Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a compound useful for treating or preventing SARS-Cov-2 infections. Also disclosed is a method for administering the compound to a subject, particularly a human subject, to treat or prevent a SARS-CoV-2 infection in the subject. The compound may comprise an oligomer comprising a nucleic acid base sequence that is antisense to a gene, pre-mRNA or mRNA in the subject, such as a gene, pre-mRNA or mRNA of transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2). The compound also may comprise a peptide sequence. In some embodiments, the compound is a peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PPMO).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a compound useful for treating or preventing betacoronavirus infections such as SARS-Cov-2 infections. Also disclosed is a method for administering the compound to a subject, particularly a human subject, to treat or prevent a betacoronavirus infection in the subject. The compound can comprise an oligomer comprising a nucleic acid base sequence that is antisense to at least a portion of a SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA, and can comprise a sequence present in the 5? UTR and first 20 nt of coding sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA. The compound also can contain a peptide sequence. In some embodiments, the compound is a peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PPMO).

Abstract: An antisense compound for use in treating myotonic dystrophy DM1 or DM2, a method of enhancing antisense targeting to heart and quadricep muscles, and a method for treating DM1 or DM2 in a mammalian subject are disclosed. The oligonucleotide has 8-30 bases, with at least 8 contiguous bases being complementary to the polyCUG or polyCCUG repeats in the 3?UTR region of dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK) mRNA in DM1 or DM2, respectively. Conjugated to the oligonucleotide is a cell-penetrating peptide having the sequence (RXRR(B/X)R)2XB, where R is arginine; B is ?-alanine; and each X is —C(O)—(CH2)n—NH—, where n is 4-6. The antisense compound is effective to selectively block the sequestration of muscleblind-like 1 protein (MBNL1) and/or CUGBP, in heart and quadricep muscle in a myotonic dystrophy animal model.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing delivery of molecules, e.g. biological agents, into cells are described. The composition is a conjugate of the biological agent, preferably a nucleic acid analog having a substantially uncharged backbone, covalently linked to a peptide transporter moiety as described. Conjugation of the peptide transporter to a substantially uncharged nucleic acid analog, such as a morpholino oligomer, is also shown to enhance binding of the oligomer to its target sequence and enhance antisense activity.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing delivery of molecules, e.g. biological agents, into cells are described. The composition is a conjugate of the biological agent, preferably a nucleic acid analog having a substantially uncharged backbone, covalently linked to a peptide transporter moiety as described. Conjugation of the peptide transporter to a substantially uncharged nucleic acid analog, such as a morpholino oligomer, is also shown to enhance binding of the oligomer to its target sequence and enhance antisense activity.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing delivery of molecules, e.g. biological agents, into cells are described. The composition is a conjugate of the biological agent, preferably a nucleic acid analog having a substantially uncharged backbone, covalently linked to a peptide transporter moiety as described. Conjugation of the peptide transporter to a substantially uncharged nucleic acid analog, such as a morpholino oligomer, is also shown to enhance binding of the oligomer to its target sequence and enhance antisense activity.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing delivery of molecules, e.g. biological agents, into cells are described. The composition is a conjugate of the biological agent, preferably a nucleic acid analog having a substantially uncharged backbone, covalently linked to a peptide transporter moiety as described. Conjugation of the peptide transporter to a substantially uncharged nucleic acid analog, such as a morpholino oligomer, is also shown to enhance binding of the oligomer to its target sequence and enhance antisense activity.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing delivery of molecules, e.g. biological agents, into cells are described. The composition is a conjugate of the biological agent, preferably a nucleic acid analog having a substantially uncharged backbone, covalently linked to a peptide transporter moiety as described. Conjugation of the peptide transporter to a substantially uncharged nucleic acid analog, such as a morpholino oligomer, is also shown to enhance binding of the oligomer to its target sequence and enhance antisense activity.

Abstract: An antisense compound for use in treating myotonic dystrophy DM1 or DM2, a method of enhancing antisense targeting to heart and quadricep muscles, and a method for treating DM1 or DM2 in a mammalian subject are disclosed. The oligonucleotide has 8-30 bases, with at least 8 contiguous bases being complementary to the polyCUG or polyCCUG repeats in the 3?UTR region of dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK) mRNA in DM1 or DM2, respectively. Conjugated to the oligonucleotide is a cell-penetrating peptide having the sequence (RXRR(B/X)R)2XB, where R is arginine; B is ?-alanine; and each X is —C(O)—(CH2)n—NH—, where n is 4-6. The antisense compound is effective to selectively block the sequestration of muscleblind-like 1 protein (MBNL1) and/or CUGBP, in heart and quadricep muscle in a myotonic dystrophy animal model.

Abstract: An antisense compound for use in treating myotonic dystrophy DM1 or DM2, a method of enhancing antisense targeting to heart and quadricep muscles, and a method for treating DM1 or DM2 in a mammalian subject are disclosed. The oligonucleotide has 8-30 bases, with at least 8 contiguous bases being complementary to the polyCUG or polyCCUG repeats in the 3?UTR region of dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK) mRNA in DM1 or DM2, respectively. Conjugated to the oligonucleotide is a cell-penetrating peptide having the sequence (RXRR(B/X)R)2XB, where R is arginine; B is ?-alanine; and each X is —C(O)—(CH2)n—NH—, where n is 4-6. The antisense compound is effective to selectively block the sequestration of muscleblind-like 1 protein (MBNL1) and/or CUGBP, in heart and quadricep muscle in a myotonic dystrophy animal model.

Abstract: The invention provides antisense antiviral compounds and methods of their use and production in inhibition of growth of viruses of the Orthomyxoviridae family and in the treatment of a viral infection. The compounds are particularly useful in the treatment of influenza virus infection in a mammal. The antisense antiviral compounds are substantially uncharged morpholino oligonucleotides having 1) a nuclease resistant backbone, 2) 12-40 nucleotide bases, and 3) a targeting sequence of at least 12 bases in length that hybridizes to a target region selected from the following: a) the 5? or 3? terminal 25 bases of the negative sense viral RNA segment of Influenzavirus A, Influenzavirus B and Influenzavirus C; b) the terminal 25 bases of the 3? terminus of the positive sense cRNA and; and c) the 50 bases surrounding the AUG start codon of an influenza viral mRNA.

Abstract: An antisense compound for use in treating myotonic dystrophy DM1 or DM2, a method of enhancing antisense targeting to heart and quadricep muscles, and a method for treating DM1 or DM2 in a mammalian subject are disclosed. The oligonucleotide has 8-30 bases, with at least 8 contiguous bases being complementary to the polyCUG or polyCCUG repeats in the 3?UTR region of dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK) mRNA in DM1 or DM2, respectively. Conjugated to the oligonucleotide is a cell-penetrating peptide having the sequence (RXRR(B/X)R)2XB, where R is arginine; B is ?-alanine; and each X is —C(O)—(CH2)n—NH—, where n is 4-6. The antisense compound is effective to selectively block the sequestration of muscleblind-like 1 protein (MBNL1) and/or CUGBP, in heart and quadricep muscle in a myotonic dystrophy animal model.

Abstract: A method and conjugate for selectively killing antigen-activated T cells are disclosed. The conjugate is composed of a substantially uncharged antisense compound targeted against the human cFLIP protein, and a reverse TAT (rTAT) polypeptide coupled covalently to the antisense compound. The rTAT polypeptide is effective to produce selective uptake of the conjugate into antigen-activated T cells, relative to the uptake of the conjugate into non-activated T cells. The cFLIP antisense compound causes activation induced cell death (AICD) of activated lymphocytes. The method is useful in treating transplantation rejection and autoimmune conditions.

Abstract: An antisense compound for use in treating myotonic dystrophy DM1 or DM2, a method of enhancing antisense targeting to heart and quadricep muscles, and a method for treating DM1 or DM2 in a mammalian subject are disclosed. The oligonucleotide has 8-30 bases, with at least 8 contiguous bases being complementary to the polyCUG or polyCCUG repeats in the 3?UTR region of dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK) mRNA in DM1 or DM2, respectively. Conjugated to the oligonucleotide is a cell-penetrating peptide having the sequence (RXRR(B/X)R)2XB, where R is arginine; B is ?-alanine; and each X is —C(O)—(CH2)n—NH—, where n is 4-6. The antisense compound is effective to selectively block the sequestration of muscleblind-like 1 protein (MBNL1) and/or CUGBP, in heart and quadricep muscle in a myotonic dystrophy animal model.

Abstract: Cell-penetrating peptides useful for targeting a therapeutic compound to a selected mammalian tissue, methods for their identification, methods of forming conjugate compounds containing such peptides, and conjugates formed thereby are disclosed. The cell-penetrating peptides are 8 to 30 amino acid residues in length and consist of subsequences selected from the group consisting of RXR, RX, RB, and RBR; where R is arginine, B is ?-alanine, and each X is independently —C(O)—(CHR1)n—NH—, where n is 4-6 and each R1 is independently H or methyl, such that at most two R1's are methyl. In one embodiment, X is a 6-aminohexanoic acid residue.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing delivery of molecules, e.g. biological agents, into cells are described. The composition is a conjugate of the biological agent, preferably a nucleic acid analog having a substantially uncharged backbone, covalently linked to a peptide transporter moiety as described. Conjugation of the peptide transporter to a substantially uncharged nucleic acid analog, such as a morpholino oligomer, is also shown to enhance binding of the oligomer to its target sequence and enhance antisense activity.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing delivery of molecules, e.g. biological agents, into cells are described. The composition is a conjugate of the biological agent, preferably a nucleic acid analog having a substantially uncharged backbone, covalently linked to a peptide transporter moiety as described. Conjugation of the peptide transporter to a substantially uncharged nucleic acid analog, such as a morpholino oligomer, is also shown to enhance binding of the oligomer to its target sequence and enhance antisense activity.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing delivery of molecules, e.g. biological agents, into cells are described. The composition is a conjugate of the biological agent, preferably a nucleic acid analog having a substantially uncharged backbone, covalently linked to a peptide transporter moiety as described. Conjugation of the peptide transporter to a substantially uncharged nucleic acid analog, such as a morpholino oligomer, is also shown to enhance binding of the oligomer to its target sequence and enhance antisense activity.