Nijmegen/Utrecht, the Netherlands, Ocober 15, 2012 / B3C newswire / - InteRNA Technologies B.V., a drug discovery and development company engaged in the development of microRNA (miRNA)-based therapeutics for oncology, announces that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued the Company a notice of allowance on a patent application covering miRNA sequences, identified through deep sequencing of several different mouse, monkey and human samples, including different tumor samples. The allowable product claims protect miRNA-3157, homologues, precursors and mimics thereof. In a second pending patent application, miRNA-3157, homologues, precursors and mimics thereof are claimed as a therapy against melanoma. A mimic of miRNA-3157 is entering preclinical development and represents InteRNA’s lead product in its B-Raf/melanoma program.
“This issuance of the USPTO confirms our unique approach to identification and validation of miRNAs as drug targets and further development towards the clinic”, said Roel Schaapveld, CEO of InteRNA Technologies. “It further subscribes our patent strategy and greatly strengthens our intellectual property position on miRNA drug candidates.” The latest data on miRNA-3157 as drug candidate for the treatment of human melanoma will be presented at the Society for Melanoma Research 2012 Congress, November 8-11 in Hollywood, CA, USA.
About InteRNA Technologies B.V.
InteRNA Technologies develops cancer therapeutics based on a broadly applicable proprietary technology platform for the rapid identification and validation of therapeutic miRNAs. The Company has exclusive access to one of the largest miRNA libraries in the world. At present, InteRNA has established in vivo proof of concept for multiple pipeline candidates. The Company is pursuing a proactive partnership strategy to acquire appropriate delivery technologies for its products and expects to engage in corporate partnerships to progress several of its products into clinical development. InteRNA Technologies was incorporated in December 2006 by Aglaia Oncology Fund as a spin-off from the Hubrecht Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Contacts:
Roel Schaapveld, PhD, MBA
CEO
InteRNA Technologies B.V.
Phone: +31 (0)30 2532386
E-mail: schaapveld@interna-technologies.com
