Structural design of asymmetric RNAi drugs
Our project
(Figure above: Structural design of unsymmetrical siRNA and miRNA with tailored thermodynamic asymmetry.)
The RNAi technology is primarily based on two different double-stranded RNA molecules namely; short interfering RNA (siRNA) and microRNA (miRNA). We have discovered the first asymmetric siRNA, which is derived from natural nucleotides, which possesses endosomolytic properties and promote carrier-free transfection to human cancer cells and hard-to-transfect primary cells. We achieved a durable and long-lasting silencing effect without triggering an immune response using our modified siRNA. This innovative siRNA and miRNA design will open new avenues to develop effective RNAi therapeutics. We are currently exploring this technology to develop drug molecules for different clinical indications with partners across Europe.
Please visit www.uppsalatherapeutics.com for our commercial activities.
Publications
- ‘Improved small interfering ribonucleic acid molecules’ O. P. VARGHESE and O. P. Oommen, 2017, US Patent App. 15/127,616.
- ‘Nucleic acid molecules with enhanced activity’ O. P. VARGHESE and O. P. Oommen, 2018, US Patent App. 15/761,753.