Marina Biotech secures patent covering DiLA2 delivery platform

The allowed claims provide patent protection for a broad array of DiLA2 molecules and their formulations including liposomes, emulsions and micellar dispersions.

The DiLA2 molecules’ pharmaceutical compositions include siRNA, microRNA, meroduplex siRNA (3-stranded siRNA), single-stranded RNA and short-hairpin RNA (shRNA); and finally, methods for treating human disease using the DiLA2 delivery platform.

Marina Biotec president and CEO Michael French said that their proprietary DiLA2 delivery technology provides a means for creating an extensive library of delivery formulations that may be tailored for delivery of RNAi-therapeutics to specific tissues.

"With our newest DiLA2-based formulations, we have recently achieved a 10-fold improvement in activity with an accompanying increase in the therapeutic window and have applied the technology to the delivery of our proprietary UsiRNA constructs as both single agents and as a combination of two UsiRNAs, as well as the delivery of a microRNA mimetic," French said.

"We are pleased that the USPTO recognizes the novelty and significance of our DiLA2 delivery platform and this allowance enhances the company’s IP position, reinforces Novartis’ decision to non-exclusively license the technology and further establishes our competitive advantage with respect to RNAi-based delivery systems."