Abstract: The present invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting the expression of an anti-apoptotic gene, comprising a complementary RNA strand having a nucleotide sequence which is less that 25 nucleotides in length and which is substantially identical to at least a part of an apoptotic gene, such as a Bcl gene. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the dsRNA together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; methods for treating diseases caused by the expression of an anti-apoptotic gene using the pharmaceutical composition; and methods for inhibiting the expression of an anti-apoptotic gene in a cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the specific inhibition of expression of a target gene in mammals using a short double stranded RNA. The dsRNA is less than 49 nucleotides in length and has a nucleotide sequence which is complementary to at least a part of the target gene. The dsRNAs of the present invention are useful for treating diseases, for example, cancer, viral diseases or neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the specific inhibition of expression of a target gene in mammals using a short double stranded RNA. The dsRNA is less than 49 nucleotides in length and has a nucleotide sequence which is complementary to at least a part of the target gene. The dsRNAs of the present invention are useful for treating diseases, for example, cancer, viral diseases or neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) having a nucleotide sequence which is less that 30 nucleotides in length and which is substantially identical to at least a part of a 3?-untranslated region (3?-UTR) of a (+) strand RNA virus, such as HCV, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising the dsRNA, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical compositions are useful for treating infections and diseases caused by the replication or activity of the (+) strand RNA virus, as well as methods for inhibiting viral replication.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated RNA that mediates RNA interference of an mRNA to which it corresponds and a method of mediating RNA interference of mRNA of a gene in a cell or organism using the isolated RNA.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated RNA that mediates RNA interference of an mRNA to which it corresponds and a method of mediating RNA interference of mRNA of a gene in a cell or organism using the isolated RNA.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated RNA that mediates RNA interference of an mRNA to which it corresponds and a method of mediating RNA interference of mRNA of a gene in a cell or organism using the isolated RNA.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated RNA that mediates RNA interference of an mRNA to which it corresponds and a method of mediating RNA interference of mRNA of a gene in a cell or organism using the isolated RNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) having a nucleotide sequence which is less that 30 nucleotides in length and which is substantially identical to at least a part of a 3?-untranslated region (3?-UTR) of a (+) strand RNA virus, such as HCV, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising the dsRNA, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical compositions are useful for treating infections and diseases caused by the replication or activity of the (+) strand RNA virus, as well as methods for inhibiting viral replication.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drug for treating a fibrotic disease, said drug containing a double straded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) suitable for inhibiting, through RNA interference, the expression of a gene involved in the formation of extracellular matrix.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the targeted selection of a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) consisting of two single strands that exhibits increased effectiveness in inhibiting the expression of a target gene by means of RNA interference, whereby the sequences of the single strands of the dsRNA are selected in such a way that on both ends of the dsRNA the last complementary nucleotide pair is a G-C, or at least two of the last four complementary nucleotide pairs are G-C pairs; whereby the dsRNA exhibits a single-stranded overhang consisting of 1 to 4 unpaired nucleotides at the first end, and no overhang at the second end; whereby the unpaired nucleotide of the single-stranded overhang that is directly adjacent to the last complementary nucleotide pair contains a purine base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the specific inhibition of expression of a fusion gene in mammals using a short double stranded RNA. The dsRNA is approximately 19-24 nucleotides in length, and has a nucleotide sequence which is complementary to at least a part of the target gene. The dsRNAs of the present invention are useful for treating diseases caused by chromosomal aberrations, particularly malignant diseases such as lymphoma and leukemia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the specific inhibition of expression of a fusion gene in mammals using a short double stranded RNA. The dsRNA is approximately 19–24 nucleotides in length, and has a nucleotide sequence which is complementary to at least a part of the target gene. The dsRNAs of the present invention are useful for treating diseases caused by chromosomal aberrations, particularly malignant diseases such as lymphoma and leukemia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) having improved efficiency of inhibition of gene expression, methods of making the dsRNA, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the dsRNA. The dsRNA comprises an RNA strand (complementary RNA strand) having a region which is complementary to an RNA transcript of at least a part of a target gene, and at least one covalently linked lipophilic group. The dsRNA are useful for inhibiting the expression of a target gene, as well as for treating diseases caused by expression of the target gene. The invention also relates to methods for inhibiting the expression of a target gene, as well as methods for treating diseases caused by the expression of the gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a specific inhibitor of Smad7 expression or function for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention, amelioration or treatment of a disease of the central nervous system and/or diseases related and/or caused by said disease of the central nervous system. Furthermore, methods for preventing, ameliorating and/or treating such diseases are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a medicament to treat a fibrotic disease, wherein the medicament contains a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) that is suitable for inhibiting by RNA interference the expression of a gene that is involved in the formation of extracellular matrix.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated RNA that mediates RNA interference of an mRNA to which it corresponds and a method of mediating RNA interference of mRNA of a gene in a cell or organism using the isolated RNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting the expression of a mutant gene, comprising a complementary RNA strand having a complementary region that is substantially complementary to a portion of the mutant gene, and which is partially complementary to the corresponding wild-type gene. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the dsRNA and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical compositions are useful for inhibiting the expression of a target mutant gene, as well as for treating diseases caused by expression of the target gene. The invention also relates to methods for inhibiting the expression of a target mutant gene, as well as methods for treating diseases caused by the expression of the target gene.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) to treat a (+) strand RNA virus infection, wherein one strand S1 of the dsRNA exhibits a region that is at least segmentally complementary to a segment of the translatable region of the virus genome.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) having a nucleotide sequence which is substantially identical to at least a part of a target gene and which is no more than 49, preferably less than 25, nucleotides in length, and which comprises a complementary (antisense) RNA strand having a 1 to 4 nucleotide overhang at the 3′-end and a blunt 5′-end. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the dsRNA and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical compositions are useful for inhibiting the expression of a target gene, as well as for treating diseases caused by expression of the target gene, at low dosages (i.e., less than 5 milligrams, preferably less than 25 micrograms, per kg body weight per day). The invention also relates to methods for inhibiting the expression of a target gene, as well as methods for treating diseases caused by the expression of the gene.