In addition to our lead programs, we are using our discovery platform to expand our pipeline of sequence-based drug candidates, siRNAs and antibodies.

The elements of this program are:

- Proprietary target genes and therapeutic concepts we uncovered using our target discovery platform BiFAR in various disease conditions. BiFAR identifies clinically relevant critical genes and proteins that, when inhibited, reverse the disease phenotype.

• For our siRNA drug candidates we concentrate at present in diseases that originate in various organs of the body following oxidative stress, ischemic injuries. These include diseases of the eyes (wet and dry AMD, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion), of the lung (COPD, Acute Lung Injury (ALI), Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)), kidney (Acute Renal Failure), inner ear (acute hearing loss, presbycusis or age-related hearing loss), spinal cord (spinal cord injury) and skin (pressure sores, diabetic ulcer). In all these organs we have demonstrated delivery, in preclinical models, of our siRNAs to the target cells in the injured organ by delivery means commonly applied in human medicine.
• For our antibodies we focus on fibrotic diseases, primarily of the kidney (chronic kidney failure).

- Expertise and access to intellectual property and manufacturing for stabilized, chemically modified siRNAs.

• We have established a program aimed at designing novel siRNA molecules with different chemical structures. We have been generating siRNA structures that are potentially patentable and are not covered by intellectual property rights of others, as well as proprietary aptamer-siRNA and antibody-siRNA molecules for targeted delivery of active siRNA drug to the disease cells.
• We have licensing agreements with Alnylam and atugen AG. These licenses allow us to use chemically modified siRNA molecules designed by our biologists using our proprietary siRNA Design and Database Software “SIRS”. Our specific modified siRNAs are covered by composition-of-matter patent applications.

- Expertise in identification and manufacturing for human antibodies.

• Quark has established license and collaboration agreements with the University of Trieste, Italy, to employ the University methodologies and processes relating to the identification and production of fully human antibodies. Quark owns the intellectual property generated. We also have manufacturing and license agreements in place with a specialized antibody manufacturer.

- Collaborations with academia and leading experts in the scientific and medical communities.

• In each disease area we engaged the opinion leaders in the US and Europe to advise or carry out the POC animal studies in addition to our own in-vivo studies. Their first-hand experience with the potential new drug is of immense value since their opinion is an important factor in our decision-making process for selection of a drug for formal preclinical development. We have assembled an experienced Medical Advisory Board (MAB) in each indication to help direct our product development and clinical testing program. MAB members work closely with our development team and collaborating scientists in all key aspects needed in our development programs.