Intradigm issued new RNAi therapeutics patent

Intradigm Corporation has announced the issuance of United States patent 7,459,547, entitled "Methods and Compositions for Controlling Efficacy of RNA Silencing."

The issued patent, which is based on the seminal research of Philip Zamore, Ph.D., the Gretchen Stone Cook Chair of Biomedical Sciences and Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology at University of Massachusetts Medical School, generally claims methods of enhancing the RNA silencing activity of an RNAi agent through certain structural modifications in various cell types, including mammalian. The issued claims not only focus on siRNA but also include specific claims directed to micro RNA (miRNA), pre-miRNA, and short hairpin RNA (shRNA). This patent issues from a portfolio of several applications disclosing efficacy-enhancing methods and structural elements of RNAi therapeutics that Intradigm has exclusively licensed from the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

"There is little dispute among those involved in the RNAi sector that proper siRNA structure and design is taking on an increasingly important role in the development of next generation RNAi therapeutics," said James Topper, M.D., Ph.D., general partner at Frazier Healthcare Ventures and chairman of Intradigm's board of directors. "Accordingly, the siRNA structure claims of this issued patent provide Intradigm with another important tool in the company's efforts to realize the tremendous therapeutic promise of RNA interference."

"Ongoing scientific research has highlighted the importance of siRNA structure as a critical component of an effective RNAi therapeutic and the issuance of this patent provides Intradigm with a significant competitive advantage in this area," said Mike Riley, Intradigm's vice president of intellectual property and corporate development. "For Intradigm, this patent becomes even more valuable when combined with the company's proprietary RNAi sequences and delivery technologies. Ultimately, access to this intellectual property will allow Intradigm to create a high value pipeline of well- protected products developed by incorporating novel, enhanced RNAi sequences into the company's innovative RNAi delivery systems."

Intradigm possesses one of the industry's strongest RNAi IP positions including key assets strategically licensed from both the University of Massachusetts Medical School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The company's IP estate of issued patents and pending applications broadly covers structural features for a next generation of RNAi molecules, biodegradable polycationic polymers for the delivery of RNAi therapeutics, and proprietary siRNA sequence applications.

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