Pharmaceutical Business review

Marina Biotech expands European and Canadian patent protection of smarticles nucleic acid delivery technology

In addition, the company has received a notice of allowance of Canada Patent 2,665,783, which covers processes for making a broad range of amphoteric liposomes, including the SMARTICLES formulation currently in Phase I and Phase II clinical studies.

In addition, the company has received a notice of allowance of Canada Patent 2,665,783, which covers processes for making a broad range of amphoteric liposomes, including the SMARTICLES formulation currently in Phase I and Phase II clinical studies.

These patents provide for both improved properties of a SMARTICLES formulation, such as modifiable charge and fusogenicity, as well as the delivery of a broad range of nucleic acid agents. The continued allowance and issuance of SMARTICLES-related patents expands the global portfolio of this versatile nucleic acid delivery technology.

"The European and Canadian patents will be a significant addition to the SMARTICLES global portfolio as we continue to collect data that demonstrate the clinical versatility of SMARTICLES for nucleic acid therapeutic delivery. Most recently, SMARTICLES have demonstrated cargo delivery outside the liver, as evidenced in part by Mirna Therapeutics’ recent report of SMARTICLES-mediated delivery of their double-stranded miRNA mimic, MRX34, to white blood cells of patients with multiple tumor types," stated J. Michael French, president and CEO of Marina Biotech.

"Expanding the global reach of SMARTICLES protects one of our key delivery technologies and continues to support our strategy to have the broadest and most comprehensive nucleic acid drug discovery capability in the sector.