Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp.

Rxi Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Rxi Parmaceuticals Corporation

William Salomon

Anastasia Khvorova

Tod M Woolf

Joanne Kamens

Dmitry Samarsky

James Cardia

Pamela A Pavco

Lyn Libertine

Karen G Bulock

Michelle Miller

Karen Gunn Bulock

The present invention relates to RNAi constructs and their use in gene silencing. RNAi constructs associated with the invention contain a double stranded region connected to a single stranded region of phosphorothioate modified nucleotides.

RNA duplexes with single stranded phosphorothioate nucleotide regions for additional functionality

The present invention relates to ocular administration of sd-rxRNA and rxRNAori molecules.

RNA interference in ocular indications

Neutral lipid formulations for nucleic acid delivery are provided according to the invention. The neutral lipid formulations include hydrophobically modified polynucleotides and fat mixtures. Methods of using the neutral lipid formulations are also provided.

Neutral nanotransporters

RNAi constructs directed to MAP4K4 that demonstrate unexpectedly high gene silencing activities, and uses thereof are disclosed. The blunt-ended constructs have a double-stranded region of 19-49 nucleotides. The constructs have selective minimal modifications to confer an optimal balance of biological activity, toxicity, stability, and target gene specificity. For example, the strands may be modified (e.g., one or both ends of the sense strand is modified by 2'-O-methyl groups), such that the construct is not cleaved by Dicer or other RNAse III, the antisense strand may also be modified by a 2&#x2032;-O-methyl group at the penultimate 5&#x2032;-end nucleotide to greatly reduce off-target silencing.

Inhibition of MAP4K4 through RNAi

The present invention relates to methods for in vivo administration of sd-rxRNA molecules.

Reduced size self-delivering RNAI compounds

The present invention relates to RNAi constructs with improved tissue and cellular uptake characteristics and methods of use of these compounds in dermal and fibrotic applications.

RNA interference in dermal and fibrotic indications

The present invention relates to RNAi constructs with minimal double-stranded regions, and their use in gene silencing. RNAi constructs associated with the invention include a double stranded region of 8-14 nucleotides and a variety of chemical modifications, and are highly effective in gene silencing. The RNAi constructs may be, for instance, miRNA constructs that are miRNA modulators.

The present invention relates to RNAi constructs with improved tissue and cellular uptake characteristics and methods of use of these compounds in dermal applications.

RNA interference in skin indications

The present invention relates to RNAi constructs with minimal double-stranded regions, and their use in gene silencing. RNAi constructs associated with the invention include a double stranded region of 8-14 nucleotides and a variety of chemical modifications, and are highly effective in gene silencing.

The invention related to improved RNAi constructs and uses thereof. The construct has a double stranded region of 19-49 nucleotides, preferably 25, 26, or 27 nucleotides, and preferable blunt-ended. The construct has selective minimal modifications to confer an optimal balance of biological activity, toxicity, stability, and target gene specificity. For example, the sense strand may be modified (e.g., one or both ends of the sense strand it/are modified by four 2'&#x2014;O-mehtyl groups), such that the construct is not cleaved by Dicer or other RNAse III, and the entire length of the antisense strand is loaded into RISC. In addition, the antisense strand may also be modified by 2&#x2032;&#x2014;O-methyl group at the 2nd 5&#x2032;-end nucleotide to greatly reduce off-target silencing. The constructs of the invention largely avoids the interferon response and sequence-independent apoptosis in mammalian cells, exhibits better serum stability, and enhance target specificity.

Growing community of inventors

Worcester, MA, United States of America

William Salomon