Title: Genetic Inhibition by Double-Stranded RNA
Number: 7,538,095
Filed: Oct. 30, 2002
Lead Inventor: Andrew Fire, Carnegie Institution of Washington
The patent, its abstract states, claims "a process … of introducing an RNA into a living cell to inhibit gene expression of a target gene in that cell. The process may be practiced ex vivo or in vivo.
"The RNA has a region with double-stranded structure," the abstract adds. "Inhibition is sequence-specific in that the nucleotide sequences of the duplex region of the RNA and of a portion of the target gene are identical. The … invention is distinguished from prior art interference in gene expression by antisense or triple-strand methods."
Title: Reduction of Off-Target RNA Interference Toxicity
Number: 20090130751
Filed: May 29, 2008
Lead Inventor: Beverly Davidson, University of Iowa
The invention, the patent application's abstract states, "is directed to RNA interference molecules targeted against a nucleic acid sequence, and methods of using these RNAi molecules to reduce off-target toxicity."
Title: Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Mediated siRNA Delivery
Number: 20090131358
Filed: Nov. 14, 2008
Inventor: Jon Chatterton, Alcon
"The invention provides interfering RNA molecule-ligand conjugates useful as a delivery system for delivering interfering RNA molecules to a cell in vitro or in vivo," the patent application's abstract states. "The conjugates comprise a ligand that can bind to a low-density lipoprotein receptor or LDLR family member. Therapeutic uses for the conjugates are also provided."
Title: Tripartite RNAi Constructs
Number: 20090131360
Filed: Oct. 2, 2008
Lead Inventor: Tod Woolf, RXi Pharmaceuticals
The invention, the patent application's abstract states, "provides compositions and methods for inhibiting expression of a target gene in a cell. The process comprises introduction of double-stranded tripartite RNAi constructs into the cells and reducing the expression of the corresponding messenger RNA in the cells. The constructs, which may be packaged in or delivered as sequestered RNAi constructs, differ from the canonical siRNA in that they comprise a tripartite structure which follows the general formula of having an RNAi core (either native or abbreviated), one or more terminal moieties attached to the RNAi core, and, optionally, a linker between the RNAi core and the terminal moiety," the abstract states. "Once packaged into sequestration vehicles, the constructs are activated for gene regulation by the application of certain forms of energy."
Title: Inducible siRNA-Expression Cassette and Method of Use
Number: 20090133136
Filed: Jan. 18, 2006 PCT Filed: Jan. 18, 2006
Lead Inventor: Demin Zhou, Immusol
The patent application, its abstract states, claims "an inducible siRNA-expression polynucleotide and methods for its use. … The expression polynucleotide comprises a bicistronic expression cassette that encodes a repressor and a detectable marker, wherein the repressor controls expression of siRNA expression in the absence of an inducer."