Sirna Therapeutics, Inc. has been granted two additional short interfering RNA (siRNA) target patents by the United Kingdom (UK) Patent Office.

The first patent covers any siRNA with one or more chemical modifications targeting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). The second patent covers any chemically modified siRNA targeting Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).

The claims of these patents are not limited to any specific siRNA sequence, but broadly cover any siRNA sequence used against the entire targeted gene. Further, the claims of these patents are not limited to any specific type of chemical modification or structure, but broadly cover any chemical modification that can be made to the siRNA and cover blunt-ended siRNAs and those with one or more nucleotide overhangs, according to a company release.

Sirna has filed over 100 patents worldwide for the broad coverage of siRNAs targeting disease causing genes and viruses.

The issuance of these two patents follows two prior patents granted to Sirna earlier this year in the UK. They include a patent covering the chemical and structural modifications of siRNAs necessary for the creation of viable siRNA-based therapeutics.