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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 12pt">UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>
</FONT><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">FORM 8-K</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">CURRENT REPORT</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" ALIGN="CENTER" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="width: 51%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 5%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 44%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center">Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">August 15, 2012</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 24pt">Marina Biotech,
Inc.<BR>
</FONT><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">__________________________________________<BR>
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></P>

<TABLE ALIGN="CENTER" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="3">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">Delaware</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="3" STYLE="text-align: center">000-13789</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">11-2658569</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">_____________________<BR> (State or other jurisdiction</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="3" STYLE="text-align: center">_____________<BR> (Commission</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">______________<BR> (I.R.S. Employer</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">of incorporation)</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="3" STYLE="text-align: center">File Number)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">Identification No.)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="3" STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">3830 Monte Villa Parkway, Bothell, Washington</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="3" STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">98021</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">_________________________________<BR> (Address of principal executive offices)</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="3" STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">___________<BR> (Zip Code)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD COLSPAN="2">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: center">Registrant&rsquo;s telephone number, including area code:</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: center">425-908-3600</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="width: 30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 30%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">N/A<BR>
______________________________________________<BR>
Former name or former address, if changed since last report</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Check the appropriate box below
if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions:</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

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<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 97%">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></TD>
    <TD>Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></TD>
    <TD>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></TD>
    <TD>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">Between August 10,
2012 and August 21, 2012, Marina Biotech, Inc. (the &ldquo;Company&rdquo;) committed to issue to eight of its vendors an
aggregate of approximately 3.2 million shares of its common stock (the &ldquo;Settlement Shares&rdquo;) to settle outstanding
amounts due to such vendors in the aggregate amount of approximately $1.1 million. The Company issued the Settlement Shares
in reliance on the exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and/or
Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Item 5.01 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election
of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal"><I>Resignation of Directors</I></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">On August 15, 2012, Peter
D. Parker submitted his resignation as a member of the Board of Directors (the &ldquo;Board&rdquo;) of the Company, effective at
the close of business on Friday, August 17, 2012. On August 21, 2012, each of R. John Fletcher, James M. Karis and Michael D. Taylor,
Ph.D. submitted his resignation as a member of the Board, effective at the close of business on August 21, 2012.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal"><I>Appointment of Directors</I></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">On August 20, 2012, the Board,
upon recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, elected Stefan Loren, Ph.D. and Joseph Ramelli
to fill the vacancies in the Board created by the resignation of Peter D. Parker and Gregory Sessler, pursuant to Article II, Section
5 of the Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company (the &ldquo;By-Laws&rdquo;), effective immediately, with a term expiring at
the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2012. In connection with their election to the Board, and subject to availability
under the Company&rsquo;s equity compensation plans, the Company intends to grant to each of Dr. Loren and Mr. Ramelli approximately
50,000 shares of restricted common stock.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws;
Change in Fiscal Year.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">On August 21, 2012, the Board
amended Article II, Section 1 of the By-Laws to remove the first sentence of such section in its entirety and replace such sentence
in its entirety with the following sentence: &ldquo;The number of Directors constituting the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation
shall not be less than three nor more than eleven as fixed by resolution duly adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors.&rdquo;
The amendment is effective as of August 21, 2012. Following the effectiveness of the amendment, the Board fixed the number of directors
constituting the entire Board at three.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Item 8.01 Other Events.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">On August 22, 2012, the Company
issued a press release announcing certain of the matters described in this Current Report on Form 8-K, a copy of which is attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">(d) Exhibits:</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 10%; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline">Exhibit No.</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 90%; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline">Description</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-weight: bold">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-weight: bold">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-weight: normal">99.1</TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-weight: normal">Press release of Marina Biotech, Inc. dated August 22, 2012.</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SIGNATURES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in">Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp; &#9;&nbsp; &#9;&nbsp; &#9;&nbsp; &#9;&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2">Marina Biotech, Inc.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 55%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 40%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>August 22, 2012</TD>
    <TD>By:</TD>
    <TD>__<U>/s/ J. Michael French&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Name:</TD>
    <TD>J. Michael French</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Title:</TD>
    <TD>Chief Executive Officer</TD></TR>
</TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B><U>EXHIBIT INDEX</U></B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

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<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 10%; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline">Exhibit No.</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 90%; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline">Description</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>99.1</TD>
    <TD>Press release of Marina Biotech, Inc. dated August 22, 2012.</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "Marina Biotech, Inc.", "cik": "0000737207", "assigned-sic": "2834", "irs-number": "112658569", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-13789", "film-number": "121049023"}, "business-address": {"street1": "3830 MONTE VILLA PARKWAY", "city": "BOTHELL", "state": "WA", "zip": "98021", "phone": "4259083600"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "3830 MONTE VILLA PARKWAY", "city": "BOTHELL", "state": "WA", "zip": "98021"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "MDRNA, Inc.", "date-changed": "20080610"}, {"former-conformed-name": "NASTECH PHARMACEUTICAL CO INC", "date-changed": "19920703"}]}
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):
August 15, 2012
Marina Biotech,
Inc.
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
000-13789
11-2658569
_____________________
(State or other jurisdiction
_____________
(Commission
______________
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)
File Number)
Identification No.)
3830 Monte Villa Parkway, Bothell, Washington
98021
_________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices)
___________
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
425-908-3600
N/A
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report
Check the appropriate box below
if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions:
¨
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
Between August 10,
2012 and August 21, 2012, Marina Biotech, Inc. (the "Company") committed to issue to eight of its vendors an
aggregate of approximately 3.2 million shares of its common stock (the "Settlement Shares") to settle outstanding
amounts due to such vendors in the aggregate amount of approximately $1.1 million. The Company issued the Settlement Shares
in reliance on the exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and/or
Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder.
Item 5.01 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election
of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Resignation of Directors
On August 15, 2012, Peter
D. Parker submitted his resignation as a member of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of the Company, effective at
the close of business on Friday, August 17, 2012. On August 21, 2012, each of R. John Fletcher, James M. Karis and Michael D. Taylor,
Ph.D. submitted his resignation as a member of the Board, effective at the close of business on August 21, 2012.
Appointment of Directors
On August 20, 2012, the Board,
upon recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, elected Stefan Loren, Ph.D. and Joseph Ramelli
to fill the vacancies in the Board created by the resignation of Peter D. Parker and Gregory Sessler, pursuant to Article II, Section
5 of the Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company (the "By-Laws"), effective immediately, with a term expiring at
the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2012. In connection with their election to the Board, and subject to availability
under the Company's equity compensation plans, the Company intends to grant to each of Dr. Loren and Mr. Ramelli approximately
50,000 shares of restricted common stock.
Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws;
Change in Fiscal Year.
On August 21, 2012, the Board
amended Article II, Section 1 of the By-Laws to remove the first sentence of such section in its entirety and replace such sentence
in its entirety with the following sentence: "The number of Directors constituting the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation
shall not be less than three nor more than eleven as fixed by resolution duly adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors."
The amendment is effective as of August 21, 2012. Following the effectiveness of the amendment, the Board fixed the number of directors
constituting the entire Board at three.
Item 8.01 Other Events.
On August 22, 2012, the Company
issued a press release announcing certain of the matters described in this Current Report on Form 8-K, a copy of which is attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits:
Exhibit No.
Description
99.1
Press release of Marina Biotech, Inc. dated August 22, 2012.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Marina Biotech, Inc.
August 22, 2012
By:
__
/s/ J. Michael French
Name:
J. Michael French
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
99.1
Press release of Marina Biotech, Inc. dated August 22, 2012.