DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

MDRNA Inc. (MRNA) said its technology significantly reduced tumor growth in models of liver and bladder cancer.

Shares jumped 20.2% premarket to $1.49. The stock had nearly quadrupled already in 2009 through Friday.

The biotechnology company, which is focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutic products based on RNA interference, said it successfully demonstrated delivery of a protein that helps shrink tumors. For liver cancer, MDRNA called the reduction similar to what is achieved with Avastin, the billion-dollar seller from Roche Holding AG (RHHBY).

"These data are a powerful indicator of the value and strength of" the RNAi drug discovery platform "and represents a significant step in the advancement of our product pipeline," said President and Chief Executive J. Michael French. "Moreover, we now have evidence illustrating the potential role of RNAi-based therapeutics in down-regulating typically 'non-druggable' targets."

-By Kevin Kingsbury, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-2136; kevin.kingsbury@dowjones.com