Novartis has extended its RNAi therapeutics collaboration with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals through October 2009. The alliance was initiated in October 2005 and is focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of RNAi therapeutics toward a defined number of Novartis-selected disease gene targets.     “Our efforts with Novartis have been very productive over the past three years, and we are delighted that Novartis has elected to extend our alliance for another year,” said John Maraga...