CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 2011--
Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDRA) today presented new data on
its novel gene-silencing oligonucleotide (GSO) technology at the 12th
annual EuroTIDES conference being held in Berlin, GermanyNovember
15-16, 2011. The preclinical data demonstrated that GSOs exert
target-specific gene-silencing activity following systemic delivery and,
due to their novel structure, minimize the sequence-dependent immune
stimulation that is associated with other approaches to gene-silencing.
“We are very pleased to have observed that the novel structure of GSOs,
in which the five-prime end is not accessible, minimizes immune
stimulation,” commented Nicola La Monica, Ph.D., Vice President of
Biology at Idera Pharmaceuticals. “The immune stimulatory effects of
other gene-silencing approaches have resulted in off-target effects that
may interfere with the intended mechanism of action or have other
unintended consequences. GSOs provide a potential approach for
gene-silencing following systemic delivery with reduced off-target
effects.”
The data presented are from preclinical studies evaluating the gene
silencing activity of GSOs targeted to various messenger RNA targets.
The GSOs were administered systemically to mice, without the use of any
delivery technology. The GSOs showed significant specific gene-silencing
activity as monitored by suppression of targeted RNA and protein. For
comparison, a number of antisense sequences were evaluated for in vivo
immune activation, as monitored by circulating cytokines. The data
showed that GSOs minimized the induction of immune responses compared to
antisense oligonucleotides. GSOs are single-stranded oligonucleotides
with two exposed 3’-ends and 5’-ends that are not accessible. It has
been shown that accessibility of the 5’-ends of oligonucleotides
maximizes immune activation.
The presentation entitled “Gene-silencing oligonucleotides:
Innovative design of oligonucleotides with enhanced efficacy and
RNAi-like mechanism of action” was presented by Nicola La Monica of
Idera Pharmaceuticals.
About Gene-silencing Oligonucleotides
Idera's gene-silencing oligonucleotides (GSOs) are single-stranded RNA
or DNA constructs with two exposed 3'-ends that are complementary to
targeted mRNA sequences of therapeutic interest. In preclinical studies,
GSOs have inhibited gene expression in vivo without requiring a delivery
enhancement technology. Idera has filed multiple patent applications for
its GSOs that are pending in many countries around the world.
About Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Idera Pharmaceuticals applies its proprietary Toll-like Receptor (TLR)
drug discovery platform to create immunomodulatory drug candidates. The
Company's TLR-targeted candidates are being developed to treat
autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and cancer, and for use as vaccine
adjuvants. Additionally, the Company is advancing its gene-silencing
oligonucleotide (GSO) technology for the purpose of inhibiting the
expression of disease-promoting genes. For more information, visit http://www.iderapharma.com.
Idera Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Idera
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.
For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not
statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking
statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words "believes,"
"anticipates," "plans," "expects," "estimates," "intends," "should,"
"could," "will," "may," and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that
could cause Idera's actual results to differ materially from those
indicated by such forward-looking statements, including whether data
from preclinical studies such as the data discussed in this release will
be indicative of results obtained in later preclinical studies and
clinical trials; whether products based on Idera's technology will
advance into or through the clinical trial process on a timely basis or
at all and receive approval from the United States Food and Drug
Administration or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies; whether, if
the Company's products receive approval, they will be successfully
distributed and marketed; whether the Company's collaborations will be
successful; whether Idera's cash resources will be sufficient to fund
the Company's operations; and such other important factors as are set
forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in Idera's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 which important
factors are incorporated herein by reference. Idera disclaims any
intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
Source: Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Lou Arcudi, 617-679-5517
larcudi@iderapharma.com
or
MacDougall
Biomedical Communications
Chris Erdman, 781-235-3060
cerdman@macbiocom.com
