Alnylam tests under-the-skin amyloidosis treatment; Gold nanoparticles deliver platinum anti-cancer drugs;

> Alnylam Pharmaceuticals ($ALNY) is commencing with a Phase I dosing study of ALN-TTR02, an RNAi drug designed for subcutaneous delivery to treat TTR-mediated amyloidosis, a hereditary disease caused by TTR-gene mutations. Release

> U.K.-based Silence Therapeutics formed a Scientific Advisory Board and two new research collaborations to strengthen its pipeline of liver disease RNAi therapeutics, which rely on liposome delivery technology. Release

> "Bacteria inclusion bodies" are the latest drug delivery vehicle researchers are exploring. Developed by scientists at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, these organic "nanopills" are stable, insoluble nanoparticles found normally in recombinant bacteria. Story

> Researchers at the University of Alabama-Birmingham say they've discovered shape-changing polymer capsules that could be used to deliver chemotherapeutic drugs into tumors. Using a novel ultrasound method, researchers say they may be able to penetrate tumor cells and explode the capsules to deliver treatment. Item

> Hawaii's Pono Pharma, which recently licensed anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and nanoparticle drug delivery technologies, has raised $1.5 million of a planned $4 million first round of funding, MedCityNews reports. Story

> The Netherlands' Blue Medical is launching its drug-eluting balloon Protégé to treat patients with cardiovascular disease, after CE Mark approval. The device delivers drugs during stent placement as a one-time shot. Release

And Finally... Platinum anti-cancer drugs can rely on gold nanoparticles as delivery vehicles, according to researchers at the University of Sydney in Australia. Story