Silence Therapeutics Issued new Patents Covering siRNA Sequences for RNA Interference Therapeutics
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Silence Therapeutics plc announces the issuance of two new patents by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) which are broadly directed to double-stranded short interfering RNA (siRNA) sequences against the validated cancer targets epidermal growth factor receptor related protein (EGFR-RP) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1).
EGFR-RP and VEGFR1 have been demonstrated to play key roles in the underlying causes of various cancers including abnormal angiogenesis and uncontrolled cell division. Similar to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), VEGFR1 also is implicated in the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other serious ocular diseases.
The EGFR-RP patent is broadly directed to methods of reducing EGFR-RP with a DNA or RNA molecule, including siRNA molecules. The sequence covered by the VEGFR1 patent is a potent 25mer siRNA, demonstrating Silence's continued ability to secure meaningful intellectual property protection for its portfolio of 25mer sequences.
"The past several months have seen Silence add a number of high-value patents to its broad RNAi intellectual property portfolio. Whereas many of these recent issuances have focused on the structural modification of RNAi therapeutics to improve efficacy, today's announcement underscores our efforts to concurrently build critical protection in the equally important areas of siRNA sequences and siRNA delivery," said Philip Haworth, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Silence Therapeutics.
"We are particularly pleased that we have been able to secure an additional patent covering 25mer siRNA sequences, validating our belief that we can build a portfolio of proprietary 25mer siRNA sequences that will provide us an added level of protection in the RNAi space. Furthermore, the breadth of the issued EGFR-RP patent provides critical value to Silence as it prevents any competitor from developing a siRNA or related therapeutic agent against the EGFR-RP target without our collaboration."
EGFR-RP and VEGFR1 have been demonstrated to play key roles in the underlying causes of various cancers including abnormal angiogenesis and uncontrolled cell division. Similar to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), VEGFR1 also is implicated in the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other serious ocular diseases.
The EGFR-RP patent is broadly directed to methods of reducing EGFR-RP with a DNA or RNA molecule, including siRNA molecules. The sequence covered by the VEGFR1 patent is a potent 25mer siRNA, demonstrating Silence's continued ability to secure meaningful intellectual property protection for its portfolio of 25mer sequences.
"The past several months have seen Silence add a number of high-value patents to its broad RNAi intellectual property portfolio. Whereas many of these recent issuances have focused on the structural modification of RNAi therapeutics to improve efficacy, today's announcement underscores our efforts to concurrently build critical protection in the equally important areas of siRNA sequences and siRNA delivery," said Philip Haworth, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Silence Therapeutics.
"We are particularly pleased that we have been able to secure an additional patent covering 25mer siRNA sequences, validating our belief that we can build a portfolio of proprietary 25mer siRNA sequences that will provide us an added level of protection in the RNAi space. Furthermore, the breadth of the issued EGFR-RP patent provides critical value to Silence as it prevents any competitor from developing a siRNA or related therapeutic agent against the EGFR-RP target without our collaboration."
