Marina Biotech Achieves Broad Patent Coverage for DiLA2 Nucleic Acid Delivery Technology in U.S., Europe and Japan

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwired - Jan 23, 2014) - Marina Biotech, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: MRNA), a leading oligonucleotide-based drug discovery and development company, announced today that a decision to grant a patent has been issued for the Company's Di-alkylated Amino Acid (DiLA²) liposomal delivery technology in Japan (Ser No 2010-506690). The claims of this National Stage Application broadly cover DiLA2 compounds, as well as compositions containing therapeutic nucleic acids, and uses for treating a wide range of diseases. The patent claims granted in Japan cover norarginine- and pyridylalanine-based compounds, which are known to be some of the most efficacious liposome-forming compounds developed by Marina Biotech for delivery of nucleic acid-based therapeutics. In addition, the European Patent Office has agreed to the allowance of broad DiLA2 patent claims, which will be granted. A DiLA2 patent has previously been issued in the U.S. and China. Thus, with the decision to grant from the Japan Patent Office, Marina Biotech has achieved broad coverage for the DiLA2 patent estate in the four largest commercial markets.

"Our proprietary DiLA² delivery technology provides a means for creating an extensive library of delivery formulations that may be tailored for delivery of nucleic acid-based therapeutics to specific tissues," stated J. Michael French, President and CEO at Marina Biotech. "The versatility of the DiLA² platform provides for a rapid and scientifically robust process for improving the delivery characteristics of novel formulations to meet specific requirements for a particular therapeutic application, i.e., administration via systemic or local delivery. We have demonstrated physical and chemical stability for over a year in storage conditions of -40°C while maintaining in vivo activity as well as effective systemic delivery of a microRNA in a subcutaneous tumor cancer model. Further, our preclinical effort in bladder cancer utilizes the DiLA² delivery technology. The broad patent coverage for both our DiLA² and SMARTICLES^® delivery technologies establishes our competitive advantage in delivering nucleic acid-based therapeutics."

About Marina Biotech, Inc.
Marina Biotech is an oligonucleotide therapeutics company with the broadest drug discovery platform in the sector providing the ability to develop proprietary single and double-stranded nucleic acid therapeutics including siRNAs, microRNA mimics, antagomirs, and antisense compounds, including messengerRNA therapeutics. The platform was built via a roll-up strategy to discover and develop any number of different types of nucleic acid therapeutics in order to modulate (up or down) a specific protein(s) which is either being produced too much or too little causing a particular disease. We believe that Marina Biotech is the only company in the sector with this breadth of capability, and as a result the platform has unique strengths as a drug discovery engine for the development of nucleic acid-based therapeutics for rare and orphan diseases. Further, we believe Marina is the only company in the sector that has a delivery technology in human clinical trials with differentiated classes of payloads, through licensees ProNAi Therapeutics and Mirna Therapeutics, delivering single-stranded and double-stranded nucleic acid payloads, respectively. Our novel chemistries and other delivery technologies have been validated through license agreements with Roche, Novartis, Monsanto, and Tekmira. The Marina Biotech pipeline currently includes a clinical program in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (a precancerous syndrome) and two preclinical programs -- in bladder cancer and myotonic dystrophy. Marina Biotech's goal is to improve human health through the development of RNAi- and oligonucleotide-based compounds and drug delivery technologies that together provide superior therapeutic options for patients. Additional information about Marina Biotech is available at www.marinabio.com.

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