Abstract: The present invention concerns the inactivation of viral infectivity in a cell-free environment as well as the preparation of a pharmaceutical agent and a method therefore. According to the invention the use of a sequence of oligodeoxynucleotides or oligoribonucleotides or a chimera or a combination thereof capable of binding to conserved regions of viral RNA for the inactivation of viral infectivity outside in a cell-free environment is intended. Furthermore said sequences are used for the preparation of a pharmaceutical agent for the inactivation of viral infectivity.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antiviral agent which can be effectively used against Herpes virus. The agent includes siDNA that can bind to Herpes virus target RNA. The siDNA oligonucleotides comprise generally an antisense strand that is complementary to Herpes virus target RNA which is linked via a thymidine linker to a second strand that is partially complementary to the antisense-strand.

Abstract: Silencing of HCV RNA can be achieved by siDNA. These are oligodeoxynucleotides consisting of an antisense strand homologous to the viral RNA and a second strand, partially complementary to the antisense-strand. The two strands are preferentially linked by a linker (eg 4 thymidines). Triple-helix formation is a preferred effect. The siDNA is superior to siRNA because the formation of RNA-DNA hybrids is preferred over double-stranded DNA or double-stranded RNA, which forms as tertiary structures in RNA genomes. Also the induction of interferon is less likely. siDNA is easier to synthesize and it is more stable. It can be combined with siRNA.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anti-viral therapeutic that inactivates the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) RNA by siDNA. The siDNA antiviral therapeutic is effective in the treatment and inactivation of cell free virus particles before infection and/or in the treatment and prevention of HIV infections inside the cell. The invention exploits the HIV RNase H activity of the reverse transcriptase which is essential for viral replication, causing premature cleavage and degradation of the viral RNA genome.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the inactivation of viral infectivity in a cell-free environment as well as the preparation of a pharmaceutical agent and a method therefore. According to the invention the use of a sequence of oligodeoxynucleotides or oligoribonucleotides or a chimera or a combination thereof capable of binding to conserved regions of viral RNA for the inactivation of viral infectivity outside in a cell-free environment is intended. Furthermore said sequences are used for the preparation of a pharmaceutical agent for the inactivation of viral infectivity.

Abstract: Described is the use of a nucleic acid molecule encoding an IL-12 polypeptide for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of a tumor, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is for intra-tumoral administration.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of inhibiting a virus with which a vertebrate is infected and which replicates via an RNA template comprising the administration of an antisense or triplex-forming oligonucleotide or a derivative thereof capable of binding to a polypurine-rich tract in a region of single-stranded RNA or RNA-DNA hybrid, respectively. Chimeric oligonucleotides capable of forming triplex structures with single-stranded nucleic acids are also disclosed.