RXi Pharmaceuticals receives Notice of Allowance from USPTO for novel, self-delivering RNAi platform

Jun 3 2015

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NASDAQ: RXII), a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing innovative therapeutics, primarily in the areas of dermatology and ophthalmology, today announced that it received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on its novel, self-delivering RNAi platform (sd‑rxRNA®). The patent, titled "RNA Interference in Ocular Indications," covers methods of use of RXi's VEGF-targeting and CTGF-targeting self-delivering rxRNAs®, including RXI-109, for use in the eye. The patent, once issued, will be scheduled to expire in 2031.

This core patent, within RXi's intellectual property portfolio, broadens the coverage of RXi's self-delivering platform and provides coverage of RXI-109 for the treatment of ocular fibrosis. Scarring of the eye, as a consequence of disease or injury, can result in impairment or loss of vision. Medical or surgical treatments for the scarring component of ocular indications is limited. A therapeutic, such as RXI‑109, that is effective in reducing the activity of CTGF could have great benefit for patients whose ocular condition has an active scarring component. To date, there are no FDA-approved therapeutics for the treatment and prevention of scarring in the eye.

"We are pleased to receive this notice of allowance from the USPTO, covering the use of our proprietary VEGF and CTGF-targeting sd-rxRNAs in the eye, as RXi prepares to file an IND for the use of RXI-109 to treat ocular fibrosis," said Dr. Geert Cauwenbergh, President and CEO of RXi Pharmaceuticals. He further added, "The Company continues to advance its clinical programs as planned and we look forward to providing additional updates on our ophthalmology and dermatology programs in the coming months."