www.silence-therapeutics.com
Silence Therapeutics plc (LSE: SLN) is a global leader in the discovery, development and delivery of novel RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics for the treatment of serious diseases. The company possesses one of the world’s most comprehensive RNAi therapeutic platforms comprised of proprietary delivery technologies, potent siRNA sequences and innovative siRNA structural features – the three areas the company believes to be critical to building, protecting and commercialising RNAi therapeutics. This platform is protected by Silence’s strong intellectual property portfolio which includes more than 200 issued and pending patent applications worldwide. Additionally, Silence is a clear leader in the development of RNAi clinical candidates, possessing a pipeline that includes a total of five different internal and partnered programs in the clinic. A final key validation of Silence’s leadership position in RNAi is the company’s multiple major partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies. The partnerships with companies such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Quark Pharma and Dainippon Sumitomo further demonstrate the credibility of Silence’s technologies.
Silence Therapeutics secures 2 new patents in US
Silence Therapeutics (LON:SLN) 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.
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.
Chief executive Philip Haworth commented: "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."
"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," Haworth added.
Silence Therapeutics is dedicated to the discovery, development and delivery of targeted, systemic RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics for the treatment of serious diseases. The company possesses multiple proprietary short interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery technology platforms including AtuPLEX, a system that enables the functional delivery of siRNA molecules to targeted diseased tissues and cells, while increasing their bioavailability and intracellular uptake.
A second, complementary delivery technology known as PolyTran uses a library of novel peptide-based biodegradable polycationic polymers for systemic siRNA administration.
Additionally, the company has a platform of novel siRNA molecules, AtuRNAi, which provide a number of advantages over conventional siRNA molecules, including increased stability against nuclease degradation. Silence's unique RNAi assets also include structural features for a next generation of RNAi molecules and additional proprietary siRNA sequences against more than 50 highly valued oncology and other disease targets.
Silence Therapeutics is headquartered in London, UK, with research and development activities in Berlin and operations in Redwood City, California.
