Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has been issued US Patent 7,015,315 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This patent covers antisense drugs with modified sugars, frequently called "chimeric" oligonucleotides or "gapmers", including Isis' proprietary second-generation chemistry, generation 2.2 chemistry, and numerous other sugar-modified antisense compounds.

According to the company release, this patent adds to Isis' several hundred US patents that cover the chemistry and design of antisense compounds. Because this newly issued patent does not expire until March 2023, it significantly extends the duration of Isis' control over antisense drug chemistry and design, and most importantly, the patent life of Isis' second-generation antisense drugs. Isis and its partners currently have 12 second-generation antisense drugs in clinical development that are covered by the '315 US Patent.

"Since our inception, we have focused on improving the properties of antisense drugs through medicinal chemistry," B. Lynne Parshall, Executive Vice President and CFO of Isis Pharmaceuticals said adding, "Our extensive patent portfolio is evidence that we aggressively protect our innovations and this patent is the most recent example. The '315 patent covers modifications to antisense oligonucleotides that provide improved drug properties. Most importantly, it provides another layer of patent protection for Isis' proprietary second-generation chemistry. This patent effectively extends the period of protection of our second-generation drugs, creating extremely valuable commercial opportunities."

As an innovator in RNA-based drug discovery and development, Isis is the owner or exclusive licensee of approximately 1,500 issued patents worldwide. Isis' extensive patent estate provides effective coverage of most oligonucleotide chemistries, the designs of antisense drugs, mechanisms by which antisense drugs work, specific drugs and gene targets, manufacturing and analytical methods and formulations, added the release.