The ‘829 patent application includes newly allowed claims directed to compositions comprising a double-stranded molecule of between 19 and 52 nucleotides in each strand with various end configurations, including a so-called "3’ overhang" on the antisense strand.
As such, the newly allowed patent application broadly covers small interfering RNA, or "siRNA," molecules of various designs including so-called "dicer substrate" RNAi triggers. Moreover, the claims also cover double-stranded RNAi-mediating molecules with one or more nucleotide analogue such as "unlocked nucleobase analogs," or "UNAs," amongst other naturally or non-naturally occurring nucleotide analogues.
"This notice of allowance for the Tuschl ‘829 patent application is yet another example of the USPTO’s recognition of the pioneering work by Tuschl and colleagues. The newly allowed claims broadly cover, for example, double-stranded, RNAi-mediating molecules of between 19 and 52 nucleotides in length with a 3’ overhang on the antisense strand, and thus include siRNA trigger designs such as ‘dicer substrates.’ The claims also cover siRNA with one or more nucleotide analogs, including UNAs," said Laurence Reid, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer of Alnylam.
"We expect continued issuances from our Tuschl, McSwiggen, Manoharan and other patent families, which, together, broadly cover siRNA with or without chemical modifications and with our conjugate delivery approach. This intellectual property protection strengthens our efforts, as well as those of our licensees, to bring RNAi therapeutics to patients and to deliver value to our shareholders."
The allowed claims of the Tuschl ‘829 patent application, as well as other granted, Alnylam-owned or -licensed patents, are provided on the company’s website, and in aggregate broadly cover compositions, methods, and uses of RNAi therapeutics. Alnylam’s intellectual property (IP) estate also includes patents that broadly cover delivery of RNAi therapeutics, such as Alnylam’s GalNAc-siRNA conjugate technology, and siRNAs directed toward a wide range of disease targets.