CSIRO maintains European patent for shRNA gene silencing technology

CSIRO has successfully defended a key patent for RNA interference (RNAi) gene silencing technology after opposition in Europe.

RNAi technology is a powerful method that is widely used as a research tool to test the function of genes. The technology is being developed for a range of targeted therapies in humans and animals as well as agricultural applications for innovative plant products. Human therapeutic applications under development using RNAi include treatment of viral diseases such as hepatitis and other diseases, including cancers.

The patent in question, EP1650306 (also known as the Wang patent), was maintained in an amended form as confirmed by the European Patent Office (EPO), despite facing opposition from two parties: BASF and Strawman. The maintained claims of the patent are directed to the use of short hairpin RNA molecules produced from genetic constructs — also known as shRNA technology — which are particularly relevant to use in mammalian cells.

The decision follows the successful defence of another foundational RNAi patent in Europe (EP1068311, also known as the Waterhouse patent) by CSIRO earlier this year after opposition by four opponents. The EPO found that the patented DNA-delivered hairpin RNA technology was novel and inventive. That decision has been appealed by three of the opponents.

The maintained patents in Europe, and CSIRO’s similar patents in the US, cover applications in both plants and animals. They are a key part of CSIRO’s RNAi portfolio of 78 granted patents worldwide, which is available for licensing for research use and for the development of commercial products in plants and animals.