Patent broadens protection of optimized RNAi molecules

Silence Therapeutics plc announces the issuance of United States patent 7,893,245, titled “Interfering RNA Molecules,” by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The issued patent, which represents a continuation of previously issued US Patent Number 7,452,987, covers chemically modified RNAi molecules with defined positional modifications including siRNA molecules that are blunt ended, as well as molecules with one or more overhangs. Importantly, this latest patent broadens Silence’s protection of these RNAi molecules to those with a chemically modified core length between 17 and 29 nucleotides including the company’s portfolio of 25mer siRNA sequences. This patented siRNA technology forms the foundation for AtuRNAi, Silence’s propriety RNAi molecules. Various therapeutics incorporating Silence’s AtuRNAi technology are currently being studied in five ongoing clinical trials conducted by Silence Therapeutics and other industry leaders.