<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>
Unassociated Document
</TITLE>
<!-- Licensed to: vf-->
<!-- Document Created using EDGARIZER HTML -->
<!-- Copyright 2004 EDGARfilings, Ltd., an IEC company.-->
<!-- All rights reserved EDGARfilings.com -->
</HEAD><BODY id=38 bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><BR>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>UNITED
STATES</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>Washington,
D.C. 20549</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>FORM
8-K</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>CURRENT
REPORT</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>Date
of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 17,
2005</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 24pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>Sirna
Therapeutics, Inc.</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><BR></DIV>
<DIV align=left>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%">
  <TR>
    <TD vAlign=top align=middle width="30%">
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=center><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>Delaware
      </STRONG></FONT></DIV></TD>
    <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD vAlign=top align=middle width="30%">
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=center><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>0-27914
      </STRONG></FONT></DIV></TD>
    <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD vAlign=top align=middle width="30%">
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=center><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>34-1697351
      </STRONG></FONT></DIV></TD>
    <TD vAlign=top align=middle width="1%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD vAlign=top align=middle width="30%">
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=center><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 7pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif"><STRONG>(State
      or other jurisdiction </STRONG></FONT></DIV>
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=center><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 7pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif"><STRONG>of
      incorporation) </STRONG></FONT></DIV></TD>
    <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD vAlign=top align=middle width="30%">
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=center><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 7pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif"><STRONG>(Commission
      File No.) </STRONG></FONT></DIV></TD>
    <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD vAlign=top align=middle width="30%">
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=center><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 7pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif"><STRONG>(I.R.S.
      Employer </STRONG></FONT></DIV>
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=center><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 7pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif"><STRONG>Identification
      Number </STRONG></FONT></DIV></TD>
    <TD vAlign=top align=middle width="1%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>2950
Wilderness Place </STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>Boulder,
Colorado 80301 </STRONG></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 7pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif"><STRONG>(Address
of principal executive offices) </STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>Registrant&#8217;s
telephone number, including area code: (303) 449-6500 </STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>N/A
</STRONG></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 7pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif"><STRONG>(Former
name or former address, if changed since last report.) </STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">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></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings">o</FONT><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"> Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings">o</FONT><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings">o</FONT><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings">o</FONT><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</FONT></DIV><BR>
<DIV id=PGBRK style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=FTR>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 100%" align=left>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=GLFTR style="WIDTH: 100%" align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=PN style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
<DIV style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt" face="Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
<HR color=#000000 noShade SIZE=2>
</DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=HDR>
<DIV id=GLHDR style="WIDTH: 100%" align=right><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV></DIV></DIV><BR>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><BR></DIV>
<DIV>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%">
  <TR>
    <TD vAlign=top align=left width="78%" colSpan=3>
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=left><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>ITEM&nbsp;5.02
      </STRONG></FONT><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>Departure
      of Director or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of
      Principal Officers.</STRONG></FONT></DIV></TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">On March
17, 2005, Sirna Therapeutics, Inc. (&#8220;Sirna&#8221; or the &#8220;Company&#8221;) announced that
Barry Polisky, Ph.D., has been promoted to Chief Scientific Officer and Senior
Vice President of Research. The promotion is effective as of March 17, 2005. Dr.
Polisky, age 58, had been serving as Senior Vice President of Research for the
Company from December 2003 to March 9, 2005. Dr. Polisky joined the Company in
June 2002 as Vice President of Research. Prior to joining the Company, Dr.
Polisky served as Vice-President of Research at ThermoBiostar, Inc., a medical
diagnostics company</FONT><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,</FONT><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"> where he
initiated and launched a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) diagnostic
platform. From 1992 to 1998, Dr. Polisky was Vice President of Research and Drug
Discovery at NeXstar Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, where
he developed several aptamers (nucleic acid-based therapeutics including the
</FONT><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">vascular
endothelial growth factor</FONT><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"> (VEGF)
aptamer currently in Phase III development). Prior to joining NeXstar, Dr.
Polisky was Professor and Chairman of the Molecular Biology program at Indiana
University. Dr. Polisky received his Ph.D. in molecular biology from the
University of Colorado and conducted his post-doctoral work in the Department of
Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco. The
Company and Dr. Polisky are currently finalizing the terms of his employment
agreement.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
Company also announced that Nassim Usman, Senior Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer, will depart from the Company to pursue other interests. The
departure was effective as of March 16, 2005.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">A copy of
the press release issued by the Company on Thursday, March 17, 2005 is filed as
Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by
reference. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Statements
in this Form 8-K that are not strictly historical are "forward-looking"
statements, which should be considered as subject to many risks and
uncertainties. Risks and uncertainties include Sirna's early stage of
development and short operating history, whether Sirna can achieve and maintain
profitability, whether Sirna can obtain and protect patents, the risk of
third-party patent infringement claims, whether Sirna can engage collaborators
and obtain regulatory approval for products, Sirna's concentration of stock
ownership, and availability of materials for product manufacturing. These and
additional risk factors are identified in Sirna's Securities and Exchange
Commission filings, including the Forms 10-K and 10-Q and in other SEC filings.
Sirna undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking
statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the
date of this Form 8-K.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><BR></DIV>
<DIV>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%">
  <TR>
    <TD vAlign=top align=left width="79%" colSpan=3>
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=left><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>ITEM&nbsp;9.01
      </STRONG></FONT><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>Financial
      Statements and Exhibits.</STRONG></FONT></DIV></TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(c)
Exhibits. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%">
  <TR>
    <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD vAlign=top align=left width="9%">
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=center><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">99.1
      </FONT></DIV></TD>
    <TD vAlign=top align=left width="67%">
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=left><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Press
      Release issued by Sirna Therapeutics, Inc. on</FONT><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
      March 17</FONT><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      2005.</FONT></DIV></TD></TR></TABLE></DIV><BR>
<DIV id=PGBRK style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=FTR>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 100%" align=left>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=GLFTR style="WIDTH: 100%" align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=PN style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
<DIV style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt" face="Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
<HR color=#000000 noShade SIZE=2>
</DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=HDR>
<DIV id=GLHDR style="WIDTH: 100%" align=right><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV></DIV></DIV><BR>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>SIGNATURES</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">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. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Date:
March 22, 2005</FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%">
  <TR>
    <TD vAlign=top align=left width="40%" colSpan=3>
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=left><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">SIRNA
      THERAPEUTICS, INC. </FONT></DIV>
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=left>&nbsp;</DIV>
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=left><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(Registrant)
      </FONT></DIV>
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=left><FONT size=2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD vAlign=top align=left width="40%" colSpan=3>
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=left><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">By:
      </FONT><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><U>/s/
      Howard W.
      Robin&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></FONT></DIV></TD>
    <TD vAlign=top align=middle width="1%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD vAlign=top align=left width="40%" colSpan=3>
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=left><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Name:
      </FONT><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Howard
      W. Robin</FONT></DIV></TD>
    <TD vAlign=top align=middle width="1%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD vAlign=top align=left width="40%" colSpan=3>
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=left><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Title:
      </FONT><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">President
      and Chief Executive Officer</FONT></DIV></TD>
    <TD vAlign=top align=middle width="1%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=right></DIV><BR>
<DIV id=PGBRK style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=FTR>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 100%" align=left>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=GLFTR style="WIDTH: 100%" align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=PN style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
<DIV style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt" face="Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
<HR color=#000000 noShade SIZE=2>
</DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=HDR>
<DIV id=GLHDR style="WIDTH: 100%" align=right><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV></DIV></DIV><BR>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>EXHIBIT
INDEX</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%">
  <TR>
    <TD vAlign=top align=left width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD vAlign=top align=left width="6%">
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=center><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">99.1
      </FONT></DIV></TD>
    <TD vAlign=top align=left width="70%">
      <DIV
      style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=left><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Press
      Release issued by Sirna Therapeutics, Inc. on </FONT><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">March
      17</FONT><FONT
      style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      2005.</FONT></DIV></TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><BR></DIV><BR>
<DIV id=PGBRK style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=FTR>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 100%" align=left>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=GLFTR style="WIDTH: 100%" align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=PN style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
<DIV style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt" face="Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"></DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=HDR>
<DIV id=GLHDR style="WIDTH: 100%" align=right><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV></DIV></DIV><BR>
<DIV></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "SIRNA THERAPEUTICS INC", "cik": "0000892112", "assigned-sic": "2834", "irs-number": "341697351", "state-of-incorporation": "CO", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-27914", "film-number": "05697339"}, "business-address": {"street1": "2950 WILDERNESS PLACE", "city": "BOULDER", "state": "CO", "zip": "80301", "phone": "3034496500"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "2950 WILDERNESS PLACE", "city": "BOULDER", "state": "CO", "zip": "80301"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "RIBOZYME PHARMACEUTICALS INC", "date-changed": "19960306"}}
Unassociated Document
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): March 17,
2005
Sirna
Therapeutics, Inc.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
0-27914
34-1697351
(State
      or other jurisdiction
of
      incorporation)
(Commission
      File No.)
(I.R.S.
      Employer
Identification
      Number
2950
Wilderness Place
Boulder,
Colorado 80301
(Address
of principal executive offices)
Registrant's
telephone number, including area code: (303) 449-6500
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:
o
Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
ITEM 5.02
Departure
      of Director or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of
      Principal Officers.
On March
17, 2005, Sirna Therapeutics, Inc. ("Sirna" or the "Company") announced that
Barry Polisky, Ph.D., has been promoted to Chief Scientific Officer and Senior
Vice President of Research. The promotion is effective as of March 17, 2005. Dr.
Polisky, age 58, had been serving as Senior Vice President of Research for the
Company from December 2003 to March 9, 2005. Dr. Polisky joined the Company in
June 2002 as Vice President of Research. Prior to joining the Company, Dr.
Polisky served as Vice-President of Research at ThermoBiostar, Inc., a medical
diagnostics company
,
where he
initiated and launched a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) diagnostic
platform. From 1992 to 1998, Dr. Polisky was Vice President of Research and Drug
Discovery at NeXstar Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, where
he developed several aptamers (nucleic acid-based therapeutics including the
vascular
endothelial growth factor
(VEGF)
aptamer currently in Phase III development). Prior to joining NeXstar, Dr.
Polisky was Professor and Chairman of the Molecular Biology program at Indiana
University. Dr. Polisky received his Ph.D. in molecular biology from the
University of Colorado and conducted his post-doctoral work in the Department of
Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco. The
Company and Dr. Polisky are currently finalizing the terms of his employment
agreement.
The
Company also announced that Nassim Usman, Senior Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer, will depart from the Company to pursue other interests. The
departure was effective as of March 16, 2005.
A copy of
the press release issued by the Company on Thursday, March 17, 2005 is filed as
Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by
reference.
Statements
in this Form 8-K that are not strictly historical are "forward-looking"
statements, which should be considered as subject to many risks and
uncertainties. Risks and uncertainties include Sirna's early stage of
development and short operating history, whether Sirna can achieve and maintain
profitability, whether Sirna can obtain and protect patents, the risk of
third-party patent infringement claims, whether Sirna can engage collaborators
and obtain regulatory approval for products, Sirna's concentration of stock
ownership, and availability of materials for product manufacturing. These and
additional risk factors are identified in Sirna's Securities and Exchange
Commission filings, including the Forms 10-K and 10-Q and in other SEC filings.
Sirna undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking
statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the
date of this Form 8-K.
ITEM 9.01
Financial
      Statements and Exhibits.
(c)
Exhibits.
99.1
Press
      Release issued by Sirna Therapeutics, Inc. on
March 17
,
      2005.
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.
Date:
March 22, 2005
SIRNA
      THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Registrant)
By:
/s/
      Howard W.
      Robin
Name:
Howard
      W. Robin
Title:
President
      and Chief Executive Officer
EXHIBIT
INDEX
99.1
Press
      Release issued by Sirna Therapeutics, Inc. on
March
      17
,
      2005.