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news.Opko Health, a specialty healthcare company, has received a key patent from the US Patent and Trademark Office for methods related to the use and administration of small interfering RNAs for targeting a sequence of human hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha.
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The claims of the newly issued patent cover a broad range of methods of using various small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that target a sequence of human hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha). In addition, the patent covers application of the siRNAs to inhibit the expression of human HIF-1alphaand to treat human HIF-1alpha-related angiogenic disorders, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cancer, and inflammatory diseases.
The claims broadly cover any methods of administering the siRNAs and encompass the methods of using the siRNA sequences, including sequence modifications, and methods of using any pharmaceutical compounds that contain the siRNA sequences.
Phillip Frost, chairman and CEO of Opko, said: “This patent marks another important step in establishing OPKO’s leadership position in the promising field of siRNA-based therapeutics. This issued patent further reinforces our confidence in our strong and growing intellectual property position in this important space.”