program Developments.
 
  2.6   AlCana Indemnitees ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 12.1(b).
 
  2.7   AlCana Key Scientists ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Section 10.4.2.
Confidential

 


 

  2.8   AlCana Materials” means the Materials Controlled by AlCana and developed or obtained by AlCana prior to the Effective Date or independent of this Agreement. AlCana Materials includes the Materials identified as AlCana Materials on Exhibit C hereto. Program Materials or Program Developments do not include AlCana Materials.
 
  2.9   AlCana Principal Scientist ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.2.
 
  2.10   AlCana Program Developments ” means any Program Developments developed, discovered, conceived and/or reduced to practice solely by AlCana’s Program Participants.
 
  2.11   AlCana Technology ” means any and all Intellectual Property and Patent Rights Controlled by AlCana that are (a) owned, developed or obtained by AlCana prior to the Effective Date or independent of this Agreement, and (b) necessary for the conduct of the Research Program. Program Materials or Program Developments do not include AlCana Technology.
 
  2.12   Alnylam ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
 
  2.13   Alnylam Consulting Agreement ” means each Consulting Agreement entered into by Alnylam with a Consultant.
 
  2.14   Alnylam Indemnitees ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 12.2(a).
 
  2.15   Alnylam Materials” means the Materials Controlled by Alnylam and developed or obtained by Alnylam prior to the Effective Date or independent of this Agreement. Alnylam Materials includes the Materials identified as Alnylam Materials on Exhibit C hereto. Program Materials or Program Developments do not include Alnylam Materials.
 
  2.16   Alnylam Principal Scientist ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.2.
 
  2.17   Alnylam Program Developments ” means any Program Developments developed, discovered, conceived and/or reduced to practice solely by Alnylam’s Program Participants.
 
  2.18   Alnylam Sublicense ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 8.2.1.
 
  2.19   Alnylam Technology ” means any and all Intellectual Property and Patent Rights Controlled by Alnylam that are (a) owned, developed or obtained by Alnylam prior to the Effective Date or independent of this Agreement, and (b) necessary for the conduct of the Research Program. Program Materials or Program Developments do not include Alnylam Technology.
 
  2.20   Antisense ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.36(i).
 
  2.21   “Background Materials ” means the collective reference to AlCana Materials, Alnylam Materials and UBC Materials.
 
  2.22   “Background Technology ” means the collective reference to AlCana Technology, Alnylam Technology and UBC Technology.

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  2.23   Budget ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Article 4.
 
  2.24   Claims ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 12.1(a).
 
  2.25   “Commercially Reasonable Efforts” means exerting such good faith and sustained efforts, employing such resources (including sufficient financial, human and material resources), and exercising prudent business and scientific judgment, as would normally be exerted or employed by a similarly situated company/biopharmaceutical entity for a product or service of similar market potential, profit potential and strategic value at a similar stage of its product or service life, including: (a) promptly assigning responsibility for such matters to specific employee(s) who are held accountable for progress and monitor such progress on an on-going basis; (b) setting and consistently seeking to achieve specific, meaningful and measurable objectives for carrying out such matters; and (c) making and implementing decisions and allocating resources designed to advance progress with respect to such matters.
 
  2.26   “Confidential Information” means any scientific, technical, financial or business information developed under the Research Program, or provided by a Party to another Party under this Agreement, and which is customarily considered confidential or proprietary in the biopharmaceutical industry, whether or not labeled or identified as “Confidential”. Alnylam Technology and Alnylam Program Developments are Confidential Information of Alnylam. AlCana Technology and AlCana Program Developments are Confidential Information of AlCana. UBC Technology and UBC Program Developments are Confidential Information of UBC.
 
  2.27   Consultant ” means any of the following individuals: Thomas Madden, Michael Hope, Jay Chen, Ying Tam, Barbara Mui and Steven Ansell.
 
  2.28   Consultant IP ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Supplemental Agreement.
 
  2.29   Consumer Price Index ” means the Consumer Price Index — Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, U.S. City Average, All Items, 1982-84 = 100, published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (or its successor equivalent index) in the United States.
 
  2.30   “Contract Quarter ” means each three (3) month period ending on June 30, September 30, December 31 and March 31, during the Research Term; provided, that the first Contract Quarter will commence on the Effective Date and end on the next September 30 thereafter, and the last Contract Quarter will end on the expiration or termination of the Agreement Term.
 
  2.31   “Contract Year ” means the twelve (12) month period commencing on the Effective Date, and each separate successive twelve (12) month period thereafter during the Research Term.
 
  2.32   “Control” means, with respect to any intellectual property or materials, the ownership or possession of the ability to assign, or grant access to, a license or sublicense, in any case without violating the terms of any agreement binding on such Party.

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  2.33   Disclosure Notices ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 7.1.
 
  2.34   Effective Date ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
 
  2.35   FDA ” means the United States Food and Drug Administration and any successor governmental authority having substantially the same function.
 
  2.36   Field of Use ” means the delivery of any form of oligonucleotides or other nucleic acid constructs for any and all purposes, including without limitation single-stranded and double-stranded DNA and RNA molecules with and without chemical modifications and plasmids and the delivery of oligonucleotides that target microRNAs, but excluding (i) the delivery of single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides acting through the RNase H mechanism (“ Antisense ”) and (ii) DNA plasmids that are directly transcribed and translated into therapeutic proteins and wherein the pharmacological activity is dependent on expression of the plasmid-encoded protein (“ Gene Therapy ”). For purposes of clarity, Gene Therapy (a) does not include plasmids that are intended to result in the production of oligonucleotides that act through any other mechanism than translation into protein, and (b) specifically excludes, among other things, plasmids that are intended to result in the production of oligonucleotides that act through any other mechanism.
 
  2.37   Field-Restricted Assignment ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 8.1.
 
  2.38   “First Commercial Sale” means, with respect to a Licensed Product, the first commercial sale in a country of such Licensed Product. First Commercial Sale will not include a sale of a Licensed Product to a Related Party (provided that a subsequent commercial sale by such Related Party shall be included), or sales of Licensed Products to be used for clinical trials.
 
  2.39   Gene Therapy ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.36(ii).
 
  2.40   Initial Research Term ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.5.
 
  2.41   Intellectual Property ” means any and all discoveries, inventions, information, knowledge, know-how, trade secrets, designs, practices, methods, uses, compositions of matter, articles of manufacture, protocols, formulas, processes, assays, skills, experience, techniques, data, reports, and results of experimentation and testing and other scientific or technical information, patentable or otherwise.
 
  2.42   Issued Claim ” means an unexpired claim of an issued patent which has not been found to be unpatentable, invalid or unenforceable by an unreversed and unappealable decision of a court or other authority in the subject country.
 
  2.43   Joint Program Developments ” means any Program Developments conceived and/or reduced to practice jointly by a Party’s Program Participants and another Party’s (or Parties’) Program Participants.
 
  2.44   Joint Steering Committee ” or “ JSC ” have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Section 3.1(a).

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  2.45   Licenses ” means the collective reference to the Tekmira License, the Alnylam Sublicense, the Tekmira Sublicense and the Protiva Sublicense.
 
  2.46   Licensed Product ” means any product, good or service covered by an Outstanding Claim of the UBC Controlled IP.
 
  2.47   Materials” means (a) reagents and chemical compounds together with all analogs, formulations, mixtures or compositions thereof, (b) genes, gene fragments, gene sequences, primers, probes, nucleic acids including oligonucleotides of DNA or RNA or combinations thereof, siRNAs, cDNA libraries, plasmids, vectors, expression systems, cells, cell lines, organisms, antibodies, biological substances, fluids, extracts or samples, together with any progeny, variants, fragments and unmodified derivatives or combinations thereof, or (c) other tangible materials or compositions of matter.
 
  2.48   “NDA” means a New Drug Application, Biologics License Application or similar application or submission filed with FDA to obtain marketing approval for a biological, pharmaceutical or other therapeutic or prophylactic product.
 
  2.49   “Net Sales” means the aggregate gross invoice prices of all units of the Licensed Product sold by a Payor and its Related Parties to Payor Third Parties (other than to a Sublicensee) after deducting, if not previously deducted, from the amount invoiced or received: (a) trade and quantity discounts actually given other than early pay cash discounts; (b) returns, rebates, chargebacks and other allowances actually given; (c) retroactive price reductions that are actually granted; (d) sales or excise taxes, customary transportation and insurance, custom duties, and other governmental charges if separately set forth in the invoiced amount; and (e) a fixed amount equal to [**] percent ([**]%) of the invoiced amount to cover bad debt and early payment cash discounts. In the event that a Payor or its Related Parties receives non-cash consideration for the sale of Licensed Products, such Payor or its Related Parties, as the case may be, shall include the fair market value of such non-cash consideration in its determination of the gross invoice price.
 
      With respect to sales of the Licensed Product combined with any other clinically active therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic ingredient, mechanism or device (a “ Companion Product ”) where either or both of the Licensed Product or the Companion Product is available for sale independently of the other (“ Combination Products ”), Net Sales shall be calculated on the basis of the gross invoice price of the Licensed Product(s) containing the same composition and concentration of active ingredient sold without the Companion Product. In the event that the Licensed Product is sold only as a Combination Product, the Net Sales shall be calculated on the basis of the gross invoice price of the Combination Product less the gross invoiced price of the Companion Product sold without the Licensed Product. In the event that the Licensed Product and the Companion Product are each sold independently, the Net Sales shall be calculated by multiplying (i) the gross invoiced price of the Combination Product by (ii) the quotient achieved by dividing (A) the gross invoiced price of the Licensed Product by (B) the sum of the gross invoiced price of the Licensed Product plus the gross invoiced price of the Companion Product. The deductions set forth in clauses (a) through (e) above will be applied in calculating Net Sales for a Combination Product in proportion to the ratio of the Net Sales for the Licensed Product to the Net Sales of the entire Combination Product, each as calculated in accordance with this paragraph. If neither the Licensed Product or the Companion

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      Product are sold independently, then Net Sales shall be calculated on the basis of the gross invoice price of the Combination Product without any reduction or deduction for the value of the Companion Product. For greater clarity it is confirmed that no such reduction or deduction from Net Sales shall be made for: (i) any Licensed Product which consists of a combination of a liposomal delivery technology and any clinically active therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic ingredient or Material; or (ii) any Licensed Product with respect to which any adjustment for Third Party royalties is allowed under Section 8.4.2(a).
 
  2.50   Original Transaction Documents ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Supplemental Agreement.
 
  2.51   Outstanding Claim ” means either a Valid Claim or a Pending Claim.
 
  2.52   “Party ” and “ Parties ” have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Preamble.
 
  2.53   Patent Rights ” means all patent applications and patents that issue or have issued from any such applications which disclose and/or claim Intellectual Property. For purposes of this Agreement, patent applications and patents include United States applications, divisions, continuations, requests for continuations and continuations-in-part (to the extent the claims are directed to subject matter specifically described in the priority document), patents, applications for certificates of invention and priority rights, certificates of invention, reissues, re-examination certificates, extensions or other governmental acts that effectively extend the period of exclusivity by the patent holder, substitutions, renewals, supplementary protection certificates, confirmations, registrations, validations and additions, together with the foregoing (and any equivalents of the foregoing) outside the United States.
 
  2.54   Payee ” means UBC.
 
  2.55   Payor ” means Alnylam, Tekmira or Protiva.
 
  2.56   Payor Third Party ” means, with respect to a Payor, any entity other than such Payor and its Affiliates.
 
  2.57   Pending Claim ” means a claim of a pending patent application, which patent application has been pending for more than [**] years from the date of filing of such patent application.
 
  2.58   “Phase I Study” means a clinical study of the Licensed Product in human volunteers or patients the purpose of which is preliminary determination of safety and tolerability of an escalating dose regime and for which the primary endpoints in the protocol relate to safety.
 
  2.59   “Phase II Study” means either (a) a dose exploration, dose response, duration of effect, kinetics, dynamic relationship or preliminary efficacy and safety study of the Licensed Product in the intended patient population or (b) a defined dose or controlled dose ranging clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Licensed Product in the intended patient population.

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  2.60   “Phase III Study” means a controlled pivotal clinical study of the Licensed Product that is prospectively designed to demonstrate in a statistically significant manner in the intended patient population whether the Licensed Product is effective and safe for use in a particular indication and prospectively designed in a manner sufficient to obtain regulatory approval in the event of positive results (whether alone or together with other such Phase III Studies).
 
  2.61   Principal Investigator ” means Dr. Pieter Cullis and any successor approved in writing by Alnylam.
 
  2.62   Program Development ” means any (a) Program Technology and (b) any Patent Rights that disclose or claim Program Technology.
 
  2.63   Program Materials ” means any and all Materials (a) developed and/or generated by Program Participants under the Research Program during the Research Term or within [**] months of the end thereof or (b) arising out of research conducted under the Research Program during the Research Term or within [**] months of the end thereof with funding provided by Alnylam under this Agreement. Program Materials do not include any Background Materials.
 
  2.64   Program Participants ” means any employee, staff, research assistant, consultant, contractor or agent of a Party who participates in the Research Program, including without limitation, the Principal Investigator, the Alnylam Principal Scientist, the AlCana Principal Scientist and the AlCana Key Scientists.
 
  2.65   Program Technology ” means any Intellectual Property (a) conceived and/or reduced to practice by Program Participants under the Research Program during the Research Term or within [**] months of the end thereof, or (b) arising out of research conducted under the Research Program during the Research Term or within [**] months of the end thereof with funding provided by Alnylam under this Agreement. Program Technology does not include any Background Technology.
 
  2.66   Protiva ” means Protiva Biotherapeutics, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tekmira.
 
  2.67   Protiva Sublicense ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 8.2.1.
 
  2.68   “Related Party” means, with respect to (a) Alnylam, Alnylam’s Affiliates and its Sublicensees other than Tekmira and Protiva; (b) Tekmira, Tekmira’s Affiliates and its Sublicensees other than Alnylam; and (c) Protiva, Protiva’s Affiliates and its Sublicensees .
 
  2.69   Research Program ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Article 1.
 
  2.70   Research Term ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.5.
 
  2.71   Royalty Term ” means, separately with respect to each Licensed Product in each country, the period (a) commencing on the First Commercial Sale of such Licensed Product in such country (provided that either (i) such Licensed Product is covered by an

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      Outstanding Claim of a UBC Controlled Patent Right in such country, or (ii) the manufacture of such Licensed Product is covered by an Outstanding Claim of a UBC Controlled Patent Right in the country or countries of manufacture, in each case at the time of such First Commercial Sale in such country), and (b) concluding on the expiration of the latest of (i) the last to expire Valid Claim of a UBC Controlled Patent Right in such country covering such Licensed Product, (ii) the last to expire Valid Claim of a UBC Controlled Patent Right in the country or countries of manufacture of such Licensed Product covering such Licensed Product, and (iii)twelve (12) years from the date of First Commercial Sale of such Licensed Product in such country.
 
  2.72   “Sublicensee” means, with respect to a Payor, an entity to which such Payor or its Affiliates grants a sublicense of UBC Controlled IP or any entity who has obtained directly or indirectly from or through such Payor or its Affiliates any rights to the UBC Controlled IP or Licensed Product, and shall include all sub-sublicensees, or any Third Parties that have entered into agreements with such Payor or its Affiliates for the use, development, co-development, partnered development, marketing or sale of Licensed Products or granting rights to such Third Party in the UBC Controlled IP. For purposes of clarity, neither (i) controlled contractors of a Payor, such as contract research organizations and contract manufacturing organizations, nor (ii) arms length distributors of Licensed Products where the Payor’s consideration for the sale of Licensed Product to such distributor is not contingent on the amount or price of Licensed Product sold by such distributor, shall be considered Sublicensees hereunder.
 
  2.73   Supplemental Agreement ” means that certain Supplemental Agreement effective as of the Effective Date among Alnylam, Tekmira, Protiva, UBC and AlCana.
 
  2.74   Target ” means: (a) a polypeptide or entity comprising a combination of at least one polypeptide and other macromolecules, that is a site or potential site of therapeutic intervention by a therapeutic agent; or a nucleic acid which is required for expression of such polypeptide or other macromolecule if said macromolecule is itself a polypeptide; (b) variants of a polypeptide (including any splice variant or fusions thereof), entity or nucleic acid described in clause (a); or (c) a defined non-peptide entity, including a microorganism, virus, fungi, bacterium or single cell parasite; provided that the entire genome of a virus shall be regarded as a single Target.
 
  2.75   Tekmira ” means Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
 
  2.76   Tekmira License ” and “ Tekmira Sublicense ” have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Section 8.2.1.
 
  2.77   Third Party ” means any entity other than a Party and its Affiliates.
 
  2.78   UBC ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
 
  2.79   UBC Collaboration IP ” means the collective reference to UBC Program Developments and UBC’s interest in Joint Program Developments.

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  2.80   UBC Controlled IP ” means the collective reference to UBC Program Developments, UBC’s interest in Joint Program Developments, and the AlCana Collaboration IP assigned to UBC in accordance with Section 8.1.
 
  2.81   UBC Controlled Patent Right ” means a Patent Right claiming any UBC Controlled IP.
 
  2.82   UBC Indemnitees ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 12.1(a).
 
  2.83   [**].
 
  2.84   “UBC Materials” means the Materials Controlled by UBC and developed or obtained by UBC prior to April 13, 2009 or independent of this Agreement. UBC Materials includes the Materials identified as UBC Materials on Exhibit C hereto. Program Materials or Program Developments do not include UBC Materials.
 
  2.85   UBC Program Developments ” means any Program Developments developed, discovered, conceived and/or reduced to practice solely by UBC’s Program Participants.
 
  2.86   UBC Technology ” means any and all Intellectual Property or Patent Rights Controlled by UBC that are (a) owned, developed or obtained by UBC prior to April 13, 2009 or independent of this Agreement, and (b) necessary for the conduct of the Research Program.
 
  2.87   United States ” and “ U.S. ” means the United States of America and its territories, possessions and commonwealths.
 
  2.88   “Valid Claim” means (a) an Issued Claim; or (b) a claim of a pending patent application, which patent application has been pending for less than [**] years from the date of filing of such patent application.
 
  2.89   Workplan ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Article 1.
 
3.   Research Program.
 
  3.1   Joint Steering Committee .
 
  (a)   The Parties hereby establish a Joint Steering Committee (the “ Joint Steering Committee ” or “ JSC ”) in order to facilitate and oversee the Research Program and such other matters as the Parties may agree in writing from time to time. The JSC’s responsibilities shall include, at least [**] during each Contract Quarter: (i) reviewing interim data and required reports, (ii) monitoring, planning and coordinating the research conducted under the Research Program, (iii) updating and modifying the Research Program Workplan as necessary, (iv) facilitating the disclosure and transfer of Intellectual Property and Materials among the Parties as required for the conduct of the Research Program, and (iv) performing such other activities as the Parties agree in writing shall be the responsibility of the JSC. The JSC shall operate by consensus, but if the members of the JSC should be unable to come to agreement on any issue submitted to the JSC, [**] shall have final decision-making authority. For clarity, the JSC shall not have any authority to modify the terms of this Agreement.

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  (b)   The JSC shall be comprised of at least one (1) named representative of each of Alnylam, UBC and AlCana, or such other number of representatives as the Parties shall from time to time agree. Each Party shall appoint its respective representatives to the JSC from time to time, and may substitute one or more of its representatives, in its sole discretion, effective upon notice to the other Parties of such change. Each Party’s representative shall be a senior employee (director level or above), and all representatives shall have appropriate expertise and ongoing familiarity with the Research Program. Additional representatives or consultants may from time to time, by mutual consent of the Parties, be invited to attend JSC meetings, subject to such representatives’ and consultants’ written agreement to comply with confidentiality obligations no less stringent than those in this Agreement. The chairperson of the JSC shall be a representative of [**]. The chairperson’s responsibilities shall include scheduling meetings, setting agendas for meetings with input solicited from other members and confirming and delivering minutes to the JSC for review and final approval.
 
  (c)   The first JSC meeting will be held within [**] days after the Effective Date, and the JSC shall meet in accordance with a schedule mutually agreed by the Parties, but no less frequently than [**] per Contract Quarter during the Research Term, with the location for such meetings as the Parties may agree. Alternatively, the JSC may meet by means of teleconference, videoconference or other similar communications equipment. All meetings of the JSC shall take place in English. Each Party shall bear its own expenses relating to attendance at such meetings by its representatives, except that Alnylam agrees to reimburse UBC for reasonable travel expenses actually incurred by its representative(s) on the JSC for travel to a meeting location outside of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. JSC shall be dissolved upon the expiration of the Research Term or termination of the Research Program in its entirety.
 
  (d)   The Parties hereby establish a Joint Intellectual Property Committee (the “ Joint IP Committee ”) in order to facilitate the prosecution of Patent Rights related to Program Materials and Program Developments and such other matters as the Parties may agree in writing from time to time.
  (i)   The Joint IP Committee’s responsibilities shall include, at least [**] during each calendar year through the date which is [**] after the end of the Research Term: (A) reviewing UBC Controlled IP, (B) reviewing the intellectual property landscape in the area of liposomal delivery in the Field of Use and (C) performing such other activities as the Parties agree in writing shall be the responsibility of the Joint IP Committee. The Joint IP Committee shall review all patent applications presenting UBC Controlled IP at the latest [**] days after the filing of such patent application (including without limitation, any provisional patent application); provided , however , that UBC and AlCana each agree (x) to acknowledge receipt of all such patent applications in writing, (y) that prior to the [**] anniversary of the date a copy of such provisional patent application was received by UBC or AlCana, respectively, no information contained in any provisional patent application provided to them under this Section 3(d), whether patentable or not, will be disclosed to Third Parties, included in any patent filing by UBC or AlCana, or published except in compliance with the provisions of Section 9.2.

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      Notwithstanding the foregoing, for all purposes under Section 3.1(d)(ii), the Joint IP Committee shall review all patent applications no earlier than [**] months prior to the filing of a utility patent or international PCT application, even if the Program Developments that are the subject matter presented in such patent applications are later determined by the Joint IP Committee to be UBC Controlled IP.
 
  (ii)   At otherwise scheduled meetings, the Joint IP Committee shall also review any patent applications covering Program Developments in the field of liposomal delivery which are filed during the Research Term or within [**] after the termination thereof, the only inventors on which have assigned their rights to Alnylam, solely for purposes of determining whether Program Participants of AlCana or UBC should be named as inventors on such Patent Rights. In these matters, the Joint IP Committee shall operate by consensus, but if the representatives of both AlCana and UBC on the Joint IP Committee should assert that Program Participants of AlCana and/or UBC should be named as inventors on such Patent Rights in order to comply with U.S. patent laws and Alnylam disagrees with such assertion, then the Parties shall engage a mutually acceptable Third Party expert to make an inventorship determination with respect to the subject matter presented and claims directed thereto set forth in such Patent Rights, and each Party shall abide by the decision of such Third Party expert in the prosecution of such Patent Rights. The cost of engaging such Third Party shall be borne equally by the Parties.
 
  (iii)   At otherwise scheduled meetings, the Joint IP Committee shall also review any patent applications covering subject matter in the field of liposomal delivery which are filed during the Research Term or within [**] after the termination thereof, the only inventors on which have assigned their rights to either AlCana or UBC, solely for purposes of determining whether Program Participants of Alnylam should be named as inventors on such Patent Rights. In these matters, the Joint IP Committee shall operate by consensus, but if the representatives of Alnylam on the Joint IP Committee should assert that Program Participants of Alnylam should be named as inventors on such Patent Rights in order to comply with U.S. patent laws and AlCana and/or UBC disagree with such assertion, then the Parties shall engage a mutually acceptable Third Party expert to make an inventorship determination with respect to the subject matter presented and claims directed thereto set forth in such Patent Rights, and each Party shall abide by the decision of such Third Party expert in the prosecution of such Patent Rights. The cost of engaging such Third Party shall be borne equally by the Parties.
 
  (iv)   At otherwise scheduled meetings, the Joint IP Committee shall also review any patent applications covering UBC Controlled IP that name at least one inventor who has assigned his or her rights to UBC or AlCana and who is also an inventor of previously filed Schedule A IP, solely for purposes of determining whether the instant patent application covering such Program Developments should claim priority to the previously filed Schedule A IP. With respect to these matters, UBC shall consult in good

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      faith with Tekmira, and the Joint IP Committee shall operate by consensus and in good faith.
  (v)   Except as set forth in Section 7.4, in all other matters, the Joint IP Committee shall operate by consensus, but if the members of the Joint IP Committee should be unable to come to agreement on any issue submitted to the Joint IP Committee, [**] shall have final decision-making authority. For clarity, the Joint IP Committee shall not have any authority to modify the terms of this Agreement.
  3.2   Primary Contacts for Scientific Matters . Principal Investigator, the Alnylam principal scientist named in the Workplan (the “ Alnylam Principal Scientist ”) and the AlCana principal scientist named in the Workplan (the “ AlCana Principal Scientist ”) will serve as the primary contacts for UBC, Alnylam, and AlCana, respectively, on scientific matters, which arise under the Research Program.
 
  3.3   Responsibility for the Research Program . The Workplan shall allocate responsibility for the conduct of the Research Program among the Parties, and shall include deliverables, timelines and the Budget. Alnylam, UBC and AlCana will each use diligent efforts in conducting the Research Program.
 
  3.4   Records . Each Party’s Program Participants will keep accurate scientific records, including up-to-date and properly verified scientific notebooks, relating to the Research Program, which records will be sufficient to document any Program Developments. Each Party will make such records available to the other Parties during normal business hours upon reasonable notice. Each Party will, upon request by another Party and at the requesting Party’s expense, promptly provide copies of all such records to the requesting Party.
 
  3.5   Research Term . The Research Program will commence on the Effective Date (for AlCana and Alnylam) and on April 13, 2009 (for UBC), and will continue for two (2) Contract Years after the Effective Date (the “ Initial Research Term ”). Alnylam shall have the option to extend the Initial Research Term for a period of one (1) Contract Year by providing written notice at least [**] days prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date under the terms of this Agreement and with a comparable Research Plan and Budget, which Budget for such one (1) year extension will include any increase in UBC overhead charged on research conducted at UBC (provided that Alnylam is notified in writing of any such increase prior to extension) and a mutually agreeable adjustment to the FTE rate payable with respect to AlCana and UBC employees to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index between the Effective Date and the end of the Initial Research Term. The Initial Research Term as so extended by Alnylam or by written agreement of the Parties, or as earlier terminated in accordance with Section 10.4 below, is referred to as the “ Research Term ”.
 
  3.6   Compliance with Applicable Laws. Each Party agrees to perform its respective obligations under the Research Program and this Agreement in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. No Party will use the Background Materials transferred to it by another Party or the Program Materials for testing in or treatment of human subjects. Each Party acknowledges that the other Parties’ Background Materials and the Program Materials are experimental, and will comply with all laws and regulations

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      applicable to the handling and use of those Materials. THE BACKGROUND MATERIALS AND PROGRAM MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND WITHOUT ANY REPRESENTATION, WARRANTY, OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF MERCHANTABLE QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY, DURABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR ANY WARRANTY THAT THE USE OF THE BACKGROUND MATERIALS OR THE PROGRAM MATERIALS WILL NOT INFRINGE OR VIOLATE ANY PATENT OR OTHER PROPRIETARY RIGHTS OF ANY THIRD PARTY
4.   Administration Payment; Research Program Funding .
  4.1   Administration Payment . Alnylam agrees to make an administration payment to AlCana totaling $[**] during the Research Term. Such administration payment shall be made in [**] equal installments of $[**] each, with the first installment payable within [**] days after the Effective Date, and the remaining installments on the first day of the next [**] Contract Quarters thereafter.
 
  4.2   Research Program Funding . Alnylam agrees to fund the Research Program during the Research Term. The terms and conditions of such funding are set forth in the budget (the “ Budget ”) and payment schedule for the Research Program set forth in Exhibit B . Research Program funds will be used by AlCana and UBC solely in the performance of the Research Program for wages, supplies, operating expenses and other expenses as set forth in the Budget.
 
  4.3   Administration payments to, and research funding for, AlCana shall be made to AlCana directly. Research funding for [**], as specified in Exhibit B , shall be made by payment to UBC.
5.   Research Program Communications and Reports .
  5.1   Scientific Communications . During the Research Term, each Party will disclose to the JSC the Background Technology of such Party that is reasonably necessary for the conduct of the Research Program. Furthermore, during the Research Term, Principal Investigator, the Alnylam Principal Scientist and the AlCana Principal Scientist (or their respective designees) will meet or communicate regularly to discuss the Research Program status and results and to consider, based upon that status or those results, what modifications to the Research Program Workplan, if any, should be presented to the JSC for consideration.
 
  5.2   Required Reports. During the Research Term, each Party will submit to the JSC at the end of each Contract Quarter a written report summarizing (a) the status of the Research Program, (b) any Program Developments and publications/abstracts made during such Contract Quarter, and (c) Research Program funds expended during that period.

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6.   Background Materials and Background Technology.
  6.1   Use and Transfer of Background Materials and Background Technology . During the Research Term, each Party will provide access to its Background Materials and Background Technology to the other Parties as set forth in the Workplan. All Background Materials provided to another Party shall be accompanied by a transmittal letter substantially in the form of transmittal letter attached as an appendix to the Workplan. Background Materials and Background Technology received from the other Parties will be used by the receiving Party solely for the purpose of conducting the Research Program and will not be provided to any Third Party without the providing Party’s prior written approval.
 
  6.2   Grant of Rights by Alnylam . During the Research Term, Alnylam grants to UBC and AlCana a non-exclusive, non-transferable (except as set forth in Section 13.3), paid-up right and license, without the right to grant sublicenses, to use Alnylam Materials and Alnylam Technology solely for the conduct of the Research Program.
 
  6.3   Grant of Rights by AlCana . During the Research Term, AlCana grants to UBC and Alnylam a non-exclusive, non-transferable (except as set forth in Section 13.3), paid-up right and license, without the right to grant sublicenses, to use AlCana Materials and AlCana Technology solely for the conduct of the Research Program.
 
  6.4   Grant of Rights by UBC . During the Research Term, UBC grants to Alnylam and AlCana a non-exclusive, non-transferable (except as set forth in Section 13.3), paid-up right and license, without the right to grant sublicenses, to use UBC Materials and UBC Technology solely for the conduct of the Research Program.
7.   Program Developments and Program Materials.
  7.1   Disclosure of Patentable Program Developments . The Parties will promptly and fully disclose to each other in writing any and all patentable Program Developments. Disclosure of Program Developments (“ Disclosure Notices ”) will be sent to the other Parties as specified in the notice provisions of Section 13.9 below. For clarity, submission of reports under Section 5.2 and 10.6.2 or submission of manuscripts under Section 9.2 do not fulfill the requirements of this Section 7.1.
 
  7.2   Transfer of Program Materials and Program Technology . The Parties will promptly provide all Program Materials and Program Technology to each other as set forth in the Workplan. Unless Alnylam agrees otherwise, at the end of each Contract Quarter during the Research Term UBC and AlCana will provide all Program Technology developed during such Contract Quarter to Alnylam.
 
  7.3   Ownership of Program Developments and Program Materials. Inventorship of all Program Developments will be determined in accordance with United States patent law. Subject to Section 8.1 below, ownership of all Program Developments will follow inventorship. Each of Alnylam, AlCana and UBC will require each of their Program Participants to assign to such Party, respectively, all of their Program Participants’ right, title and interest in any Program Developments. Each of Alnylam, AlCana and UBC agrees from time to time to execute and deliver all such further documents and instruments and do all acts and things as a Party may reasonably require to carry out or better evidence or perfect the full intent and meaning of this Section. Except to the extent a Party is restricted by the rights granted to the other Parties and covenants contained

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      herein and in the Supplemental Agreement, including without limitation Section 10.5 and the conditions of assignment described in Section 13.3, each Party shall be entitled to assign, transfer, license and practice, and otherwise to grant to Third Parties or its Related Parties the right to practice, inventions claimed in a Joint Program Development without restriction or an obligation to account to the other Parties.
  7.4   Patent Filings.
  7.4.1   Prosecution and Maintenance . Subject to Sections 7.4.2, 7.4.3 and 7.4.5, all patent applications necessary to protect the interests of the Parties in any Program Developments will be prepared, filed, prosecuted, maintained, defended and paid for by Alnylam. Alnylam will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to diligently prosecute and maintain such patent applications, however, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to require Alnylam to prepare, file, prosecute, maintain, defend or pay for any patent applications covering Program Developments outside the Field of Use. Through the Joint IP Committee and the procedures described in Section 3.1(d) or such other mutually agreeable procedures as the Parties may adopt from time to time, Alnylam will provide AlCana and UBC with copies of all material documents received or prepared by or on behalf of Alnylam in the prosecution and maintenance of such patents and patent applications with respect to UBC Controlled IP, and shall provide such copies in a timely manner to allow AlCana and UBC a reasonable opportunity to comment and request changes. Alnylam agrees to include all reasonable comments of AlCana and UBC; provided , however , that [**] shall have the right to make any final determination in the event of any dispute between Alnylam and AlCana or UBC relating to any decision in connection with the preparation, filing, prosecution or maintenance of any such patent application or patent.
 
  7.4.2   Contingent Rights . If Alnylam elects not to file or thereafter prosecute a particular Program Development within the UBC Controlled IP in any country, Alnylam will promptly notify UBC in writing, and UBC will have the right, but not the obligation, to file and prosecute the affected patent application, and/or maintain the affected patent in the applicable country(ies), at its expense. If UBC elects not to file or thereafter prosecute a particular Program Development within the AlCana Collaboration IP (other than any AlCana Collaboration IP that is also UBC Collaboration IP) in any country, UBC will promptly notify AlCana in writing, and AlCana will have the right, but not the obligation, to file and prosecute the affected patent application, and/or maintain the affected patent in the applicable country(ies), at its expense.
 
  7.4.3   Infringement . Subject to Sections 7.4.4 and 7.4.5, Alnylam shall within the Field of Use have the exclusive right, but not the obligation, to initiate and maintain, at its expense, an appropriate suit anywhere in the world against any Third Party who at any time is suspected of infringing or using without proper authorization all or any portion of UBC Controlled IP, and shall control any such action for which it exercises such right. Subject to Section 7.4.4, AlCana and UBC agree to cooperate with Alnylam in such action, and Alnylam shall reimburse AlCana and UBC for any reasonable costs such Parties incur as a result of cooperating with such action. Alnylam shall have the right to recover [**] times its legal costs specifically relating to such infringement suit and any

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      costs that AlCana or UBC incur during such suit for which they have received reimbursement from Alnylam, from any amounts obtained from a Third Party as a result of such suit, including without limitation, any costs that AlCana or UBC incur during such suit for which they have received reimbursement from Alnylam. Any amounts obtained in excess of such amount for the infringement of UBC Controlled IP will be divided between the Parties such that Alnylam receives [**] percent ([**]%), and AlCana and UBC each receive [**] percent ([**]%). In the event that damages are awarded for the infringement of multiple patents, some of which are UBC Controlled IP and some of which are not, the Parties shall agree on a reasonable allocation of the damages award to UBC Controlled IP and make the payments described above in accordance with such allocation. Each of AlCana and UBC may bring suit for infringement or unauthorized use of UBC Controlled IP in the Field of Use, at its own expense, if Alnylam elects not to commence suit under this Section within [**] days of notice of such alleged infringement from UBC or AlCana. If AlCana or UBC elects to bring suit in accordance with this Section, then Alnylam may thereafter join that suit at its own expense. The Party bringing the suit shall have the right to recover [**] times its legal costs specifically relating to such infringement suit and any costs that AlCana or UBC incur during such suit for which they have received reimbursement from Alnylam, from any amounts obtained from a Third Party as a result of such suit, including without limitation, any costs that the other Parties incur during such suit for which such other Parties have received reimbursement from the Party bringing the suit. Any amounts obtained in excess of such amount for the infringement of UBC Controlled IP will be divided between the Parties such that the Party bringing the suit receives [**] percent ([**]%), and the other two Parties will each receive [**] percent ([**]%). All Parties agree to be bound by the outcome of a suit for infringement under this Section.
 
  7.4.4   Infringement Suits Naming AlCana or UBC as Plaintiff . Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7.4.3, if there is an alleged infringement in which AlCana or UBC would be required to be a named plaintiff, then Alnylam may during the Agreement Term, and on first receiving the prior written consent of AlCana or UBC, as the case may be, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, prosecute litigation designed to enjoin such infringers. Provided that it has first granted its prior written consent, AlCana and UBC agree to reasonably co-operate to the extent of signing all necessary documents and to vest in Alnylam the right to start the litigation, provided that all the direct and indirect costs and expenses (including reasonable costs of UBC and AlCana) of bringing and conducting the litigation or settlement are paid by Alnylam. All amounts recovered by Alnylam as the result of such litigation will first go to Alnylam to recover an amount equal to [**] its legal costs specifically relating to such litigation. Any amounts obtained in excess of Alnylam’s legal costs will be divided between the Parties such that Alnylam receives [**] percent ([**]%), and AlCana and UBC each receive [**] percent ([**]%). In the event that AlCana or UBC, as the case may be, withhold their consent unreasonably (or reasonably, but influenced by considerations outside this Agreement) with respect to a reasonable request by Alnylam in accordance with this Section 7.4.4, then any milestones or royalties owed by Alnylam or its Related Parties to Payee pursuant

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      to Section 8.4 on behalf of the Party refusing such consent shall be reduced to [**] percent ([**]%) of the amount that was otherwise due.
  7.4.5   Third Party Complaints . If during the Agreement Term any Third Party gives notice of a complaint alleging infringement of any patent or other proprietary rights to Alnylam or its Related Parties regarding the use of the UBC Controlled IP, then the following procedure will be adopted:
 
  (a)   Alnylam will promptly notify UBC and AlCana on receipt of the complaint and will keep UBC and AlCana fully informed of the actions and positions taken by the complainant and taken or proposed to be taken by Alnylam on behalf of itself or a Related Party;
 
  (b)   except as provided in subsection (d) below, all costs and expenses incurred by Alnylam or its Related Parties in investigating, resisting, litigating and settling the complaint, including the payment of any award of damages and/or costs to any Third Party, will be paid by Alnylam or its Related Parties, as the case may be;
 
  (c)   no decision or action concerning or governing any final disposition of the complaint which admits guilt on the part of UBC or AlCana or which would result in any material detriment to UBC or AlCana, will be taken without full consultation with, and approval by, UBC and AlCana; and
 
  (d)   UBC and AlCana may elect to participate as a party in any litigation involving the complaint to the extent that the court may permit, but any additional expenses generated by such participation will be paid by UBC and AlCana (as the case may be) subject to the possibility of recovery of some or all of the additional expenses from the complainant.
8   Collaboration IP.
  8.1   AlCana Collaboration IP. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Supplemental Agreement, AlCana hereby assigns to UBC all of AlCana’s right, title and interest in and to all AlCana Collaboration IP, solely in the Field of Use (the “ Field-Restricted Assignment ”). AlCana retains all other right, title and interest in the AlCana Collaboration IP. AlCana and UBC will take such steps as Alnylam may reasonably request (at Alnylam’s expense) to vest in UBC such ownership of the AlCana Collaboration IP, including without limitation, execution by AlCana of an assignment agreement for the benefit of UBC in form and substance satisfactory to Alnylam and UBC, and the prompt, proper recordation thereof with the Patent and Trademark Office in the United States and in such other patent offices in those countries in the remainder of the world as Alnylam may request. UBC may not use, assign, license or otherwise transfer its interest in AlCana Collaboration IP except as explicitly set forth in this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement. In consideration for the Field-Restricted Assignment, UBC, as Payee under this Agreement, shall pay AlCana that portion of the milestone and royalty payments received by Payee as consideration for the License of AlCana Collaboration IP, as set forth in Exhibit B . For clarity, after due diligence and full consideration, each Party hereto acknowledges that the Field-Restricted Assignment was given for good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby

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      acknowledged, and that such consideration represents the fair market value for such Field-Restricted Assignment.
  8.2   UBC Controlled IP.
  8.2.1   Licenses . The Parties hereby acknowledge that (a) the portion of the UBC Controlled IP defined as Schedule A IP in the Supplemental Agreement is (i) exclusively licensed to Tekmira under the UBC-Tekmira License Agreement and (ii) exclusively sublicensed to Alnylam under the UBC Sublicense Agreement in the Field of Use; and (b) the portion of UBC Controlled IP defined as Schedule 1 IP in the Supplemental Agreement is (a) exclusively licensed by UBC to Tekmira in the Field of Use (the “ Tekmira License ”), (b) exclusively sublicensed by Tekmira to Alnylam in the Field of Use (such sublicense, together with the sublicense described in Section 8.2.1(a) above, the “ Alnylam Sublicense ”), and (c) together with the Consultant IP, further sub-sublicensed by Alnylam to Tekmira (the “ Tekmira Sublicense ”) and to Protiva (the “ Protiva Sublicense ”), in each case on the terms and conditions set forth in the Supplemental Agreement. For clarity, the Parties acknowledge that the terms “Tekmira License,” “Alnylam Sublicense,” “Tekmira Sublicense” and “Protiva Sublicense,” as used in this Agreement, refer only to the license or sublicense specifically of the applicable UBC Controlled IP and Consultant IP, as the case may be, and that such term is not applicable to any other aspect of, or to any other Intellectual Property or intellectual property licensed or sublicensed under, existing or future license agreements between UBC and Tekmira or any sublicenses thereunder, even though the UBC Controlled IP and Consultant IP is licensed and sublicensed under certain existing license agreements between UBC and Tekmira and sublicenses thereunder, as described in the Supplemental Agreement. No termination or conversion to nonexclusive of any right under any of the Licenses will be applicable to those aspects of such existing or future license agreements between UBC and Tekmira or any sublicenses thereunder that are applicable to Intellectual Property or intellectual properties other than the UBC Controlled IP and Consultant IP.
 
  8.2.2   Sublicenses. The Alnylam Sublicense includes the right to grant sublicenses subject to the terms of this Section 8.2.2. All sublicense agreements entered into by Alnylam or its Affiliates after the Effective Date pursuant to this Section 8.2.2 shall be consistent and not conflict with the relevant terms of this Agreement and the Supplemental Agreement, Sublicensees shall agree to abide by all of the terms of such agreements as a condition of the sublicense, and Alnylam will remain responsible for the compliance of all its Affiliates and Sublicensees (other than Tekmira and Protiva and their Related Parties) with the relevant terms of such agreements as if such performance were carried out by Alnylam itself. Without limiting the generality of the forgoing, each such sublicense agreement will contain provisions that will: (a) permit UBC and all other non-profit academic research institutions to use the UBC Controlled IP for further academic and scholarly research and to freely publish the results of that research; and (b) impose reasonable obligations on the Sublicensee to diligently develop and commercialize the UBC Controlled IP and Licensed Products and to periodically report all Net Sales of Licensed Products and achievement of

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      milestone events, which, in each case, are not less favourable to UBC and AlCana than the relevant terms of this Agreement and the Supplemental Agreement.
 
  8.2.3   Notice of Sublicenses . Alnylam will notify UBC and AlCana promptly after it enters into each sublicensing agreement. Alnylam will provide to UBC and AlCana a copy of such sublicense agreement. Any such copy may contain reasonable redactions as Alnylam may make; provided , that such redactions do not include provisions necessary to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this Agreement.
 
  8.2.4   Alnylam Responsibility for Affiliates and Sublicensees . Alnylam shall be jointly and severally responsible to UBC and AlCana with its Affiliates and Third Party Sublicensees for failure by its Affiliates and Third Party Sublicensees to comply with, and Alnylam guarantees the compliance by each of its Affiliates and Third Party Sublicensees with, the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Supplemental Agreement applicable to the Alnylam Sublicense; provided , however , that Alnylam shall not be responsible for or guarantee the compliance of Tekmira or Protiva with respect to the Tekmira License, the Tekmira Sublicense or the Protiva Sublicense.
 
  8.2.5   Retained Right of UBC. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 8.1, this Section 8.2 or the Supplemental Agreement, the Parties acknowledge and agree that UBC and any UBC employees who are named inventors on Patent Rights covering UBC Controlled IP (whether or not such inventors remain employees of UBC) hereby retain the use of such UBC Collaboration IP in the Field of Use without charge in any manner whatsoever for non-commercial research, scholarly publication, educational or other non-commercial use.
 
  8.2.6   No Implied Licenses. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement, no Party grants any licenses under its intellectual property rights to any other Party.
  8.3   Diligence . Alnylam shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to research, develop and commercialize a Licensed Product in the Field of Use. For purposes of this Section 8.3, the efforts of Alnylam’s Related Parties shall also be considered the efforts of Alnylam. Alnylam will be considered to have failed to meet its obligations to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts in the event that any of the following occur:
  (a)   [**] formulation within [**] years after [**]; or
 
  (b)   [**] within [**] years after [**] covering at least [**].
      In the event of a failure by Alnylam to meet its obligations under subsections (a) or (b) above, the Parties will discuss Alnylam’s failure. If the reason for failure was the result of some factor outside Alnylam’s reasonable control and that such failure did not result from a lack of due diligence on Alnylam’s part, then the Parties will discuss a reasonable extension to the timelines set forth in (a) and/or (b) above. If Alnylam is unable to convince both AlCana and UBC that the reason for failure was the result of some factor outside Alnylam’s reasonable control and that such failure did not result from a lack of

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      due diligence on Alnylam’s part, then UBC shall have the right to convert the Tekmira License to a non-exclusive license in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 10.2.2, and AlCana shall have, without further act by UBC, an irrevocable, perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, non-exclusive license under the AlCana Collaboration IP. All other terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Supplemental Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
            In addition, Alnylam shall, with respect to each Licensed Product, and subject to the provisions of Article 9:
  (i)   promptly advise UBC and AlCana of any material changes made from time to time with respect to Alnylam’s research, development and commercialization program for Licensed Products or any issues of which Alnylam becomes aware that may materially and adversely affect Alnylam’s research, development and commercialization program or its ability to research, develop, and commercialize a Licensed Product;
 
  (ii)   provide UBC and AlCana with notice in writing if any of the events in Sections 8.3(a) or (b) above occur, within [**] days after the occurrence of such events;
 
  (iii)   provide UBC and AlCana with notice in writing of the date of First Commercial Sale of any Licensed Product in each country;
 
  (iv)   meet with representatives of UBC and AlCana, as often as UBC and AlCana may reasonably request, but no more frequently than [**] every [**] months, to discuss the plans for research, development and commercialization of a Licensed Product; and
 
  (v)   provide to UBC and AlCana, as often as UBC and AlCana may reasonably request, but no more frequently than [**] every [**] months, a written summary of current plans to commercialize a Licensed Product, including, without limitation, a summary of the current and proposed research, development, commercialization, marketing and sales plans for such Licensed Product.
  8.4   8.4 Compensation for Exclusive License. In consideration for the rights granted to it under the Supplemental Agreement, each Payor, as applicable, shall make the following payments to Payee for the benefit of UBC and AlCana (as set forth in Section 8.4.4 below):
  8.4.1   Milestone Payments. Each Payor shall make a milestone payment to Payee based on achievement of each of the milestone events listed below by such Payor or its Related Parties for Licensed Products that are directed to a particular Target. Such Payor shall notify Payee in writing of the achievement of each such milestone event and pay to Payee the applicable payment amount set forth below within [**] days of such Payor’s or its Related Parties’ achievement of such milestone event for each such Licensed Product. Each milestone payment by such Payor to Payee hereunder shall be payable only once by a Payor and its Related Parties with respect to each Target, regardless of the number of times the same milestone is achieved with respect to such Target by a Licensed Product. For clarity, once a Payor has made a particular milestone payment with respect to a Licensed Product that is directed to a particular Target, such Payor will have no obligation to make such milestone payment again with respect to any other Licensed Product that is directed to a particular Target, such Payor will have no obligation to make such milestone payment again with respect to any other

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      Licensed Product that is directed to the same Target. For example, in the event that further clinical development of a Licensed Product with respect to which one or more milestones payments have been made (an “ Original Product ”) is halted, and such Licensed Product is replaced in development by a different Licensed Product (a “ Backup Product ”), then such Payor shall not be obligated to make any payments with respect to milestones achieved by the Backup Product for which such Payor has already made a milestone payment with respect to the Original Product. However, if such Original Product or Backup Product is subsequently directed to a different Target, then such Payor shall be obligated to make any payments with respect to the milestones achieved by such Original Product or Backup Product directed to such different Target. Except as set forth above, each milestone payment shall be nonrefundable and non-creditable against any other payments due under this Agreement.
     
Milestone Event   Payment
Amount US$
[**]
  [**]
[**]
  [**]
[**]
  [**]
[**]
  [**]
[**]
  [**]
  8.4.2   Royalties .
 
  (a)   Rates; Royalty Term . Subject to the other terms of this Section 8.4.2, with respect to each Licensed Product, during the Royalty Term for such Licensed Product, each Payor shall pay Payee for the benefit of AlCana and UBC (as set forth in Section 8.4.4 below) royalties of (i) [**] percent ([**]%) of Net Sales by such Payor and its Related Parties with respect to each Licensed Product sold during the Royalty Term covered by a Valid Claim of a UBC Controlled Patent Right and (ii) [**] percent ([**]%) of Net Sales by such Payor and its Related Parties with respect to each Licensed Product sold during the Royalty Term covered by a Pending Claim of a UBC Controlled Patent Right. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if a Licensed Product is (x) covered by an Issued Claim of a UBC Controlled Patent Right in a country, or (y) the manufacture of such Licensed Product is covered by an Issued Claim of a UBC Controlled Patent Right in the country or countries of manufacture, in each case at the time of such First Commercial Sale in such country, then even if there is no Outstanding Claim of a UBC Controlled Patent Right covering such Licensed Product in either such country or the country or countries of manufacture, the Royalty Term for such Licensed Product shall not terminate until twelve (12) years from the date of First Commercial Sale of such Licensed Product in such country and the royalty rate set forth in Section 8.4.2(a)(ii) above shall apply to such Licensed Product after expiration of all Valid Claims of UBC Controlled Patent Rights covering such Licensed Product in such country and the country or

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      countries of manufacture. For clarity, examples of the application of this Section 8.4.2(a) are set forth in Exhibit G. After expiration of the Royalty Term for such Licensed Product, the Licenses with respect to such Licensed Product shall become fully paid and perpetual.
 
  (b)   Royalty Adjustments. If a Payor or any of its Related Parties obtains or has obtained a license or similar right from any Payor Third Party under any Patent Rights covering [**] technology that are reasonably necessary for the manufacture, sale or import of a Licensed Product (including, without limitation, under the [**] Agreement, if and as applicable), and if such Payor or any of its Related Parties is required to pay to such Payor Third Party in consideration for the grant of such license or similar right by the Payor Third Party, a royalty calculated on such Payor or its Related Parties’ Net Sales of such Licensed Product (the “ Third Party Royalty ”), then the royalties due pursuant to Section 8.4.2(a) shall be reduced by an amount not exceeding [**] percent ([**]%) of the actual Third Party Royalty [**]; provided , however , that (i) if the Third Party Royalty is paid by a Sublicensee, then such Third Party Royalty will only be applied to reduce the amount of the royalty payable by Payor to Payee if such Sublicensee’s payment to Payor of royalties on the Sublicensee’s Net Sales of License Products is also reduced by in accordance with provisions substantially equivalent to those contained in this subsection 8.4.2(b) and (ii) the royalties payable to Payee shall in no event be reduced to less than [**] percent ([**]%) of the amounts set forth in Section 8.4.2(a) regardless of the total amount of Third Party Royalties paid by such Payor or its Related Parties, and regardless of the number of Third Party Royalty obligations that may arise with regards to the sale of any Licensed Product.
 
  (c)   Other Royalty Provisions . Royalties shall become due and payable within [**] days after each Contract Quarter during the applicable Royalty Term and shall be calculated with respect to Net Sales in the immediately preceding Contract Quarter. Along with its royalty payment hereunder, each Payor and its Related Parties shall provide Payee with a royalty report (in a form that may be reasonably prescribed by the Payee from time to time) containing the calculation of such royalty. No royalties shall be due upon the sale or other transfer among a Payor and its Related Parties, but in such cases the royalty shall be due and calculated upon such Payor’s or its Related Parties’ Net Sales to the first independent Third Party. No royalties shall accrue on the sale or other disposition of the Licensed Product by a Payor or its Related Parties for use in a clinical study sponsored or funded by a Payor or its Related Parties or on the disposition of a Licensed Product in reasonable quantities by a Payor or its Related Parties as samples (promotion or otherwise) or as donations (for example, to non-profit institutions or government agencies for a non-commercial purpose). Other than as set out in this subsection, any other transaction, disposition, or other dealing involving the sale or other transfer of Licensed Products that is not made at fair market value is deemed to have been made at fair market value, and the fair market value of such sale or transfer will be added to and deemed part of the Net Sales and will be included in the calculation of royalties under this Agreement.

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  8.4.3   Tax . If a Payor concludes that tax withholdings under the laws of any country are required with respect to payments by such Payor under this Agreement, such Payor shall withhold the required amount and pay it to the appropriate governmental authority. In any such case, such Payor shall promptly provide Payee with original receipts or other evidence reasonably desirable and sufficient to allow AlCana and UBC to document such tax withholdings for purposes of claiming foreign tax credits and similar benefits. If the Payee is required to collect a tax to be paid by a Payor or any of its Related Parties, then such Payor will pay the tax to the Payee on demand.
 
  8.4.4   Payment Agent; Currency.
 
      (a) All milestone and royalty payments to UBC and AlCana under this Agreement shall be made to Payee as the payment agent for both UBC and AlCana. Such payments shall be shared between them as set forth in Exhibit B . UBC and AlCana each acknowledges and agrees that the Payors shall have no liability to either of them whatsoever for Payee’s failure to distribute between them any payments made by the Payors to Payee under this Agreement. Furthermore, with respect to amounts paid by the Payors, UBC and AlCana each hereby agree to be fully responsible for, and that the Payors shall not be responsible for, any Claims that arise out of any dispute between UBC and AlCana as to the disposition of any payments made by the Payors to Payee under this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement.
 
      (b) All dollar ($) amounts specified in this Agreement are United States dollar amounts. All payments under this Agreement shall be made in Canadian dollars, except for any amounts payable hereunder by Alnylam, which shall be made in United States dollars. In the case of Alnylam and its Related Parties, with respect to sales of Licensed Products invoiced in U.S. Dollars, the sales and Royalty payable shall be expressed in U.S. Dollars. In the case of Tekmira, Protiva and their Related Parties, with respect to sales of Licensed Products invoiced in Canadian dollars, the sales and Royalty payable shall be expressed in Canadian dollars. With respect to sales of Licensed Products invoiced in a currency other than U.S. Dollars or Canadian dollars and with respect to payments in Canadian dollars of U.S. Dollar amounts under this Agreement, as the case may be, the sales, any amounts payable hereunder on such sales and payments of such U.S. Dollar amounts shall be expressed in applicable currency of payment equivalent calculated using the applicable Payor’s (or its Related Party’s) own standard currency translation methodology for the conversion of foreign sales currencies into the applicable currency of payment, which methodology shall be in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (or such other generally accepted accounting methodology used by Payor or Payor’s Related Parties) and shall be the methodology generally used by such party for currency conversions in such party’s audited financial statements.
 
  8.4.5   Records and Audits . Each Payor shall keep, and shall require all its Related Parties to keep and maintain, correct and complete books of accounts and other records containing all information and data that may be necessary to ascertain

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      and verify the Net Sales of all Licensed Products, the royalties payable under this Agreement and the achievement of all milestone events. Such accounts and records, and the calculation of royalties will be carried out in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (or such other generally accepted accounting methodology used by such Payor’s Related Parties) applied on a consistent basis. During the Agreement Term and for a period of [**] years following its termination or expiration, the nominee of AlCana and UBC (such nominee, the “ Auditing Party ”) shall have the right from time to time (not to exceed [**] during each calendar year) to have an independent certified public accountant inspect such books and records of a Payor and/or its Affiliates at the Auditing Party’s expense. Such inspection shall be conducted after reasonable prior notice by the Auditing Party to such Payor during such Payor’s ordinary business hours, shall not be more frequent than [**] during each calendar year and may cover only the [**] years immediately preceding the date of the audit. Any such independent certified accountant shall be reasonably acceptable to such Payor, shall execute such Payor’s standard form of confidentiality agreement, and shall be permitted to share with the Auditing Party solely its findings (the “ Findings ”) with respect to the accuracy of the Net Sales, royalties and milestones reported as payable under this Agreement. UBC and AlCana may also share with each other such Findings. If such accounting determines that such Payor paid Payee less than the amount properly due in respect of any period which is the subject of the audit, then such Payor will reimburse Payee such amount, and if the amount underpaid exceeds five percent (5%) of the amount actually due and [**] dollars ($[**]), such Payor will also reimburse the Auditing Party for the costs of such accounting (including the fees and expenses of the certified public accountant). In the event such accounting determines that such Payor paid Payee more than the amount properly due in respect of any period which is the subject of the audit, then any excess payments made by such Payor shall be credited against future amounts due to Payee from such Payor, or if no such future amounts are reasonably expected to be due to Payee from such Payor, then Payee shall reimburse such Payor promptly for any overpayment by such Payor.
9   Confidential Information and Publication.
  9.1   Obligations of Confidentiality.
  9.1.1   Non-disclosure Obligations . All Confidential Information of a Party (the “ Disclosing Party ”) disclosed to another Party (the “ Receiving Party ”) under this Agreement shall be maintained in confidence by the Receiving Party and shall not be disclosed to a Third Party or used in the Field of Use for any purpose except as set forth herein without the prior written consent of the Disclosing Party, except to the extent that such Confidential Information:
  (a)   is known by the Receiving Party at the time of its receipt, and not through a prior disclosure by the Disclosing Party, as documented by the Receiving Party’s business records;

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  (b)   subject to Section 9.1.2, is in the public domain by use and/or publication before its receipt from the Disclosing Party, or thereafter enters the public domain through no fault of the Receiving Party;
 
  (c)   is subsequently disclosed to the Receiving Party by a Third Party who may lawfully do so and is not under an obligation of confidentiality to the Disclosing Party; or
 
  (d)   is developed by the Receiving Party independently of Confidential Information received from the Disclosing Party, as documented by the Receiving Party’s business records.
      For purposes of this Section 9.1, Alnylam will be deemed the Disclosing Party of all Program Developments and Program Materials in the Field of Use.
  9.1.2   Certain Exceptions . Notwithstanding the obligations of confidentiality and non-use set forth above and in Section 9.2 below, a Receiving Party may provide Confidential Information disclosed to it, and disclose the existence and terms of this Agreement as may be reasonably required in order to perform its obligations and to exploit its rights under this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement, and specifically to (a) in the case of Alnylam, Related Parties, and its and their employees, directors, agents, consultants, and advisors in accordance with this Agreement in each case who are obligated to keep such Confidential Information confidential; (b) in the case of AlCana, its employees, directors, agents, consultants, and advisors in accordance with this Agreement in each case who are obligated to keep such Confidential Information confidential; (c) governmental or other regulatory authorities in order to obtain patents or perform its obligations or exploit its rights under this Agreement; provided , that such Confidential Information shall be disclosed only to the extent reasonably necessary to do so, (d) the extent required by applicable law, including without limitation by the rules or regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or similar regulatory agency in a country other than the United States or of any stock exchange or listing entity, (e) any bona fide actual or prospective underwriters, investors, lenders or other financing sources and any bona fide actual or prospective collaborators or strategic partners and to consultants and advisors of such Party, in each case who are obligated to keep such Confidential Information confidential, and (f) UBC may: (i) use UBC Controlled IP at UBC and, after giving Alnylam an opportunity to file patent applications in accordance with Section 9.2, in collaboration with other non-profit academic research institutions for internal, non-commercial research purposes; (ii) disclose or publish UBC Controlled IP as permitted under Section 9.2 below; (iii) may provide Confidential Information disclosed to it, and disclose the existence and terms of this Agreement, to the UBC Program Participants.
      If a Party is required by judicial or administrative process to disclose Confidential Information that is subject to the non-disclosure provisions of this Section 9.1 or Section 9.2, such Party shall promptly inform the Disclosing Party of the disclosure that is being sought in order to provide the Disclosing Party an opportunity to challenge or limit the disclosure obligations. Confidential Information that is disclosed by judicial or administrative process shall remain

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      otherwise subject to the confidentiality and non-use provisions of this Article 9, and the Party disclosing Confidential Information pursuant to law or court order shall take all steps reasonably practical, including without limitation seeking an order of confidentiality, to ensure the continued confidential treatment of such Confidential Information. In addition to the foregoing restrictions on public disclosure, if Alnylam or AlCana concludes that a copy of this Agreement must be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or similar regulatory agency in a country other than the United States or any stock exchange or listing entity, such Party shall provide the other Parties with a copy of this Agreement showing any sections as to which the Party proposes to request confidential treatment, will provide the other Parties with an opportunity to comment on any such proposal and to suggest additional portions of the Agreement for confidential treatment, and will take such Parties’ reasonable comments into consideration before filing the Agreement.
  9.2   Scientific Publication. Subject to the rights granted to each Party pursuant to this Agreement and the requirements of this Article 9, each Party will have the right to publish the results of the Research Program provided that:
  (a)   a copy of any proposed disclosure is given to the other Parties for review (i) in the case of a manuscript, and all revisions thereof, at least [**] days prior to the date of submission for publication or of public disclosure, (ii) in the case of a draft abstract, at least [**] days prior to the date of submission for publication or public disclosure, or (iii) in the case of a final abstract, at least [**] days prior to the date of submission for publication or public disclosure. An abstract submitted in draft form will not have to be resubmitted to the other Parties provided that the abstract is not modified in the final draft to include information that was not included in prior drafts and is not otherwise materially or substantively modified;
  (b)   any reference to a Party’s Confidential Information (other than any Program Development) is deleted if required by such Party;
  (c)   the publication or disclosure includes an appropriate acknowledgment of Alnylam’s sponsorship of the Research Program and each Party’s participation in the Research Program; and
  (d)   if Alnylam determines that a Program Development is contained in the disclosure, such Party agrees to defer publication or disclosure for up to [**] days from the time Alnylam notifies such Party that it wants to file or have filed a patent application on the Program Development.
  9.3   Publicity .
      (a)Except as set forth in Section 9.1 above and subsection (b) below, the terms of this Agreement and the Supplemental Agreement may not be disclosed by any Party, and no Party shall use the name, trademark, trade name or logo of another Party or its employees in any publicity, news release or disclosure relating to this Agreement, the Supplemental Agreement, or its subject matter, without the prior express written permission of the such other Party, except as may be required by law or expressly

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      permitted by the terms hereof; provided, however, that each Party shall be entitled to acknowledge and disclose the existence of this Agreement and the Supplemental Agreement.
      (b)Notwithstanding Section 9.3(a) above, no Party shall issue a press release or public announcement relating to this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement without the prior written approval of the other Parties, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, except that a Party may (i) once a press release or other written statement is approved in writing by the Parties, make subsequent public disclosure of the information contained in such press release or other written statement without the further approval of the other Parties, and (ii) issue a press release or public announcement as required, in the reasonable judgment of such Party, by applicable law, including without limitation by the rules or regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or similar regulatory agency in a country other than the United States or of any stock exchange or listing entity.
10.   Expiration and Termination.
  10.1   Agreement Term . The term of this Agreement (the “ Agreement Term ”) will begin on the Effective Date and unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Section 10, shall remain in effect until the expiration of the last-to-expire Royalty Term for a Licensed Product.
  10.2   Termination of Agreement for Breach by a Party .
  10.2.1   AlCana or UBC Breach . If AlCana or UBC materially breaches any representation, warranty, term or condition of this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement and fails to remedy such material breach within [**] days after receipt of notice in writing of such material breach from Alnylam, then Alnylam, at its option and in addition to any other remedies that Alnylam may have in law or in equity, may (a) terminate this Agreement or the Research Program with respect to the breaching Party by sending written notice of such termination to all the Parties or (b) exercise its right of offset pursuant to Section 11.5.
  10.2.2   Alnylam Breach . If Alnylam materially breaches any representation, warranty, term or condition of this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement and fails to remedy such material breach within [**] days after receipt of notice in writing of such material breach from UBC or AlCana, then UBC and AlCana, at their option and in addition to any other remedies that such Parties may have in law or in equity, may terminate this Agreement or the Research Program by sending written notice of such termination to Alnylam.
  10.2.3   Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10.2.2, if Alnylam has failed to meet its diligence obligations as provided in Section 8.3 (as such obligations may be modified after discussion of the Parties pursuant to Section 8.3), and Alnylam fails to remedy any such failure within the cure period set forth above in this Section 10.2.2, then as an exclusive remedy for such failure, UBC shall have the right to convert the Alnylam Sublicense (and the Tekmira License) into a non-exclusive license, and shall grant to AlCana an irrevocable, perpetual, royalty-

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      free, non-exclusive license under the AlCana Collaboration IP. In such event, the terms of Section 8.4 (Compensation) shall remain unaffected.
  10.3   Termination for Insolvency .
  10.3.1   AlCana Insolvency . With written notice to AlCana, this Agreement may be terminated by Alnylam with respect to AlCana upon the filing or institution of bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation, receivership, insolvency, arrangement or winding up proceedings with respect to AlCana (which can include, without limitation, proceedings commenced under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act or upon appointment of an interim receiver or receiver, and/or the appointment of a Trustee in Bankruptcy or upon further order of a court of competent jurisdiction), or upon an assignment by AlCana of a substantial portion of its assets for the benefit of creditors; provided, however, that in the event of any involuntary bankruptcy or receivership proceeding such right to terminate shall only become effective if AlCana consents to the involuntary bankruptcy or receivership or such proceeding is not dismissed within ninety (90) days after the filing thereof (or within such longer period during the pendency of any appeal from any order refusing or granting any such dismissal); provided , that if at any time following such termination Alnylam or its Related Parties continues to develop and sell Licensed Products, then the terms of Section 8.4 (Compensation) shall survive such termination and continue to apply during the applicable Royalty Term.
  10.3.2   Alnylam Insolvency . With written notice to all Parties, this Agreement may be terminated by AlCana or UBC as to itself upon the filing or institution of bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation, receivership, insolvency or winding up proceedings with respect to Alnylam, or upon an assignment of a substantial portion of the assets for the benefit of creditors by Alnylam; provided , however , that in the event of any involuntary bankruptcy or receivership proceeding such right to terminate shall only become effective if Alnylam consents to the involuntary bankruptcy or receivership or such proceeding is not dismissed within ninety (90) days after the filing thereof (or within such longer period during the pendency of any appeal from any order refusing or granting any such dismissal).
  10.4   Termination of Research Program.
  10.4.1   Withdrawal of Principal Investigator . If Principal Investigator is unable to continue to conduct research or otherwise perform his obligations under this Agreement in connection with the Research Program, or if Principal Investigator’s employment with UBC is terminated, and in either case a suitable, mutually acceptable replacement is not found, then either Alnylam or UBC may terminate the Research Program as to UBC only, upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to all the Parties.
  10.4.2   Withdrawal of AlCana Key Scientists . If either [**] (each, an “ AlCana Key Scientist ”) is unable to continue to conduct research in connection with the Research Program, or if an AlCana Key Scientist’s employment with AlCana is

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      terminated, then Alnylam may terminate the Research Program as to AlCana only, upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to AlCana and UBC.
  10.4.3   AlCana or UBC Breach of Research Program Obligation . Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10.2.1, if UBC or AlCana fails to use diligent efforts to conduct the Research Program, or if AlCana or UBC materially breaches any term or condition of this Agreement with respect to the Research Program and fails to remedy such failure to use diligent efforts or material breach within [**] days after receipt of notice in writing of such material breach from Alnylam, then Alnylam, at its option and in addition to any other remedies that Alnylam may have in law or in equity, may terminate the Research Program (but not the Agreement) with respect to the breaching Party by sending written notice to all the other Parties.
  10.4.4   Alnylam Breach of Research Program Obligation . Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10.2.2, if Alnylam materially breaches any term or condition of this Agreement with respect to the Research Program and fails to remedy such material breach within [**] days after receipt of notice in writing of such material breach from UBC or AlCana, then either UBC or AlCana, at its option and in addition to any other remedies that such Party may have in law or in equity may terminate the Research Program (but not the Agreement), as to itself by sending written notice to all the other Parties.
  10.4.5   Mutual Agreement . The Parties, in consultation with Principal Investigator and each of the other Parties, may agree to terminate the Research Program if, for scientific reasons, the original objectives of the Research Program are not met or capable of being met within a reasonable period.
  10.4.6   AlCana Assignment . In the event of an assignment by AlCana pursuant to Section 13.3, Alnylam may terminate the Research Program upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to AlCana.
  10.5   Elective Termination . Alnylam shall have, at any time after the expiration of the Research Term, the right to terminate this Agreement and/or the Alnylam Sublicense upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to UBC and AlCana, provided that if at any time following such termination Alnylam or its Related Parties continue to develop and sell Licensed Products then the terms of Section 8.4 (Compensation) shall survive such termination and shall continue to apply during the applicable Royalty Term, and provided further that nothing in this Section 10.5 shall by implication or otherwise be construed as granting any right or license to Alnylam to continue to develop and sell Licensed Products after termination of this Agreement.
  10.6   Consequences of Expiration or Termination.
  10.6.1   Survival. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, the following provisions shall survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement for the period of time specified therein, or if not specified, then they shall survive indefinitely: Sections 2, 3.1(d), 3.4, 3.6, 7.1, 7.3, 8.2.1, 8.4.3, 8.4.4, 8.4.5, 9, 10.5, 10.6, 11, 12 and 13. Furthermore, the terms of the Research Agreement incorporated by reference in the Supplemental Agreement shall survive

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      termination of this Agreement solely to the extent required to implement the agreement of the parties to the Supplemental Agreement set forth in the Supplemental Agreement.
  10.6.2   Termination of Research Program .
      (a) Upon expiration of the Research Term or termination of the Research Program in its entirety (i) UBC and AlCana will promptly deliver to Alnylam any Program Materials and Program Technology in their possession or control and will promptly disclose, in writing, to Alnylam all Program Developments made through expiration or termination, (ii) UBC and AlCana will also submit to Alnylam a comprehensive final report within [**] days after completion (or any such termination) of the Research Program detailing the status of the Research Program and all Program Developments made thereunder as well as all Research Program funds expended, (iii) UBC and AlCana will promptly refund to Alnylam any Research Program funds remaining at the time of termination or expiration (less any non-cancelable commitments made by UBC or AlCana pursuant to the Workplan and Budget), (iv) each Party will, at the owner’s discretion, either return to each other Party or destroy all of such other Party’s Background Materials and Background Technology provided under this Agreement, and (v) the licenses granted under Article 6 shall terminate; provided, however, that clauses (i) and (ii) shall not apply in the event of any termination under Sections 10.2.2 or 10.4.4.
      (b) Upon termination of the Research Program with respect to either UBC or AlCana, but not both, (i) the provisions of Section 10.6.2(a)(i) through (iv) shall apply solely to such Party, (ii) the licenses granted to such Party and by such Party under Article 6 shall terminate, and (iii) Alnylam’s obligation to pay Research Program funding to the terminated Party shall cease. The remaining Party to the Research Program and Alnylam will discuss in good faith appropriate modifications to the Workplan and Budget and overall Research Program funding commitment, it being understood that the remaining Party shall not automatically be entitled to the terminated Party’s share of Research Program funding. Furthermore, if the Research Program is terminated with respect to UBC pursuant to Section 10.4 and Alnylam and AlCana mutually agree that AlCana will assume responsibility for UBC’s obligations under the Workplan, then UBC shall (on payment to UBC of reasonable compensation) make its facilities reasonably available to AlCana for such purpose and UBC’s and AlCana’s shares of future Research Program funding under this Agreement shall be adjusted between them accordingly. At such point, AlCana will become the Payee for all purposes under this Agreement.
      (c) For clarity, the terms and conditions of the Licenses and Field-Restricted Assignment shall be unaffected by any termination of the Research.
  10.6.3   Termination of Agreement. If the Agreement is terminated pursuant to Sections 10.2, 10.3 or 10.5, then
      (a) the Research Term shall terminate; and

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      (b) the Tekmira License and the Alnylam Sublicense shall terminate; and
      (c) AlCana shall have, subject to any sublicenses granted under the Alnylam Sublicense to Third Parties with respect to AlCana Collaboration IP in the Field of Use prior to the effective date of termination, including without limitation, the Tekmira Sublicense and the Protiva Sublicense (“ Pre-termination Sublicenses ”), without further act by UBC, an exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free license to all UBC’s right, title and interest in the AlCana Collaboration IP. Any Pre-termination Sublicense shall remain in full force and effect so long as the Sublicensee is not then in breach of its sublicense agreement (or in the case of Tekmira or Protiva, any provision of this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement by which it is bound), provided that each such Sublicensee:
  (i)   will agree in writing to be bound to UBC as licensor under the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Supplemental Agreement and the Original Transaction Document to the extent they apply to the grant of such Pre-termination Sublicense, including Section 8.4 hereof; provided , however , that the Pre-termination Sublicense shall be non-exclusive to such Sublicensee notwithstanding any term to the contrary in such Pre-termination Sublicense;
  (ii)   will negotiate in good faith with UBC an appropriate agreement, or amendment to this Agreement, the Supplemental Agreement and/or the applicable Original Transaction Documents, to substitute itself for Alnylam as the non-exclusive licensor under terms no less favorable, in the aggregate, for UBC and AlCana than the applicable terms of this Agreement, the Supplemental Agreement and the applicable Original Transaction Documents; and
  (iii)   will pay all of UBC and AlCana’s legal costs that arise in connection with, and as a result of, negotiating such agreements.
      (d) Alnylam will make all undisputed outstanding payments due to the Payee with respect to the Alnylam Sublicense under Section 8.4 at the time of such termination, and UBC and AlCana each shall have the right to proceed to enforce payment of all outstanding milestones, royalties or other monies owed to UBC and AlCana under this Agreement with respect to the Alnylam Sublicense at the time of such termination, and each Party may exercise any or all of the rights and remedies available under this Agreement or otherwise available by law or in equity, successively or concurrently, at the option of such Party, as the case may be.
      (e) Within [**] days after the effective date of termination, each Receiving Party (and its Related Parties, if applicable) will deliver to the Disclosing Party all Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party in its possession or control and will cease to use the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information; and
      (f) Within [**] days after the effective date of termination, Alnylam and its Related Parties will cease to develop or make Licensed Products. Alnylam will

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      then within [**] days from the date of termination, sell or otherwise dispose of any Licensed Product manufactured and remaining unsold, and within a reasonable period of time thereafter, make any royalty payments to Payee in the same manner specified in Section 8.4 on all Licensed Products that are sold in accordance with this Section 10.6.3.
      Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Parties hereby agree that the termination consequences of this Agreement shall only apply with respect to the portion of the UBC Controlled IP defined as Schedule 1 IP in the Supplemental Agreement, and that the termination-related provisions of the applicable Original Transaction Documents shall apply to the portion of the UBC Controlled IP defined as Schedule A IP as set forth in the Supplemental Agreement.
11.   Representations and Warranties .
  11.1   Mutual Representations and Warranties . Each Party hereby represents, warrants and covenants to the other Parties as follows:
  11.1.1   Corporate Existence and Power . It is a company or corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated, and has full corporate power and authority and the legal right to own and operate its property and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and as contemplated in this Agreement, including, without limitation, the right to grant and transfer the rights granted and transferred hereunder.
  11.1.2   Authority and Binding Agreement . As of the Effective Date, (a) it has the corporate power and authority and the legal right to enter into this Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder; (b) it has taken all necessary corporate action on its part required to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of its obligations hereunder; and (c) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Party, and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Party that is enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, winding-up, moratorium, and similar laws of general application affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and subject to general equitable principles, including the fact that the availability of equitable remedies, such as injunctive relief or specific performance, is in the discretion of the court.
  11.1.3   No Conflict . Except for the agreements listed on Exhibit F to which it is a party, (and with respect to which such Party makes no representation or warranty): (a) to such Party’s best knowledge after reasonable inquiry, it has not entered, and shall not enter, into any agreement with any Third Party that is in conflict with the rights granted to any other Party under this Agreement, and has not taken and shall not take any action that would in any way prevent it from granting the rights granted to any other Party under this Agreement, or that would otherwise materially conflict with or adversely affect the rights granted to any other Party under this Agreement; and (b) its performance and execution of this Agreement

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         does not and will not result in a breach of any other contract to which it is a party.
  11.1.4   Materials. To such Party’s best knowledge after reasonable inquiry, it has complied, or will comply, with all laws and regulations applicable to the collection, handling and use of its Background Materials and Program Materials and related information, and is otherwise authorized to provide its Background Materials and Program Materials to the other Parties for purposes of this Agreement.
  11.2   Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties by UBC and AlCana. Alnylam acknowledges that
  (a)   Except as specifically set forth herein, UBC and AlCana make no representations, conditions or warranties, either express or implied, regarding the UBC Controlled IP, the Research Program or any Licensed Products. Without limitation, UBC and AlCana specifically disclaim any implied warranty, condition or representation that the UBC Controlled IP, the Research Program or any Licensed Products: (i) correspond with a particular description; (ii) are of merchantable quality; (iii) are fit for a particular purpose; or (iv) are durable for a reasonable period of time.
  (b)   UBC and AlCana are not liable for any loss, whether direct, consequential, incidental or special, which Alnylam, its Related Parties, or any other Third Parties might suffer arising from any defect, error or fault of the UBC Controlled IP, the Research Program or any Licensed Products, even if UBC or AlCana is aware of the possibility of the defect, error, fault or failure. Alnylam acknowledges that it has been advised by UBC and AlCana to undertake Alnylam’s own due diligence regarding the UBC Controlled IP, the Research Program and any Licensed Products.
  (c)   Except as specifically set forth herein, nothing in this Agreement:
  (i)   constitutes a warranty or representation by UBC or AlCana as to title to the UBC Controlled IP or that anything made, used, sold or otherwise disposed of under the Licenses will not infringe the patents, copyrights, trade-marks, industrial designs or other intellectual property rights of any Third Parties, or any patents, copyrights, trade-marks, industrial design or other intellectual property rights owned, in whole or in part, by UBC, or licensed by UBC to any Third Parties;
  (ii)   constitutes an express or implied warranty or representation by UBC or AlCana that the Payors or their Related Parties have, or will have the freedom to operate or practice the UBC Controlled IP, or the freedom to make, have made, use, sell or otherwise dispose of Licensed Products; or
  (iii)   except as specifically set forth in Article 7 hereof, imposes an obligation on UBC or AlCana to bring, prosecute or defend actions or suits against Third Parties for infringement of patents, copyrights, trade-marks, industrial designs or other intellectual property or contractual rights.

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  11.3   Representations and Warranties of AlCana . AlCana represents, warrants and covenants to Alnylam and UBC as follows:
  11.3.1   No Third Party Funding . It will not accept funding from, nor enter into agreements with, any Third Party that could result in a claim by that Third Party that the Third Party has rights to any Program Developments, nor will AlCana use any Third Party’s intellectual property in the performance of its obligations hereunder, unless AlCana has obtained either Alnylam’s prior written consent or a license to use such intellectual property from Alnylam for such purpose.
  11.3.2   No Debarment . Neither it, nor to its knowledge, any of its Program Participants, has been (a) debarred, convicted, or is subject to a pending debarment or conviction by any government or regulatory agencies, including pursuant to section 306 of the United States Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (“ FDCA ”), 21 U.S.C. § 335a, (b) listed by any government or regulatory agencies as ineligible to participate in any government healthcare programs or government procurement or non-procurement programs (including in the United States as that term is defined in 42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(f)), or excluded, debarred, suspended or otherwise made ineligible to participate in any such program, or (c) convicted of a criminal offense related to the provision of healthcare items or services, or is subject to any such pending action. AlCana agrees to inform the other Parties in writing promptly if AlCana or one if its Program Participants becomes subject to the foregoing, or if any action, suit, claim, investigation, or proceeding relating to the foregoing is pending, or to the best of AlCana’s knowledge, is threatened.
  11.3.4   AlCana Operations. As of the Effective Date, it has and will maintain the requisite resources and capabilities to perform its obligations under this Agreement and that it will commit material resources (including, without limitation, time of its employees who are Program Participants) to the Research Program.
  11.3.5   Absence of Material Impairment. As of the Effective Date, there is no fact known to AlCana that has specific application to AlCana (other than general economic or industry conditions) and that materially threatens the assets, business, prospects, financial condition, or results of operations of AlCana.
  11.3.6   Absence of Obligations. As of the Effective Date, AlCana has no obligation to (a) sell or offer to sell a material amount of its securities, (b) incur any indebtedness (other than a typical amount of trade debt incurred in the ordinary course of business), (c) guarantee any indebtedness, or (d) sell all or substantially all of its assets or any material portion of its business or operations.
  11.3.7   Compliance with Laws. As of the Effective Date, it has and will maintain compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws, permits, governmental licenses, registrations, approvals, concessions, authorizations, orders, injunctions and decrees with respect to the conduct of its business.
  11.3.6   AlCana Employees . (a) As of the Effective Date, each of the individuals party to an Alnylam Consulting Agreement is an employee of AlCana, and shall promptly notify Alnylam in writing if s/he ceases to be an employee of AlCana

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      for any reason, (b) on or prior to the Effective Date each of the individuals party to an Alnylam Consulting Agreement has signed an agreement with Alnylam in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D to terminate his or her Alnylam Consulting Agreement effective the Effective Date, (c) on or prior to the Effective Date each AlCana Program Participant has signed a confidentiality and invention disclosure and assignment agreement (“ Invention Disclosure Agreement ”) with AlCana reasonably acceptable to Alnylam in both form and substance and (d) neither AlCana nor any AlCana Program Participants are subject to any non-competition, exclusivity or other covenants or obligations that would prohibit or restrict such Program Participants from conducting the Research Program or that would conflict with their obligations under their Invention Disclosure Agreement.
  11.4   Limitations on Representations and Warranties . THE EXPRESS REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES STATED IN THIS ARTICLE 11 ARE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR ARISING FROM A COURSE OF CONDUCT, PERFORMANCE, DEALING OR OTHERWISE, OR INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABLE QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY, DURABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. EACH PARTY HEREBY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATION, OR WARRANTY THAT THE DEVELOPMENT, MANUFACTURE OR COMMERCIALIZATION OF ANY LICENSED PRODUCT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE SUCCESSFUL OR THAT ANY PARTICULAR SALES LEVEL WITH RESPECT TO A LICENSED PRODUCT WILL BE ACHIEVED.
 
  11.5   Payor Offset Right; Limitation of UBC Liability . (a) Each Payor and its Affiliates shall have the right to offset up to fifty percent (50%) of any amounts due to UBC or AlCana, as the case may be, under this Agreement and/or the Supplemental Agreement, by the amount of any and all damages or losses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by an Alnylam Indemnitee (where such Payor is Alnylam) or by a Tekmira Indemnitee (as defined in the Supplemental Agreement, and where such payor is either Tekmira or Protiva) and arising out of the negligence, willful misconduct or material breach of this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement by UBC or AlCana, as the case may be. Furthermore, Alnylam shall have the right to offset up to fifty percent (50%) of any amounts due to UBC (but not AlCana) under this Agreement and/or the Supplemental Agreement, by any and all amounts Alnylam is entitled to recover from UBC under Section 12.1(a), and Tekmira and Protiva shall have the right to offset up to fifty percent (50%) of any amounts due to UBC (but not AlCana) under this Agreement and/or the Supplemental Agreement, by any and all amounts Tekmira or Protiva is entitled to recover from UBC under Section 10(a) of the Supplemental Agreement.
(b) UBC’s total liability to AlCana, whether under the express or implied terms of this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement, in tort (including negligence) or at common law, for any loss or damage suffered by any AlCana, whether direct, indirect or special, or any other similar damage that may arise or does arise from any gross negligence, willful misconduct or breaches of this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement by a UBC Indemnitee, is limited to the amount of $10,000; provided , however , that such limit shall not be applied to the cost of any specific performance of a UBC Indemnitee which may be required by a court of competent jurisdiction in connection

35


 

herewith, and provided , further , that, given the modest amount of monetary damages for which UBC may be liable to AlCana hereunder, it is the expectation of AlCana and UBC that any remedy hereunder with respect to UBC may be in the form of specific performance if such specific performance is reasonably feasible employing such resources and efforts as would normally be exerted or employed by a similarly situated not-for-profit educational institution under the terms of a similar sponsored research and technology license agreement.
(c) UBC’s total liability to a Payor and its Related Parties, whether under the express or implied terms of this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement, in tort (including negligence) or at common law, for any loss or damage suffered by any Payor or its Related Parties, whether direct, indirect or special, or any other similar damage that may arise or does arise from any negligence, willful misconduct or breaches of this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement by a UBC Indemnitee is limited to the amount that such Payor and its Related Parties may offset pursuant to Section 11.5(a) or Section 4(d) of Schedule 2 to the Supplemental Agreement; provided , however , that such limit shall not be applied to the cost of any specific performance of a UBC Indemnitee which may be required by a court of competent jurisdiction in connection herewith, and provided , further , that, given the limited amount of monetary damages for which UBC may be liable to a Payor and its Releated Parties hereunder, it is the expectation of such Payor and its Related Parties and UBC that any remedy hereunder with respect to UBC may be in the form of specific performance if such specific performance is reasonably feasible employing such resources and efforts as would normally be exerted or employed by a similarly situated not-for-profit educational institution under the terms of a similar sponsored research and technology license agreement.
12.   Indemnification .
  12.1   Indemnification by Alnylam .
(a) Alnylam will indemnify UBC, its Board of Governors, officers, employees, faculty, students and agents (“ UBC Indemnitees ”) for any claims, including reasonable attorneys’ fees for defending those claims (“ Claims ”), based on or arising out of (i) the exercise by the Alnylam Indemnitees or any Alnylam Sublicensee of their rights under this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement, including without limitation against any damages or losses (including consequential and other similar damages), arising in any manner at all from or out of an Alnylam Indemnitee’s activities under the Research Program, or (ii) the use of the Program Developments or any Licensed Products by the Alnylam Indemnitees, the Alnylam Program Participants or any Alnylam Sublicensees, or their respective distributors, customers or end-users; provided , however , that Alnylam shall not be required to indemnify the UBC Indemnitees for any Claim (x) that arises solely due to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of, or the material breach of this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement by, a UBC Indemnitee or (y) described under clause (i) above unless such Claim alleges the negligence or willful misconduct of, or the material breach of this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement by, an Alnylam Indemnitee, it being understood and agreed that such indemnification obligation shall not apply if such allegations are later determined by a court or jury of competent jurisdiction in an un-reversed, un-appealable or un-appealed decision, to be untrue or unproven, with the result that such allegations are dismissed or withdrawn (other than by agreement between the indemnifying party and the plaintiff making such allegations). UBC will

36


 

promptly notify Alnylam of a Claim and will reasonably cooperate with the defense thereof. Alnylam shall be entitled to exercise its right of offset described under Section 11.5 to recover any amounts paid to UBC pursuant to this Section 12.1(a) which UBC was not entitled to receive.
(b) Alnylam will indemnify AlCana and its directors, employees and agents (“ AlCana Indemnitees ”) for any Claims based on or arising out of (i) an Alnylam Indemnitee’s activities under the Research Program, (ii) an Alnylam Indemnitee’s negligence or willful misconduct, or (iii) an Alnylam Indemnitee’s breach of this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement, or (iv) the use by an Alnylam Indemnitee of the AlCana Collaboration IP licensed to Alnylam under the Alnylam Sublicense (in the case of (i) and (iv) only, except to the extent that any such Claims are attributable to the negligence, willful misconduct or material breach of this Agreement by an AlCana Indemnitee or a UBC Indemnitee). AlCana will promptly notify Alnylam of a Claim and will reasonably cooperate with the defense thereof.
  12.2   Indemnification by AlCana . (a) AlCana will indemnify Alnylam, its Related Parties and its and their directors, employees and agents (“ Alnylam Indemnitees ”) for any Claims based on or arising out of (i) an AlCana Indemnitee’s activities under the Research Program, (ii) an AlCana Indemnitee’s negligence or willful misconduct, (iii) an AlCana Indemnitee’s breach of this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement, or (iv) the use by an AlCana Indemnitee (or an AlCana sublicensee or Affiliate) of the AlCana Collaboration IP retained by or licensed to AlCana or the use of the Consultant IP or any Licensed Product (as defined herein and in Schedule 2 to the Supplemental Agreement) by an AlCana Indemnitee (or an AlCana sublicensee or Affiliate) (in the case of (i) and (iv) only, except to the extent that any such Claims are attributable to the negligence, willful misconduct or material breach of this Agreement by an Alnylam Indemnitee or a UBC Indemnitee). Alnylam will promptly notify AlCana of a Claim and will reasonably cooperate with the defense thereof.
(b) AlCana will indemnify the UBC Indemnitees for any Claims based on or arising out of (i) the exercise by the AlCana Indemnitees (or an AlCana sublicensee or Affiliate) of their rights under this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement, including without limitation against any damages or losses (including consequential and other similar damages) arising in any manner at all from or out of an AlCana Indemnitee’s activities under the Research Program, or (ii) the use of the UBC Controlled IP or any Licensed Products by AlCana, its sublicensees or Affiliates, or the AlCana Program Participants; provided , however , that AlCana shall not be required to indemnify the UBC Indemnitees for any Claim (x) that arises solely due to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of, or the material breach of this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement by, a UBC Indemnitee or (y) described under clause (i) above unless such Claim alleges the negligence or willful misconduct of, or the material breach of this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement by, an AlCana Indemnitee or Affiliate, it being understood and agreed that such indemnification obligation shall not apply if such allegations are later determined by a court or jury of competent jurisdiction in an un-reversed, un-appealable or un-appealed decision, to be untrue or unproven, with the result that such allegations are dismissed or withdrawn (other than by agreement between the indemnifying party and the plaintiff making such allegations). UBC will promptly notify AlCana of a Claim and will reasonably cooperate with the defense thereof.

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  12.3   Procedure . To be eligible to be indemnified hereunder, the indemnified Party shall provide the indemnifying Party with prompt notice of the Claim giving rise to the indemnification obligation pursuant to this Article 12 and the exclusive ability to defend (with the reasonable cooperation of the indemnified Party) or settle any such Claim; provided , however , that the indemnifying Party shall not enter into any settlement for damages other than monetary damages without the indemnified Party’s written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. The indemnified Party shall have the right to participate, at its own expense and with counsel of its choice, in the defense of any claim or suit that has been assumed by the indemnifying Party. If the Parties cannot agree as to the application of Sections 12.1or 12.2 to any particular Claim, the Parties may conduct separate defenses of such Claim. Each Party reserves the right to claim indemnity from the other in accordance with Sections 12.1 or 12.2 above upon resolution of the underlying claim, notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 12.3 requiring the indemnified Party to tender to the indemnifying Party the exclusive ability to defend such claim or suit.
 
  12.4   Limitation of Liability . NO PARTY WILL BE LIABLE UNDER ANY LEGAL OR EQUITABLE THEORY WHETHER TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), CONTRACT (INCLUDING FUNDAMENTAL BREACH) OR OTHERWISE FOR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, AGGRAVATED, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE DAMAGES OR LOST PROFITS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE EXERCISE OF ITS RIGHTS HEREUNDER, ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO ANY BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT, REGARDLESS OF ANY NOTICE OF SUCH DAMAGES, EXCEPT AS A RESULT OF A MATERIAL BREACH OF THE CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-USE OBLIGATIONS IN ARTICLE 9. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 12.4 IS INTENDED TO LIMIT OR RESTRICT THE INDEMNIFICATION RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY PARTY.
13.   Miscellaneous .
  13.1   Governing Law . This Agreement will be governed by, construed, and interpreted in accordance with the laws of British Columbia and the laws of Canada in force in that province, without regard to any principles of conflicts of laws that would dictate the selection of another jurisdiction.
 
  13.2   Independent Contractors. The relationship of Alnylam, AlCana and UBC established by this Agreement and the Supplemental Agreement is that of independent contractors, and nothing contained in this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement will be construed to (a) constitute the Parties as partners, joint venturers, co-owners or otherwise as participants in a joint or common undertaking, or (b) allow any of the Parties hereto to create or assume any obligation on behalf of another Party hereto for any purpose whatsoever.
 
  13.3   Agreement Assignment. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, neither this Agreement, nor any rights or obligations hereunder, may be transferred or assigned, in whole or in part, by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties. However, each of Alnylam and AlCana (each, an “ Assigning Party ”) may transfer or assign this Agreement, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of any other Party, to an Affiliate of the Assigning Party, or in connection with a merger,

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      consolidation, or a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets to which this Agreement relates; provided , that all obligations of the Assigning Party are assumed by the assignee under an assignment and assumption agreement in a form approved by UBC within [**] days of completion of such merger, consolidation, or a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets to which this Agreement relates. Any transfer or assignment of its interest in UBC Controlled IP by UBC or AlCana within the Field of Use shall be expressly subject to the Licenses.
  13.4   Remedies. It is understood and agreed that the Parties may be irreparably injured by a breach of the confidentiality obligations under this Agreement; that money damages would not be an adequate remedy for any such breach; and that a Party will be entitled to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief and specific performance, without having to post a bond, as a remedy for any such breach, and such remedy will not be such Party’s exclusive remedy for any breach of the confidentiality obligations under this Agreement.
 
  13.5   Entire Agreement . This Agreement and the Supplemental Agreement constitute the entire and only agreement among the Parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and all prior negotiations, representations, agreements and understandings of the Parties on the subject matter are superseded by this Agreement as of the Effective Date, including without limitation, the UBC Letter Agreement, the letter agreement between UBC and Alnylam dated June 12, 2009, and the Three-Way Confidential Disclosure Agreement among the Parties dated April 14, 2009. The Parties have participated equally in the formation of this Agreement; the language of this Agreement will not be presumptively construed against any Party.
 
  13.6   Non-Compete . During the Research Term, AlCana will not permit any of its employees who are Program Participants to provide research or perform services for any business or entity developing a product which is a nucleic acid based therapeutic acting primarily through an RNA interference mechanism, unless agreed to in writing by Alnylam.
 
  13.7   Additional UBC Terms and Conditions. The Parties agree that notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the provisions set forth in Exhibit E shall also apply to this Agreement and the Supplemental Agreement.
 
  13.8   No Modification. Subject to Section 13.10, this Agreement may be changed only by a writing signed by an authorized representative of each Party.
 
  13.9   Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing, shall specifically refer to this Agreement and shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given for all purposes upon receipt if delivered (a) by first class certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, (b) international express delivery service or (c) personally. Unless otherwise specified in writing, the notice addresses of the Parties shall be as described below.
         
 
  If to Alnylam, to:   Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
 
      300 Third Street
 
      Cambridge, MA 02142 USA
 
      Attention: Vice President — Legal
 
      Fax: (617) 551-8101

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  With a copy to:   Faber Daeufer & Rosenberg PC
 
      950 Winter Street, Suite 4500
 
      Waltham, MA 02154 USA
 
      Attention: Sumy Daeufer
 
      Fax: (781) 795-4747
 
       
 
  If to UBC, to:   University-Industry Liaison Office
 
      #103-6190 Agronomy Road
 
      The University of British Columbia
 
      Vancouver, British Columbia
 
      Canada V6T 1Z3
 
      Attention: The Director
 
      Fax: (604) 822-8589
 
       
 
  If to AlCana, to:   AlCana Technologies, Inc.
 
      2714 West 31st Avenue
 
      Vancouver, British Columbia
 
      Canada V6L 2A1
 
      Attn: President
 
       
 
  With a copy to:   Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP
15th Floor The Grosvenor Building
 
      1040 West Georgia Street
 
      Vancouver, British Columbia
 
      Canada V6E 4H8
 
      Attn: Marie-Claire Dy
 
      Fax: (604) 683-4460
  13.10   Waiver . No waiver of any term, provision or condition of this Agreement in any one or more instances will be deemed to be or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any other term, provision or condition of this Agreement. Any such waiver must be evidenced by an instrument in writing executed by an officer authorized to execute waivers.
 
  13.11   Severability; Reformation . Any of the provisions of this Agreement which are determined to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction will be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability in such jurisdiction, without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining provisions hereof and without affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the other terms of this Agreement in such jurisdiction, or the terms of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. The Parties will substitute for the invalid or unenforceable provision a valid and enforceable provision that conforms as nearly as possible with the original intent of the Parties.
 
  13.12   Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
 
  13.13   Headings . The section headings are intended for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

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      IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the Effective Date by their duly authorized representatives.
         
  ALNYLAM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ John Maraganore    
    Name:   John Maraganore    
    Title:   Chief Executive Officer   
 
  ALCANA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ T.D. Madden    
    Name:   Thomas Madden    
    Title:   President and CEO   
 
  THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
 
 
  By:   /s/ J.P. Heale    
    Name:   J.P. Heale    
    Title:   Associate Director, University-Industry Liaison Office   
 
     
  By:   /s/ Brett Sharp    
    Name:   Brett Sharp    
    Title:   Acting Associate Director, University-Industry Liaison Office   
 

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Alnylam/AlCana/UBC   Confidential   March 9, 2009
        Updated: July 2, 2009
Exhibit A
Research Program Workplan
WORK PLAN FOR 2009-2010
Alnylam/AlCana/UBC Workplan for Liposomal Research
Main Activities and Responsibilities
a.   [**][**]
                 
Task   UBC   AlCana   Alnylam   Timing
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]

Page 42 of 58


 

         
Alnylam/AlCana/UBC   Confidential   March 9, 2009
        Updated: July 2, 2009
b.   [**][**][**]
                 
Tasks   UBC   AlCana   Alnylam   Timing
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
c.   [**]
         
Tasks   UBC   AlCana
[**]
  [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]

Page 43 of 58


 

         
Alnylam/AlCana/UBC   Confidential   March 9, 2009
        Updated: July 2, 2009
2009 Main Deliverables, Timeline, and Costs
[**]
                 
Activity/Deliverable   UBC   AlCana   Timeline   Cost ($US) 1
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
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[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
Research Materials and Supplies

Page 44 of 58


 

         
Alnylam/AlCana/UBC   Confidential   March 9, 2009
        Updated: July 2, 2009
Alnylam will supply the key research materials listed below (quantities to be mutually agreed):
[**][**]

Page 45 of 58


 

         
Alnylam/AlCana/UBC   Confidential   March 9, 2009
        Updated: July 2, 2009
PRC Group Additional Research Activities
[**][**]
                 
Tasks   UBC   AlCana   Alnylam   Timing
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]

Page 46 of 58


 

         
Alnylam/AlCana/UBC   Confidential   March 9, 2009
        Updated: July 2, 2009
Key Personnel
Table 6. Key program personnel.
         
AlCana   UBC   Alnylam
[**]
  [**]   [**]

Page 47 of 58


 

         
Alnylam/AlCana/UBC   Confidential   March 9, 2009
        Updated: July 2, 2009
ALCANA/UBC 2009 Budget
     
July 1st - Dec 31st 2009    
New ALCANA   Percent Contract
[**]
  [**]
TOTAL FTE’s
  [**]
FTE Rate 1
  [**]
2009 BUDGET
Current Consulting contract
     
 
  Jan 1st — Jun 30th
Salaries
  [**]
Preclinical studies
  [**]
Rental Lab Space
  [**]
 
  [**]
Materials and supplies
  [**]
ALCANA TOTAL
  [**]
UBC Grant (PRC laboratory)*
  [**]
Combined Totals
  [**]
New ALCANA Contract
             
    Q3   Q4   TOTAL
Salaries
  [**]   [**]   [**]
Preclinical studies
  [**]   [**]   [**]
Rental Lab Space
  [**]   [**]   [**]
Equipment
  [**]   [**]   [**]
Materials and supplies
  [**]   [**]   [**]
ALCANA TOTAL
  [**]   [**]   [**]
UBC Grant (PRC laboratory)*
  [**]   [**]   [**]
Combined Totals
  [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]

Page 48 of 58


 

         
Alnylam/AlCana/UBC   Confidential   March 9, 2009
        Updated: July 2, 2009
2010 Main Deliverables, Timeline, and Costs
Table 7. Key Individuals, Timeline and Costs Associated with 2010 Research Programs
                 
Activity/Deliverable   UBC   AlCana   Timeline   Cost ($US) 1
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
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[**]
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[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]
  [**]   [**]   [**]   [**]
[**]

49


 

Exhibit B
Research Program Budget and Agreement Payments
1.   Budget. The budget for the Initial Research Term is included in the Research Program Workplan attached to the Agreement as Exhibit A .
 
2.   Payment Schedule . In consideration for the performance of the Research Program, Alnylam shall pay to UBC and AlCana (as set forth in Section 8.4.4 of the Agreement) a research payment (a) within [**] days after the Effective Date and (b) on the first day of each Contract Quarter thereafter during the Research Term, as follows:
             
Payment Due Date   UBC Share   AlCana Share   Total
[**] days after Effective Date
  [**]   [**]   [**]
October 1, 2009
  [**]   [**]   [**]
January 1, 2010
  [**]   [**]   [**]
April 1, 2010
  [**]   [**]   [**]
July 1, 2010
  [**]   [**]   [**]
October 1, 2010
  [**]   [**]   [**]
January 1, 2011
  [**]   [**]   [**]
April 1, 2011
  [**]   [**]   [**]
July 1, 2011
  [**]   [**]   [**]
    [**]
 
3.   Allocation of License Consideration to AlCana . UBC, as Payee under this Agreement and in consideration for the Field-Restricted Assignment, shall pay AlCana a portion of all payments received by UBC in consideration for the Licenses as set forth in a separate agreement between UBC and AlCana. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the consideration for the Licenses and AlCana’s portion thereof has been determined with reference to the fair market value of the rights transferred pursuant to the Field-Restricted Assignment and granted pursuant to the Licenses.
 
4.   Invoicing and Payments . Invoices for all Research Program funding and administration payments due AlCana from Alnylam under this Agreement will be provided to Alnylam at the following address: ATTENTION: Accounts Payable, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 300 Third Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, and will reference this Agreement.
 
    All payments under this Agreement shall be paid by bank wire transfer in immediately available funds to such bank account as may be designated in writing by the payee thereof, from time to time. Specifically, (a) all payments to Payee under this Agreement will be made by wire transfer to UBC. Payment due to UBC:
  (a)   by cheque should be made payable to “The University of British Columbia” delivered to UBC at the following address:

50


 

      The Director
University — Industry Liaison Office
 
      University of British Columbia
#103 — 6190 Agronomy Road

Vancouver, British Columbia
V6T 1Z3
Telephone:(604) 822-8580
Fax: (604) 822-8589
 
  b)   by wire transfer should be transferred in accordance with the instructions set out below:
     
For Canadian $ Deposits via wire (General)   For US $ Deposits via wire:
[**]
  [**]
[**]
  [**]
[**]
  [**]
[**]
  [**]
[**]
  [**]
 
  [**]
    ; (b) all payments to AlCana under this Agreement will be made by wire transfer to AlCana at: Bank of Montreal, 2102 41st Avenue West, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6L 1Z2
 
    ; and (c) all payments to Alnylam under this Agreement will be made by wire transfer to Alnylam at:
 
    Bank Account Name:      Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Bank Name:                       [**]     
ABA Number:                   [**]     
Account Number:              [**]     

51


 

Exhibit C
UBC Materials, AlCana Materials and Alnylam Materials
UBC Materials : None
AlCana Materials : None
Alnylam Materials :
[**][**]

52


 

Exhibit D
Form of
Consulting Agreement Termination
[Alnylam Letterhead]
July 27, 2009
[Consultant’s Name]
[Consultant’s Address]
          Re:      Termination of Alnylam Consulting Agreement
Dear [Consultant’s First Name]:
This letter is being sent in connection with the Consulting Agreement between you and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Alnylam”) dated as of [Date] (the “Consulting Agreement”). Alnylam, The University of British Columbia and AlCana Technologies, Inc. are entering into a Sponsored Research and License Agreement (“Sponsored Research Agreement”) dated as of July 27, 2009 (the “Effective Date”). As a precondition to entering into the Sponsored Research Agreement, it is necessary for you and Alnylam to terminate the Consulting Agreement. Accordingly, by signing below, you and Alnylam mutually agree to terminate the Consulting Agreement as of the Effective Date.
Please note that certain rights and obligations that you and Alnylam owe to each other continue following the Effective Date, as detailed more fully in Section 5.4 of the Consulting Agreement. In addition, for the avoidance of doubt, Alnylam acknowledges that your employment with and by AlCana Technologies, Inc. shall not be deemed a violation of Section 1.5 of the Consulting Agreement.
Please sign where indicated below and return one fully-executed copy of this letter to the attention of [_____].
Sincerely,
             
ALNYLAM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.   CONSULTANT:
 
           
By:
           
 
       
Name:
      Name:    
 
           
Title:
           
 
           

53


 

Exhibit E
UBC Terms and Conditions
1) Patent Validity: In the event that a Payor and its Related Parties contest the validity or scope of any patents assigned to, or owned by UBC, and which are subject to the applicable License for such Payor, UBC shall have the right to terminate the applicable License pursuant to Section 10.4.4.
2) Insurance:
a) During the Agreement Term (and for a period which is the longer of either three (3) years after the end of the Agreement Term, or three (3) years after the last Licensed Product is sold) each Payor and its Related Parties will procure and maintain insurance (including public liability and commercial general liability insurance), as would be acquired by a reasonable and prudent businessperson carrying on a similar line of business.
b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) above, one month before the start of any Licensed Product testing involving human subjects (“ Human Clinical Trials ”) each Payor will give notice to UBC of the terms and amount of the product liability, clinical trials, public liability, and commercial general liability insurance and such other types of insurance which it and/or its Related Parties have placed. This insurance will (i) include the UBC Indemnitees and AlCana Indemnitees as additional insureds; (ii) provide coverage regarding all activities under this Agreement and the Supplemental Agreement; (iii) include a waiver of subrogation against the UBC Indemnitees and AlCana Indemnitees, and a severability of interest and cross-liability clauses; and (iv) provide that the policy cannot be cancelled or materially altered except on at least [**] days’ prior notice to UBC. Each Payor will provide to UBC certificates of insurance evidencing the coverage [**] days before the start of any Human Clinical Trials. Without limiting the generality of the forgoing, no Payor or any of it Related Parties will: (x) start any Human Clinical Trials, or (y) sell any Licensed Product; at any time unless an insurance certificate is provided to UBC, and the insurance outlined above is in effect.
3) Legal Cost: Each Payor will pay all reasonable legal expenses and costs incurred by UBC regarding any consents and approvals requested by such Payor and required from UBC under this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement.
4) No Set Off: The obligation of each Payor to make all payments under this Agreement and the Supplemental Agreement is absolute and unconditional and is not, except as expressly set out in this Agreement (including Sections 10.2.1 and 11.5) and the Supplemental Agreement, affected by any circumstance, including without limitation any set off, compensation, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Payor or any of its Related Parties may have against UBC, or anyone else for any reason at all.
5) Interest: Each Payor will pay interest on all amounts due and owing to the Payee or AlCana (as the case may be) under this Agreement but not paid by such Payor on the due date, absent a good faith dispute, at the rate of [**]% per annum, calculated annually not in advance. The interest accrues on the balance of unpaid amounts from time to time outstanding, from the date on which portions of the amounts become due and owing until payment in full.
6) Management Of Conflicts Of Interest: Each Payor and AlCana acknowledge that they are aware of UBC’s Conflict of Interest Policy #97, Patent and Licensing Policy #88 and Research Policy #87

54


 

(www.universitycounsel.ubc.ca/policies/policies.html Such parties will be bound by such policies as they are in effect on the Effective Date, except to the extent that they may conflict with the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement, in which case the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Supplemental Agreement will govern. In the event that UBC updates such policies and so notifies a Payor or AlCana, such Payor or AlCana, as the case may be, shall, in good faith, use its reasonable efforts to comply with such policies, except to the extent that they may conflict with the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement, in which case the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Supplemental Agreement will govern.
7) Global Access : Each Payor acknowledges that it is UBC’s objective to exploit its technology for the public benefit and in a manner that furthers its Global Access Principles. Therefore:
If a Payor, or its Related Parties develop a Licensed Product for a Target that covers a disease that afflicts a significant portion of the population in the Developing World (being those countries of the world defined from time to time as low income or lower middle income by the World Bank — see: http://www.worldbank.org/data/countryclass/classgroups.htm ), then such Payor and its Related Parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to commercialize such Licensed Product in a manner consistent with the UBC Global Access Principles. For the purposes of this Agreement, Global Access Principles means the provision of the UBC Controlled IP and any such Licensed Products at cost to the people in the Developing World; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall require such Payor or its Related Parties to build infrastructure or distribution networks in the Developing World. In the event that such Payor and its Related Parties fail to distribute such Licensed Products in the Developing World (which Licensed Products are being commercialized by such Payor elsewhere in the world) after [**] days written notice from UBC, and UBC identifies a distributor willing to distribute such Licensed Products in the Developing World at cost, such Payor hereby agrees to sell such License Products (subject to other obligations as may be in effect at such time) to such distributor at a price equal to such Payor’s cost and subject to other commercially reasonable terms to be negotiated between such Payor and such distributor, including reasonable protections against Licensed Products being used outside the Developing World. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Section 7 will require the sale, offering for sale or distribution of Licensed Products in any countries outside of            the Developing World in any circumstances or for any purposes.

55


 

Exhibit F
Exceptions to Section 11.1.3
1. Supplemental Agreement
2. Original Transaction Documents
3. Consulting Agreements

56


 

Exhibit G
Royalty Calculation Examples
Note: All royalty percentages are before allowed offsets for other liposomal delivery IP
Example 1: Product X has a first commercial sale on [**]; at this time, Product X is covered by a single issued claim of a UBC Controlled Patent Right. In this case:
  (a)   A [**]% royalty will be paid on Product X as long as Product X continues to be covered by the issued claim. For example, if the issued claim has [**] years of unexpired patent life remaining from the date of first commercial sale, a [**]% royalty will be paid until [**]. After this date, no additional royalties will be paid on Product X.
 
  (b)   If the issued claim expires before [**] years after [**] (first commercial sale) and if (i) there are no other issued or pending claims that cover Product X or (ii) there are pending claims that have been pending for more than [**] years that cover Product X, a [**]% royalty will be paid until expiration of the issued claim and a [**]% royalty will be paid from the time of expiration of the issued claim through the end of [**] years from first commercial sale. For example, if the issued claim expires on [**], a [**]% royalty will be paid from [**] through [**] and a [**]% royalty will be paid from [**] through [**]. After [**] no additional royalties will be paid.
 
  (c)   If the issued claim expires within [**] years after [**] (first commercial sale) and if there is then a pending claim that has been pending for less than [**] years that covers Product X, then the [**]% royalty will be paid for the duration of Product X being covered by either the (i) issued claim or (ii) such pending claim until either such claim issues or has been pending for more than [**] years. For example, the issued claim expires on [**] and on this date there is a pending claim that has been pending for [**] that covers Product X that never issues. In this case, the [**]% royalty will be paid from [**] through [**]. After [**], no additional royalties will be paid.
 
  (d)   If a single new claim issues that covers Product X (i) in case (a) above before [**], or (ii) in cases (b) or (c) above before [**], then from the date that the claim issues through the expiration of such newly issued claim, a [**]% royalty will be paid on Product X. For example, if a new claim issues on [**] and the new claim expires after twenty years on [**], then the [**]% royalty will be paid from [**] through [**], with the royalty before [**] determined according to the examples above. After [**] no additional royalties would be paid.
Example 2: Product Y has a first commercial sale on [**]; at this time, Product Y is covered by a pending claim of a UBC Controlled Patent Right. In this case:
  (a)   If at first commercial sale Product Y is covered by a pending claim that has been pending for less than [**] years, then a [**]% royalty will be paid while such product is covered by a pending claim that has been pending for less than [**] years. For example, if on [**] there is

57


 

      claim that has been pending for [**] years that covers Product Y, a [**]% royalty will be paid from [**] through [**]. Then:
  (1)   If, as of [**], there is a pending claim that has been pending for more than [**] years that covers Product Y (either the original claim still has not issued or there is another pending claim covering Product Y), than while Product Y is covered by such pending claim a [**]% royalty will be paid to a maximum of [**] years from first commercial sale. Therefore, from [**] through [**] a [**]% royalty will be paid. After [**] no additional royalties will be paid on Product Y.
 
  (2)   If a new claim issues before [**] that covers Product Y, then a [**]% royalty will be paid from the date the claim issues through expiration of the claim. For example, if a covering claim issues in [**] and expires in [**] years, then a [**]% royalty will be paid from [**] through [**].
 
  (3)   If, as of [**] the original pending claim is neither issued nor pending and there are no other pending or issued claims that cover Product Y, then no additional royalties will be paid on Product Y after [**]. For clarity, if there are no issued or pending claims that cover Product Y, no royalties will be paid on Product Y.
  (b)   If at first commercial sale Product Y is covered by a pending claim that has been pending for more than [**] years, then a [**]% royalty will be paid while such product is covered by a pending claim that has been pending for more than [**] years. For example, if on [**] there is claim that has been pending for [**] years that covers Product Y, a [**]% royalty will be paid from [**] for [**] years unless the claim never issues and ceases to be pending before the expiration of such [**] year period. However:
  (1)   If a new claim is filed before [**] that covers Product Y, then a [**]% royalty will be paid while Product Y is covered by such claim that has been pending for less than [**] years. For example, if a new claim is filed on [**], then a [**]% royalty will be paid from [**] through [**].
 
  (2)   If a new claim issues before [**] that covers Product Y, then a [**]% royalty will be paid from the date the claim issues through expiration of the claim. For example, if a covering claim issues on [**] and expires in [**] years, then a [**]% royalty will be paid from [**] through [**].
 
  (3)   For clarity, if there are no issued or pending claims that cover Product Y, no royalties will be paid on Product Y.

58

Exhibit 10.2
EXECUTION COPY
Confidential Materials omitted and filed separately with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Asterisks denote omissions.
Alnylam — Tekmira — Protiva — UBC — AlCana
Supplemental Agreement
Effective July 27, 2009
This Supplemental Agreement is made by and among Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“ Alnylam ”), Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation (“ Tekmira ”), Protiva Biotherapeutics Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tekmira (“ Protiva ”), the University of British Columbia (“ UBC ”), and AlCana Technologies, Inc. (“ AlCana ”), as of the effective date stated above.
Background
A.   Alnylam, UBC, AlCana, Tekmira and Protiva have a variety of relationships with one another, including the following:
  1.   UBC has, pursuant to a License Agreement between Tekmira (as successor in interest to INEX Pharmaceutical Corporation) and UBC dated effective July 1, 1998, as amended by an Amendment Agreement dated effective as of July 11, 2006, and a Second Amendment Agreement dated effective January 8, 2007 (the “ UBC-Tekmira License Agreement ”), granted Tekmira an exclusive license to certain Technology (as such term is defined therein).
 
  2.   Tekmira has, pursuant to a Sublicense Agreement dated effective January 8, 2007 between Tekmira (as successor in interest to INEX Pharmaceutical Corporation) and Alnylam (“ UBC Sublicense Agreement ”), exclusively sublicensed certain of this Technology to Alnylam.
 
  3.   AlCana has been formed and is staffed in part by former Tekmira employees. These individuals are bound by the agreements listed on Exhibit A (collectively, the “ Employment Agreements ”) that, among other things, bind them not to use or disclose certain Tekmira (or Protiva) confidential information or trade secrets.
 
  4.   Alnylam, UBC and AlCana desire to enter into a lipid discovery collaboration pursuant to the Sponsored Research Agreement dated of even date herewith (“ Research Agreement ”), a copy of which is attached to this Supplemental Agreement as Exhibit B, and desire to begin work under the Research Program as soon as possible.
 
  5.   Alnylam has entered into Consulting Agreements with the individuals defined in the Research Agreement as “Consultants” (the “ Consulting Agreements ”), redacted copies of which have been provided to Tekmira and Protiva.
 
  6.   Alnylam has, pursuant to the Amended and Restated License and Collaboration Agreement between Tekmira and Alnylam effective as of May 30, 2008 (the “ Alnylam-Tekmira License Agreement ”), granted to Tekmira an exclusive license to certain Alnylam intellectual property for the purpose of developing certain products directed to the targets identified pursuant to the Alnylam-Tekmira License Agreement.
 
  7.   Alnylam has, pursuant to the Amended and Restated Cross-License Agreement between Alnylam and Protiva dated May 30, 2008 (the “ Alnylam-Protiva License Agreement ”), granted to Tekmira a non-exclusive license to certain Alnylam intellectual property for the purpose of developing certain products directed to the targets identified pursuant to the Alnylam-Protiva License Agreement.
B.   In addition to the relationships described by the foregoing (and others), Alnylam, UBC, AlCana, Tekmira and Protiva intend to enter into a new arrangement which will be governed by this Supplemental Agreement and, the extent provided herein, the Research Agreement attached

 


 

  hereto. For clarity, the parties do not intend that anything in this Supplemental Agreement or the Research Agreement will constitute any extension or renewal of the “Collaboration” or the “Collaboration Term” as defined in the Alnylam-Tekmira License Agreement.
C.   Capitalized terms used, but not otherwise defined, in this Supplemental Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Research Agreement.
D.   It is the intention of Alnylam, UBC, AlCana, and the understanding of Tekmira and Protiva, that Alnylam will fund research, described by a research plan, which research will be performed by Alnylam, AlCana, and UBC under the Research Agreement.
E.   The intellectual property rights arising out of that research will be governed as set forth in this Supplemental Agreement and the Research Agreement. For clarity, but subject in all cases to the operative provisions of this Supplemental Agreement and the Research Agreement, it is the intention of the foregoing parties that the rights resulting from the research to be performed in accordance with this Supplemental Agreement and the Research Agreement, and the licenses and assignments described in this Supplemental Agreement and the Research Agreement, result in the following intellectual property rights, in principal outline:
  1.   Alnylam will have (subject to the rights granted by it hereunder to one or more of the other parties):
  i.   exclusive rights, with unlimited rights to sublicense, to any such intellectual property in the Field of Use,
 
  ii.   exclusive rights, with unlimited rights to sublicense, to intellectual property invented solely by Alnylam in all fields of use, including without limitation the Supplemental Field, and
 
  iii.   non-exclusive rights, with unlimited rights to sublicense, to intellectual property invented jointly by Alnylam, on the one hand, and UBC and/or AlCana, on the other hand, in all fields of use, including without limitation the Supplemental Field;
  2.   AlCana will have (subject to the rights granted by it hereunder to one or more of the other parties):
  i.   exclusive rights, with unlimited rights to sublicense, to intellectual property invented solely by AlCana in all fields of use, including without limitation, the Supplemental Field, but specifically excluding the Field of Use, in which Field of Use rights may be exercised exclusively by Alnylam, and
 
  ii.   non-exclusive rights to intellectual property invented jointly by AlCana, on the one hand, and UBC and/or Alnylam, on the other hand, in all fields of use, including without limitation the Supplemental Field, but specifically excluding the Field of Use, in which Field of Use rights may be exercised exclusively by Alnylam;
  3.   UBC will have (subject to the rights granted by it hereunder to one or more of the other parties):
  i.   exclusive rights, with unlimited rights to sublicense, to intellectual property invented solely by UBC in all fields of use, including without limitation the Supplemental Field, but specifically excluding the Field of Use, in which Field of Use rights may be exercised exclusively by Alnylam, and
 
  ii.   non-exclusive rights to intellectual property invented jointly by UBC, on the one hand, and AlCana and/or Alnylam, on the other hand, in all fields of use, including without
Confidential

2


 

      limitation the Supplemental Field, but specifically excluding the Field of Use, in which Field of Use rights may be exercised by Alnylam;
  4.   Tekmira will have:
  i.   exclusive rights to use intellectual property invented by AlCana and/or UBC under the Research Agreement (whether or not Alnylam is also an inventor of such intellectual property) in the Field of Use for the targets identified pursuant to the Alnylam-Tekmira License Agreement, with the sublicense rights described in the Alnylam-Tekmira License Agreement, and
 
  ii.   non-exclusive rights to use intellectual property invented by AlCana and/or UBC under the Research Agreement (whether or not Alnylam is also an inventor of such intellectual property) in the Supplemental Field for use against any target, with the sublicense rights described herein.
  5.   Protiva will have:
  i.   non-exclusive rights to use intellectual property invented by AlCana and/or UBC under the Research Agreement (whether or not Alnylam is also an inventor of such intellectual property) in the Field of Use for the targets identified pursuant to the Alnylam-Protiva License Agreement, with the sublicense rights described in the Alnylam-Protiva License Agreement, and
 
  ii.   non-exclusive rights to use intellectual property invented by AlCana and/or UBC under the Research Agreement (whether or not Alnylam is also an inventor of such intellectual property) in the Supplemental Field for use against any target, with the sublicense rights described herein.
F.   It is also the intention of the foregoing parties that the intellectual property rights of Alnylam arising out of the Consulting Agreements will be licensed to AlCana exclusively in the Supplemental Field, and further sublicensed by AlCana to Tekmira and Protiva non-exclusively in the Supplemental Field.
G.   The foregoing Sections E and F are statements of intent only. They are intended to elucidate the end result of the complicated licenses and assignments described herein, and are not intended to replace any of the specific language or structures described in this Supplemental Agreement, the Research Agreement or any of the foregoing agreements.
Agreement
The parties to this Supplemental Agreement, for good and sufficient consideration acknowledged to be received, hereby agree as follows:
  1.   Licenses to UBC Controlled IP . All UBC Controlled IP are hereby exclusively licensed to Tekmira as follows:
  (a)   All UBC Controlled Patent Rights that claim priority to the “Patents” (as such term is defined in the UBC-Tekmira License Agreement) (collectively, “ Schedule A IP ”), shall be added to Schedule A of the UBC-Tekmira License Agreement and the terms and conditions of the UBC-Tekmira License Agreement (including, without limitation, the financial terms and conditions of such agreement) shall apply to such Schedule A IP.
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  (b)   With respect to all UBC Controlled IP other than Schedule A IP (collectively, “ Schedule 1 IP ”), the Patent Rights comprising such UBC Controlled IP shall be listed on Schedule 1 to this Supplemental Agreement and, whether or not so listed, shall be and hereby are exclusively licensed to Tekmira in the Field of Use under the terms and conditions of the UBC-Tekmira License Agreement (the “Tekmira License”); provided , however , that (i) the provisions of Articles 5 and 11 of the UBC-Tekmira License Agreement will not apply to such license or any sublicenses under such license, (ii) Section 7.4 (Patent Filings) of the Research Agreement shall apply to the Schedule 1 IP in lieu of Article 6 of the UBC-Tekmira License Agreement; provided further , that Tekmira agrees to cooperate and if necessary, to be joined as a party, to any infringement suits brought by Alnylam, UBC or AlCana pursuant to Section 7.4.3 or 7.4.4 of the Research Agreement, and the part(ies) bringing such suit shall reimburse Tekmira for any reasonable costs incurred by Tekmira as a result of cooperating with or participating in any such action, and (iii) Section 8.3 (Diligence) of the Research Agreement shall apply to the Schedule 1 IP in lieu of Sections 10.2 through 10.8 of the UBC-Tekmira License Agreement. Moreover, Tekmira and Protiva hereby acknowledge and agree to the provisions of Sections 7.3 (Ownership of Program Developments and Program Materials), 8.2.1 (Licenses), 8.2.5 (Retained Right of UBC) and Exhibit E (UBC Terms and Conditions) of the Research Agreement, and consent to the license grant by UBC in Section 6.4 of the Research Agreement.
  2.   Assignment of UBC Controlled IP . Appropriate assignments of title in and to UBC Controlled IP generated by AlCana will be made by AlCana to UBC in the Field of Use, in accordance with the Research Agreement and in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Alnylam, UBC and Tekmira, to enable UBC to grant the above-described license to UBC Controlled IP to Tekmira.
 
  3.   Alnylam Sublicense of UBC Controlled IP . Tekmira hereby exclusively sublicenses all UBC Controlled IP to Alnylam (“ Alnylam Sublicense ”) under the terms of the UBC Sublicense Agreement; provided , however , that (a) notwithstanding the definition of “Products” in the UBC Sublicense Agreement, the Alnylam Sublicense under and to the UBC Controlled IP shall be expanded to include any and all purposes within the Field of Use, (b) the terms of Section 3.2(b) of the UBC Sublicense Agreement shall not apply to the Schedule 1 IP, (c) the financial terms of the UBC Sublicense Agreement shall not apply to the Alnylam Sublicense with respect to Schedule 1 IP (and for clarity, Alnylam shall not be required to pay milestones or royalties to Tekmira under either the UBC Sublicense Agreement or the Alnylam-Tekmira License Agreement in respect of the Schedule 1 IP, but will be required to do so in respect of the Schedule A IP), (d) Alnylam, as Payor for such purpose, shall instead pay milestones and royalties directly to UBC and AlCana in respect of the Alnylam Sublicense with respect to Schedule 1 IP as set forth in Section 8.4 of the Research Agreement, (e) Section 7.4 (Patent Filings) of the Research Agreement shall apply to the Schedule 1 IP in lieu of Article 6 and Sections 7.5, 7.6 and 7.7 of the UBC Sublicense Agreement, (f) Sections 8.2.2, 8.2.3 and 8.2.4 of the Research Agreement shall apply to Alnylam’s sublicenses of UBC Controlled IP in lieu of Sections 4.1 through 4.4 of the UBC Sublicense Agreement, and (g) Section 8.3 (Diligence) and Section 10.2.3 of the Research Agreement shall apply to the Schedule 1 IP in lieu of Sections 10.2 through 10.8 of the UBC-Tekmira License Agreement. For clarity, the provisions of Section 6.4 of the Alnylam-Tekmira License Agreement shall not apply to the Alnylam Sublicense of the UBC Controlled IP and the sublicensing restrictions of Section 6.2.2 of the Alnylam-Tekmira License Agreement will not apply to Alnylam’s sublicenses of UBC Controlled IP.
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  4.   Consultant IP . The Consulting Agreements provide for assignments to Alnylam of inventions, discoveries, improvements, ideas, designs, processes, formulations, products, computer programs, works of authorship, databases, mask works, trade secrets, know-how, information, data, documentation, reports, research, creations and other products arising from or made in the performance of Consulting Services (as defined in the applicable Consulting Agreement) (collectively, “ Consultant IP ”). Alnylam will pay milestones and royalties as set forth in Section 8.4 of the Research Agreement to Payee, for the benefit of AlCana, in respect of Consultant IP in the Field of Use. Solely for purposes of the application of the terms of Section 8.4 of the Research Agreement to this Section 4, all references in Section 8.4 of the Research Agreement and the defined terms of the Research Agreement used in such Section 8.4 to “UBC Controlled IP” shall be replaced with the collective reference to “Consultant IP”. For clarity, if a product, good or service is a Licensed Product by virtue of being covered by an Outstanding Claim of both UBC Controlled IP and Consultant IP, each of the milestone payments set forth in Section 8.4.1 shall be payable only once with respect to such Licensed Product and only one royalty shall be due to the Payee in respect of such Licensed Product.
 
  5.   Tekmira and Protiva Sublicenses and Licenses of Schedule 1 IP and Consultant IP . Alnylam will sublicense its rights to all Schedule 1 IP and license its rights to Consultant IP to (a) Tekmira under the terms of the Alnylam-Tekmira License Agreement, as if such Schedule 1 IP and Consultant IP were included in the definition of Alnylam Core Patent Rights in the Alnylam-Tekmira License Agreement and for the same uses and purposes as applicable under the license of such Alnylam Core Patent Rights under the Alnylam-Tekmira License Agreement (“ Tekmira Sublicense ”); provided , however , that the financial terms of the Alnylam-Tekmira License Agreement shall not apply to the Tekmira Sublicense (and for clarity, Tekmira shall not be required to pay milestones or royalties to Alnylam under the Alnylam-Tekmira License Agreement in respect of the Schedule 1 IP or the Consultant IP), and Tekmira, as the Payor for such purpose, shall instead pay milestones and royalties directly to UBC for the benefit of UBC and AlCana in respect of the Tekmira Sublicense as set forth in Section 8.4 of the Research Agreement; and (b) Protiva under the terms of the Alnylam-Protiva License Agreement, as if such Schedule 1 IP and Consultant IP were included in the definition of Alnylam Patent Rights in the Alnylam-Protiva License Agreement and for the same uses and purposes as applicable under the license of such Alnylam Patent Rights under the Alnylam-Protiva License Agreement (“ Protiva Sublicense ”); provided , however , that the financial terms of the Alnylam-Protiva License Agreement shall not apply to the Protiva Sublicense (and for clarity, Protiva shall not be required to pay milestones or royalties to Alnylam under the Alnylam-Protiva License Agreement in respect of the Schedule 1 IP or the Consultant IP), and Protiva, as the Payor for such purpose, shall instead pay milestones and royalties directly to UBC for the benefit of UBC and AlCana in respect of the Protiva Sublicense as set forth in Section 8.4 of the Research Agreement. Solely for purposes of the application of the terms of Section 8.4 of the Research Agreement to this Section 5, all references in Section 8.4 of the Research Agreement and the defined terms of the Research Agreement used in such Section 8.4 to “UBC Controlled IP” shall be replaced with the collective reference to “Schedule 1 IP and Consultant IP”.
 
  6.   AlCana License of Consultant IP in the Supplemental Field . (a) As used in this Supplemental Agreement, the “ Supplemental Field ” means Antisense and Gene Therapy. Alnylam hereby grants to AlCana an exclusive, worldwide, milestone- and royalty-free license to use and
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      sublicense the Consultant IP and to manufacture, have made, distribute, import, use and sell any products, processes, or services under any Patent Rights claiming Consultant IP, in each case in the Supplemental Field.
     (b) Subject to Sections 6(c) and 6(d), all patent applications necessary to protect the interests of the parties in any Consultant IP will be prepared, filed, prosecuted, maintained, defended and paid for by Alnylam. Alnylam will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to diligently prosecute and maintain such patent applications, however, nothing in this Supplemental Agreement shall be construed to require Alnylam to prepare, file, prosecute, maintain, defend or pay for any patent applications covering Consultant IP outside the Field of Use. Through such mutually agreeable procedures as the parties may adopt from time to time, Alnylam will provide AlCana with copies of all material documents received or prepared by or on behalf of Alnylam in the prosecution and maintenance of such patents and patent applications with respect to Consultant IP ( provided , however , that Alnylam shall not be required to share any provisional patent applications before [**] months prior to the date of filing a utility patent application or international PCT application), and shall provide such copies in a timely manner to allow AlCana a reasonable opportunity to comment and request changes. Alnylam agrees to include all reasonable comments of AlCana; provided , however , that Alnylam shall have the right to make any final determination in the event of any dispute between Alnylam and AlCana relating to any decision in connection with the preparation, filing, prosecution or maintenance of any such patent application or patent.
     (c) If Alnylam elects not to file or thereafter prosecute particular Consultant IP or a Consultant IP Patent Right in any country that has application in the Supplemental Field, Alnylam will promptly notify AlCana in writing, and AlCana will have the right, but not the obligation, to file and prosecute any Consultant IP or claims of a Consultant IP Patent Right, in each case, that have application solely in the Supplemental Field, and/or maintain the affected patent in the applicable country(ies), at its expense.
     (d) Subject to Section 6(e), Alnylam shall have the exclusive right, but not the obligation, to initiate and maintain, at its expense, an appropriate suit anywhere in the world against any Third Party who at any time is suspected of infringing or using without proper authorization all or any portion of Consultant IP, and shall control any such action for which it exercises such right. AlCana agrees to cooperate with Alnylam in such action (including without limitation, signing all necessary documents and vesting in Alnylam the right to start the litigation), and Alnylam shall reimburse AlCana for any reasonable costs AlCana incurs as a result of cooperating with such action. Any amounts obtained by Alnylam for the infringement of Consultant IP will be retained by Alnylam. AlCana may bring suit for infringement or unauthorized use of Consultant IP in the Supplemental Field, at its own expense, if Alnylam elects not to commence suit under this Section within [**] days of notice of such alleged infringement from AlCana. Alnylam agrees to cooperate with AlCana in such action, and AlCana shall reimburse Alnylam for any reasonable costs Alnylam incurs as a result of cooperating with such action. Any amounts obtained by AlCana for the infringement of Consultant IP in the Supplemental Field will be retained by AlCana. All parties agree to be bound by the outcome of a suit for infringement under this Section.
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     (e) Alnylam and AlCana will promptly notify each other in writing of any complaint received by such party or its Related Parties alleging infringement of any patent or other proprietary rights regarding the use of the Consultant IP, and Alnylam and AlCana will promptly meet to consider the claim or assertion and the appropriate course of action. Each of Alnylam and AlCana shall have the right to take action to defend any such claim brought against it by a Third Party, provided , however , that neither AlCana nor Alnylam will enter into any settlement of any claim described in this Section 6(e) that affects adversely the other party’s rights or interests without first obtaining such party’s written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
  7.   Tekmira and Protiva Licenses in the Supplemental Field . (a) UBC and AlCana, to the extent of their respective interests and on the terms and conditions stated in Schedule 2 to this Supplemental Agreement, hereby grant to Tekmira and Protiva, and each of them, a nonexclusive, worldwide, milestone- and royalty-bearing license (or sublicense, as the case may be) to use and sublicense (as provided in Section 7(b) below) the Schedule 1 IP and the Consultant IP and to manufacture, have made, distribute, import, use and sell any products, processes, or services in each case in the Supplemental Field, under any Patent Rights claiming Schedule 1 IP or Consultant IP (the “ Supplemental IP License ”).
     (b) Tekmira and Protiva, and each of them, shall have no right to grant sublicenses under the licenses granted in this Section 7 other than as follows: (i) to an Affiliate, or (ii) solely for application to a Licensed Product (as defined in Schedule 2 to this Supplemental Agreement) that has, prior to the grant of the sublicense, been substantially developed by Tekmira and/or Protiva or by Tekmira and/or Protiva pursuant to a Bona Fide Collaboration to the point of completion of pharmacology and GLP toxicology studies intended to support an IND application. For purposes of this Section 7, a “ Bona Fide Collaboration ” means a collaboration between Tekmira and/or Protiva and one or more Third Parties involving the development of one or more products within the Supplemental Field and established under a written agreement in which (x) the scope of the licenses granted, and financial or other commitments of value, are of material value to Tekmira and/or Protiva, and (y) Tekmira and/or Protiva undertakes and performs substantial, mutual research activity with the Third Party. For purposes of clarity, it is understood and agreed that no collaboration in which all or substantially all of Tekmira’s and/or Protiva’s contributions or anticipated contributions are or will be solely in the form of the grant by Tekmira or Protiva of licenses or sublicenses to one or more intellectual property rights, will be considered a Bona Fide Collaboration.
     (c) In the event that AlCana’s license to the Consultant IP is terminated for any reason, the Supplemental IP License will survive any such termination as a direct license of the Consultant IP by Alnylam to Tekmira in the Supplemental Field; provided that Tekmira and Protiva, respectively: (i) are not then in breach of any terms or conditions governing its rights under the Supplemental IP License; (ii) and as the case may be, agree in writing to be bound to Alnylam as licensor under the terms and conditions of this Supplemental Agreement applicable to the Supplemental IP License; (iii) will negotiate in good faith with Alnylam an appropriate agreement, or amendment to this Supplemental Agreement, to substitute Alnylam for AlCana as the licensor, and Alnylam for UBC as Payee, with respect to the Consultant IP, in each case under terms no less favorable, in the aggregate, for Alnylam than the applicable terms of this
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Supplemental Agreement; and (iv) will pay Alnylam’s reasonable legal costs incurred in the course of negotiating such agreements.
  8.   Other IP . No grant of a license, sublicense, or other right in or to the use of any of the UBC Controlled IP or Consultant IP described in this Supplemental Agreement will, by implication or otherwise, be construed to extend any right for the grantee to practice or exploit any Intellectual Property of the grantor that is not UBC Controlled IP or Consultant IP, as the case may be, even where such other Intellectual Property may be required for the exercise of the grantee’s rights in or to the UBC Controlled IP or the Consultant IP, as the case may be, it being understood that any such rights in Intellectual Property other than UBC Controlled IP and Consultant IP must be obtained by the grantee, if at all, under agreements other than this Supplemental Agreement.
 
  9.   Representations and Warranties ; Certain Disclaimers . (a) Each of the parties to this Supplemental Agreement acknowledges and agrees to the following, for the benefit of each of the other parties to this Supplemental Agreement:
  (i)   It is a company or corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated, and has full corporate power and authority and the legal right to own and operate its property and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and as contemplated in this Supplemental Agreement, including, without limitation, the right to grant and transfer the rights granted and transferred hereunder.
  (ii)   As of the effective date of this Supplemental Agreement: (x) it has the corporate power and authority and the legal right to enter into this Supplemental Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder; (y) it has taken all necessary corporate action on its part required to authorize the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Agreement and the performance of its obligations hereunder; and (z) this Supplemental Agreement has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of such party, and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such party that is enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, winding-up, moratorium, and similar laws of general application affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and subject to general equitable principles, including the fact that the availability of equitable remedies, such as injunctive relief or specific performance, is in the discretion of the court.
  (iii)   Except for the agreements listed on Schedule 3 to which it is a party, (and with respect to which such party makes no representation or warranty): (x) to such party’s best knowledge after reasonable inquiry, it has not entered, and shall not enter, into any agreement that is in conflict with the rights granted to any other party under this Supplemental Agreement, and has not taken and shall not take any action that would in any way prevent it from granting the rights granted to any other party under this Supplemental Agreement, or that would otherwise materially conflict with or adversely affect the rights granted to any other party under this Supplemental Agreement; and (y) its performance and
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      execution of this Supplemental Agreement does not and will not result in a breach of any other contract to which it is a party.
     (b) Protiva and Tekmira acknowledge and agree (i) that notwithstanding anything in this Supplemental Agreement, the UBC- Tekmira License Agreement, the UBC Sublicense Agreement, the Alnylam-Tekmira License Agreement or the Alnylam-Protiva License Agreement (collectively, the “ Original Transaction Documents ”) to the contrary, none of UBC, AlCana or Alnylam makes any representations or warranties whatsoever to Tekmira or Protiva regarding the UBC Controlled IP or the Consultant IP; and (ii) to the disclaimers and limitations of liability set forth in Sections 11.2, 11.4 and 11.5 of the Research Agreement. The other parties to this Supplemental Agreement agree that AlCana shall have no liability to them under the terms of the Original Transaction Documents.
  10.   Indemnification; Limitation of Liability . (a) Tekmira and Protiva will indemnify UBC, its Board of Governors, officers, employees, faculty, students and agents (“ UBC Indemnitees ”) for any claims, including reasonable attorneys’ fees for defending those claims (“ Claims ”), based on or arising out of (i) the exercise by the Tekmira Indemnitees (defined below) of their rights under this Supplemental Agreement or the Research Agreement, or (ii) the use of the UBC Controlled IP, Consultant IP or any Licensed Products by the Tekmira Indemnitees or their respective distributors, customers or end-users; provided , however , that Tekmira and Protiva shall not be required to indemnify the UBC Indemnitees for any Claim (x) that arises solely due to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of, or the material breach of this Supplemental Agreement or Research Agreement by, a UBC Indemnitee or (y) described under clause (i) above unless such Claim alleges the negligence or willful misconduct of, or the material breach of this Supplemental Agreement or Research Agreement by, a Tekmira Indemnitee, it being understood and agreed that such indemnification obligation shall not apply if such allegations are later determined by a court or jury of competent jurisdiction in an un-reversed, un-appealable or un-appealed decision, to be untrue or unproven, with the result that such allegations are dismissed or withdrawn (other than by agreement between the indemnifying party and the plaintiff making such allegations). UBC will promptly notify Tekmira and Protiva of a Claim and will reasonably cooperate with the defense thereof. Each of Tekmira and Protiva shall be entitled to exercise its right of offset as a Payor described under Section 11.5 of the Research Agreement to recover any amounts paid to UBC pursuant to this Section 10(a) which UBC was not entitled to receive.
     (b) Tekmira and Protiva will indemnify the Alnylam Indemnitees and the AlCana Indemnitees for any Claims based on or arising out of (i) a Tekmira Indemnitee’s negligence or willful misconduct, or (ii) a Tekmira Indemnitee’s breach of this Supplemental Agreement or the Research Agreement, or (iii) the use by a Tekmira Indemnitee of the UBC Collaboration IP or Consultant IP licensed to Tekmira and Protiva under the Supplemental IP License or any Licensed Products (in the case of (iii) only, except to the extent that any such Claims are attributable to the negligence, willful misconduct or material breach of this Supplemental Agreement by an Alnylam Indemnitee (in the case of an indemnification obligation to Alnylam) or an AlCana Indemnitee (in the case of an indemnification obligation to Alnylam)). Each of Alnylam and AlCana, as applicable, will promptly notify Tekmira and Protiva of a Claim and will reasonably cooperate with the defense thereof.
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     (c) Alnylam will indemnify Tekmira, Protiva, their Related Parties and their respective directors, employees and agents (the “ Tekmira Indemnitees ”) for any Claims based on or arising out of (i) an Alnylam Indemnitee’s negligence or willful misconduct, or (ii) an Alnylam Indemnitee’s breach of this Supplemental Agreement or the Research Agreement, or (iii) the use by Alnylam or its Related Parties (for clarity, AlCana is not a Related Party of Alnylam) of the UBC Controlled IP or Consultant IP licensed or assigned to Alnylam as described in this Supplemental Agreement or any Licensed Products (in the case of (iii) only, except to the extent that any such Claims are attributable to the negligence, willful misconduct or material breach of this Supplemental Agreement by a Tekmira Indemnitee). Tekmira and Protiva will promptly notify Alnylam of a Claim and will reasonably cooperate with the defense thereof.
     (d) AlCana will indemnify the Tekmira Indemnitees for any Claims based on or arising out of (i) an AlCana Indemnitee’s negligence or willful misconduct, or (ii) an AlCana Indemnitee’s breach of this Supplemental Agreement or the Research Agreement, or (iii) the use by AlCana or its Related Parties of the UBC Controlled IP or Consultant IP licensed or assigned to AlCana as described in this Supplemental Agreement or any Licensed Products (in the case of (iii) only, except to the extent that any such Claims are attributable to the negligence, willful misconduct or material breach of this Supplemental Agreement by a Tekmira Indemnitee. Tekmira and Protiva will promptly notify AlCana of a Claim and will reasonably cooperate with the defense thereof.
     (e) To be eligible to be indemnified hereunder, the indemnified party shall provide the indemnifying party with prompt notice of the Claim giving rise to the indemnification obligation pursuant to this Section 10 and the exclusive ability to defend (with the reasonable cooperation of the indemnified party) or settle any such Claim; provided , however , that the indemnifying party shall not enter into any settlement for damages other than monetary damages without the indemnified party’s written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. The indemnified party shall have the right to participate, at its own expense and with counsel of its choice, in the defense of any claim or suit that has been assumed by the indemnifying party. If the parties cannot agree as to the application of Sections 10(a) through (d), inclusive, to any particular Claim, the parties may conduct separate defenses of such Claim. Each party reserves the right to claim indemnity from the other in accordance with Sections 10(a) through (d) above, inclusive, upon resolution of the underlying claim, notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 10(e) requiring the indemnified party to tender to the indemnifying party the exclusive ability to defend such claim or suit.
     (f) NO PARTY WILL BE LIABLE UNDER ANY LEGAL OR EQUITABLE THEORY WHETHER TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), CONTRACT (INCLUDING FUNDAMENTAL BREACH) OR OTHERWISE FOR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, AGGRAVATED, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE DAMAGES OR LOST PROFITS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT OR THE EXERCISE OF ITS RIGHTS HEREUNDER, ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO ANY BREACH OF THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT, REGARDLESS OF ANY NOTICE OF SUCH DAMAGES, EXCEPT AS A RESULT OF A MATERIAL BREACH OF ANY CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-USE OBLIGATIONS. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 10(f) IS INTENDED TO LIMIT OR RESTRICT THE INDEMNIFICATION RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY PARTY.
  11.   Original Transaction Documents . For clarity, the existing financial terms of the Original Transaction Documents (a) will apply to licenses and sublicenses of Schedule A IP under the
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      Original Transaction Documents and (b) will not apply to the transactions contemplated under this Supplemental Agreement with respect to Schedule 1 IP and the Consultant IP. Without waiving any rights it may have to obtain information in the course of discovery in any legal proceeding, AlCana acknowledges that it need not see such agreements in unredacted form, and that it need not, in order to enter into or to perform under this Supplemental Agreement, know the details of such financial terms whether now existing or hereafter altered.
  12.   Waiver; Non-suit Covenant . In consideration of the foregoing, Tekmira and Protiva hereby (a) waive all prohibitions and restrictions upon [**] (and any other UBC employee involved in the Research Program who was a former Tekmira employee) and each former Tekmira employee who is subject to the provisions of an Employment Agreement arising out of, under or in connection with their former employment by Tekmira, to the extent that any activities of such former Tekmira employee are carried out pursuant to the Research Program, the Consulting Agreements or in connection with the performance of obligations or the exercise of rights under this Supplemental Agreement; and (b) covenant not to sue Alnylam, UBC, AlCana or any of the former Tekmira employees employed by AlCana or UBC, for any cause of action relating to such activities that arises out of, under or in connection with the former employment by Tekmira of such former Tekmira employees. For clarity, a failure by any party to perform its respective obligations under this Supplemental Agreement shall not entitle any other party to sue any non-breaching party. Such former Tekmira employees are intended Third Party beneficiaries of this provision.
 
  13.   Disclosures . (a) Each of Alnylam, UBC and AlCana hereby affirms that it will not attempt to obtain any disclosures of any of Tekmira’s or Protiva’s confidential information from any of such former Tekmira employees except to the extent the same is necessary for AlCana’s conduct of its activities under the Research Program.
     (b) Notwithstanding anything in the Original Transaction Documents to the contrary, none of UBC, AlCana or Alnylam will disclose any UBC Controlled IP or Consultant IP to Tekmira or Protiva unless (i) such UBC Controlled IP or Consultant IP is presented in one or more patent applications, in which event, Alnylam shall promptly, and at the latest [**] days after filing a patent application (including without limitation, a provisional patent application) presenting UBC Controlled IP or Consultant IP, make disclosure of such UBC Controlled IP or Consultant IP to Tekmira and Protiva; or (ii) subject to clause (i) above, Tekmira or Protiva requests disclosure in writing of particular UBC Controlled IP or Consultant IP that Tekmira or Protiva believes in good faith is necessary to practice UBC Controlled IP or Consultant IP disclosed in clause (i) above (in which event Alnylam shall make such disclosure to Tekmira or Protiva as so requested). Tekmira and Protiva agree (x) to acknowledge receipt of all disclosures in writing and (y) that no confidential information contained in any provisional patent application provided to Tekmira or Protiva under this Section 13(b), whether patentable or not, will be disclosed to Third Parties or included in any patent filing or publication by Tekmira or Protiva prior to the [**] anniversary of the date a copy of such provisional patent application was first received by Tekmira or Protiva. For clarity, if pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 3.1(d) of the Research Agreement the Joint IP Committee referred to therein determines that a Program Development is UBC Controlled IP after a provisional patent application has already been filed presenting such Program Development, then Alnylam shall have [**] days after such determination to disclose such Program Development to Tekmira and Protiva.
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     (c) The parties agree that Section 9.0 of each of the UBC-Tekmira License Agreement and the UBC Sublicense Agreement shall not apply to Confidential Information received under or in connection with this Supplemental Agreement or the Research Program. Each of the parties agrees that Section 9.1 of the Research Agreement will, mutatis mutandis, apply to this Supplemental Agreement, and that, solely for the purposes of Section 9.1 of the Research Agreement, the term “Disclosing Party” in such Section 9.1 will be deemed to include Tekmira and Protiva to the extent they disclose any confidential information to any of UBC, AlCana or Alnylam under or in connection with this Supplemental Agreement or the Research Program, and the term “Receiving Party” in such Section 9.1 will be deemed to include Tekmira and Protiva to the extent they receive any confidential information from any of UBC, AlCana or Alnylam under or in connection with this Supplemental Agreement or the Research Program.
     (d) Tekmira and Protiva agree to be bound by the provisions of Section 9.3 (Publicity) of the Research Agreement, and each of UBC, AlCana and Alnylam agrees that, solely for the purposes of requiring consent under such Section 9.3 from a “Party,” the term “Party” in such Section 9.3 will be deemed to include Tekmira and Protiva.
  14.   Term . This Supplemental Agreement will remain in effect for the term of the Research Agreement, and thereafter to the extent required to implement the parties’ agreements (including without limitation any payment obligations) with respect to the Research Program, the UBC Controlled IP and the Consultant IP, and will survive any termination or expiration of the Employment Agreements or the Consulting Agreements. AlCana, UBC, and/or Alnylam shall promptly notify Tekmira and Protiva of (a) the alteration of the material terms of the Research Agreement or the Consulting Agreements, it being agreed that no such alteration will be made without Tekmira’s and Protiva’s prior consent if it would reduce or impair any right under this Supplemental Agreement of, or impose any obligation upon, Tekmira or Protiva, and (b) any extension of the life of the Research Program, including a statement of the new duration of the Research Program.
  15.   Other Provisions . For clarity, the parties hereby agree that the non-financial provisions (i.e., those provisions other than the provisions relating to milestone and royalty payments), including without limitation, the termination-related provisions of (a) the UBC-Tekmira License Agreement and UBC Sublicense Agreement shall (except as expressly set forth in this Supplemental Agreement) apply with respect to UBC Controlled IP under the Tekmira License and the Alnylam Sublicense, (b) the Alnylam-Tekmira License Agreement shall apply to Schedule 1 IP and Consultant IP under the Tekmira Sublicense, (c) the Alnylam-Protiva License Agreement shall apply to Schedule 1 IP and Consultant IP under the Protiva Sublicense and (d) Section 7 and Schedule 2 of this Supplemental Agreement shall apply to the Supplemental IP License; provided , however , that any termination or conversion to non-exclusivity as a consequence for a material breach shall be limited to the Intellectual Property that is the subject of the material breach.
  16.   Miscellaneous Provisions . The provisions of Sections 13.4 (Remedies), 13.8 (No Modification), 13.10 (Waiver), 13.11 (Severability; Reformation), and 13.12 (Counterparts) of the Research Agreement, also apply to this Supplemental Agreement. The notice provisions of Section 13.9 of the Research Agreement also apply to this Supplemental Agreement; provided that the notice addresses of Tekmira and Protiva are as follows:
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If to Tekmira or Protiva, to:
  Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation
or, as the case may be: Protiva Biotherapeutics Inc.
#200 — 8900 Glenlyon Parkway
Burnaby, B.C.
Canada V5J 5J8
Attention: President and C.E.O.
Facsimile No.: (604) 419-3201
 
   
With copy to:
  Fenwick & West LLP
1191 Second Avenue, 10th Floor
Seattle, WA 98101
Attention: Roger M. Tolbert
Facsimile No.: (206) 389-4511
  17.   Further Assurances . Each of Alnylam, AlCana, UBC, Tekmira and Protiva agrees from time to time to execute and deliver all such further documents and instruments and do all acts and things as a party may reasonably require to carry out or better evidence or perfect the full intent and meaning of this Supplemental Agreement. Each party acknowledges that it has read this Supplemental Agreement and each of its attachments.
 
  18.   Assignment . Except as expressly provided in this Supplemental Agreement, neither this Supplemental Agreement, nor any rights or obligations hereunder, may be transferred or assigned, in whole or in part, by any party without the prior written consent of the other parties. However, each of Alnylam, AlCana, Tekmira, and Protiva (each, an “ Assigning Party ”) may transfer or assign this Supplemental Agreement, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of any other party, to an Affiliate of the Assigning Party, or in connection with a merger, consolidation, or a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets to which this Supplemental Agreement relates; provided , that all obligations of the Assigning Party are assumed by the assignee under an assignment and assumption agreement in a form approved by UBC within [**] days of completion of such merger, consolidation, or a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets to which this Supplemental Agreement relates. Any transfer or assignment of its interest in UBC Controlled IP or Consultant IP by UBC or AlCana within the Field of Use or the Supplemental Field shall be expressly subject to the licenses contemplated herein.
 
  19.   Entire Agreement . This Supplemental Agreement is the only agreement between or among Tekmira and/or Protiva, on one hand, and any of Alnylam, UBC, and/or AlCana, on the other hand, bearing directly upon the Research Program and the Consultant IP. Except as expressly stated herein, neither this Supplemental Agreement nor any discussions, proposals or negotiations with respect hereto or otherwise with respect to the Research Program will alter the terms of, or constitute a waiver or release of any party’s rights or obligations under, any of the existing agreements between or among Tekmira and/or Protiva, on one hand, and Alnylam and/or UBC, on the other hand, including without limitation the provisions of such agreements regarding the termination of such agreements and the consequences thereof.
 
  20.   Governing Law . This Supplemental Agreement will be governed by, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the laws of Canada in force in such Province. All parties agree that by signing this Supplemental Agreement they have
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      attorned to the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of British Columbia. The courts of British Columbia shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the interpretation and enforcement of this Supplemental Agreement.
[Signature page follows]
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The foregoing Supplemental Agreement is hereby agreed by the parties through the signatures below of their authorized personnel, as of the effective date set forth above:
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
     
  By   /s/ John M. Maraganore    
    Title Chief Executive Officer    
    Date Signed 7 /27/09   
 
  Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation
 
 
  By   /s/ Mark Murray    
    Title President and CEO    
    Date Signed July 27, 2009   
 
  Protiva Biotherapeutics Inc.
 
 
  By   /s/ Mark Murray    
    Title President and CEO    
    Date Signed July 27, 2009   
 
  The University of British Columbia
 
 
  By   /s/ J.P. Heale    
    Title Associate Director, University-Industry Liaison Office    
    Date Signed July 27, 2009   
 
  AlCana Technologies, Inc.
 
 
  By   /s/ T.D. Madden    
    Title President and CEO    
    Date Signed July 27, 2009   
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Exhibit A
Employment Agreements
[**]
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Exhibit B
Research Agreement
See Attached
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29, 2011.
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Schedule 1
Patent Rights
None as of the Effective Date
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Schedule 2
Terms of License in Supplemental Field
1. Definitions . The following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth in this Section 1. Capitalized terms used, but not otherwise defined, in this Schedule 2 shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Supplemental Agreement and/or the Research Agreement.
Consultant IP Patent Right ” means a Patent Right claiming Consultant IP.
Licensed Product ” means, for the purpose of this Schedule 2, any product, good or services covered by an Outstanding Claim of the Schedule 1 IP or the Consultant IP.
Net Sales ” means the aggregate gross invoice prices of all units of the Licensed Product sold by a Payor and its Related Parties to Payor Third Parties (other than to a Sublicensee of Schedule 1 IP or Consultant IP) after deducting, if not previously deducted, from the amount invoiced or received: (a) trade and quantity discounts actually given other than early pay cash discounts; (b) returns, rebates, chargebacks and other allowances actually given; (c) retroactive price reductions that are actually granted; (d) sales or excise taxes, customary transportation and insurance, custom duties, and other governmental charges if separately set forth in the invoiced amount; and (e) a fixed amount equal to [**] percent ([**]%) of the invoiced amount to cover bad debt and early payment cash discounts. In the event that a Payor or its Related Parties receives non-cash consideration for the sale of Licensed Products, such Payor or its Related Parties, as the case may be, shall include the fair market value of such non-cash consideration in its determination of the gross invoice price.
With respect to sales of the Licensed Product combined with any other clinically active therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic ingredient, mechanism or device (a “ Companion Product ”) where either or both of the Licensed Product or the Companion Product is available for sale independently of the other (“ Combination Products ”), Net Sales shall be calculated on the basis of the gross invoice price of the Licensed Product(s) containing the same composition and concentration of active ingredient sold without the Companion Product. In the event that the Licensed Product is sold only as a Combination Product, the Net Sales shall be calculated on the basis of the gross invoice price of the Combination Product less the gross invoiced price of the Companion Product sold without the Licensed Product. In the event that the Licensed Product and the Companion Product are each sold independently, the Net Sales shall be calculated by multiplying (i) the gross invoiced price of the Combination Product by (ii) the quotient achieved by dividing (A) the gross invoiced price of the Licensed Product by (B) the sum of the gross invoiced price of the Licensed Product plus the gross invoiced price of the Companion Product. The deductions set forth in clauses (a) through (e) above will be applied in calculating Net Sales for a Combination Product in proportion to the ratio of the Net Sales for the Licensed Product to the Net Sales of the entire Combination Product, each as calculated in accordance with this paragraph. If neither the Licensed Product nor the Companion Product is sold independently, then Net Sales shall be calculated on the basis of the gross invoice price of the Combination Product without any reduction or deduction for the value of the Companion Product. For greater clarity it is confirmed that no such reduction or deduction from Net Sales
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shall be made for: (i) any Licensed Product which consists of a combination of a liposomal delivery technology and any clinically active therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic ingredient or Material; or (ii) any Licensed Product with respect to which any adjustment for Third Party royalties is allowed under Section 4(b) of this Schedule 2.
Payor ” means, for the purpose of this Schedule 2, Tekmira or Protiva, and “ Payors ” means Tekmira and Protiva, collectively.
Related Parties ” means, for the purpose of this Schedule 2, with respect to (a) Tekmira, Tekmira’s Affiliates and sublicensees of Schedule 1 IP or Consultant IP; and (b) Protiva, Protiva’s Affiliates and sublicensees of Schedule 1 IP or Consultant IP.
Royalty Term ” means, separately with respect to each Licensed Product in each country, the period (a) commencing on the First Commercial Sale of such Licensed Product in such country (provided, that either (i) such Licensed Product is covered by an Outstanding Claim of a Schedule 1 IP Patent Right or Consultant IP Patent Right in such country at the time of such First Commercial Sale in such country, or (ii) the manufacture of such Licensed Product is covered by an Outstanding Claim of a Schedule 1 IP Patent Right or Consultant IP Patent Right in the country or countries of manufacture, in each case at the time of such First Commercial Sale in such country and (b) concluding on the expiration of the latest of (i) the last to expire Valid Claim of a Schedule 1 IP Patent Right or Consultant IP Patent Right in such country covering such Licensed Product, (ii) the last to expire Valid Claim of a Schedule 1 IP Patent Right or Consultant IP Patent Right in the country or countries of manufacture of such Licensed Product covering such Licensed Product, and (iii) twelve (12) years from the date of First Commercial Sale of such Licensed Product in such country.
Schedule 1 IP Patent Right ” means a Patent Right claiming Schedule 1 IP.
2. Payments . In consideration for the license and sublicense granted in the Supplemental Field under Section 7 of the Supplemental Agreement with respect to Schedule 1 IP and Consultant IP and other good and valuable consideration, the Payors will make the following milestone and royalty payments to UBC for the benefit of UBC and AlCana.
3. Milestone Payments . The Payors shall make a milestone payment to UBC for the benefit of UBC and AlCana based on achievement of each of the milestone events listed below by such Payor or any Related Parties for Licensed Products that are directed to a particular Target. Such Payor shall notify UBC for the benefit of UBC and AlCana in writing of the achievement of each such milestone event and pay to UBC for the benefit of UBC and AlCana the applicable payment amount set forth below within [**] days of such Payor’s or its Related Parties’ achievement of such milestone event for each such Licensed Product. Each milestone payment hereunder shall be payable only once by a Payor and its Related Parties with respect to each Target, regardless of the number of times the same milestone is achieved with respect to such Target by a Licensed Product. For clarity, once either Payor has made a particular milestone payment with respect to a Licensed Product that is directed to a particular Target, neither Payor will have any obligation to make such milestone payment again with respect to any other Licensed Product that is directed to the same Target. For example, in the event that further clinical development of a Licensed Product with respect to which one or more milestones payments have been made (an “ Original Product ”) is halted, and such Licensed Product is replaced in development by a
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different Licensed Product directed to the same Target (a “ Backup Product ”), then neither Payor shall be obligated to make any payments with respect to milestones achieved by the Backup Product for which a milestone payment has already been made with respect to the Original Product. However, if such Original Product or Backup Product is subsequently directed to a different Target, then the Payor making such redirection shall be obligated to make any payments with respect to the milestones achieved by such Original Product or Backup Product directed to such different Target. Except as set forth above, each milestone payment shall be nonrefundable and non-creditable against any other payments due under this Schedule 2.
         
    Payment  
Milestone Event   Amount (U.S. $)  
[**]
  [**]  
[**]
  [**]  
[**]
  [**]  
[**]
  [**]  
[**]
  [**]  
  4.   Royalties .
  (a)   Rates . Subject to the other terms of this Section 4, with respect to each Licensed Product, the Payors shall pay UBC for the benefit of UBC and AlCana a royalty (“ Royalty ”) equal to (i) [**] percent ([**]%) of all Net Sales by any Payor or any Related Parties with respect to each Licensed Product sold during the applicable Royalty Term that is covered by a Valid Claim of a Schedule 1 IP Patent Right or a Consultant IP Patent Right, and (ii) [**] percent ([**]%) of Net Sales by any Payor or any Related Parties with respect to each Licensed Product sold during the applicable Royalty Term that is covered by a Pending Claim of a Schedule 1 IP Patent Right or a Consultant IP Patent Right. Notwithstanding anything in this Schedule 2 to the contrary, if a Licensed Product is (x) covered by an Issued Claim of a Schedule 1 IP Patent Right or a Consultant IP Patent Right in a country, or (y) the manufacture of such Licensed Product is covered by an Issued Claim of a Schedule 1 IP Patent Right or a Consultant IP Patent Right in the country or countries of manufacture, in each case at the time of such First Commercial Sale in such country, then even if there is no Outstanding Claim of a Schedule 1 IP Patent Right or a Consultant IP Patent Right covering such Licensed Product in either such country or the country or countries of manufacture, the Royalty Term for such Licensed Product shall not terminate until twelve (12) years from the date of First Commercial Sale of such Licensed Product in such country and the royalty rate set forth in Section 4(a)(ii) above shall apply to such Licensed Product after expiration of all Valid Claims of Schedule 1 IP Patent Right or a Consultant IP Patent Right covering such Licensed Product in such country and the country or countries of manufacture. After expiration of the Royalty Term for such Licensed Product, the Consultant
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      IP license with respect to such Licensed Product shall become fully paid and perpetual.
  (b)   Adjustments for Third Party Royalties . If any Payor or any Related Parties obtains or has obtained a license or similar right from any Payor Third Party under any Patent Rights covering liposomal delivery technology that are reasonably necessary for the manufacture, sale or import of a Licensed Product (including, without limitation, under the UBC-Tekmira License Agreement, the UBC Sublicense Agreement, the Alnylam-Tekmira License Agreement and the Alnylam-Protiva License Agreement, if and as applicable), and if such Payor or Related Parties is required to pay to such Third Party in consideration for the grant of such license or similar right by the Third Party, a royalty calculated on Payor’s or Related Parties’ Net Sales with respect to such Licensed Product (the “ Third Party Royalty ”), then the Royalty payable pursuant to Section 4(a) shall be reduced by an amount not exceeding [**] percent ([**]%) of the actual Third Party Royalty attributable to the sale of such Licensed Product paid by either Payor or any Related Parties; provided, however : that (i) if the Third Party Royalty is paid by a Sublicensee, then such Third Party Royalty will only be applied to reduce the amount of the royalty payable by Payor to Payee if such Sublicensee’s payment to Payor of royalties on the Sublicensee’s Net Sales of Licensed Products is also reduced in accordance with provisions substantially equivalent to those contained in this subsection 4(b); and (ii) the Royalty payable to UBC for the benefit of UBC and AlCana shall in no event be reduced to less than [**] percent ([**]%) of the amounts set forth in Section 4(a) regardless of the total amount of Third Party Royalties paid, and regardless of the number of Third Party Royalty obligations that may arise with regards to the sale of any Licensed Product.
  (c)   Other Royalty Provisions . Royalties shall become due and payable within [**] days of each Contract Quarter during the applicable Royalty Term and shall be calculated with respect to Net Sales in the immediately preceding Contract Quarter. Along with its royalty payment hereunder, each Payor and its Related Parties shall provide Payee with a royalty report (in a form that may be reasonably prescribed by the Payee from time to time) containing the calculation of such royalty. No Royalty shall be due upon the sale or other transfer among a Payor and its Related Parties, but in such cases the royalty shall be due and calculated upon such Payor’s or its Related Parties’ sales of Licensed Product to the first independent Third Party. No royalties shall accrue on the sale or other disposition of the Licensed Product by a Payor or its Related Parties for use in a clinical study sponsored or funded by a Payor or its Related Parties or on the disposition of a Licensed Product in reasonable quantities by a Payor or its Related Parties as samples (promotion or otherwise) or as donations (for example, to non-profit institutions or government agencies for a non-commercial purpose). Other than as set out in this subsection, any other transaction, disposition, or other dealing involving the sale or other transfer of Licensed Products that is not made at fair market value is deemed to have been made at fair market value, and the fair market value of such sale or transfer will
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      be added to and deemed part of the Net Sales and will be included in the calculation of royalties under this Agreement.
  (d)   Subject to the limitations on UBC’s liability contained in Section 11.5(c) of the Research Agreement, each Payor and its Affiliates shall have the right to offset up to [**] percent ([**]%) of any amounts due to UBC or AlCana, as the case may be, under this Schedule 2, by the amount of any and all damages or losses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by a Tekmira Indemnitee and arising out of the negligence, willful misconduct or material breach of this Supplemental Agreement or the Research Agreement by UBC or AlCana, as the case may be.
5.   Tax . If a Payor concludes that tax withholdings under the laws of any country are required with respect to payments by such Payor under this Supplemental Agreement, the Payor shall withhold the required amount and pay it to the appropriate governmental authority. In any such case, the Payor shall promptly provide UBC for the benefit of UBC and AlCana with original receipts or other evidence reasonably desirable and sufficient to allow UBC and/or AlCana to document such tax withholdings for purposes of claiming foreign tax credits and similar benefits. If UBC or AlCana is required to collect a tax to be paid by a Payor or any of its Related Parties, then Payor will pay the tax to UBC for the benefit of UBC and AlCana on demand.
6.   Currency . All dollar amounts ($) specified in this Schedule 2 are United States dollar amounts. All payments under this Schedule 2 shall be made in Canadian dollars. With respect to United States dollar payments converted to Canadian dollars for payment and for sales of Licensed Products invoiced in a currency other than Canadian dollars, the sales and any amounts payable hereunder shall be expressed in their Canadian dollar equivalent calculated using the applicable Payor’s (or its Related Party’s) own standard currency translation methodology for the conversion of foreign sales currencies into Canadian dollars, which methodology shall be in accordance with such generally accepted accounting methodology used by Payor or Payor’s Related Parties and shall be the methodology generally used by such party for currency conversions in such party’s audited financial statements.
7.   Records and Audits . Each Payor shall keep, and shall require all its Related Parties to keep and maintain, correct and complete books of accounts and other records containing all information and data that may be necessary to ascertain and verify the Net Sales of all Licensed Products, the royalties payable under this Schedule 2 and the achievement of all milestone events. Such accounts and records, and the calculation of royalties will be carried out in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (or such other generally accepted accounting methodology used by such Payor’s Related Parties) applied on a consistent basis. During the term of this Supplemental Agreement and for a period of [**] years following its termination or expiration, UBC, for the benefit of UBC and AlCana, shall have the right from time to time (not to exceed [**] during each calendar year) to have an independent certified public accountant inspect such books and records of a Payor and/or its Affiliates at UBC’s and/or AlCana’s expense. Such inspection shall be conducted after reasonable prior notice by UBC to such Payor during such Payor’s ordinary business
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      hours, shall not be more frequent than [**] during each calendar year and may cover only the [**] years immediately preceding the date of the audit. Any such independent certified accountant shall be reasonably acceptable to such Payor, shall execute such Payor’s standard form of confidentiality agreement, and shall be permitted to share with UBC solely its findings (the “ Findings ”) with respect to the accuracy of the Net Sales, royalties and milestones reported as payable under this Agreement. If such accounting determines that such Payor paid UBC for the benefit of UBC and AlCana less than the amount properly due in respect of any period which is the subject of the audit, then such Payor will reimburse UBC for the benefit of UBC and AlCana such amount, and if the amount underpaid exceeds five percent (5%) of the amount actually due and [**] dollars ($[**]), such Payor will also reimburse UBC for the costs of such accounting (including the fees and expenses of the certified public accountant). In the event such accounting determines that the Payor(s) paid more than the amount properly due in respect of any period which is the subject of the audit, then any excess payments shall be credited against future amounts due to UBC for the benefit of UBC and AlCana, or if no such future amounts are reasonably expected to be due, then UBC for the benefit of UBC and AlCana shall reimburse such Payor promptly for any such overpayment.
  8.   In addition to the foregoing provisions of this Schedule 2, the following provisions of the UBC-Tekmira License Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference, mutatis mutandis, such that UBC, AlCana, Tekmira and Protiva shall be subject to the terms thereof, or entitled to the benefit of such terms, as the case may be: (i) Sections 7.1 to 7.3, inclusive; (ii) Sections 12.1 to 12.3, inclusive; (iii) Sections 17.1 to 17.7, inclusive; (iv) Sections 18.3 and 18.5; and (v) Sections 20.1 to 20.12, inclusive.
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Schedule 3
Exceptions to Section 9(a)(iii)
1.   Research Agreement
 
2.   Original Transaction Documents
 
3.   Consulting Agreements
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Exhibit 99.1
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
     
SUFFOLK, ss   SUPERIOR COURT DEPARTMENT
    BUSINESS LITIGATION SESSION
             
 
       
TEKMIRA PHARMACEUTICALS
    )      
CORPORATION and PROTIVA
    )      
BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC,
    )      
 
    )      
 
    )      
Plaintiffs,
    )      
 
    )      
 
    )      
v.
    )      
 
    )      
ALNYLAM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., and
    )      
ALCANA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    )      
 
    )      
 
    )      
Defendants
    )      
 
       
 
    )     CIVIL ACTION NO: 11-1010-BLS2
ALNYLAM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    )      
 
    )      
 
    )      
Plaintiff in Counterclaim
    )      
 
    )      
v.
    )      
 
    )      
TEKMIRA PHARMACEUTICALS
    )      
CORPORATION and PROTIVA
    )      
BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC,
    )      
 
    )      
 
    )      
Defendants in Counterclaim
    )      
 
    )      
 
       
ALNYLAM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.’S
ANSWER AND COUNTERCLAIM TO PLAINTIFFS’

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT WITH JURY DEMAND
     Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Alnylam”) hereby responds to the meritless and unjustified allegations of “theft” and misconduct lodged by its research and development collaborators, Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Protiva Biotherapeutics, Inc. (collectively “Tekmira”). Tekmira’s claims in this lawsuit fly in the face of the extensive and detailed contracts that govern all aspects of the parties’ relationship, including among other

 


 

things, access to and use of confidential information, ownership and control of intellectual property, and financial terms. To put Tekmira’s claims in context, Alnylam provides the following background:
  1.   Alnylam’s Leadership In The Field Of RNAi
     Alnylam, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was founded in 2002 by leading medical researchers who were pioneers in the field of RNA interference (“RNAi”) technology. Since then, Alnylam has been a leader in the discovery and development of short interfering RNA (“siRNA”) that can be used to “silence” disease-causing genes using the RNAi mechanism. The import of this technology was widely recognized, including the award of the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 2006 to its academic discoverers. Alnylam is now conducting clinical trials in which its RNAi technology is being evaluated as a potential therapeutic to treat patients with liver cancer, respiratory viral infections, and a terminal genetic disease called transthyretin amyloidosis. Alnylam is also conducting preclinical studies advancing the use of RNAi therapeutics for treatment of other serious conditions. Alnylam’s focus is bringing RNAi technology to the clinic and to patients and, in furtherance of that goal, the company has established and enjoys many collaborations with others in the field, including leading universities and major pharmaceutical companies. Alnylam’s industry-leading contributions to the advancement of RNAi therapeutics as a whole new class of innovative medicines have been recognized worldwide and are exemplified in over 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications since 2004.
     Alnylam, as well as many others in the RNAi field, have committed substantial resources to discover ways of achieving effective and safe delivery of siRNAs. In fact, Alnylam has itself committed, conservatively, approximately 275 man-years of effort to this objective with a

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cumulative investment of approximately $150 million. In addition, Alnylam has collaborated with other external research groups and has engaged in more than 40 such delivery collaborations. These collaborations can vary in scope and size, including preliminary feasibility studies analyzing a given technology, unfunded collaborations designed to give Alnylam and its partner insight into one another’s technology, and fully-funded research efforts with academic and industry partners.
     The delivery technologies Alnylam has pursued are diverse, including, for example, the use of chemical conjugates tethered to siRNAs, different types of lipid nanoparticles (“LNPs”) encapsulating siRNAs, and polymer-based delivery approaches, amongst others. LNP technology has been widely explored for the delivery of medicinal compounds by many academics and industry scientists for more than 30 years, and several liposome-based formulated drugs are on the market to treat cancer, fungal infections, meningitis and other conditions. Alnylam has entered into collaborations on delivery technology with a range of academic laboratories and private companies. In the LNP space alone, in addition to its various agreements with Tekmira and Protiva and its own internal efforts, Alnylam has collaborated with the following institutions, to name a few: AlCana; the University of British Columbia; Precision Nanosystems; the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; MD Anderson Medical Center; Nippon Shinyaku; Nanodisc; The University Health Network-Toronto; Transave; and Novosom.
     Indeed, Tekmira was well aware prior to entering into collaborations with Alnylam, that Alnylam’s collaborative efforts on the delivery front were widespread, spanned numerous technologies, and included multiple variants even within particular technology types such as LNPs. Tekmira’s Amended Complaint, however, wrongly portrays Tekmira’s technology as the

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only solution for RNAi delivery and wrongly portrays Tekmira as being Alnylam’s exclusive source of novel lipids and formulations. It is not.
  2.   Alnylam’s Relationship With Tekmira And Alnylam’s Efforts To Keep Tekmira Focused On Scientific Advancement
     Alnylam began collaborating with Protiva Biotherapeutics, Inc. (“Protiva”) as early as 2005. Protiva had developed a specific method of delivering siRNA to certain tissues in the body using a specific type of lipid nanoparticle that Protiva called “SNALP.” The collaboration between the two companies was productive and culminated in the publication of a landmark study in the leading scientific journal Nature . See Zimmerman, et al. , “RNAi mediated gene silencing in non-human primates,” Nature 441, 111-114 (May 2006). Alnylam and Protiva continued to work together, and in 2007 entered into a formal license and collaboration agreement.
     Earlier in 2007 and with the full knowledge of Protiva, Alnylam entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Inex Pharmaceuticals Corp., another company working on lipid delivery systems for siRNA. At the time, Protiva and Inex were in active litigation over ownership of intellectual property rights related to the use of this specific kind of lipid nanoparticles and their use to deliver siRNAs.
     In a bid to keep the parties focused on scientific advancement, Alnylam worked hard to successfully align the high level interests of Protiva and Inex in 2008. Specifically, Alnylam went directly to the Board of Directors of Protiva and Inex, which had then changed its name to Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation (“TPC”), to encourage a peaceful resolution of the ongoing dispute through a business combination of Protiva and TPC. In order to encourage this merger, Alnylam committed to make a significant cash investment in the merged company and also obtained a commitment from one of its pharmaceutical partners to make a similar

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investment. Further, Alnylam offered to make significant changes in the terms of its license provisions in the 2007 TPC agreement that would have otherwise provided Alnylam exclusive rights to the entirety of the merged company’s technology for the RNAi field. As a result, Protiva and TPC agreed that TPC would acquire Protiva. Alnylam and its pharmaceutical partner each made a $5 million investment in the newly formed Tekmira. Protiva’s Chief Executive Officer, Mark Murray, and its Chief Scientific Officer, Ian MacLachlan, assumed control of the combined company at that time.
     Notwithstanding Alnylam’s hopes that the newly combined company would now focus on advancing siRNA technologies to patients, the discord continued. In October 2008 and despite Alnylam’s requests as both a partner and a shareholder, Tekmira’s new management abruptly terminated the employment of several scientists who were originally employed by Inex/TPC and had invented important RNAi delivery technology licensed by TPC to Alnylam. Dismayed by the terminations and fearing the loss of access to the expertise of these individuals, Alnylam entered into consulting agreements with the scientists after they were terminated by Tekmira. These scientists went on to form a new company, AlCana, which worked closely with the University of British Columbia (“UBC”), another historic partner of TPC whose collaborative relationship ended with the ascendency of Protiva’s senior management to the leadership of the new Tekmira.
  3.   Tekmira’s Decision Not To Participate In Second Generation LNP Research And Its Desperate Attempt To Reverse That Decision Through This Litigation
     Alnylam wished to continue working with the talented AlCana and UBC scientists, but was concerned that Tekmira’s new management would later claim an unjustified interest in the continued research or would otherwise seek to interfere with the collaboration in much the same way that they had become embroiled in lawsuits with the former Inex/TPC as well other

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companies ( e.g. , Merck and Sirna) when running Protiva. As a result and in yet another bid to keep peace, Alnylam spearheaded negotiations that resulted in Alnylam, Protiva, Tekmira, AlCana and UBC entering into a Supplemental Agreement in July 2009. That agreement explicitly addressed the parties’ rights and responsibilities with regard to the Alnylam-sponsored research at AlCana and UBC. It also includes Tekmira’s waiver of any contractual restrictions on the AlCana scientists’ ability to perform the contemplated research by virtue of their former employment with Tekmira, and also Tekmira’s covenant not to sue Alnylam or AlCana. It also includes a highly detailed research plan that describes the work to be conducted.
     In the parties’ discussions leading up to the agreement, Alnylam explicitly offered Tekmira the opportunity to obtain broader rights to the inventions of the AlCana/UBC research program in return for jointly funding that effort, but Tekmira rejected the opportunity, expressing its view that new inventions would have limited value. Thus, Alnylam, with Tekmira’s agreement and full knowledge of the research plan, retained the exclusive rights to the AlCana inventions for use with RNAi technology, including the sole right to sublicense the technology in the RNAi field. In an effort to be a good partner, Alnylam granted Tekmira certain rights to use the new inventions for advancement of a fixed number of products being developed by Tekmira under license from Alnylam and thus benefit from the research program despite making no financial investment. Alnylam, with Tekmira’s agreement and full knowledge, also assumed the responsibility of filing and prosecuting new patent applications that would emerge from the collaborative research efforts with AlCana. Alnylam also agreed to allow Tekmira to see the patents and confidential information contained therein substantially before their ultimate publication in order to provide Tekmira an opportunity to offer its input on inventorship and

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patent priority. It now appears that Tekmira has abused this privilege in order to advance its own lipid discovery efforts.
     One of the lipids that AlCana’s founders discovered pursuant to this collaboration is MC3, which has shown tremendous promise. Having grossly misjudged the likely value of new lipids to be discovered in the collaboration and wishing that it had not decided to pass on supporting second-generation LNP research, Tekmira now turns to litigation in the hope it can somehow reverse its prior business decision. Tekmira is desperately pursuing this action as they recognize that their “SNALP” technology has been obsolesced by second generation LNP technology, where they have limited rights by their own agreement.
     Indeed, the irony of Tekmira’s claims is that it is Tekmira, not Alnylam or AlCana, which has breached the parties’ agreements and wrongfully claimed rights in, and entitlement to, technology developed by others. In fact, Tekmira’s allegations in this lawsuit are inconsistent with its own prior representations. For example, notwithstanding its inflammatory accusation that Alnylam “stole” MC3, Tekmira’s CEO previously acknowledged in writing that Alnylam has exclusive rights in MC3. See Exhibit 1 attached hereto, a true and accurate copy of a letter dated March 17, 2010 from Barry E. Greene, President and Chief Operating Officer of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to Mark Murray, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation. It is remarkable that Tekmira aims to hoodwink this Court by failing to mention that acknowledgment, its covenant not to sue, its waiver of restrictions on the AlCana founders, and the agreed upon research plan in the Supplemental Agreement. Moreover, it is Tekmira which has misappropriated trade secrets and confidential information by improperly using information it received about MC3 pursuant to the Supplemental Agreement to develop derivative lipids that Tekmira now claims as its own.

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     In sum, Tekmira management’s conduct in filing this action has once again demonstrated its preference for litigation over scientific collaboration and development. That preference is evident from, among other things, the fact that Tekmira has: (i) ignored the executive consultation and confidential alternative dispute resolution provisions in the parties’ agreements and filed this action without any advance warning; (ii) engaged in a public campaign to impugn Alnylam’s reputation through press releases and conference calls in which Tekmira’s CEO defamed Alnylam by falsely accusing it of stealing Tekmira’s technology; (iii) triggered a patent interference proceeding in violation of contractual agreements that required cooperation in patent prosecution; and (iv) asked the Court to give Tekmira rights to technology invented by Alnylam and AlCana pursuant to agreements Tekmira is so desperate to avoid.
     With that background, Alnylam submits the following Answer and Counterclaim to the Plaintiffs’ Amended Complaint: 1
ANSWER
NATURE OF ACTION
     1. Denied. Alnylam further states that as part of an ongoing collaboration, the parties entered into agreements governing the treatment of Tekmira’s confidential and proprietary information and that Alnylam has fully complied with those agreements.
PARTIES
     2. Admitted, upon information and belief.
     3. Admitted, upon information and belief.
     4. Admitted.
     5. Admitted, upon information and belief.
 
1   This answer is submitted on behalf of Alnylam. No response is required to the allegations to the extent they are directed exclusively to defendant AlCana.

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JURISDICTION AND VENUE
     6. Given that Tekmira’s breach of the arbitration provisions set forth in various agreements governing the parties’ relationship has eliminated the possibility of a confidential dispute resolution mechanism, Alnylam does not contest the jurisdiction of this Court.
     7. Given that Tekmira’s breach of the arbitration provisions set forth in various agreements governing the parties’ relationship has eliminated the possibility of a confidential dispute resolution mechanism, Alnylam does not contest the jurisdiction of this Court. Alnylam denies that it has waived its right to arbitrate certain claims that otherwise were subject to arbitration provisions breached by Tekmira.
     8. Paragraph 8 states conclusions of law as to which no response is required. To the extent a response is required, the allegations are denied.
     9. Paragraph 9 of the Amended Complaint states conclusions of law as to which no response is required.
     10. Notwithstanding Tekmira’s breach of the arbitration provisions set forth in various agreements governing the parties’ relationship, Alnylam does not contest venue in this Court.
BACKGROUND
     11. Admitted.
     12. Alnylam denies that siRNA leads to the destruction of the mRNA molecule by simply “binding to the mRNA.” Instead, siRNA, together with certain cellular enzymes, bind to the target mRNA to mediate its cleavage and ultimate degradation. Alnylam admits the remainder of Paragraph 12.
     13. Admitted.

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     14. Alnylam admits the first sentence of Paragraph 14 but denies the remainder of Paragraph 14 to the extent it purports to allege that all siRNA delivery systems are systemic ( i.e. , “through the bloodstream”) or that the successful development of siRNA delivery technology is more important than the siRNA itself, which is the active ingredient.
     15. Alnylam admits that delivering siRNA through the bloodstream poses challenges such as transport without degradation of the siRNA, avoidance of unwanted immune effects, and effective delivery of siRNA to the target tissue, but denies the remaining allegations of Paragraph 15 to the extent the characterizations of the various challenges are imprecise or incorrect.
     16. Alnylam admits that Tekmira has developed certain types of siRNA delivery technology that Tekmira describes as “SNALP,” a specific type of the much broader lipid nanoparticle or “LNP” technology, and that Tekmira’s SNALP technology (as an adjunct to Alnylam’s RNAi technology) has been demonstrated to be effective in certain pre-clinical testing and in early human trials. Alnylam denies the remaining allegations set forth in Paragraph 16 of the Amended Complaint, and further states that Alnylam and others are developing RNAi therapeutics for systemic delivery that have demonstrated promising results but do not use Tekmira’s SNALP technology. This includes companies such as Silence Therapeutics that are using their own version of LNP technology in clinical development of RNAi therapeutics. This also includes companies such as Marina Biotech that have publicly disclosed development of their own LNP technology for development of RNAi therapeutics. Further, Merck has published articles describing novel LNP technologies for RNAi therapeutics.

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     17. Alnylam admits the first sentence of Paragraph 17, but lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations set forth in Paragraph 17 of the Amended Complaint.
     18. Given the lack of specificity, Alnylam lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in Paragraph 18 of the Amended Complaint. Alnylam further states that Tekmira has placed its technology in the public domain, including, without limitation, via published articles, numerous presentations at meetings, and patent applications.
     19. Given the lack of specificity, Alnylam lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in Paragraph 19 of the Amended Complaint. Alnylam further states that Tekmira and others have published numerous articles and patent applications regarding the compositions of LNPs and delivery formulations containing LNPs that are a matter of public record.
     20. Given the lack of specificity in the pleading, Alnylam lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in Paragraph 20. Alnylam further states that Tekmira has placed its technology in the public domain, including via published articles, numerous presentations at meetings, and patent applications regarding the chemical structures of the lipids in its formulations, and the design rationales that informed the structure of the lipids, including for example, an article entitled “Rational Design of Cationic Lipids for siRNA Delivery” (attached hereto as Exhibit 2) published in Nature Biotechnology in 2010 which lists employees of Tekmira, Alnylam, and AlCana among its authors.
     21. Given the lack of specificity in the pleading, Alnylam lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in Paragraph 21.

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Alnylam further states that Tekmira and others have placed its technology in the public domain, including via numerous published articles, numerous presentations at meetings, and patent applications dating back more than 5 years regarding LNP formulations and technology, including equipment used in Tekmira’s LNP manufacturing process.
     22. Alnylam admits that it collaborated with each of TPC and Protiva before TPC acquired Protiva in May 2008, but denies the remaining allegations of Paragraph 22 of the Amended Complaint on the grounds that they do not accurately or completely characterize the parties’ collaboration, including the omission of terms and conditions of the parties’ written agreements.
     23. Alnylam lacks knowledge and information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations that TPC and Protiva kept their activities strictly separate during the Restriction Period, and on that basis denies them. Alnylam admits the remaining allegations in Paragraph 23.
     24. Alnylam admits that during the course of the collaboration, Tekmira disclosed certain information about its variant of LNP delivery technology to Alnylam pursuant to written agreements between the parties. Alnylam denies the remaining allegations set forth in Paragraph 24 of the Amended Complaint, insofar as the written agreements speak for themselves and Tekmira’s characterizations of those agreements are incorrect and incomplete.
     25. Denied.
     26. Denied.
     27. Denied.
     28. Alnylam admits that the Tekmira Agreement is both a collaboration agreement and a license agreement, but denies the remainder of Paragraph 28 of the Amended Complaint,

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insofar as the written agreement speaks for itself and Tekmira’s characterizations of Alnylam’s role pursuant to the written agreement are incomplete and therefore incorrect.
     29. Alnylam admits the first sentence of Paragraph 29 of the Amended Complaint, but denies the remainder of Paragraph 29, insofar as the written agreement speaks for itself and Tekmira’s characterization of it is incomplete and therefore incorrect.
     30. Upon information and belief, Alnylam admits that employees of TPC invented the cationic lipid “MC2” prior to the end of the Restriction Period and filed provisional patent application No. 61/104,219 on or about October 9, 2008, but denies the remainder of Paragraph 30 of the Amended Complaint.
     31. Paragraph 31 of the Amended Complaint states conclusions of law as to which no response is required. To the extent a response is required, the allegations are denied as incomplete and incorrect.
     32. Alnylam admits that employees of Tekmira (which employees, upon information and belief, were fired by Tekmira and went on to form AlCana) invented MC2 and that the carbon atom is represented by the “C” in the name MC2, but denies that Tekmira invented or even recognized an “MC class of cationic lipids.” Alnylam lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations in Paragraph 32.
     33. Alnylam admits, upon information and belief, that the MC2 patent application published on April 15, 2010, but lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations set forth in Paragraph 33 of the Amended Complaint.
     34. Denied.
     35. Denied.
     36. Denied.

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     37. Denied.
     38. Denied.
     39. Denied. In further response to the allegation set forth in Paragraph 39, Alnylam states that the written agreements between the parties speak for themselves, and Tekmira’s characterizations of them are incomplete and incorrect.
     40. Denied. In further response to the allegations of Paragraph 40, Alnylam states that the written agreements between the parties speak for themselves, and Tekmira’s characterizations of them are incomplete and incorrect.
     41. Denied. In further response to the allegations of Paragraph 41, Alnylam states that the written agreements between the parties speak for themselves, and Tekmira’s characterizations of them are incomplete and incorrect.
     42. Denied. In further response to the allegations of Paragraph 42, Alnylam states that the written agreements between the parties speak for themselves, and Tekmira’s characterizations of them are incomplete and incorrect.
     43. Denied.
     44. Denied. In further response to the allegations of Paragraph 44, Alnylam states that the written agreements between the parties speak for themselves, and Tekmira’s characterizations of them are incomplete and incorrect.
     45. Denied.
     46. Upon information and belief, Alnylam admits the first sentence of Paragraph 46, but denies the remainder of Paragraph 46 of the Amended Complaint on the ground that any employee agreements speak for themselves.

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     47. Alnylam lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 47 of the Amended Complaint.
     48. Alnylam lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 48 of the Amended Complaint.
     49. Alnylam admits that Alnylam hired as consultants some of the scientists that Tekmira fired, but denies the remaining allegations set forth in Paragraph 49 of the Amended Complaint.
     50. Denied.
     51. Denied.
     52. Denied.
     53. Denied.
     54. Denied, except to the extent the allegations of Paragraph 54 pertain to activities of other parties, such that Alnylam lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to their truth.
     55. Alnylam admits that it has an exclusive license to use the MC3 compound in the siRNA field, but denies the remaining allegations of Paragraph 55 of the Amended Complaint.
     56. Upon information and belief, Alnylam admits that MC3 was first synthesized after October 9, 2008, but denies the remaining allegations set forth in Paragraph 56 of the Amended Complaint.
     57. Alnylam admits that the Protiva Agreement references a Research and Development Research Plan, but further states that the written agreement speaks for itself and Tekmira’s characterization of it is incomplete and inaccurate.

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     58. Alnylam admits that the parties selected a Lead Formulation, but denies the remaining allegations of Paragraph 58.
     59. Alnylam admits that Tekmira filed a patent application claiming the Lead Formulation and that the application published on July 9, 2009, but denies the remaining allegations of Paragraph 59.
     60. Alnylam admits that the parties selected a Lead Formulation, but lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to whether Protiva and Tekmira took reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of trade secrets, if any, associated with the Lead Formulation. Alnylam denies the remaining allegations set forth in Paragraph 60 of the Amended Complaint and further states that the written agreement speaks for itself and Tekmira’s characterization of it is incomplete and incorrect.
     61. In response to Paragraph 61, Alnylam states that the written agreement speaks for itself.
     62. Alnylam admits that it filed provisional patent application 61/034,019, but further states that application speaks for itself. Alnylam denies the remaining allegations in Paragraph 62 of the Amended Complaint.
     63. Alnylam admits filing provisional application 61/185,545, WO2010/088537, and WO2010/033777, and further states that those applications speak for themselves. Alnylam denies the remaining allegations in Paragraph 63 of the Amended Complaint.
     64. Denied. Alnylam lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 64 of the Amended Complaint, which does not identify the referenced patent applications. To the extent the 23 patent applications referred to in such allegation include the applications referenced in Paragraph 63, those allegations are denied.

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     65. Alnylam lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations in Paragraph 65, which does not identify the referenced patent applications. To the extent the patent applications include the applications referenced in Paragraph 63, those allegations are denied. Alnylam further states that the written agreements between the parties speak for themselves, and Tekmira’s characterizations of them are incomplete and incorrect.
     66. Denied. Alnylam further states that the written agreements between the parties speak for themselves, and Tekmira’s characterizations of them are incomplete and incorrect.
     67. Denied. Alnylam further states that the written agreements between the parties speak for themselves, and Tekmira’s characterizations of them are incomplete and incorrect.
     68. Alnylam admits that it filed provisional patent application 61/148,366, but denies the remaining allegations of Paragraph 68 of the Amended Complaint. Alnylam further states that the written agreements between the parties speak for themselves, and Tekmira’s characterizations of them are incomplete and incorrect.
     69. Denied. Alnylam further states that the written agreements between the parties speak for themselves, and Tekmira’s characterizations of them are incomplete and incorrect.
     70. Denied.
     71. Denied.
     72. Alnylam admits that it is continuing to prosecute provisional application 61/185,545, WO2010/088537, and WO2010/033777, and further states that those applications speak for themselves. Alnylam denies the remaining allegations in Paragraph 72 of the Amended Complaint.

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     73. Paragraph 73 of the Amended Complaint sets forth conclusions of law as to which no response is required; however, insofar as a response is required, Alnylam denies the allegations of Paragraph 73.
     74. Alnylam lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in Paragraph 74 of the Amended Complaint.
     75. Alnylam admits the first and second sentences of Paragraph 75 of the Amended Complaint, but denies the remaining allegations set forth in Paragraph 75.
     76. Alnylam admits to the email exchange between Mark Murray and David Konys referenced in Paragraph 76 of the Amended Complaint, but denies the remaining allegations set forth in Paragraph 76.
     77. Denied.
     78. Alnylam admits that Alnylam and Tekmira entered into a Manufacturing and Supply Agreement dated January 2, 2009, but denies the remaining allegations set forth in Paragraph 78 of the Amended Complaint. Alnylam further states that the written agreement speaks for itself and Tekmira’s characterization of it is incomplete and incorrect.
     79. Paragraph 79 states conclusions of law as to which no response is required. Alnylam further states that the written agreement speaks for itself and Tekmira’s characterization of it is incomplete and incorrect.
     80. Denied. Alnylam further states that the written agreement speaks for itself and Tekmira’s characterization of it is incomplete and incorrect.
     81. Alnylam admits that Alnylam and Takeda entered into a business collaboration in 2008, which entailed Takeda making an upfront payment of $100 million, with the promise of an additional $50 million in near-term downstream technology transfer payments and up to $171

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million in additional downstream milestones and royalties. Alnylam denies the remaining allegations in Paragraph 81 of the Amended Complaint.
     82. Denied.
     83. Alnylam admits the first sentence of Paragraph 83, but denies the remaining allegations therein.
     84. Alnylam admits that Tekmira disclosed certain information to Alnylam pursuant to written agreements between the parties, but lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations of Paragraph 84.
     85. Alnylam admits that Tekmira disclosed certain information about its process control technology to Alnylam pursuant to written agreements between the parties and that Alnylam used this information as authorized in its FDA submissions and patent applications, but lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations of Paragraph 85.
     86. Alnylam admits that it has developed novel siRNA delivery technology (to which Tekmira has taken a license, including the recent exercise of an option with respect to two new gene targets), but denies the remaining allegations set forth in Paragraph 86 of the Amended Complaint.
     87. Denied.
     88. Denied.
     89. Denied.
     90. Alnylam admits that it has developed novel siRNA delivery technology, but denies the remaining allegations set forth in Paragraph 90 of the Amended Complaint.
     91. Denied.

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COUNT ONE
Common Law Misappropriation of Confidential and Proprietary Information
     92. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference its response to each and every allegation contained above as if fully set forth herein.
     93. Alnylam lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in Paragraph 93.
     94. Denied. In further response to the allegations set forth in Paragraph 94 of the Amended Complaint, Alnylam states that the parties entered into written agreements pursuant to which Alnylam was granted access to and permitted use of Tekmira’s information.
     95. No answer is required to the allegations in Paragraph 95 of the Amended Complaint to the extent they are directed to a defendant other than Alnylam. To the extent a response is required, Alnylam lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in Paragraph 95.
     96. Denied. No answer is required to the allegations in Paragraph 96 of the Amended Complaint to the extent they are directed to a defendant other than Alnylam.
     97. Denied.
     98. Denied.
     99. Denied.
     100. Denied.
COUNT TWO
Misappropriation of Trade Secrets in Violation of M.G.L. ch. 93, §42
     101. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference its response to each and every allegation contained above as if fully set forth herein.
     102. Paragraph 102 states conclusions of law, as to which no response is required. To the extent a response is required, the allegations of paragraph 102 are denied.

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     103. Denied. In further response to the allegations set forth in Paragraph 103 of the Amended Complaint, Alnylam states that the parties entered into written agreements pursuant to which Alnylam was granted access to and permitted use of Tekmira’s information, including information Tekmira marked as confidential, and those agreements speak for themselves and Tekmira’s characterizations of them are incomplete and incorrect.
     104. No answer is required to the allegations in Paragraph 104 of the Amended Complaint to the extent they are directed to a defendant other than Alnylam. To the extent a response is required, Alnylam lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in Paragraph 104.
     105. Denied.
     106. Denied. In further response to the allegations set forth in Paragraph 106 of the Amended Complaint, Alnylam states that the parties entered into written agreements pursuant to which Alnylam was granted access to and permitted use of Tekmira’s information, including information Tekmira marked as confidential, and those agreements speak for themselves and Tekmira’s characterizations of them are incomplete and incorrect.
     107. Denied.
     108. Denied.
     109. Denied.
     110. Denied.
COUNT THREE
Civil Conspiracy
     111. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference its response to each and every allegation contained above as if fully set forth herein.
     112. Denied.

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     113. Denied.
     114. Denied
     115. Denied.
COUNT FOUR
Tortious Interference With Contractual Relationships
     116. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference its response to each and every allegation contained above as if fully set forth herein.
     117. Alnylam lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in Paragraph 117.
     118. Denied.
     119. Denied.
COUNT FIVE
Unjust Enrichment
     120. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference its response to each and every allegation contained above as if fully set forth herein.
     121. Alnylam admits that Tekmira and Alnylam conferred benefit on each other in connection with the parties’ collaboration relationships, but denies the remaining allegations set forth in Paragraph 121.
     122. Denied. Alnylam further states that the written agreements between the parties speak for themselves, and Tekmira’s characterizations of them are incomplete and incorrect.
     123. Denied.
COUNT SIX
Breach of Tekmira Agreement
     124. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference its response to each and every allegation contained above as if fully set forth herein.

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     125. Alnylam admits that it entered into an agreement with Tekmira, but further states that the agreement speaks for itself.
     126. Denied.
     127. Denied.
     128. Denied.
     129. Denied.
     130. Denied
     131. Denied.
     132. Denied.
COUNT SEVEN
Breach Of The Implied Covenant Of Good Faith
And Fair Dealing In The Tekmira Agreement
     133. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference its response to each and every allegation contained above as if fully set forth herein.
     134. Alnylam admits the allegations set forth in the first sentence of Paragraph 134. The second sentence of Paragraph 134 sets forth conclusions of law as to which no response is required.
     135. Denied.
     136. Denied.
     137. Denied.
COUNT EIGHT
Breach of Protiva Agreement
     138. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference its response to each and every allegation contained above as if fully set forth herein.

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     139. Alnylam admits that it entered into an agreement with Protiva, but further states that the agreement speaks for itself.
     140. Denied.
     141. Denied.
     142. Denied.
     143. Denied.
     144. Denied.
     145. Denied.
     146. Denied.
COUNT NINE
Breach Of The Implied Covenant Of Good Faith
And Fair Dealing In The Protiva Agreement
     147. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference its response to each and every allegation contained above as if fully set forth herein.
     148. Alnylam admits the allegations set forth in the first sentence of Paragraph 148. The second sentence of Paragraph 148 sets forth conclusions of law as to which no response is required.
     149. Denied.
     150. Denied. In further response to the allegations set forth in Paragraph 150 of the Amended Complaint, Alnylam states that the Protiva Agreement speaks for itself and Tekmira’s characterization of it is incomplete and incorrect.
     151. Denied.

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COUNT TEN
Breach Of Manufacturing And Supply Agreement
     152. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference its response to each and every allegation contained above as if fully set forth herein.
     153. Alnylam admits that it entered into a Manufacturing and Supply Agreement with Tekmira, but further states that the agreement speaks for itself.
     154. Denied.
     155. Denied.
     156. Denied.
     157. Denied.
COUNT ELEVEN
Breach Of The Implied Covenant Of Good Faith
And Fair Dealing In The Manufacturing And Supply Agreement
     158. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference its response to each and every allegation contained above as if fully set forth herein.
     159. Alnylam admits the allegations set forth in the first sentence of Paragraph 159. The second sentence of Paragraph 159 sets forth conclusions of law as to which no response is required.
     160. Denied.
     161. Denied.
     162. Denied.
COUNT TWELVE
Breach Of The September 2008 MBR Agreement
     163. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference its response to each and every allegation contained above as if fully set forth herein.
     164. Denied.

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     165. Denied.
     166. Denied.
     167. Denied.
COUNT THIRTEEN
Common Law Unfair Competition
     168. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference its response to each and every allegation contained above as if fully set forth herein.
     169. Denied.
     170. Denied.
     171. Denied.
COUNT FOURTEEN
False Advertising in Violation of M.G.L. ch. 266, § 91
     172. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference its response to each and every allegation contained above as if fully set forth herein.
     173. Denied.
     174. Denied.
COUNT FIFTEEN
Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices in Violation of M.G.L. ch. 93A
     175. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference its response to each and every allegation contained above as if fully set forth herein.
     176. Alnylam admits that it entered into written agreements with TPC, Protiva, and the merged entity Tekmira. Alnylam further admits, upon information and belief, that AlCana engaged in trade or commerce with Tekmira through its dealings including entering into a July 27, 2009 Supplemental Agreement by and among Alnylam, TPC, Protiva, the University of British Columbia, and AlCana.

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     177. Denied.
     178. Denied.
     179. Denied.
     180. Denied.
AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES
FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
     Tekmira has failed to state claims upon which relief can be granted
SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
     Tekmira’s claims are wholly barred pursuant to the provisions of written agreements, including Alnylam-Inex Sublicense Agreement dated January 8, 2007; Alnylam-Tekmira Agreement dated May 30, 2008; Alnylam-Protiva Agreement dated May 30, 2008; Alnylam-Tekmira-Protiva-UBC-AlCana Supplemental Agreement dated July 27, 2009; and Alnylam-Tekmira Manufacturing Agreement dated January 2, 2009, that granted Alnylam licenses and rights, inter alia , to: a) use Tekmira information in submissions to the FDA and in patent filings; b) convey information regarding Tekmira’s manufacturing process to third parties, including but not limited to Alnylam sublicensees; and c) exclusively use, license and sublicense RNAi delivery technology, including MC3 and its derivatives.
THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
     Tekmira has waived any claim of entitlement to ownership of MC3 and other alleged “MC Trade Secrets” in an agreement to which it is a party.
FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
     Tekmira has granted Alnylam a covenant not to sue on any contention that MC3 and other alleged “MC Trade Secrets” was misappropriated in an agreement to which it is a party.

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FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
     Tekmira has failed to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.
SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
     Tekmira is estopped by its own statements and conduct from asserting that Alnylam has misappropriated Tekmira’s trade secrets in patent applications.
SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
     Tekmira’s claims are barred on the grounds that the information Tekmira calls “trade secrets” or “confidential information” was in the public domain prior to any alleged improper disclosure by Alnylam.
EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
     Tekmira’s claims are barred by licenses granted to Alnylam.
NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
     Tekmira has not been injured in any manner as a result of any act of Alnylam.
TENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
     Upon information and belief, Tekmira has failed to mitigate, minimize, or avoid any damages allegedly sustained.
ELEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
     An adequate remedy at law exists for Tekmira’s equitable claims.
TWELFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
     Tekmira’s equitable claims are barred by laches.
THIRTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
     Tekmira’s claims are barred by lack of good faith.
FOURTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE
     Tekmira’s claims are barred by the doctrine of unclean hands.

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RESERVATION OF DEFENSES
     To the extent Alnylam has not pleaded certain defenses, it reserves the right to add additional defenses pending further investigation and discovery.

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COUNTERCLAIM
     Alnylam and Tekmira (including its wholly owned subsidiary Protiva) have been collaborating on the development of RNAi therapeutics since at least 2005. A series of agreements govern the parties’ collaboration including, but not limited to, the exchange of confidential information, the permitted use of information in regulatory submissions and patent filings, manufacture and supply of materials for use in clinical trials and the resolution of disputes. In addition to falsely accusing Alnylam of stealing technology to which it had rights under the parties’ various agreements, Tekmira has refused to comply with its obligations under those agreements and has misappropriated and misused Alnylam’s trade secrets and confidential information. Tekmira’s actions not only violate the parties’ agreements, but also constitute violations of the common law and Massachusetts statutes.
PARTIES, JURISDICTION AND VENUE
     1. Counterclaim Plaintiff Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Alnylam”), is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Alnylam’s principal place of business is in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
     2. Upon information and belief, counterclaim defendant Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation (“TPC”), is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of British Columbia, Canada and has its principal place of business in Burnaby, British Columbia.
     3. Upon information and belief, counterclaim defendant Protiva Biotherapeutics, Inc. (“Protiva”), is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of British Columbia, Canada and has its principal place of business in Burnaby, British Columbia. Upon information and belief, Protiva is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tekmira.
     4. This Court has jurisdiction under M.G.L. c. 212, §§ 3, 4.

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     5. Alnylam has filed its counterclaim in this venue because Plaintiffs’ Amended Complaint has already been accepted and this action is pending in this Court. By filing these counterclaims, Alnylam is not waiving its claims that Plaintiffs have breached contractual provisions that explicitly required confidential arbitration of disputes.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
     6. Alnylam, founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2002 by a group of leading medical researchers, is a pioneer in the field of RNAi technology and has been a leader in the discovery and development of short interfering RNA (“siRNA”) that can be used as novel medicines to “silence” disease-causing genes. The company and collaborators have published over 100 peer-reviewed papers in international scientific journals regarding their research efforts.
     7. Tekmira has developed a very specific method of delivering RNAi to the appropriate tissues in the body using what it has branded “SNALP” technology. SNALP technology is a specific embodiment of lipid nanoparticle (“LNP”) technology that can be used for delivery of nucleic acid-based drugs, like siRNAs.
     8. As early as 2005, Alnylam and Tekmira’s wholly owned subsidiary Protiva began collaborating on the development of RNAi therapeutics. Alnylam contributed its expertise and intellectual property on siRNA (the active ingredient in an RNAi therapeutic), and Protiva contributed its expertise and intellectual property on the delivery technology known as SNALP. Although Alnylam offered to have Tekmira jointly fund this work, Alnylam ultimately funded the collaborative efforts at a time when Protiva had little capital and limited ability to raise additional capital. This collaboration has spanned an over six-year period in which the parties have made important scientific contributions and continues today even after Tekmira’s unjustified attacks against Alnylam.

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     9. In 2007, Alnylam and Protiva entered into a license and collaboration agreement so that the two companies could continue their work together under specific agreements that govern the research activities and ensuing rights to inventions. Prior to entering into any agreements with Protiva, Alnylam had other publicly-disclosed collaborations on LNP technologies including a broad research LNP collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and its collaboration agreement with Inex as discussed below.
     10. In 2007, Alnylam also entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Inex Pharmaceuticals Corp., another company working on specific types of lipid delivery systems for siRNA delivery. At the time, there was ongoing litigation between Protiva and Inex with regard to ownership of intellectual property relating to the so-called “SNALP” technology. There were also ongoing disputes between Protiva and other third parties regarding the ownership and use of intellectual property relating to the so-called “SNALP” technology.
     11. Alnylam successfully encouraged Protiva and Inex to cease their destructive litigation and combine companies in order to create a productive future. Indeed, Alnylam proactively met with members of the Protiva and Inex boards of directors to encourage a resolution, and further facilitated resolution through Alnylam’s willingness to relinquish certain important rights under prior agreements. In 2008, Inex, which by this point had changed its name to Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation (“TPC”), acquired Protiva. Alnylam invested $5 million in the newly combined entity to help ensure its success and successfully lobbied an Alnylam pharmaceutical partner to make an additional $5 million investment as well.
     12. Following the acquisition, Protiva’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer assumed control of the combined company. In October 2008, the management of the newly formed Tekmira terminated the employment of several scientists who had originally been

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employed by Inex. Those scientists went on to found a company called AlCana, and to work closely with the University of British Columbia.
     13. Alnylam was interested in continuing to work with these scientists and provide funding for their efforts, but was concerned that Tekmira would later claim an unjustified interest in the continued research or otherwise interfere with the new relationship in much the same way they had become embroiled in lawsuits with the former Inex/TPC as well as Merck and Sirna when running Protiva. As a result, in July 2009, Alnylam, Protiva, Tekmira, AlCana and UBC entered into a supplemental agreement (the “Supplemental Agreement”) which explicitly addressed the parties’ respective rights and responsibilities with regard to the sponsored research at AlCana and UBC, including the disposition of technology arising out of that research.
     14. The Supplemental Agreement includes a waiver of all prohibitions and restrictions on the former Tekmira scientists in connection with the research contemplated under the agreement, and a covenant not to sue Alnylam and AlCana.
     15. The Supplemental Agreement and its attachments contemplated the research that ultimately led to the discovery of MC3 and other novel lipids.
     16. Tekmira had an opportunity to participate in that research collaboration more actively and to have greater access to the resulting inventions, and chose not to do so.
     17. In January 2009, Alnylam and Tekmira also entered into a development, manufacturing and supply agreement, pursuant to which Tekmira would manufacture and supply Alnylam products to be used in clinical trials.
     18. As a result of these events and the complex history of the various collaborations, extensive, detailed agreements govern the relationships between and among Alnylam, Tekmira, Protiva, AlCana and UBC. The agreements currently operative between the parties include the

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following: Alnylam-Inex Sublicense Agreement dated January 8, 2007; Alnylam-Tekmira Collaboration Agreement dated May 30, 2008 (the “Alnylam-Tekmira Collaboration Agreement”); the Alnylam-Protiva Cross-License Agreement dated May 30, 2008 (the “Alnylam-Protiva Agreement”); the Alnylam-Tekmira-Protiva-UBC-AlCana Supplemental Agreement effective July 27, 2009 (“Supplemental Agreement”); and the January 2, 2009 Development, Manufacturing and Supply Agreement (“Manufacturing Agreement”). 2
     19. These agreements, all of which were heavily negotiated by the parties and their legal counsel, govern nearly every aspect of the parties’ relationships, including how information is to be shared and used, ownership and control of intellectual property that results from the various collaborations, and financial terms. For example, under these agreements, Alnylam has certain rights to, among other things, Tekmira’s SNALP technology, including rights to submit information to the FDA and in patent applications. The agreements also contain confidentiality and dispute resolution provisions designed to permit the parties to resolve any disputes in a confidential forum.
     20. During the parties’ collaborations, Alnylam has focused on creating a valuable partnership and being a good partner. In fact, Alnylam shared significant information and expertise with Tekmira and explicitly directed its partners to work with Tekmira in an effort to develop successful treatments for various life-threatening diseases. Through Alnylam’s introductions, all of Alnylam’s major RNAi therapeutic partners formed a relationship and worked with Tekmira. In fact, as recently as one year ago, Alnylam and Tekmira were discussing opportunities to expand its relationship through Alnylam’s partnerships, but Tekmira
 
2   Certain terms of the various agreements are confidential. By virtue of filing a public lawsuit in contravention of those agreements, Alnylam has no choice but to refer to the provisions that Tekmira has violated by virtue of its conduct.

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failed to ever respond to the last term sheet exchanged between the companies. Further, Alnylam invited Tekmira to join a joint development committee that Alnylam had formed with one of its pharmaceutical partners with the goal of assisting Tekmira and the whole field in advancing LNP technology. Moreover, it is through clinical trials conducted, mainly by Alnylam, that critical elements of Tekmira’s siRNA delivery technology have been validated in the clinic, and Alnylam has provided critical advice and counsel to Tekmira related to their pre-clinical and clinical development activities for their own products. For example, Alnylam’s chief medical officer provided critical and urgent counsel to clinicians attending to a patient in a Tekmira clinical trial that experienced a serious, life-threatening adverse reaction to Tekmira’s drug.
     21. In addition, Alnylam has made substantial payments to Tekmira, including upfront cash and milestone payments for use of Tekmira’s intellectual property, funding for Tekmira research, and funding for manufacturing services, including capital improvements. Payments made by Alnylam to Tekmira pursuant to the agreements exceed $45 million. Upon information and belief, Alnylam has provided more than 50% of Tekmira’s operating income during the last three years.
     22. In contrast, Tekmira has sought to preclude Alnylam from obtaining the benefits of the agreements. Tekmira has interfered with Alnylam’s inclusion of information that is not owned or controlled by Tekmira in Alnylam patent submissions. Tekmira has also claimed confidentiality over information that is either in the public domain or to which Alnylam has contractual rights. Tekmira has also asserted an ownership interest in technology that was funded and/or independently developed by others including Alnylam.

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     23. Consistent with this pattern, Tekmira has failed to adequately disclose the limitations of its licenses to investors. Despite the clear terms of the license agreements and notice from Alnylam that it lacked licenses to the Semple & Wheeler patent series and Isis patents, Tekmira made representation to the contrary in its public filings with the SEC and in other documents provided to investors.
     24. Tekmira has also violated the parties’ agreements by misappropriating confidential information provided by Alnylam during the parties’ collaboration regarding novel siRNA and novel lipids, and by interfering with Alnylam’s exclusive license to those novel lipids for use in siRNA delivery.
     25. Upon information and belief, Tekmira has used confidential drafts of patent applications filed by Alnylam and AlCana to further its own research in violation of the terms of the Supplemental Agreement.
     26. Tekmira has recently disclosed at an investor conference and scientific meeting that it has developed “novel, proprietary” lipids, such as the lipid “2111.”
     27. Upon information and belief, Tekmira has derived novel lipids based upon its misappropriation of Alnylam’s confidential information and trade secrets in violation of the parties’ agreements.
     28. Further, Tekmira has recently disclosed that it has developed a scaled-up LNP manufacturing. It has not mentioned, however, that Alnylam funded that capability both through payments called for under the parties’ agreements and additional voluntary funding.
     29. Tekmira has also violated the parties’ agreements by failing to comply with the confidential dispute resolution procedures to which the parties agreed. Throughout the collaboration, Alnylam has acted in good faith to address any concerns raised by Tekmira. Yet,

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Tekmira did not attempt to address its current grievances pursuant to the explicit provisions of the parties’ agreements, and instead (without warning or notice to Alnylam) filed a public complaint, issued a press release, and held a conference call falsely accusing Alnylam of “theft” of trade secrets, all without acknowledging the parties’ extensive agreements. Indeed, where the initial dispute resolution procedure of the companies’ agreements requires a defined period of discussion between the company CEOs, Tekmira’s CEO’s last communication of any form with Alnylam’s CEO occurred over six months prior to the e-mail correspondence notifying Alnylam that Tekmira had filed the original complaint. These actions have irreparably harmed Alnylam’s reputation with its collaborators and investors.
     30. Further, in violation of the express contractual provisions, Tekmira has acted in bad faith by refusing to provide batch records related to its manufacture of ALN-PCS unless Alnylam first agrees to unreasonable restrictions not found in the contracts.
COUNT I
(Breach of Contract — Contractual Dispute Resolution and Confidentiality Provisions)
     31. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference each of the above allegations as if fully set forth herein.
     32. Section 12.6 of the Alnylam-Tekmira Collaboration Agreement and section 14.2 of the Alnylam-Protiva Agreement contain dispute resolution procedures, requiring, inter alia , that disputes be confidentially discussed between the chief executive officers of the companies, and in the event that such disputes could not be resolved through such discussion, then such disputes were to be submitted to a confidential forum for resolution.
     33. Tekmira breached the alternative dispute resolution provisions of the agreements by falsely and publicly accusing Alnylam of violating the parties’ written agreements and by

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filing a lawsuit in a public forum, rather than pursuing its disputes in the private forums to which the parties had agreed.
     34. In addition, section 8.2.2 of the Alnylam-Tekmira Collaboration Agreement and section 14.3 of the Alnylam-Protiva Agreement contain provisions designed to ensure the confidentiality of the parties’ relationship. For example, all of the agreements contain confidentiality provisions precluding unauthorized public disclosure of the terms of those agreements.
     35. Tekmira breached the confidentiality provisions of the agreements by falsely and publicly accusing Alnylam of violating the parties’ written agreements, rather than pursuing its disputes in the private forums to which the parties had agreed.
     36. In breach of the parties’ agreements, Tekmira held a call with investors characterizing the terms of the parties’ agreements in a misleading and inaccurate manner. For example, in a conference call held on the night the original complaint was filed, Tekmira’s CEO stated as follows: “During the course of Tekmira’s collaboration with Alnylam, we shared our confidential information with them under the protection of written agreements that restricted Alnylam’s right to use our confidential information and that strictly prohibited Alnylam from disclosing our confidential information to third parties without first obtaining our consent.” This statement was false and misleading and mischaracterized the parties’ rights and responsibilities under the applicable agreements.
     37. Tekmira’s public and false allegations violated the express confidentiality and alternative dispute resolution provisions of the parties’ agreements.
     38. As a direct result of Tekmira’s breach of the confidentiality and alternative dispute resolution provisions of the parties’ agreements, including its public mischaracterizations

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of the parties’ contractual rights and responsibilities, Alnylam’s reputation has been harmed. In addition, Alnylam has been forced to defend itself against Tekmira’s false accusations in a public forum even though the parties explicitly agreed that disputes should be resolved in confidential arbitration proceedings.
     39. As a direct and proximate cause of Tekmira’s breach of the confidentiality provisions, Alnylam has suffered and will continue to suffer damages.
COUNT II
(Defamation)
     40. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference each of the above allegations as if fully set forth herein.
     41. Tekmira has publicly and falsely accused Alnylam of engaging in wrongdoing, including theft of trade secrets. After knowingly and willfully breaching the parties’ agreement that disputes be resolved in a confidential forum, Tekmira compounded its wrongdoing by publicly mischaracterizing the parties’ agreements and falsely alleging that Alnylam “stole” information to which it is contractually entitled under the terms of those parties’ agreements.
     42. On March 16, 2011, the date this suit was filed, Tekmira issued a Press Release reporting the filing of its complaint in this action and falsely accusing Alnylam of “illegal conduct” including:
    Repeatedly misappropriating confidential information, including trade secrets and other commercially valuable information from Tekmira;
 
    Disclosing Tekmira’s step-by-step LNP formulation manufacturing instructions to at least one unnamed third-party collaborator;
 
    Incorporating Tekmira’s confidential information into Alnylam’s patent filings and claiming ownership in direct violation of a licensing agreement between the two companies;
 
    Willfully and knowingly misusing Tekmira’s confidential information for Alnylam’s own enrichment; and,

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    Engaging in other unfairly competitive, deceptive and misleading actions in their public disclosures such as claiming Tekmira’s technology as their own.
     43. Moreover, while Tekmira’s court filings are silent on any specific damages claim, the Press Release highlighted the potential financial rewards that its investors could expect to reap at the expense of Alnylam’s shareholders, stating:
      The damages that Tekmira will be seeking are substantial. Among these damages, Tekmira believes it has rights to Alnylam’s pipeline products . Those damages, including future milestones and royalties associated with these products alone could exceed one billion dollars. In addition, Tekmira will also seek the profits that Alnylam has unjustly received from collaborations based on the wrongful use of Tekmira’s technology. All of this will be subject to what Tekmira learns in discovery in prosecuting this case, but even at this early stage, Tekmira believes that it is entitled to very significant damages by reason of Alnylam’s illegal conduct as alleged in the complaint. (emphasis added).
The press release on Tekmira’s website also provided a link to Tekmira’s complaint.
     44. On the night the complaint was filed, Tekmira’s Chief Executive Officer Mark Murray held an investor call during which he publicly and falsely accused Alnylam of engaging in illegal conduct. Dr. Murray’s false statements included the following:
    Alnylam improperly used Tekmira confidential information for “its own internal purpose and to replicate a competing technology in ways that were unauthorized and without our consent”
 
    “Alnylam repeatedly went so far as to use our proprietary delivery technology to apply for patents based on our confidential information, claiming as its own the very technology that it stole. This illegal activity continues today, as Alnylam continues to prosecute patent filings that use or are derived from our technology.”
 
    Alnylam engaged in “gross wrong-doing”
     45. Dr. Murray not only exaggerated Tekmira’s allegations against Alnylam, but openly disparaged Alnylam in front of the investment community. Dr. Murray repeatedly referred to Alnylam’s “illegal activity,” accused Alnylam of “gross wrong-doing,” and described

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Alnylam’s alleged conduct as “relentless[] and egregious[].” Knowing that he was speaking to an audience with a keen interest in the future business prospects of both companies, Dr. Murray falsely stated that Alnylam was dependent on Tekmira for its very existence, stating that “[i]t should be clear to anyone in this industry, and certainly to Alnylam, that Alnylam needs access to Tekmira’s technology, know-how, and manufacturing to continue its operations ” (emphasis added).
     46. After the call, Tekmira published the Press Release and a transcript of the Conference Call on the “Investors” section of its website, and specifically highlighted the Conference Call as a “Featured Event.”
     47. On the day following the Press Release and Conference Call, Alnylam’s stock closed down more than three percent from the previous day, a loss of more than $12 million in market capitalization.
     48. Tekmira’s actions, publicly mischaracterizing the nature of the parties’ collaboration agreements and falsely accusing Alnylam of illegal conduct, have caused harm to Alnylam’s reputation.
     49. Tekmira was at fault in making these statements.
     50. Tekmira’s false statements harmed Alnylam’s business.
COUNT III
(Breach of Covenant Not To Sue)
     51. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference each of the above allegations as if fully set forth herein.
     52. In October 2008, following Tekmira’s acquisition of Protiva, the management of the newly formed company fired several scientists that had been involved in the discovery and development of groundbreaking RNAi delivery technologies.

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     53. In 2009, those scientists founded a company called AlCana to continue their research. Some of those scientists were employed as consultants by Alnylam after they were fired by Tekmira and prior to the time AlCana was founded. AlCana was closely associated with the laboratory of Pieter Cullis, a professor at UBC, and a world leader in the field of lipid chemistry.
     54. In order to maximize the potential of RNAi therapeutics and in needed recognition of required advancements in the field of lipid nanoparticle delivery of siRNAs, Alnylam wanted to support AlCana and its scientific team. However, because of concerns that Tekmira’s new management would later claim an unjustified interest in the research or otherwise interfere, Alnylam and AlCana negotiated an agreement with Tekmira governing the ownership and disposition of technology and intellectual property arising from the research that Alnylam sponsored at AlCana and UBC, including rights to any novel lipids.
     55. In order to avoid disputes and clarify the parties’ rights, Alnylam, Tekmira, Protiva, UBC, and AlCana entered into the Supplemental Agreement, which explicitly contemplated that the AlCana scientists would create novel lipids by performing work to optimize lipids that had originated at Tekmira and had been exclusively licensed to Alnylam. The agreement provided that some such novel lipids would be licensed to Alnylam through UBC and Tekmira, and certain other novel lipids would be assigned directly to Alnylam. In either case, Tekmira would have access to such lipids for use with respect to the specific products it was developing pursuant to a license to Alnylam’s RNAi technology.
     56. In paragraph 12 of the Supplemental Agreement, Tekmira agreed to “waive all prohibitions and restrictions” on the former Tekmira employees in connection with their

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performance of research to discover novel lipid formulations under a research plan agreed to by all parties. Tekmira also entered into a:
      covenant not to sue Alnylam, UBC, AlCana or any of the former Tekmira employees employed by AlCana or UBC, for any cause of action relating to such activities that arises out of, under or in connection with the former employment by Tekmira of such former Tekmira employees.
     57. The MC3 lipid and certain derivatives were invented by the scientists who were fired from Tekmira and who formed AlCana, pursuant to research funded by Alnylam and with respect to certain MC3 derivatives, under a research plan agreed to by Alnylam, AlCana, UBC, Tekmira and Protiva. Pursuant to the Supplemental Agreement, all parties agreed to AlCana’s assignment to Alnylam of the MC3 lipid, to AlCana’s assignment to UBC of certain MC3 derivatives, and to the exclusive license back to Alnylam of such MC3 derivatives through UBC and Tekmira under the Alnylam-Inex Sublicense. Alnylam thus licenses MC3 to AlCana for certain pre-agreed uses and to Tekmira for limited uses. Indeed, Tekmira’s CEO (who signed Tekmira’s verified original complaint) has acknowledged in writing that Alnylam has exclusive rights to MC3. See Exhibit 1 hereto.
     58. Tekmira’s suit against Alnylam and its claim of ownership with regard to MC3 therefore violates paragraph 12 of the Supplemental Agreement, including the provision granting Alnylam a covenant not to sue.
COUNT IV
(Breach of Patent Prosecution Cooperation and Non-Use Provisions)
     59. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference each of the above allegations as if fully set forth herein.
     60. Alnylam scientists were the first to invent the active ingredient in ALN-VSP, an siRNA that targets two key genes involved in the disease pathway of liver cancer, including

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kinesin spindle protein, also known as either “KSP” or “Eg5”, which is involved in cancer proliferation.
     61. Pursuant to the parties’ collaboration and Alnylam’s obligation to manufacture certain products at Tekmira, Alnylam provided Tekmira with confidential information concerning the active ingredients in ALN-VSP so that the companies could collaborate in developing a formulation of Alnylam’s ALN-VSP siRNA using Tekmira’s SNALP delivery technology. Now in Phase I clinical trials, ALN-VSP is being evaluated as a potential treatment for liver cancer.
     62. In order to protect the ALN-VSP invention, Alnylam filed a series of patent applications covering ALN-VSP compositions and formulations as well as individual patent applications on individual components of ALN-VSP such as Eg5.
     63. Pharmaceutical companies rely upon patents to protect their investment in expensive clinical development. For example, Alnylam’s ability to obtain a patent on the formulation of ALN-VSP that is currently being used in its clinical trials was an important aspect of its agreements with Tekmira. Thus, those agreements include provisions that grant to Alnylam the right to file patent applications covering such inventions and require the parties to cooperate in the filing and prosecution of patent applications covering formulations developed as a result of their collaboration. Those provisions permitted Alnylam to file patent applications to ALN-VSP formulations using Tekmira’s delivery technology.
     64. The application to the Eg5 component of ALN-VSP was filed on March 30, 2007 as U.S. Patent Application No. 11/694,215, assigned to Alnylam Europe AG (and subsequently to Alnylam), with David Bumcrot, Pamela Tan, Hans-Peter Vornlocher and Anke Geick as inventors. It issued on May 18, 2010 as United States Patent No. 7,718,629.

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     65. On May 26, 2006, Tekmira filed a patent application in which it disclosed approximately 19,000 RNA sequences, each 21 nucleotides long, as potential components of a double stranded RNA molecule. The sequences would target one of three targets described in the Tekmira patent application, including Eg5. Upon information and belief, the sequences contained in Tekmira’s filing were the result of a mechanical exercise by Tekmira of parsing the publicly available gene sequence for Eg5 into 21 nucleotide segments rather than through any innovative research by Tekmira. This application contained in vitro data for a small subset of the Eg5 sequences.
     66. Normally, US patent applications are published approximately 18 months from the filing date of the first priority application. However, due to the actions of Tekmira through their agent, Townsend and Townsend and Crew (now Kilpatrick Townsend and Stockton), the patent application did not publish for nearly three years from the date it was filed.
     67. During this time, Alnylam freely shared details of ALN-VSP with Tekmira. In connection with the parties’ manufacturing agreement, Alnylam provided Tekmira with confidential information regarding the composition of ALN-VSP, including the 21-nucleotide sequence Alnylam used as the active ingredient in its ALN-VSP drug to target the Eg5 gene. Extensive research and testing performed by Alnylam demonstrated the efficacy of the particular sequence.
     68. In response to a request from the US Patent Office related to their patent application, Tekmira was required to select one sequence to patent from the many thousand sequences disclosed in its patent application. Tekmira elected to patent the one exact sequence present in Alnylam’s ALN-VSP drug, that was demonstrated by Alnylam to be particularly effective and which Tekmira could only know, by virtue of its access to confidential information

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as part of their manufacturing agreement. This was 1 sequence from a choice of almost 19,000 sequences.
     69. Prior to receipt of Alnylam’s confidential information regarding the potency of Alnylam’s sequence, the Tekmira patent application contained no disclosure that would indicate the Eg5 sequence selected by Tekmira had properties superior to any of the other thousands of sequences disclosed in the Tekmira patent application. On the contrary, data disclosed in the Tekmira application indicated that the in vitro activity for other sequences was better. Thus, upon information and belief, Tekmira chose the specific 21-nucleotide Eg5 sequence discovered by Alnylam using the confidential information provided by Alnylam. Only Tekmira, who manufactures ALN-VSP under an agreement with confidentiality provisions, could know with certainty the exact sequence of the specific Eg5 molecule used in the product.
     70. As a result of Tekmira’s improper actions, the US Patent Office has declared an interference between Alnylam’s issued ALN-VSP patent and the pending Tekmira application, the effect of which called into question the validity and/or enforceability of the Alnylam patent on one of its lead clinical programs.
     71. Tekmira’s actions thus violated the parties’ agreements, including provisions barring misuse of confidential information, including Article 8 of the Alnylam-Tekmira Collaboration Agreement prohibiting disclosure to third parties and requiring that the parties cooperate on prosecution of patents directed to products upon which they are collaborating. § 10.2.5 of the Alnylam-Tekmira Agreement states:
      Each Party hereby agrees: (a) to make its employees, agents and consultants reasonably available to the other Party (or to the other Party’s authorized attorneys, agents or representatives), to the extent reasonably necessary to enable such Party to undertake patent prosecution; (b) to provide the other Party with copies of all material correspondence pertaining to prosecution with the patent offices; (c) to cooperate, if necessary and appropriate, with the other Party in

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      gaining patent term extensions wherever applicable to Patent Rights; and (d) to endeavor in good faith to coordinate its efforts with the other Party to minimize or avoid interference with the prosecution and maintenance of the other Party’s patent applications.
     72. Alnylam has only recently learned of the ALN-VSP patent interference and has only recently learned of Tekmira’s purported ownership interest, through the misappropriation of Alnylam confidential information, in Alnylam’s ALN-VSP product through the filing of Tekmira’s complaint.
     73. Alnylam has been harmed by virtue of Tekmira’s wrongful interference with Alnylam’s patent to its VSP product and Tekmira’s failure to comply with the patent prosecution and cooperation provisions of the parties’ agreement.
COUNT V
(Breach of the Manufacturing Agreement and the Quality Agreement)
     74. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference each of the above allegations as if fully set forth herein.
     75. Section 8.1.2 of the Manufacturing Agreement and section 11.4 of the January 29, 2009 Quality Assurance Agreement between Alnylam and Tekmira (the “Quality Agreement”) contain provisions requiring, inter alia , that Tekmira deliver certain documentation to Alnylam or its designated quality assurance representative within six weeks of completing the manufacture of a batch of RNAi therapeutic drugs. Among other documents, the Agreements require Tekmira to provide copies of the batch record, analytical reports, investigation reports, and other documentation pertaining to the manufacture of each batch.
     76. Upon information and belief, Tekmira completed the manufacture of batch ALN-PCS02, Lot L00108 on or about March 26, 2011. The deadline for Tekmira to deliver the required documentation, including the required batch record, was therefore May 6, 2011.

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     77. On May 6, 2011, Tekmira wrote to Alnylam and refused to provide a copy of the batch record for batch ALN-PCS02, Lot L00108 unless and until Alnylam agreed to abide by additional confidentiality and nondisclosure provisions that are not set forth in the Agreements. Tekmira’s demands were far more stringent than those in the original Manufacturing and Quality Agreements, and would have significantly restricted Alnylam’s ability to use the batch record for the legitimate business purposes described in and contemplated by those agreements.
     78. To this date, Tekmira has not provided requested and contractually required documentation. Tekmira’s refusal to provide the required documentation absent Alnylam’s agreements to additional conditions not in the parties’ agreements, violated the express product delivery and batch record provisions of the parties’ agreements, including section 8.1.2 of the Manufacturing Agreement and section 11.4 of the Quality Agreement.
     79. All conditions precedent to Tekmira’s obligation to deliver the batch record have been satisfied.
     80. As a result of Tekmira’s breach of the product delivery and batch record provisions of the parties’ agreements, Alnylam has suffered and continues to suffer damages.
COUNT VI
(Misappropriation of Confidential and Proprietary Information
Regarding MC3 and MC3 Derivatives)
     81. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference each of the above allegations as if fully set forth herein.
     82. Upon information and believe, the scientists whose employment Tekmira terminated in October 2008 invented important RNAi delivery technology licensed by Tekmira to Alnylam. Upon information and belief, the terminated scientists were the Tekmira employees most accomplished and experienced in the development of novel lipids for use in siRNA delivery.

-48-


 

     83. After forming AlCana, these scientists continued to work on development of novel lipids and Alnylam funded their research. Upon information and belief, after being let go from Tekmira and while being funded by Alnylam, certain of these scientists invented MC3 and other novel lipids.
     84. In order to avoid disputes arising out of the scientists’ former employment with Tekmira, in July 2009, Alnylam, Protiva, Tekmira, AlCana and UBC entered into the Supplemental Agreement explicitly addressing the parties’ respective rights and responsibilities with regard to the Alnylam-sponsored research at AlCana and UBC. At that time, Alnylam explicitly invited Tekmira to join in funding the AlCana research in exchange for rights to the inventions of the AlCana/UBC research program. Tekmira rejected the opportunity, expressing its view that the AlCana research program would have limited value. Indeed, Tekmira asserted that it was not interested in the development of novel lipids. Thus, Alnylam, not Tekmira, has funded AlCana’s research into novel lipids, including MC3.
     85. As a result of its role in funding the research and in accordance with the Supplemental Agreement, Alnylam retained the exclusive rights to the AlCana inventions for use with RNAi technology, including the sole right to sublicense the technology in the RNAi field. Tekmira has only limited rights to use the AlCana inventions for advancement of its internal research.
     86. Even though Tekmira has not funded and has only limited rights to AlCana’s research, the July 2009 Supplemental Agreement requires Alnylam to provide Tekmira with copies of any patent applications on which AlCana employees are named inventors within 60 days of their filing, i.e. , before the applications are published.

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     87. In compliance with those provisions, Alnylam has provided Tekmira patent applications, including the following, which disclose novel lipids invented by AlCana scientists with funding from Alnylam:
    On August 7, 2009, Alnylam sent Tekmira a confidential copy of United States Provisional Application No. 61/185,800, describing and claiming the novel lipid MC3.
 
    On January 7, 2010, Alnylam sent Tekmira a confidential copy of Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. US09/63927, describing and claiming analogs of MC3.
     88. The information in the patent applications concerning MC3 and MC3 derivatives is proprietary to Alnylam or, in some cases, to AlCana and was exclusively licensed to Alnylam for use in the Field as defined in the research agreement.
     89. Although Tekmira has a contractual right to receive advance notice of patent applications disclosing inventions developed at AlCana and funded by Alnylam, Tekmira does not have the right to disclose that information to third parties or a license to the claimed inventions.
     90. Tekmira knew or should have known that it gained access to and learned about MC3 and MC3 derivatives in confidence, and that Tekmira was under a duty not to use or disclose such information for any purpose.
     91. Upon information and belief, Tekmira nevertheless misappropriated AlCana and Alnylam’s confidential information regarding MC3 and MC3 derivatives by using it for purposes other than those permitted by the agreements, including using such information to further its own research efforts, and by disclosing it to third parties.
     92. By reason of its wrongful conduct, Tekmira misappropriated AlCana and Alnylam’s confidential and proprietary information in violation of the common law.

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     93. Tekmira’s misappropriation was and is directly and proximately causing damages and irreparable harm to Alnylam, and unjust enrichment of Tekmira.
     94. Upon information and belief, Tekmira acted willfully and maliciously.
COUNT VII
(Misappropriation of Trade Secrets In Violation of M.G.L. ch. 93, § 42)
     95. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference each of the above allegations as if fully set forth herein.
     96. When Alnylam sent Tekmira United States Provisional Application No. 61/185,800 and Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. US09/63927, the information in those patent applications concerning MC3 and MC3 derivatives constituted a trade secret under Massachusetts law.
     97. Tekmira knew or should have known that it gained access to and learned of the information concerning MC3 and MC3 derivatives in confidence and was under a duty not to use or disclose that information without AlCana or Alnylam’s authorization and consent.
     98. Tekmira misappropriated AlCana and Alnylam’s trade secrets concerning MC3 and MC3 derivatives by improperly using and disclosing them, and by continuing improperly to use and disclose them.
     99. Upon information and belief, Tekmira intended to convert AlCana and Alnylam’s trade secrets concerning MC3 and MC3 derivatives to its own use.
     100. By reason of its wrongful conduct, Tekmira misappropriated AlCana and Alnylam’s trade secrets in violation of M.G.L. ch. 93, § 42.
     101. Tekmira’s misappropriation was and is a substantial factor in directly and proximately causing damages and irreparable harm to Alnylam, and unjust enrichment of Tekmira.

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     102. Upon information and belief, Tekmira acted willfully and maliciously.
COUNT VIII
(Unjust Enrichment)
     103. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference each of the above allegations as if fully set forth herein.
     104. Alnylam conferred benefits on Tekmira by providing not only payments, but valuable technology, development, discoveries, know-how and inventions to Tekmira in connection with the parties’ collaboration.
     105. Tekmira accepted and retained Alnylam’s payments and technology to its own advantage, at Alnylam’s expense.
     106. Tekmira has been unjustly enriched as a direct and proximate result of their retention of Alnylam’s payments and unlawful use and disclosure of Alnylam’s technology.
COUNT IX
(Breach of Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing)
     107. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference each of the above allegations as if fully set forth herein.
     108. The Alnylam-Tekmira Collaboration Agreement, the Alnylam-Protiva Agreement, and the Manufacturing Agreement are governed by Delaware law, and therefore contain an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
     109. Tekmira has breached its covenant of good faith and fair dealing by, inter alia ,
  a)   failing to comply with the confidentiality and alternative dispute resolution provisions and instead falsely and publicly accusing its collaborator Alnylam of theft and illegal doing;
 
  b)   interfering with Alnylam patents, including Alnylam’s patent to the VSP formulation of its product now in clinical trials;
 
  c)   refusing to deliver required documentation, including most recently the required batch record, for batch ALN-PCS02, Lot 00108, within six weeks of

-52-


 

      the completion of its manufacture unless and until Alnylam agreed to additional confidentiality and nondisclosure provisions that far exceeded the applicable provisions of both the Manufacturing Agreement and the Quality Agreement;
 
  d)   misappropriating trade secret and confidential information regarding MC3 and MC3 derivatives provided to it pursuant to the patent review provisions of the Supplemental Agreement.
     110. As a direct and proximate result of Tekmira’s breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, Alnylam has suffered and will continue to suffer damages, including having to defend itself against false and public allegations and having to participate in patent office proceedings that result solely from Tekmira’s misuse of information it obtained as a result of its collaboration with Alnylam.
COUNT X
(Violation of Chapter 93A)
     111. Alnylam repeats and incorporates by reference each of the above allegations as if fully set forth herein.
     112. Tekmira is engaged in trade or commerce within the meaning of M.G.L. ch. 93A.
     113. Tekmira’s acts and practices, including falsely and publicly accusing its collaborator Alnylam of theft and illegal doing, interference with patents that cover collaboration products, misappropriation of trade secrets and confidential information, and refusal to comply with its obligations to deliver batch records unless and until Alnylam agrees to new confidentiality and nondisclosure provisions, are unfair and deceptive within the meaning of M.G.L. ch. 93A.
     114. Tekmira’s unfair and deceptive acts and practices occurred primarily and substantially within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
     115. As a direct and proximate result of Tekmira’s unfair and deceptive practices, Alnylam has suffered and will continue to suffer damages.

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PRAYER FOR RELIEF
     WHEREFORE, Alnylam respectfully requests entry of judgment in its favor and against Tekmira as follows:
  A.   Dismissing Tekmira’s Complaint in its entirety, with prejudice;
 
  B.   Entering judgment in favor of Alnylam;
 
  C.   Awarding Alnylam damages resulting from Tekmira’s breach of contract, violation of statutes and common law;
 
  D.   Entering a preliminary and permanent injunction enjoining and restraining Tekmira, and its officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, attorneys and all others acting under, by, or through them, directly or indirectly, from further prosecution of U.S. Patent Application No. 11/807,872;
 
  E.   Entering a preliminary and permanent injunction enjoining and restraining Tekmira, and its officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, attorneys and all others acting under, by, or through them, directly or indirectly, from claiming any ownership in MC3 or ALN-VSP;
 
  F.   Entering a preliminary and permanent mandatory injunction requiring Tekmira to deliver forthwith all documentation that it is required to provide under the Manufacturing Agreement and the Quality Assurance Agreement;
 
  G.   Awarding to Alnylam its costs, expenses, and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in this action; and,
 
  H.   Granting Alnylam such other and further relief as this Court may deem just and proper.
REQUEST FOR JURY TRIAL
     Alnylam requests a trial by jury on all issues so triable.

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Dated: June 28, 2011  Respectfully submitted,

ALNYLAM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

By its Attorneys:
 
 
  /s/ John J. Butts    
  William F. Lee (BBO # 291960)   
  Robert D. Cultice (BBO # 108200)
Lisa J. Pirozzolo (BBO # 561922)
John J. Butts (BBO # 643201)
Michael J. Bayer (BBO # 660654)
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
60 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
Tel.: (617) 526-6000
Fax: (617) 526-5000 
 
 

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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
          I, John J. Butts, hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document has been served by hand this 28th day of June 2011 upon the following counsel of record:
Michael R. Gottfried
Duane Morris LLP
470 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, MA 02110
Counsel for Plaintiffs
Eric J. Marandett
Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Counsel for AlCana Technologies, Inc.
         
 
  /s/ John J. Butts
 
John J. Butts
   

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Exhibit 1


 

(ALNYLAM LOGO)
March 17, 2010
Mark Murray
President and Chief Executive Officer
Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation
100-3480 Gilmore Way
Burnaby, British Columbia
Canada V5G 4W7
Dear Mark,
     Congratulations on the new research collaboration with Pfizer announced on March 16, 2010. Thank you for taking the time to speak with Phil Chase about it. As we discussed, this deal looks like an important beginning for your collaboration and we wish you success. Obviously, we do not know the details of the work you plan to undertake with Pfizer. Accordingly, we would like to confirm that the work you plan to undertake with Pfizer is consistent with your agreements with Alnylam. In particular, we would like to confirm that your work with Pfizer will not include any of the lipids to which Alnylam has exclusive rights (subject to your license for specific targets), including XTC and MC3.
     If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign both copies of this letter and return one to me at your earliest convenience.
         
  Sincerely,

 
    /s/ Barry E. Greene  
    Barry E. Greene
President and Chief Operating Officer
   
         
 
         
  ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED

TEKMIRA PHARMACEUTICALS CORPORATION
 
 
  By:   /s/ Mark J. Murray   
    Name:   Mark J. Murray  
    Title:   President & CEO  
 
300 Third Street Cambridge MA, 02142 main 617.551.8200 fax 617.551.8101 www.alnylam.com


 

Exhibit 2


 

LETTERS
(LOGO)
Rational design of cationic lipids for siRNA delivery
Sean C Semple 1,6 , Akin Akinc 2,6 , Jianxin Chen 1,5 , Ammen P Sandhu 1 , Barbara L Mui 1,5 , Connie K Cho 1 , Dinah W Y Sah 2 , Derrick Stebbing 1 , Erin J Crosley 1 , Ed Yaworski 1 , Ismail M Hafez 3 , J Robert Dorkin 2 , June Qin 2 , Kieu Lam 1 , Kallanthottathil G Rajeev 2 , Kim F Wong 3 , Lloyd B Jeffs 1 , Lubomir Nechev 2 , Merete L Eisenhardt 1 , Muthusamy Jayaraman 2 , Mikameh Kazem 3 , Martin A Maier 2 , Masuna Srinivasulu 4 , Michael J Weinstein 2 , Qingmin Chen 2 , Rene Alvarez 2 , Scott A Barros 2 , Soma De 2 , Sandra K Klimuk 1 , Todd Borland 2 , Verbena Kosovrasti 2 , William L Cantley 2 , Ying K Tam 1,5 , Muthiah Manoharan 2 , Marco A Ciufolini 4 , Mark A Tracy 2 , Antonin de Fougerolles 2 , Ian MacLachlan 1 , Pieter R Cullis 3 , Thomas D Madden 1,5 & Michael J Hope 1,5
We adopted a rational approach to design cationic lipids for use in formulations to deliver small interfering RNA (siRNA). Starting with the ionizable cationic lipid 1,2-dilinoleyloxy-3-dimethylaminopropane (DLinDMA), a key lipid component of stable nucleic acid lipid particles (SNALP) as a benchmark, we used the proposed in vivo mechanism of action of ionizable cationic lipids to guide the design of DLinDMA-based lipids with superior delivery capacity. The best-performing lipid recovered after screening (DLin-KC2-DMA) was formulated and characterized in SNALP and demonstrated to have in vivo activity at siRNA doses as low as 0.01 mg/kg in rodents and 0.1 mg/kg in nonhuman primates. To our knowledge, this represents a substantial improvement over previous reports of in vivo endogenous hepatic gene silencing.
A key challenge in realizing the full potential of RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics is the efficient delivery of siRNA, the molecules that mediate RNAi. The physicochemical characteristics of siRNA—high molecular weight, anionic charge and hydrophilicity—prevent passive diffusion across the plasma membrane of most cell types. Therefore, delivery mechanisms are required that allow siRNA to enter cells, avoid endolysosomal compartmentalization and localize in the cytoplasm where it can be loaded into the RNA-induced silencing complex. To date, formulation in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) represents one of the most widely used strategies for in vivo delivery of siRNA 1,2 . LNPs represent a class of particles comprised of different lipid compositions and ratios as well as different sizes and structures formed by different methods. A family of LNPs, SNALP 3-6 , is characterized by very high siRNA-encapsulation efficiency and small, uniformly sized particles, enabled by a controlled step-wise dilution methodology. LNPs, including SNALP, have been successfully used to silence therapeutically relevant genes in nonhuman primates 6-8 and are currently being evaluated in several clinical trials.
     An empirical, combinatorial chemistry-based approach recently identified novel materials for use in LNP systems 7 . A key feature of this approach was the development of a one-step synthetic strategy that allowed the rapid generation of a diverse library of ~ 1,200 compounds. This library was then screened for novel materials capable of mediating efficient delivery of siRNA in vitro and in vivo . Here, we instead used a medicinal chemistry (that is, structure-activity relationship) approach, guided by the putative in vivo mechanism of action of ionizable cationic lipids, for rational lipid design. Specifically, we hypothesized that after endocytosis, the cationic lipid interacts with naturally occurring anionic phospholipids in the endosomal membrane, forming ion pairs that adopt nonbilayer structures and disrupt membranes ( Fig. 1 ) 9-12 . We previously advanced the concept
Figure 1 Proposed mechanism of action for membrane disruptive effects of cationic lipids and structural diagram of DLinDMA divided into headgroup, linker and hydrocarbon chain domains. In isolation, cationic lipids and endosomal membrane anionic lipids such as phosphatidylserine adopt a cylindrical molecular shape, which is compatible with packing in a bilayer configuration. However, when cationic and anionic lipids are mixed together, they combine to form ion pairs where the cross-sectional area of the combined headgroup is less than that of the sum of individual headgroup areas in isolation. The ion pair therefore adopts a molecular ‘cone’ shape, which promotes the formation of inverted, nonbilayer phases such as the hexagonal H II phase illustrated. Inverted phases do not support bilayer structure and are associated with membrane fusion and membrane disruption 9, 21 .
(LOGO)
1 Tekmira Pharmaceuticals, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. 2 Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. 3 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and 4 Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 5 Present address: Alcana Technologies, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 6 These authors contributed equally to this work. Correspondence should be addressed to S.C.S. (ssemple@tekmirapharm.com) or A.A. (aakinc@alnylam.com).
Received 16 September 2009; accepted 17 December 2009; published online 17 January 2010; doi.10.1038/nbt.1602
(LOGO) © 2010 Nature America, Inc. All rights reserved.
     
NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCE ONLINE PUBLICATION   1

 


 

LETTERS
of using ionizable cationic lipids with p K a s < pH 7.0 to efficiently formulate nucleic acids at low pH and maintaining a neutral or low cationic surface charge density at pH 7.4 (ref. 13). This strategy should provide better control of the circulation properties of these systems and reduce nonspecific disruption of plasma membranes. As positive charge density is minimal in the blood but increases substantially in the acidic environment of the endosome, this should activate the membrane-destabilizing property of the LNP. Although these attributes may account for the activity of these systems upon internalization by hepatocytes, they do not necessarily explain the high levels of hepatic biodistribution observed for many LNPs, including SNALP. Although these LNPs do not specifically include a targeting ligand to direct them to hepatocytes after systemic administration, it is possible that these LNPs associate with one or more proteins in plasma that may promote hepatocyte endocytosis.
Figure 2 In vivo evaluation of novel cationic lipids. (a)  Silencing activity of DLinDAP ( 6 ), DLinDMA ( 5 ), DLin-K-DMA ( § ) and DLin-KC2-DMA ( ) screening formulations in the mouse Factor Vll model. All LNP-siRNA systems were prepared using the preformed vesicle (PFV) method and were composed of ionizable cationic lipid, DSPC, cholesterol and PEG-lipid (40:10:40:10 mol/mol) with a Factor Vll siRNA/total lipid ratio of ~0.05 (wt/wt). Data points are expressed as a percentage of PBS control animals and represent group mean (n = 5) ± s.d., and all formulations were compared within the same study. (b)  Influence of headgroup extensions on the activity of DLin-K-DMA. DLin-K-DMA ( § ) had additional methylene groups added between the DMA headgroup and the ketal ring linker to generate DLin-KC2-DMA ( ), DLin-KC3-DMA ( 5 ) and DLin-KC4-DMA ( 6 ). The activity of PFV formulations of each lipid was assessed in the mouse Factor Vll model. Data points are expressed as a percentage of PBS control animals and represent group mean ( n = 4) ± s.d. (c)  Chemical structures of novel cationic lipids.
(LOGO)
     The ionizable cationic lipid DLinDMA has proven to be highly effective in SNALP, has been extensively tested in rodents and non-human primates, and is now being evaluated in human clinical trials. Therefore, we selected it as the starting point for the design and synthesis of novel lipids. We chose the mouse Factor VII model 7 , as the primary in vivo screening system to assess functional LNP-mediated delivery to hepatocytes. Briefly, C57BL/6 mice received a single dose of LNP-formulated Factor VII siRNA through bolus tail vein injection and serum was collected from animals 24 h after administration to analyze Factor Vll protein level. The initial screening of LNP-siRNA systems was conducted using LNPs prepared by a preformed vesicle method 14 and composed of ionizable cationic lipid, distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC), cholesterol and PEG-lipid (40:10:40:10 mol/mol), with a Factor VII siRNA/total lipid ratio of ~0.05 (wt/wt). Although not a bilayer-destabilizing lipid, a small amount of phosphatidylcholine was incorporated into the LNP to help stabilize the LNP both during formulation and while it was in circulation. A short acyl chain PEG-lipid was incorporated into the LNP to control particle size during formulation, but is designed to leave the LNP rapidly upon intravenous injection. As our goal was to identify novel ionizable cationic lipids for use in LNPs, we aimed to minimize other effects by using a single robust composition and set of forrmulation conditions suitable for all novel lipids tested. The preformed vesicle method employing the composition listed above provides a convenient platform for such testing, but uses a different formulation process, a different lipid composition and a different siRNA/lipid ratio than SNALP. The structure of DLinDMA can be divided into three main regions: the hydrocarbon chains, the linker and the headgroup ( Fig. 1 ). A detailed structure-function study to investigate the impact of increasing the number of cis double bonds in the hydrocarbon chains found the linoleyl lipid containing two double bonds per hydrocarbon chain (DLinDMA) to be optimal 15 . We therefore maintained the linoleyl hydrocarbon chains present in DLinDMA as an element in our lipid design, and focused on optimizing the linker and headgroup moieties.
     The linker region in a bilayer structure resides at the membrane interface, an area of transition between the hydrophobic membrane core and hydrophilic headgroup surface. Our approach to linker modification of DLinDMA involved introducing groups expected to exhibit different rates of chemical or enzymatic stability and to span a range of hydrophilicity. A variety of these rationally designed lipids were made, characterized and tested ( Supplementary Syntheses 1 and Supplementary Table 1 ). LNPs based on the ester-containing lipid DLinDAP showed substantially reduced in vivo activity compared to LNPs based on the alkoxy-containing lipid DLinDMA (Fig. 2). Further, LNPs based on DLin-2-DMAP, a lipid with one alkoxy linkage and one ester linkage, yielded activity intermediate between DLinDAP- and DLinDMA-based LNPs ( Supplementary Table 1 ). Although it is uncertain why the ester-containing lipids are considerably less active in vivo, we speculate that the diester lipid (DLinDAP) is relatively inactive because it is more readily hydrolyzed in vivo than the alkoxy analog (DLinDMA), and therefore, unable to either protect the siRNA adequately before release from the endosome and/or survive long enough in the endosome to disrupt the membrane. These hypotheses are being investigated. LNPs based on lipids containing carbamate or thioether linkages also resulted in dramatically reduced in vivo activity. Interestingly, the introduction of a ketal ring linker into DLinDMA resulted in LNPs that were ~2.5-fold more potent in reducing serum Factor VII protein levels relative to the DLinDMA benchmark, with an ED 50 (that is, dose to achieve 50% gene silencing) of ~0.4 mg/kg versus 1 mg/kg, respectively ( Fig. 2 ).
     Given the importance of positive charge in the mechanism-of-action hypothesis guiding the lipid design, the effects of structural changes in the amine-based headgroup were investigated in the context of DLin-K-DMA as the new benchmark lipid. A series of headgroup modifications were made, characterized and tested to explore the effects of size, acid-dissociation constant and number of ionizable groups ( Supplementary Syntheses 2 and Supplementary Table 2 ). Piperazino, morpholino, trimethylamino or bis-dimethylamino modifications tested were not better than the benchmark dimethylamino headgroup of DLin-K-DMA. As an additional parameter, the distance between the dimethylamino group and the dioxolane linker was varied by introducing additional methylene groups. This parameter can
(LOGO) © 2010 Nature America, Inc. All rights reserved.

     
ADVANCE ONLINE PUBLICATION NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY   2

 


 

LETTERS
Table 1 Biophysical parameters and in vivo activities of LNPs containing novel lipids
                 
    Apparent   l II to h II phase transition   In vivo ED 50
Cationic lipid   lipid p K a a   temperature (°C) b   (mg/kg)
 
DLinDMA
  6.8 ± 0.10     27     ~1
DLinDAP
  6.2 ± 0.05     26     40-50
DLin-K-DMA
  5.9 ± 0.03     19     ~0.4
DLin-KC2-DMA
  6.7 ± 0.08     20     ~0.1
DLin-KC3-DMA
  7.2 ± 0.05     18     ~0.6
DLin-KC4-DMA
  7.3 ± 0.07     18     >3
 
    a p K a , values ± s d.( n = 3 to 9). b L II to H II phase transition was measured at pH 4 8 in equimolar mixtures with DSPS, using differential scanning calorimetric, repeat scans reproducible to within 0 1 °C
affect both the p K a of the amine head group as well as the distance and flexibility of the charge presentation relative to the lipid bilayer interface. Inserting a single additional methylene group into the head-group (DLin-KC2-DMA) produced a dramatic increase in potency relative to DLin-K-DMA. The ED 50 for this lipid was ~0.1 mg/kg, making it fourfold more potent than DLin-K-DMA and tenfold more potent than the DLinDMA benchmark when compared head-to-head in the Factor VII model ( Fig. 2a ). Further extension of the tether with additional methylene groups, however, substantially decreased activity, with an ED 50 of ~0.6 mg/kg for DLin-KC3-DMA and >3 mg/kg for DLin-KC4-DMA ( Fig. 2b ).
     As changes in lipid design and chemistry may affect the pharmaco-kinetics, target tissue accumulation and intracellular delivery of LNP formulations, we investigated the relative importance of these parameters on LNP activity at an early stage in this research program. Several of the novel lipids were incorporated into LNP-siRNA for-mulations containing cyanine dye (Cy3)-labeled siRNA. Plasma,liver and spleen levels of siRNA were determined at 0.5 and 3 h after injection at siRNA doses of 5 mg/kg, and the results are presented in Supplementary Table 3. In general, formulations that were the most active in the mouse Factor VII screens achieved the highest liver levels of siRNA at 0.5 h; however, delivery of siRNA to the target tissue was not the primary factor responsible for activity. This is supported by the observations that most formulations accumulated in the liver and spleen quite quickly and that some formulations with similar liver levels of siRNA had large differences in activity. Moreover, plasma pharmacokinetics alone did not predict activity. For example, although DLin-KC2-DMA and DLinDMA had virtually indistinguishable blood pharmacokinetic profiles in mice (data not shown), the activity of DLin-KC2-DMA in LNPs is approximately tenfold greater than the same formulation with DLinDMA. Taken together, these results led us to conclude that rapid target tissue accumulation was important, but not sufficient, for activity. Moreover, other parameters were more critical for maximizing the activity of LNP-siRNA formulations.
     Two important parameters underlying lipid design for SNALP-mediated delivery are the p K a of the ionizable cationic lipid and the abilities of these lipids, when protonated, to induce a nonbilayer (hexagonal h II ) phase structure when mixed with anionic lipids. The p K a of the ionizable cationic lipid determines the surface charge on the LNP under different pH conditions. The charge state at physiologic pH (e.g., in circulation) can influence plasma pro-tein adsorption, blood clearance and tissue distribution behavior 16 , whereas the charge state at acidic pH (e.g., in endosomes) can influence the ability of the LNP to combine with endogenous anionic lipids to form endosomolytic nonbilayer structures 9 . Consequently, the ability of these lipids to induce H II phase structure in mixtures with anionic lipids is a measure of their bilayer-destabilizing capacity and relative endosomolytic potential.
     The fluorescent probe 2-( p -toluidino)-6-napthalene sulfonic acid (TNS), which exhibits increased fluorescence in a hydrophobic environment, can be used to assess surface charge on lipid bilayers. Titrations of surface charge as a function of pH can then be used to determine the apparent p K a of the lipid in the bilayer (hereafter referred to as p K a ), of constituent lipids 17 . Using this approach, the p K a values for LNPs containing DLinDAP, DLinDMA, DLin-K-DMA, DLin-KC2-DMA, DLin-KC3-DMA and DLin-KC4-DMA were deter-mined ( Table 1 ). The relative ability of the protonated form of the ionizable cationic lipids to induce H II phase structure in anionic lipids was ascertained by measuring the bilayer-to-hexagonal H II transition temperature (T BH ) in equimolar mixtures with distearoylphosphati-dylserine (DSPS) at pH 4.8, using 31 P NMR 18 and differential scanning calorimetric analyses 19 . Both techniques gave similar results.
Figure 3 Efficacy of KC2-SNALP in rodents and nonhuman primates, ( a ) Improved efficacy of KC2-SNALP relative to the initial screening formulation tested in mice. The in vivo efficacy of KC2-SNALP (O) was compared to that of the unoptimized DLin-KC2-DMA screening (that is, PFV) formulation ( ) in the mouse Factor VII model. Data points are expressed as a percentage of PBS control animals and represent group mean ( n = 5) ± s.d. ( b ) Efficacy of KC2-SNALP in nonhuman primates. Cynomolgus monkeys ( n = 3 per group) received a total dose of either 0.03, 0.1, 0.3 or 1 mg/kg SI TTR, or 1 mg/kg siApoB formulated in KC2-SNALP or PBS as 15-min intravenous infusions (5 ml/kg) through the cephalic vein. Animals were euthanized 48 h after administration. TTR mRNA levels relative to GAPDH mRNA levels were determined in liver samples. Data points represent group mean ± s.d. *, P <0.05; **, P < 0.005.
(LOGO)
     The data presented in Table 1 indicate that the highly active lipid DLin-KC2-DMA has p K a and T BH values that are theoretically favorable for use in siRNA delivery systems. The p K a of 6.4 indicates that LNPs based on DLin-KC2-DMA have limited surface charge in circulation, but will become positively charged in endosomes. Further, the T BH for DLin-KC2-DMA is 7 °C lower than that for DLinDMA, suggesting that this lipid has improved capacity for destabilizing bilayers. However, the data also demonstrate that p K a and T BH do not fully account for the in vivo activity of lipids used in LNPs. For example, although DLin-KC3-DMA and DLin-KC4-DMA have identical p K a and T BH values, DLin-KC4-DMA requires a more than fivefold higher dose to achieve the same activity in vivo. Moreover,
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Table 2 Clinical chemistry and hematology parameters for KC2-SNALP-treated rats
                                         
    S iRNA dose           Total Bilirubin   BUN   RBC   Hemoglobin   WBC    
Vehicle   (mg/kg) a   ALT (U/L)   AST (U/L)   (mg/dl)   (mg/dl)   (x 10 6 /µl)   (g/dl)   (x 10 3 /µl)   PLT (x 10 3 /µl)
 
PBS
          56 ± 16   109 ± 31   2 ± 0   4.8 ± 0.8   5.5 ± 0.3   11.3 ± 0.4   11 ± 3   1,166 ± 177
KC2-SNALP
    1     58 ± 22   100 ± 14   2 ± 0   4.4 ± 0.6   5.6 ± 0.2   11.6 ± 06   13 ± 2   1,000 ± 272
KC2-SNALP
    2     73 ± 9   81 ± 10   2.2 ± 0.4   4.3 ± 0.6   5.9 ± 0.3   11.6 ± 0.3   13 ± 4   1,271 ± 269
KC2-SNALP
    3     87 ± 19   100 ± 30   2 ± 0   5.0 ± 0.8   6.0 ± 0.2   11.9 ± 0.4   15 ± 2   958 ± 241
 
    a Nontargeting, luciferase S iRNA Sprague-Dawley rats ( n = 5) received 15-min intravenous infusions of KC2-SNALP formulated S iRNA at different dose levels Blood samples were taken 24 h after administration. ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; BUN, blood urea nitrogen, RBC, red blood cells; WBC, white blood cells, PLT, platelets.
DLin-KC2-DMA and DLin-KC4-DMA, which have very similar p K a and T BH values, exhibit a >30-fold difference in in vivo activity. This result suggests that other parameters, such as the distance and flexibility of the charged group relative to the lipid bilayer interface, may also be important. Thus, although the biophysical parameters of p K a and T BH are useful for guiding lipid design, the results presented in Table 1 support the strategy of testing variants of lead lipids, even ones with very similar p K a and T BH values.
     The lipid composition chosen for the initial formulation and screening of novel ionizable cationic lipids (cationic lipid/DSPC/ cholesterol/PEG-lipid = 40:10:40:10 mol/mol, siRNA/total lipid ~ 0.05 wt/wt) was useful for determining the rank-order potency of novel lipids, but is not necessarily optimal for in vivo delivery. In addition, the in vivo activity of resultant LNP-siRNA formulations is affected by the formulation process employed and the resulting particle structure. Improvements in activity were possible with the preformed vesicle process by modifying and optimizing lipid ratios and formulation conditions (results not shown). However, we chose to further validate DLin-KC2-DMA activity specifically in the context of the SNALP platform, currently the most advanced LNP formulation for delivery of siRNA in vivo. We therefore tested in vivo a version of SNALP (termed KC2-SNALP), which uses less PEG lipid than reported previously 6 and in which DLinDMA was replaced with DLin-KC2-DMA. The incorporation of DLin-KC2-DMA into SNALP led to a marked improvement in potency in the mouse Factor VII model; the measured ED 50 decreased from ~0.1 mg/kg for the unoptimized screening formulation to ~0.02 mg/kg for the KC2-SNALP formulation ( Fig. 3a ). KC2-SNALP also exhibited similar potency in rats (data not shown). Furthermore, after a single administration in rats, KC2-SNALP-mediated gene silencing was found to persist for over 10 d ( Supplementary Fig. 1 ).
     In addition to efficacy, tolerability is another critical attribute of a suitable LNP-siRNA delivery system for human use. We therefore studied the single-dose tolerability of KC2-SNALP in rats—a popular rodent model for assessing the toxicology of siRNA and nucleic acid-based therapeutics. As doses near the efficacious dose level were found to be very well tolerated (data not shown), single-dose escalation studies were conducted starting at doses ~50-fold higher (1 mg/kg) than the observed ED 50 of the formulation. To understand formulation toxicity in the absence of any toxicity or pharmacologic effects resulting from target silencing, we conducted the experiments using a nontargeting control siRNA sequence directed against luciferase. KC2-SNALP containing luciferase siRNA was prepared in the exact same manner as that containing Factor VII siRNA, and the resultant size, lipid composition and entrapped siRNA/lipid ratio were similar. Clinical signs were observed daily and body weights, serum chemistry and hematology parameters were measured 72 h after dosing. KC2-SNALP was very well tolerated at the high dose levels examined (relative to the observed ED 50 dose) with no dose-dependent, clinically significant changes in key serum chemistry or hematology parameters (Table 2) .
     Given the promising activity and safety profile observed in rodents, studies were initiated in nonhuman primates to investigate the translation of DLin-KC2-DMA activity in higher species. For these studies, we chose to target transthyretin (TTR), a hepatic gene of high therapeutic interest 20 . TTR is a serum protein synthesized primarily in the liver, and although amyloidogenic TTR mutations are rare, they are endemic to certain populations and can affect the peripheral nerves, leading to familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, and the heart, leading to familial amyloid cardiomyopathy. Currently, the only disease-modifying therapy is liver transplantation. We treated cynomolgus monkeys with a single 15-min intravenous infusion of KC2-SNALP-formulated siTTR at siRNA doses of 0.03, 0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg. Control animals received a single 15-min intravenous infusion of PBS or KC2-SNALP-formulated ApoB siRNA at a dose of 1 mg/kg. Tissues were harvested 48 h after administration and liver mRNA levels of TTR were determined. A clear dose response was obtained with an apparent ED 50 of ~0.3 mg/kg ( Fig. 3b ). A toxicological analysis indicated that the treatment was well tolerated at the dose levels tested, with no treatment-related changes in animal appearance or behavior. No dose-dependent, clinically significant alterations in key clinical chemistry or hematological parameters were observed (Supplementary Table 4).
     In summary, we applied a rational approach to the design of novel cationic lipids, which were screened for use in LNP-based siRNA delivery systems. Lipid structure was divided into three main functional elements: alkyl chain, linker and headgroup. With DLinDMA as a starting point, the effect of each of these elements was investigated in a systematic fashion, by holding the other two constant. First, the alkyl chains were established, then linker was varied and, finally, different headgroup structures were explored. Using this approach, important structure-activity considerations for ionizable cationic lipids were described and lipids with improved activity relative to the DLinDMA benchmark were identified. A SNALP formulation of the best-performing lipid (DLin-KC2-DMA) was well-tolerated in both rodent and nonhuman primates and exhibited in vivo activity at siRNA doses as low as 0.01 mg/kg in rodents, as well as silencing of a therapeutically significant gene (TTR) in nonhuman primates. Although the scope of the current work has been limited to hepatic delivery in vivo, the TTR silencing achieved in this work (ED 50 ~ 0.3 mg/kg) represents a substantial improvement in activity relative to previous reports of LNP-siRNA mediated silencing in nonhuman primates.
METHODS
Methods and any associated references are available in the online version of the paper at http://www.nature.com/naturebiotechnology/.
Note: Supplementary information is available on the Nature Biotechnology website.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors thank K. McClintock for assistance with animal studies. The authors also thank the Centre for Drug Research and Development at the University
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of British Columbia for use of the NMR facilities and M. Heller for his expert assistance in setting up the 31 P-NMR experiments.
AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS
J.C., M.A.C., P.R.C., T.D.M., M.J.H. and K.F.W. designed and advised on novel lipids. J.C., K.F.W. and M.S. synthesized novel lipids. M.J.H., T.D.M., J.C., K.F.W., M.M., K.G.R., M.A.M., M.T. and M.J. analyzed and interpreted lipid data. T.D.M., M.J.H. and M.A.T. co-directed novel lipid synthesis and screening program. S.C.S. designed and directed rodent in vivo studies. S.C.S., S.K.K., B.L.M., K.L., M.L.E., M.K., A.P.S., Y.K.T.,S.A.B.,W.L.C.,M.J.W.and E.J.C. generated rodent in vivo data, including Factor VII and tolerability analyses. L.N., V.K., T.B., R.A., Q.C. and D.W.Y.S. developed novel siRNAs targeting TTR . R.A. and A.A. designed and directed NHP in vivo studies. S.C.S., S.K.K., A.A., B.L.M., I.M., A.P.S., Y.K.T., R.A., T.B., D.W. Y. S., S.A.B., J.Q., J.R.D. and A.d.F. analyzed and interpreted in vivo data. B.L.M., K.L., A.P.S., S.K.K., S.C.S. and E.J.C. generated and characterized preformed vesicle formulations with novel lipids. D.S. and C.K.C. developed methods and designed and conducted HPLC lipid analyses of preformed vesicle formulations. E.Y. and L.B.J. prepared SNALP formulations. P.R.C. directed biophysical studies and advised on methods. A.P.S., I.M.H., S.D. and K.W. performed biophysical characterization studies (pK a , NMR, differential scanning calonmetric) of novel lipids and formulations. M.J.H., P.R.C, T.D.M., A.P.S., I.M.H. and K.F.W. analyzed biophysical data. S.C.S., M.J.H., A.A. and P.R.C. co-wrote the manuscript. T.D.M., M.M., M.A.M., M.A.T. and A.D.F. reviewed and edited the manuscript. S.C.S., M.J.H., A.A., P.R.C., I.M. and A.D.F. were responsible for approval of the final draft.
COMPETING INTERESTS STATEMENT
The authors declare competing financial interests: details accompany the full-text HTML version of the paper at http://www.nature.com/naturebiotechnology/.
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ONLINE METHODS
Synthesis of cationic and PEG-lipids. A detailed description of the cationic lipid syntheses is available in the Supplementary Syntheses 1 and 2. The synthesis of N-[(methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) 2000 )carbamoyl]-l,2-dimyristyloxlpropyl-3-amine (PEG-C-DMA) was as described 22 . The synthesis of R-3-[( w -methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) 2000 )carbamoyl)]-l,2-dimyristyloxlpropyl-3-amine (PEG-C-DOMG) was as described 7 . These lipids were interchangeable in the formulation without substantially affecting activity (data not shown), and are collectively referred to as PEG-lipid.
siRNA synthesis. All siRNAs were synthesized by Alnylam and were characterized by electrospray mass spectrometry and anion exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The sequences for the sense and antisense strands of Factor VII, ApoB and control siRNAs have been reported 7 . The sequences for the sense and antisense strands of the TTR siRNA is as follows:
     siTTR sense: 5’-GuAAccAAGAGuAuuccAudTdT-3’; antisense: 5’-AUGG AAuACUCUUGGUuACdTdT-3’.
     2’- O -Me-modified nucleotides are in lowercase. siRNAs were generated by annealing equimolar amounts of complementary sense and antisense strands.
Preformed vesicle method to formulate LNP-siRNA systems. LNP-siRNA systems were made using the preformed vesicle method 14 . Cationic lipid, DSPC, cholesterol and PEG-lipid were solubilized in ethanol at a molar ratio of 40:10:40:10, respectively. The lipid mixture was added to an aqueous buffer (50 mM citrate, pH 4) with mixing to a final ethanol and lipid concentration of 30% (vol/vol) and 6.1 mg/ml, respectively, and allowed to equilibrate at 22 °C for 2 min before extrusion. The hydrated lipids were extruded through two stacked 80 nm pore-sized filters (Nuclepore) at 22 °C using a Lipex Extruder (Northern Lipids) until a vesicle diameter of 70-90 nm, as determined by dynamic light scattering analysis, was obtained. This generally required 1-3 passes. The siRNA (solubilized in a 50 mM citrate, pH 4 aqueous solution containing 30% ethanol) was added to the pre-equilibrated (35 °C) vesicles at a rate of ~5 ml/min with mixing. After a final target siRNA/lipid ratio of 0.06 (wt/wt) was reached, the mixture was incubated for a further 30 min at 35 o C to allow vesicle reorganization and encapsulation of the siRNA. The ethanol was then removed and the external buffer replaced with PBS (155 mM NaCl, 3 mM Na 2 HPO 4 ,1 mM KH 2 PO 4 , pH 7.5) by either dialysis or tangential flow diafiltration.
Preparation of KC2-SNALP. siRNA were encapsulated in SNALP using a controlled step-wise dilution method process as described 23 . The lipid constituents of KC2-SNALP were DLin-KC2-DMA (cationic lipid), dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC; Avanti Polar Lipids), synthetic cholesterol (Sigma) and PEG-C-DMA used at a molar ratio of 57.1:7.1:34.3:1.4. Upon formation of the loaded particles, SNALP were dialyzed against PBS and filter sterilized through a 0.2 µm filter before use. Mean particle sizes were 75-85 nm and 90-95% of the siRNA was encapsulated within the lipid particles. The final siRNA/lipid ratio in formulations used for in vivo testing was ~0.15 (wt/wt).
In vivo screening of cationic lipids for Factor VII activity. Eight- to 10-week-old, female C57BL/6 mice were obtained from Harlan. Mice were held in a patho-gen-free environment and all procedures involving animals were performed in accordance with local, state and federal regulations, as applicable, and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). LNP-siRNA systems containing Factor VII siRNA were diluted to the appropriate concentrations in sterile PBS immediately before use and the formulations were administered intravenously through the lateral tail vein in a total volume of 10 ml/kg. After 24 h, animals were anesthetized with ketamine/xylazine and blood was collected by cardiac puncture and processed to serum (microtainer serum separator tubes; Becton Dickinson). Serum was tested immediately or stored at -70 °C for later analysis for Factor VII levels.
Measurement of Factor VII protein in serum. Serum Factor VII levels were determined using the colorimetric Biophen VII assay kit (Aniara) 7 . Briefly, serially diluted pooled control serum (200-3.125%) and appropriately diluted serum samples from treated animals (n = 4-5 animals per dose level) were analyzed in 96-well, flat bottom, nonbinding polystyrene assay plates (Corning) using the Biophen VII kit according to manufacturer’s instructions. Absorbance was measured at 405 nm and a calibration curve was generated using the serially diluted control serum to determine levels of Factor VII in serum from treated animals, relative to the saline-treated control animals. ED 50 values for each formulation were derived from linear interpolation of the Factor VII activity profile, and included data points within 10-90% residual Factor VII activity (typically three to six points). Formulations containing novel lipids were always screened with one or more benchmark formulations to control and assess assay variability over time, and formulations with promising activity were repeated, with an expanded number of dose levels.
In situ determination of p K a using TNS. The p K a of each cationic lipid was determined in LNPs using TNS 17 and preformed vesicles composed of cationic lipid/DSPC/cholesterol/PEG-lipid (40:10:40:10 mol%) in PBS at a concentration of ~6 mM total lipid. TNS was prepared as a 100 µM stock solution in distilled water. Vesicles were diluted to 100 µM lipid in 2 ml of buffered solutions containing 1 µM TNS, 10 mM HEPES, 10 mM 4-morpholineethanesulfonic acid , 10 mM ammonium acetate, 130 mM NaCl, where the pH ranged from 2.5 to 11. Fluorescence intensity was monitored in a stirred, thermostated cuvette (25 °C) in a PerkinElmer LS-50 Spectrophotometer using excitation and emission wavelengths of 321 nm and 445 nm. Fluorescence measurements were made 30 s after the addition of the lipid to the cuvette. A sigmoidal best fit analysis was applied to the fluorescence data and the p K a was measured as the pH giving rise to hald-maximal fluorescence intensity.
Differential scanning calorimetry. Analyses were performed using the same samples used for 31 P NMR, on a TA Instruments Q2000 calorimeter using a heat/cool/heat cycle and a scan rate of 1 °C/minute between 10 °C and 70 °C. Repeat scans were reproducible to within 0.1 °C. The temperature at the peak amplitude of the endo- and exotherms was measured for both the heating and cooling scans, and the T BH values observed correlated closely with the phase transition temperatures measured using 31 P NMR.
Determination of siRNA plasma levels. Plasma levels of fluorescently labeled Cy3 siRNA were evaluated at 0.5 and 3 h after intravenous injection of selected LNP (preformed vesicle) formulations, administered at an siRNA dose of 5 mg/kg, in C57BL/6 mice. Blood was collected in EDTA-containing Vacutainer tubes, processed to plasma at 2-8 °C, and either assayed immediately or stored at -30 °C. An aliquot of the plasma (100 µl maximum) was diluted to 500 µl with PBS (145 mM NaCl, 10 mM phosphate, pH 7.5); methanol (1.05 ml) and chloroform (0.5 ml) were added; and the sample was vortexed to obtain a clear, single-phase solution. Additional water (0.5 ml) and chloroform (0.5 ml) was added and the resulting emulsion was sustained by periodic mixing. The mixture was centrifuged at 500g for 20 min and the aqueous phase containing the Cy3-labeled siRNA was collected and the fluorescence measured using an SLM Fluorimeter at an excitation wavelength of 550 nm (2 nm bandwidth) and emission wavelength of 600 nm (16 nm bandwidth). A standard curve was generated by spiking aliquots of plasma from untreated animals with the formulation containing Cy-3-siRNA (0 to 15 µg/ml), and the resulting standards were processed as indicated above.
Determination of siRNA biodistribution . Tissue (liver and spleen) levels of siRNA were evaluated at 0.5 and 3 h after intravenous injection in C57BL/6 mice after administration of LNP (preformed vesicle) formulations containing selected novel lipids. After blood collection, animals were perfused with saline to remove residual blood from the tissues; liver and spleen were then collected, weighed and divided into two pieces. Portions (400-500 mg) of liver or whole spleens were weighed into Fastprep tubes and homogenized in 1 ml of Trizol using a Fastprep FP 120 instrument. An aliquot of the homogenate (typically equivalent to 50 mg of tissue) was transferred to an Eppendorf tube and additional Trizol was added to achieve a final volume of 1 ml. Chloroform (0.2 ml) was added and the solution was mixed and incubated for 2-3 min, before being centrifuged for 15 min at 12,000 g . An aliquot (0.5 ml) of the aqueous phase was diluted with 0.5 ml of PBS and the
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sample fluorescence was measured as described above. The data were expressed as the percent of the injected dose (in each tissue).
In vivo nonhuman primate experiments. All procedures using cynomolgus monkeys were conducted by a certified contract research organization using protocols consistent with local, state and federal regulations, as applicable, and approved by the IACUC. Cynomolgus monkeys (n = 3 per group) received either 0.03, 0.1, 0.3 or 1 mg/kg siTTR, or 1 mg/kg siApoB (used as control) formulated in KC2-SNALP as 15-min intravenous infusions (5 ml/kg) through the cephalic vein. Animals were euthanized 48 h after administration, and a 0.15–0.20 g sample of the left lateral lobe of the liver was collected and snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen. Prior studies have established uniformity of silencing activity throughout the liver 6 . TTR mRNA levels, relative to GAPDH mRNA levels, were determined in liver samples using a branched DNA assay (QuantiGene Assay) 6 . Clinical chemistry and hematology parameters were analyzed before and 48 h after administration.
Statistical analysis. P- values were calculated for comparison of K2C-SNALP-treated animals with PBS-treated animals using analysis of variance (ANOVA, single-factor) with an alpha value of 0.05. P < 0.05 was considered significant.
 
22.   Heyes, J., Hall, K., Tailor, V, Lenz, R & MacLachlan, I. Synthesis and characterization of novel poly(ethylene glycol)-lipid conjugates suitable for use in drug delivery.
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23.   Jeffs, L.B. et al. A scalable, extrusion-free method for efficient liposomal encapsulation of plasmid DNA. Pharm. Res. 22 , 362-372 (2005).
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