PORTLAND, OR - AVI BioPharma Inc. (AVII), a developer of RNA–based drugs, announced the issuance of a US patent protecting the composition of matter of its RNA–based therapeutic agent AVI–5126.
A press release by the company stated that the patent “Compositions for Enhancing Transport of Molecules Into Cells” (US Patent No. 7,468,418) claims compositions and methods for AVI–5126, a PPMO (peptide–conjugated morpholino phosphorodiamidate oligomer)-based RNA therapeutic agent aimed at silencing C–MYC, an important protein in wound healing, cell proliferation and cancer.
AVI has licensed AVI–5126 to Global Therapeutics, a Cook Medical company, which is conducting the world’s first clinical trial of a third generation drug–eluting stent (“DES”) that uses an RNA–based therapeutic agent. AVI–5126 targets C–MYC, a key regulatory gene involved in cardiovascular restenosis, silencing the gene before the biochemical pathways leading to restenosis are fully triggered.
The enhanced antisense compound has increased potency and bioavailability compared with earlier analogs, allowing for a DES system that delivers a lower concentration of more potent drug.
“This is a significant patent issuance for a number of AVI programs, but most importantly it covers the lead drug candidate on which Cook’s Global Therapeutics unit is working,” said Leslie Hudson, president and chief executive officer of AVI.
“This patent protects the broad concept of a cell delivery peptide that is conjugated to a neutral oligomer and its issuance significantly expands AVI’s intellectual property base for the next generation of therapeutic oligomers capable of significantly improved bioavailability and potency.”
From:www.ag-ip-news.com
