AVI BioPharma Strengthens Its Patent Position in RNA Therapeutics
December 23 2008 - 8:00AM
Marketwired
AVI BioPharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVII), a developer of RNA-based drugs,
today announced issuance of a U.S. patent protecting the
composition of matter of its RNA-based therapeutic agent AVI-5126.
The patent "Compositions for Enhancing Transport of Molecules Into
Cells" (U.S. Patent No. 7,468,418) claims compositions and methods
for AVI-5126, a PPMO (peptide-conjugated morpholino
phosphorodiamidate oligomer)-based RNA therapeutic agent aimed at
silencing C-MYC, an important protein in wound healing, cell
proliferation and cancer.
AVI has licensed AVI-5126 to Global Therapeutics, a Cook Medical
company, which is conducting the world's first clinical trial of a
third generation drug-eluting stent ("DES") that uses an RNA-based
therapeutic agent. AVI-5126 targets C-MYC, a key regulatory gene
involved in cardiovascular restenosis, silencing the gene before
the biochemical pathways leading to restenosis are fully triggered.
The enhanced antisense compound has increased potency and
bioavailability compared with earlier analogs, allowing for a DES
system that delivers a lower concentration of more potent drug.
"This is a significant patent issuance for a number of AVI
programs, but most importantly it covers the lead drug candidate on
which Cook's Global Therapeutics unit is working," said Leslie
Hudson, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of AVI. "This
patent protects the broad concept of a cell delivery peptide that
is conjugated to a neutral oligomer and its issuance significantly
expands AVI's intellectual property base for the next generation of
therapeutic oligomers capable of significantly improved
bioavailability and potency."
AVI has published numerous articles in 2008 on novel compounds
using the principle of peptide-PMO (PPMO) conjugates.
-- Morpholino Oligomers Targeting the PB1 and NP Genes Enhance Survival
of Mice Infected with Highly Pathogenic Influenza A H7N7 Virus
Gabriel G, Nordman A, Stein DA, Iversen PL and Klend HD
April 2008, The Journal of General Virology
-- Inhibition of Iinfluenza A H3N8 Virus Infections in Mice by
Morpholino Oligomers
Lupfer C, Stein DA, Mourich DV, Tepper SE, Iversen PL and Pastey M
March 28, 2008, Archives of Virology
-- Inhibition of Alphavirus Infection in Cell Culture and in Mice with
Antisense Morpholino Oliogmers
Paessler S, Rijnbrand R, Stein DA, Ni H, Yun NE, Dziuba N,
Borisevich V, Seregin A, Ma Y, Blouch R, Iversen PL, and Zacks MA
July 5, 2008, Virology
-- Inhibition of Multiple Species of Picornavirus Using a Morpholino
Oligomer Targeting Highly Conserved IRES Sequence
Stone J, Stein DA, Rijnbrand R, Iversen PL and Andino R
June 2008, Antimicrobial Agents Chemotherapy
-- Inhibition of Respiratory Syncitial Virus Infections with Morpholino
Oligomers in Cell Cultures and in Mice
Lai SH, Stein DA, Liao SL, Guerrero-Plata A, Hong C, Iversen PL,
Casola A and Garofalo RP
June 2008, Molecular Therapy
-- Treatment of AG129 Mice with Antisense Morpholino Oligomers Increases
Survival Time Following Challenge with Dengue 2 Virus
Stein DA, Huang CYH, Silengo S, Amantana A, Crumley S, Blouch RE,
Iversen, PL and Kinney RM
September 2008, Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
-- Delivery of Steric Block Morpholino Oligomers by (R-X-R)4 Peptides:
Structure-activity Studies
Abes R, Moulton HM, Clair P, Yang ST, Abes S, Melikov K, Prevot P,
Youngblood DS, Iversen PL, Chernomordik LV and Lebleu B
November 2008, Nucleic Acids Research
About AVI BioPharma
AVI BioPharma is focused on the discovery and development of
RNA-based drugs utilizing proprietary derivatives of its antisense
chemistry (morpholino-modified phosphorodiamidate oligomers or
PMOs) that can be applied to a wide range of diseases and genetic
disorders through several distinct mechanisms of action. Unlike
other RNA therapeutic approaches, AVI's antisense technology has
been used to directly target both messenger RNA (mRNA) and its
precursor (pre-mRNA), allowing for both up- and down-regulation of
targeted genes and proteins. AVI's RNA-based drug programs are
being evaluated for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy as
well as for the treatment of cardiovascular restenosis through our
partner Global Therapeutics, a Cook Group Company. AVI's antiviral
programs have demonstrated promising outcomes in Ebola Zaire and
Marburg Musoke virus infections and may prove applicable to other
viral targets such as HCV or Dengue viruses. For more information,
visit www.avibio.com.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995: The statements that are not historical facts
contained in this release are forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the
results of research and development efforts, the results of
preclinical and clinical testing, the effect of regulation by the
FDA and other agencies, the impact of competitive products, product
development, commercialization and technological difficulties, and
other risks detailed in the company's Securities and Exchange
Commission filings.
AVI Press and Investor Contact: Julie Rathbun Investor Relations
(541) 224-2575 Investorrelations@avibio.com
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