Calando Pharmaceuticals wins new US patent

The patent contains claims directed to inhibitory nucleic acid sequences targeting the ribonucleotide reductase subunit 2 (R2) gene, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and methods for inhibiting tumor growth utilizing the sequences.

R2 is the gene targeted by Calando’s lead siRNA-containing nanoparticle therapeutic, CALAA-01, which is currently in a Phase I clinical trial for patients with non-resectable or metastatic solid tumors. CALAA-01 is claimed to be the only RNAi therapeutic for cancer to have reached the clinic.

Jeremy Heidel, Calando’s chief scientific officer for nucleic acid delivery, said: “The issuance of this patent is an important milestone for Calando. It provides a significant addition to the strong patent portfolio that Calando maintains for its CALAA-01 product.”