Marina Biotech has won a patent in the US protecting unlocked nucleobase analog (UNA) modification and substitution chemistry.
Patent broadly covers RNA-based oligonucleotide therapeutics such as a RNA duplex, a microRNA mimic, a microRNA antagonist and a RNA-binding RNA steric blocker containing a UNA.
The RNA duplex can be RISC- or Dicer-length small interfering RNA with discontinuous passenger strand.
Marina Biotech president and chief executive officer Michael French said the patent provides the freedom to use of UNA-containing oligonucleotides for therapeutic uses.
"Specifically, we can pursue a multitude of single and double-stranded RNA-based oligonucleotide compounds with a wide variation in length," French added.
"More importantly, we have demonstrated that UNA has the potential to improve RNAi therapeutics by increasing stability and reducing sense and antisense mediated off-target effects while retaining potency."
