ERNI Hangs in There

(click for larger image)

The Edwards Real Nanotech (ERNI) closed little changed last week, nor were there big moves in any of the components. For that matter, there was not much in the way of news to generate any movement. Altogether a pretty dull week.

Today, however, JMAR Technologies announced an order for its BioSentry product from, of all things, Princess Cruise Lines. Cruise ships have had an enormous problem with gastrointestinal viruses doing a number on their passengers. Vomiting and diarrhea—not a great way to spend a vacation. One assumes that’s what explains the current order. In any case, JMAR is currently up 28%, bucking a big down day in the markets.

Alnylam [ALNY—NASDAQ], though not an ERNI component, has been discussed previously on this blog as a leading RNAi company. Today announced that the “Tuschl II” patent had been issued, to which they are the exclusive licensee. The patent broadly covers means for making siRNAs to be used therapeutically on any disease target. As described by the company, the patent seems to be very general, covering all double-stranded RNAs 19-25 nucleotides in length and having one or more 3’ overhangs, i.e. having the characteristics needed to function as an siRNA. Although one can imagine ways to design around this patent, it is enough to keep the company’s stock price in positive territory. Meanwhile, the Dow is down 100. as this is written.