MiNA Granted U.S. Patent Covering Small Activating RNAs Targeting the CEBPA Gene

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MiNA Therapeutics, the pioneer in RNA activation therapeutics, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted the first in a series of patents filed by MiNA Therapeutics protecting its CEBPA drug development program (US Patent Number 9,284,553). The patent covers the company’s lead program MTL-CEBPA, currently in preclinical development for liver cancer, as well as multiple other indications.

“The grant provides broad patent protection on the uses of saRNAs targeting the CEBPA gene and further solidifies our strong IP portfolio.”

“We are delighted with the USPTO’s decision to grant claims on an early filing where we described benefits of up-regulating CEBPA using small activating RNAs (saRNAs)” said Robert Habib, CEO of MiNA Therapeutics. “The grant provides broad patent protection on the uses of saRNAs targeting the CEBPA gene and further solidifies our strong IP portfolio.”

The new patent includes 12 claims covering methods of treating or preventing hyperproliferative disorders or disorders characterised by hypoalbuminemia with saRNAs. The method claims cover any saRNA targeting the CEBPA gene.

About CEBPA

The CEBPA gene encodes for the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBP-a), a transcription factor that acts as a master regulator of cell lineage determination and differentiation in several tissues including liver, myeloid cells and adipose tissue. In the liver, C/EBP-a plays an important role in normal hepatocyte function and response to injury. MiNA Therapeutics’ proprietary saRNA lead candidate, MTL-CEBPA, restores C/EBP-a expression to normal levels and has demonstrated to attenuate or reverse liver disease in a range of pre-clinical studies including models of liver cancer, liver cirrhosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

About MiNA Therapeutics

Harnessing the innate mechanism of gene activation, MiNA Therapeutics’ platform enables the development of new medicines that restore normal function to patients’ cells. We are applying our technology and clinical know-how to transform the therapy landscape of severe liver diseases. Our initial product candidate will achieve clinical proof of concept in 2017.