Marina wins US patent protecting unlocked nucleobase analog chemistry

Patent broadly covers RNA-based oligonucleotide therapeutics such as a RNA duplex, a microRNA mimic, a microRNA antagonist and a RNA-binding RNA steric blocker containing a UNA.

The RNA duplex can be RISC- or Dicer-length small interfering RNA with discontinuous passenger strand.

Marina Biotech president and chief executive officer Michael French said the patent provides the freedom to use of UNA-containing oligonucleotides for therapeutic uses.

"Specifically, we can pursue a multitude of single and double-stranded RNA-based oligonucleotide compounds with a wide variation in length," French added.

"More importantly, we have demonstrated that UNA has the potential to improve RNAi therapeutics by increasing stability and reducing sense and antisense mediated off-target effects while retaining potency."