MediGene: Paring back in the clinic

Having headed Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals Inc. for a year, CEO Howard Robin now hopes to broaden its focus beyond ribozymes to include more applications of nucleic acid chemistry, such as diagnostics, manufacturing and its RNAi gene-silencing technology. The company also has cut some clinical programs in favor of second generation molecules with improved stability and deliverability and will restructure to cut burn.

With plans to raise one to two years of cash over the next few months, Robin will need to convince investors that the company remains focused as it takes on new roles...