The granted claims of the patent include an invention directed towards producing constructs for RNA interference (RNAi) techniques. The invention provides a ribonucleic acid (RNA) for use as interfering RNA in gene silencing techniques to silence a target gene, the company said.
The patent is also pending in a number of other jurisdictions and the company expects further grants in the coming months.
Sue MacLeman, CEO of Benitec, said: “This is an excellent example of a patent that offers broad coverage and leverage in the field of RNAi therapeutics. We have already licensed this patent family for use in preclinical and clinical development of a hepatitis C therapeutic construct and will look to further licensing opportunities.”