Sirna gets patent covering large-scale synthesis of RNAi-based therapeutics

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., Jan. 24 - Sirna Therapeutics, Inc. said the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted the company a patent for the chemical synthesis and manufacturing of ribonucleic acids (RNA).

The patent broadly covers a process for the synthesis, deprotection and purification of nucleic acids with one or more ribonucleotides, according to a company news release.

Sirna manufactures GMP-quality RNA which is required for both chemically modified and unmodified siRNA-based therapeutics.

"This patent adds to our 48 issued and over 240 pending patent applications covering all aspects of siRNA technology," Bharat Chowrira, Sirna vice president, legal affairs and chief patent counsel, said in the release. "This new patent expands Sirna's broad coverage on the processes for the efficient synthesis and manufacturing of RNA and strengthens Sirna's leadership position in the development of RNAi-based therapeutics."

Sirna Therapeutics has presented interim phase 1 clinical trial data for its most advanced compound, Sirna-027, a chemically optimized siRNA to treat age-related macular degeneration. Sirna-027, which has been partnered with Allergan, Inc., was demonstrated to be safe and well tolerated with 100% of patients showing visual acuity stabilization after eight weeks from a single injection.

Sirna Therapeutics, based in San Francisco, is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing RNAi-based therapies for serious diseases and conditions.

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