SomaGenics Awarded Four Patents Spanning Its miRNA and RNAi Programs

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Dec 16, 2014, 08:36 ET

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Dec. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- SomaGenics, Inc. has had four patents covering various aspects of its small RNA platform technologies issued or allowed by the US and European Patent Offices.

Two of these patents cover short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA): US Patent No. 8,779,115 B2 covers methods, compositions and kits used in the inhibition of gene expression, and the second patent, US Patent No. 8,871,730 B2, covers chemical modifications of small RNAs. These modifications improve SomaGenics' proprietary RNAs by increasing their stability in serum and by eliminating unwanted immunostimulatory activity, which can result in side effects. These RNAs, which are called sshRNA™, have promising therapeutic applications and function through the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism. RNAi is a natural endogenous pathway whereby small RNAs recognize target RNAs, triggering their inhibition and often degradation. SomaGenics has used its sshRNA technology to demonstrate potent inhibition of the hepatitis C virus, among other applications.

The other two patents relate to SomaGenics' miR-ID™ RNA detection technology. The European Patent Office has granted to SomaGenics European Patent No. 2,419,537 B1, and a US version of this patent has been allowed by the US Patent Office. These patents cover methods and compositions for detection of small RNAs. miR-ID^™ is a novel, circularization-based RT-qPCR method. It is highly sensitive, uses single-dye detection, and can discriminate miRNA isoforms that differ in even a single nucleotide at any position along the molecule. The technology works well with all sample sources, including total RNA, cell lysates, and tissue lysates.

"We are excited to extend IP coverage broadly across all aspects of our RNA based technologies," said Brian Johnston, CEO of SomaGenics. "The added IP coverage will increase the value and development potential of our innovative RNA-based therapeutic and diagnostic programs."

SomaGenics is a privately held biotech company with offices and laboratories located in Santa Cruz, CA. It specializes in RNA technologies, including innovative therapeutics and diagnostics that use RNA molecules as therapeutic agents, targets and biomarkers. Besides sshRNA and miR-ID, SomaGenics' technology platforms include miR-Direct™, a method for multiplex detection of circulating microRNAs directly from serum or plasma; miR-ACS™, for construction of improved next-generation sequencing libraries; and mR-FQ™, for quantifying fragmented mRNAs from preserved histology specimens such as formaldehyde-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks. Contact Brian Johnston 831 426 7700.

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SOURCE SomaGenics