Modernatx, Inc.

Moderna Therapeutics, Inc.

William Joseph Issa

Stephen G Hoge

Edward John Miracco

Jennifer Nelson

Stephane Bancel

John Grant Aunins

Gabor Butora

Amy E Rabideau

Matthew G Stanton

Yuxun Wang

John Reynders

Meredith Packer

Noubar Boghos Afeyan

Tirtha Chakraborty

Joseph Louis Barberio

John Van Wicheren Iii Reynders

The invention relates to improved RNA compositions for use in therapeutic applications. The RNA compositions are particularly suited for use in human therapeutic application (e.g., in RNA therapeutics). The RNA compositions are made by improved processes, in particular, improved in vitro-transcription (IVT) processes. The invention also relates to methods for producing and purifying RNA (e.g, therapeutic RNAs), as well as methods for using the RNA compositions and therapeutic applications thereof.

High purity RNA compositions and methods for preparation thereof

The invention relates to improved RNA compositions for use in therapeutic applications. The RNA compositions are particularly suited for use in human therapeutic application (e.g., in RNA therapeutics). The RNA compositions are made by inproved processes, in particular, improved in vitro-transcription (IVT) processes. The invention also relates to methods for producing and purifying RNA (e.g, therapeutic RNAs), as well as methods for using the RNA compositions and therapeutic applications thereof.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to liquid chromatography (e.g., HPLC) methods which enable high resolution separations of polynucleotides having hydrophobic portions (e.g., polyadenylated nucleic acids, such as mRNA) based upon the hydrophobic character of the molecules (e.g., polyA tail length). In some embodiments, the disclosure describes liquid chromatographic methods for separating a nucleic acid having a hydrophobic portion (e.g., a polyadenylated nucleic acid, such as an mRNA) from a complex mixture by a mobile phase system that comprises an ion pairing agent selected from Tris, inorganic cations (including e.g., Na, Li, K, ammonium, etc.), biological buffers (e.g., MOPS, HEPES, PIPES, etc.), and other charged or hydrophilic moieties, and lacks conventional ion pairing agents (e.g., Triethylammonium acetate, TEAA). Accordingly, in some embodiments methods described by the disclosure are useful for assessing the quality of pharmaceutical preparations comprising nucleic acids.

Methods for HPLC analysis

Aspects of the disclosure relate to liquid chromatography (e.g., HPLC) methods which enable high resolution separations of polynucleotides of various lengths, sequences, and/or base compositions in a highly tunable manner. In some embodiments, the disclosure describes liquid chromatographic methods for separating a nucleic acid (e.g., a polyadenylated nucleic acid, such as an mRNA) from a complex mixture by using multiple ion pairing agents in the same mobile phase system. Accordingly, in some embodiments methods described by the disclosure are useful for assessing the quality of pharmaceutical preparations comprising nucleic acids.

Analytical HPLC methods

Disclosed herein are methods for purifying RNA comprising poly A. Also disclosed herein are compositions such as surfaces and oligonucleotides for purifying RNA comprising polyA. Other embodiments are also disclosed. Commercially-available resins having polythymidine oligonucleotide ligands typically contain less than 30 thymidine (2′deoxy) residues and some commercial resin suppliers utilize a distribution of dT chain lengths, not of a discreet length.

Ribonucleic acid purification

Disclosed herein are methods for purifying RNA comprising poly A. Also disclosed herein are compositions such as surfaces and oligonucleotides for purifying RNA comprising polyA. Other embodiments are also disclosed. Commercially-available resins having polythymidine oligonucleotide ligands typically contain less than 30 thymidine (2'deoxy) residues and some commercial resin suppliers utilize a distribution of dT chain lengths, not of a discreet length.

The present invention describes methods of removing DNA from an RNA transcript during the mRNA production process. The method embodies procedures for obtaining an in vitro transcription product, and removing any DNA from the product. The DNA can be removed by adding either free DNase or a resin containing immobilized DNase to the product, and recovering the RNA transcript. Alternatively, the DNA template used in the in vitro transcription reaction is labeled. After transcription, the product is applied to a resin that is configured to bind the label, and the RNA transcript is recovered. To detect whether any residual impurities are left in the RNA transcript product, the product is subjected to nuclease digestion and subsequently to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis to quantitate any residual DNA. The present invention demonstrates efficient and effective methods of isolating an RNA transcript from an in vitro transcription product.

Removal of DNA fragments in mRNA production process

The current landscape for preparative chromatographic RNA purification uses reversed phase HPLC, but this technique presents many issues with process scale up and ion exchange for preparative purification has only been used for short RNAs. The invention provides preparative purification of RNA (e.g., mRNA) using ion (e.g., anion) exchange chromatography that allows for separation of longer RNAs up to 10,000 nucleotides in length via a scalable method. This method avoids problems with current techniques by using low pressure chromatography that is agreeable with existing equipment in cGMP commercial facilities, that uses aqueous-bases solutions as the mobile phase (rather than flammable of greater than 10 mg RNA/mL resin (e.g., using larger pore sorbents, &#x3e;500 Angstroms, that display greater mRNA binding capacities), and that yields desired RNA salt forms for downstream formulation with no additional manipulation necessary (unlike ion pair reverse phase techniques).

Ion exchange purification of mRNA

Described are methods for production of RNA transcripts using a non-amplified, linearized DNA template in an in vitro transcription reaction. Enzymatic 5' capping and oligo dT purification can also be included in the methods.

Manufacturing methods for production of RNA transcripts

The present disclosure provides alternative nucleosides, nucleotides, and nucleic acids, and methods of using them. In some aspects, the disclosure provides mRNA wherein the uracil content has been modified and which may be particularly effective for use in therapeutic compositions, because they may benefit from both high expression levels and limited induction of the innate immune response. In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods for the production of pharmaceutical compositions including mRNA without reverse phase chromatography.

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Roslindale, MA, United States of America

William Joseph Issa