Double-stranded ribonucleic acids with rugged physico-chemical structure and highly specific biologic activity
AssigneeHEMISPHERx BIOPHARMA
InventorsWilliam A. CARTER, David STRAYER
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Abstract
The invention relates to our discovery of a novel double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) having specific biological activities, which includes acting as a selective agonist for activation of the Toll-like receptor 3. Its “rugged” molecular structure as measured by physico-chemical techniques is resistant to molecular unfolding (i.e., denaturation). This structure appears to be responsible for increased efficacy of dsRNA in therapeutic applications and improved biological activity (e.g., used as an immunoregulatory agent). Medicaments, processes for their manufacture, and methods for their use are provided herein.
Claims12
An isolated double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) having a molecular weight of about 250 Kda to about 320 Kda comprising:
- a single strand comprised of poly(ribocytosinic4-29uracilic acid) and an opposite strand comprised of poly(riboinosinic acid) such that the two strands do not base pair the position of the uracil base, wherein said strands are partially hybridized.
An isolated double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) having at least one strand of a length from about 380 bases to about 450 bases comprising:
- a single strand comprised of poly(ribocytosinic4-29uracilic acid) and an opposite strand comprised of poly(riboinosinic acid) such that the two strands do not base pair the position of the uracil base, wherein said strands are partially hybridized.
An isolated double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) having from about 30 to about 38 helical turns of duplexed RNA strands comprising:
- a single strand comprised of poly(ribocytosinic4-29uracilic acid) and an opposite strand comprised of poly(riboinosinic acid) such that the two strands do not base pair the position of the uracil base, wherein said strands are partially hybridized.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.