Due to technical issues, the IP Update was not included in last week’s RNAi News. Click here to access last week’s IP Update.
Title: microRNAs and Uses Thereof
Number: 20070050146
Filed: May 16, 2005
Lead Inventor: Isaac Bentwich, Rosetta Genomics
The patent application, its abstract states, describes “novel polynucleotides associated with prostate and lung cancer. The polynucleotides are miRNAs and miRNA precursors. Related methods and compositions that can be used for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of those medical conditions are disclosed,” the abstract adds. “Also described herein are methods that can be used to identify modulators of prostate and lung cancer.”
Title: Methods for Use in Modulating miR-122a
Number: 20070049547
Filed: Aug. 29, 2006
Lead Inventor: Christine Esau, Isis Pharmaceuticals
The patent application, according to its abstract, claims “methods … for the treatment of cardiovascular or metabolic diseases characterized by elevated serum total cholesterol, elevated serum LDL-cholesterol, or elevated serum triglycerides, through the administration of an oligomeric compound which modulates the levels or activity of miR-122a. Further provided are methods for reducing hepatic steatosis or liver tissue triglyceride accumulation through the administration of an oligomeric compound which modulates the levels or activity of miR-122a. Such methods employ oligomeric compounds which hybridize with or sterically interfere with nucleic acid molecules comprising or encoding miR-122a,” the abstract states. “Such oligomeric compounds may include one or more modifications thereon, which may improve the activity, stability, or nuclease resistance of the oligomeric compound. These modified oligomeric compounds are used as single compounds or in compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, to modulate or mimic the targeted nucleic acid comprising or encoding miR-122a.”
Title: RNA Interference-Mediated Inhibition of 11 Beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase-1 Gene Expression Using Short Interfering Nucleic Acid
Number: 20070049543
Filed: June 16, 2006
Lead Inventor: James McSwiggen, Sirna Therapeutics (Merck)
The invention relates to “compounds, compositions, and methods for the study, diagnosis, and treatment of traits, diseases and conditions that respond to the modulation of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 gene expression and/or activity,” the patent application’s abstract states. The invention “is also directed to compounds, compositions, and methods relating to traits, diseases and conditions that respond to the modulation of expression and/or activity of genes involved in 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 gene expression pathways or other cellular processes that mediate the maintenance or development of such traits, diseases, and conditions. Specifically, the invention relates to double stranded nucleic acid molecules … capable of mediating RNA interference against 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 gene expression, including cocktails of such small nucleic acid molecules and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations of such small nucleic acid molecules.”
The abstract adds that the invention “also relates to small nucleic acid molecules, such as siNA, siRNA, and others that can inhibit the function of endogenous RNA molecules … or that can inhibit the function of RISC, to modulate 11 beta-HSD-1 gene expression by interfering with the regulatory function of such endogenous RNAs or proteins associated with such endogenous RNAs, including cocktails of such small nucleic acid molecules and lipid nanoparticle formulations of such small nucleic acid molecules. Such small nucleic acid molecules are useful, for example, in providing compositions to prevent, inhibit, or reduce metabolic diseases traits and conditions, including but not limited to diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, cardiovascular disease, and/or other disease states, conditions, or traits associated with 11 beta-HSD-1 gene expression or activity in a subject or organism.”