Abstract: This invention relates to modified short interfering RNA (siRNA) nucleic acid molecules, particularly siRNA's which have been modified by the addition of a 2-0-guanidinopropyl (GP) modified nucleoside. In particular the invention relates to modified siRNAs which are capable of silencing target sequences, methods of treating and preventing infection by using the siRNAs, medicaments containing the siRNAs and use of the siRNAs.

Abstract: A DNA polynucleotide is described herein having a modified sequence of a target gene, wherein any one type of nucleotide in the target gene sequence has been chemically modified to another type of nucleotide; and a complementary sequence of the unmodified target gene; wherein either one of the modified sequence or the complementary sequence is in a reverse orientation to the other sequence; and wherein the RNA sequence transcribed from the DNA polynucleotide forms a duplex between the modified sequence and the complementary sequence so that a long double stranded RNA (IdsRNA) duplex forms between the modified and complementary sequences with base pair mismatches where the nucleotides have been modified, the IdsRNA duplex being capable of inhibiting expression of the target gene. RNA polynucleotides and IdsRNA duplexes transcribed by the DNA polynucleotide are also described, as is a method for producing the IdsRNA duplexes. These IdsRNA duplexes can be used in gene silencing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lipid of the formula (I) R3R4N—[Y]q—(CpH2p)—X-Linker-NR1R2 (I) wherein R3 and R4 are independently selected from H and hydrocarbyl groups; q is an integer selected from 1 to 10; Y represents a group (CnH2n)NR5, wherein (i) when q is 1, n is 2, or (ii) when q is greater than 1, each Y may be the same or different and each n is an integer independently selected from 1 to 10, with the proviso that for at least one unit Y, n is 2, and (iii) each R5 is independently selected from H and hydrocarbyl groups; p is an integer selected from 1 to 10; X is an optional group selected from —NR7—, —C(?O)—NR8—, —NR9—C(?O)—, —C(?O)—, —O—, and NR10—C(=0)0-, wherein each R7, R8, R9 and R10 is independently selected from H and hydrocarbyl groups, Linker is an optional group selected from amino acid residues, peptide residues and groups of the formula —(OCH2CH2)1-10, —NR6-(CvH2v)—C(?O)—, wherein R6 is H or a hydrocarbyl group and v is an integer selected from 1 to 11, and —C(=0)-(CH2)0-10—CH2—C(=0)

Abstract: This invention relates to inhibition of hepatitis gene expression. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of using RNA sequences to inhibit Hepatitis B and C Virus replication. Expression cassettes that include DNA sequences derived from endogenous micro RNAs (miRs) are used in the method and are transcribed by Pol II promoters, and then processed to generate sequences that are specific to target hepatitis virus sequences (RNAi effecter sequences). The RNAi effecter sequences can target the selected hepatitis virus sequences resulting in gene silencing or transcriptional inhibition of the hepatitis virus gene. The expression cassettes may be delivered in vitro or in vivo to host cells. A pharmaceutical composition containing the expression cassettes is also claimed.

Abstract: A DNA polynucleotide is described herein having a modified sequence of a target gene, wherein any one type of nucleotide in the target gene sequence has been chemically modified to another type of nucleotide; and a complementary sequence of the unmodified target gene; wherein either one of the modified sequence or the complementary sequence is in a reverse orientation to the other sequence; and wherein the RNA sequence transcribed from the DNA polynucleotide forms a duplex between the modified sequence and the complementary sequence so that a long double stranded RNA (IdsRNA) duplex forms between the modified and complementary sequences with base pair mismatches where the nucleotides have been modified, the IdsRNA duplex being capable of inhibiting expression of the target gene. RNA polynucleotides and IdsRNA duplexes transcribed by the DNA polynucleotide are also described, as is a method for producing the IdsRNA duplexes. These IdsRNA duplexes can be used in gene silencing.

Abstract: The invention provides a self-processing RNA expression cassette which includes at least one pair of processing units, an RNAi effecter sequence of predetermined length that regulates target gene expression which is flanked by said pair of processing units; and at least one pair of cognate ribozyme cis-cleavage target sites located 5? and 3? of the RNAi effecter sequence. The self-processing RNA expression cassette is able to express in vivo and in vitro and the RNAi effecter sequence includes at least one target recognition sequence derived from the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) X gene (HBx).