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Researchers at Tufts University have a patent-pending compound for the delivery of cytotoxic siRNA therapeutics.  This amphiphillic compound, which consists of a cationic head group and a long-chain hydrophobic tail, efficiently delivers nucleic acids into cells.  The bioreducible nature of this compound allows it to deliver the therapeutic more rapidly and efficiently than traditional transfection reagents. 

BACKGROUND

In the era of personalized medicine, it will become increasingly important to be able to deliver aptamers and siRNA/microRNAs into patients.  Currently, there are limited methods for delivering large aptamer-based thereapeutics in vivo, which do not elicit an immune response.  Having the ability to safely and efficiently deliver nucleic acid therapeutics into cells will expand the list of potential targets for a wide array of diseases. 

INVENTION

This invention is a patent-pending library of compounds which act as nanocarriers to deliver  nucleic acids into cells.  Experiments in vivo have demonstrated that the bioreducible nature of these compounds allows for a more efficient and effective delivery of mRNAs as compared to the non-bioreducible counterparts.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

US Patent 9,765,022; Published in China, Europe and Japan

Tufts ref. # T001877

Licensing Contact

Chiara Vannucci
Chiara.Vannucci@tufts.edu