Sirna Therapeutics, Inc signed an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement for the rights to patents covering microRNA (miRNA) technology for the modulation of gene expression, developed at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS).

The methodology, invented by Phillip Zamore, Ph.D. professor of biochemistry & molecular pharmacology, and Gyorgy Hutvagner, Ph.D, both of UMMS, provides methods for inhibition of small RNA function, such as microRNA function in vitro and in vivo. Dr. Zamore and his colleagues developed an elegant system of using short pieces of oligonucleotides that bind to the target microRNAs and block their function, thereby modulating target gene expression. These oligonucleotides are referred to as the anti-RISC oligonucleotides. These patents describe methods that can be used not only for advancing RNAi basic research, but also for developing miRNA-based therapeutics.

This will definitely strengthen Sirna's lead in RNAi-based therapy development. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

Another molecule in Sirna's pipeline, intravitreal injection of Sirna-027 for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), showed promising Phase I clinical trials. Patients are currently being recruited for Phase II clinical studies.