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Type of technology

Chemically modified siRNA for self-delivery

Administration route

Intratumoral, Intra-vitreal

Development state and regulatory approval

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API)

PH-762

Development Stage

Phase I

Regulatory Approval

FDA has cleared the IND application for PH-762

Description

INTASYL™ Technology is a proprietary self-delivering RNA interference (sd-rxRNA®) platform designed for precise gene silencing in immuno-oncology. Unlike traditional RNAi therapies, INTASYL allows direct cellular uptake without requiring complex delivery systems. Engineered for immune cells, it enhances anti-tumor responses while ensuring safety, stability, and efficiency. The sd-rxRNA molecules are chemically modified with hydrophobic and hydrophilic elements, enabling passive diffusion into cells. These modifications also provide stability and resist disintegration.

Developer(s)

Phio Pharmaceuticals
Originator
United States of America

Phio Pharmaceuticals

Phio Pharmaceuticals, founded in 2011 and headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, is a biotechnology company specializing in RNA-based immuno-oncology therapies. Initially named RXi Pharmaceuticals, it rebranded in 2018 to reflect its focus on self-delivering RNAi technology. The company develops tumor-targeting therapeutics, leveraging cutting-edge RNAi platforms.

Technology highlight

1. Chemically modified siRNA structure and self-delivery system 2. Cellular uptake mechanism via direct membrane penetration 3. Intracellular processing and RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) Activation 4. Gene silencing and Immuno-oncology applications 5. Target specificity

Illustration(s)

Technology main components

Chemically modified siRNA

Information on the raw materials sourcing, availability and anticipated price

Not provided

Safety, Efficacy and Evidence Summary

Safety

The INSTACYL products were well tolerated in the clinical phase 1 studies. One of such study on PH-762 once weekly (for 4 weeks) indicate that there was no No dose-limiting toxicities or clinically significant treatment-emergent adverse effects have been reported.

Efficacy

Not provided

Evidence Summary

Not provided

References and relevant studies

Not provided

APIs compatibility profile

API desired features
Proteins

INTASYL self-delivery technology utilizes siRNA to specifically target and silence a range of immuno-oncology proteins, including PD-1, BRD4, CTLA4, TIGIT, LAG3, TIM3, CBLB, SHP-1, STAT-3, MDM2, ADORA2, MMP-1, CD96, CISH, CSK, DGKα, DGKζ, DNMT3A, HK2, IL-6, KLRC1, PD-L1, PRDM, PTEN, TBX21, TET2, and other related proteins involved in immune regulation and tumor evasion. Additionally, it targets dermatology-related proteins such as CTGF, COX2, TGFB1, TGFB2, SPP1, TYR, and MMP1, as well as BRD4, contributing to therapeutic strategies in both immuno-oncology and dermatological conditions.

Additional solubility data

Not provided

Additional stability data

Not provided

API loading: Maximum drug quantity to be loaded

75-90 wt%

API co-administration

2 different APIs : Two APIs should target different genes simultaneously

LogP

Not provided

Scale-up and manufacturing prospects

Scale-up prospects

Not provided

Tentative equipment list for manufacturing

Mermade 12 DNA/RNA Synthesizer

Manufacturing

Manufacturing Process of INTASYL (cGMP): 1. Oligonucleotide Synthesis (via Mermade 12 DNA/RNA Synthesizer) 2. Cleavage and Deprotection 3. Purification (via ion exchange chromatography) 4. Sense Strand Purification 5. Desalting and Concentration 6. Analysis by HPLC and ESI-MS.

Specific analytical instrument required for characterization of formulation

1. HPLC analysis on a Shimadzu Prominence system. 2. Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS) analysis using Promass Deconvolution for Xcalibur.

Excipients & delivery device(s)

Proprietary excipients used

No proprietary excipient used

Novel excipients or existing excipients at a concentration above Inactive Ingredient Database (IID) for the specified route of administration

No novel excipient or existing excipient used

Residual solvents used

No residual solvent used

Delivery device(s)

No delivery device

Additional features

Other features of the technology

Not provided

Release properties

When the INSTACYL formulation is administered locally, i.e., intratumorally, the chemically modified siRNA undergoes spontaneous cellular uptake due to the interaction of the lipophilic functional group (e.g., sterol group) with the cell membrane. Thus, the cellular uptake of INSTACYL does not require facilitated transport systems or carriers.

Injectability

INSTACYL formulation is designed for intratumoral and intravitreal route of adminstration.

Stability

Not provided

Storage conditions and cold-chain related features

Not provided

Therapeutic area(s)

  • Oncology
Use case(s)
  • Treatment

Potential associated API(s)

  • PH-762
  • PH-894

Use of technology

Ease of administration
  • Administered by a community health worker
  • Administered by a nurse
  • Administered by a specialty health worker
Frequency of administration

Weekly

User acceptance
Not provided

Targeted user groups

Age Cohort
  • Adults
  • Older Adults
Genders
  • All
Pregnant individuals

Unspecified

Lactating individuals

Unspecified

Healthy individuals

Unspecified

Comment

Not provided

PH-762

Class(es)

PD-1 protein silencer

Development stage

Phase I

Clinical trial(s)

Foreseen/approved indication(s)

Cutaneous carcinoma

Foreseen user group

Not provided

Foreseen duration between application(s)

Once weekly

Applications to Stringent Regulatory Authorities (SRA) / regulatory approvals

FDA has cleared the IND application for PH-762

PH-894

Class(es)

BRD4 protein silencer

Development stage

Pre-clinical

Clinical trial(s)

Not provided

Foreseen/approved indication(s)

Melanoma

Foreseen user group

Not provided

Foreseen duration between application(s)

Once weekly

Applications to Stringent Regulatory Authorities (SRA) / regulatory approvals

Not provided

Description

Chemically modified oligonucleotides

Brief description

The disclosure relates, in some aspects, to methods and compositions for production of immunogenic compositions. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides host cells which have been treated ex vivo with one or more oligonucleotide agents capable of controlling and/or reducing the differentiation of the host cell. In some embodiments, compositions and methods described by the disclosure are useful as immunogenic modulators for treating cancer.

Representative patent

AU2018313149B2

Category

Not provided

Patent holder

Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp

Exclusivity

Not provided

Expiration date

August 7, 2038

Status

Active

Description

Reduced size self-delivering RNAi compounds

Brief description

A method for delivering a nucleic acid to a remote target tissue in a subject in need thereof, comprising systemically administering to the subject an sd-rxRNA® in an effective amount to promote RNA interference by the sd-rxRNA® in the remote target tissue, wherein the sd-rxRNA® comprises a guide strand and a passenger strand, wherein the sd-rxRNA® includes a double-stranded region and a single stranded region wherein the double stranded region is from 8-15 nucleotides long, wherein the single stranded region is at the 3′ end of the guide strand and is 4-12 nucleotides long, wherein the single stranded region contains 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 phosphorothioate modifications, wherein at least 40% of the nucleotides of the sd-rxRNA® are modified, and wherein at least two Us.

Representative patent

US10240149B2

Category

Not provided

Patent holder

Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp

Exclusivity

Not provided

Expiration date

March 24, 2031

Status

Active

Description

Phagocytic cell delivery of RNAI

Brief description

The present invention provides a particulate delivery system for delivering an RNAi construct to phagocytic cells such as macrophages, comprising various configurations of a complex comprising a phagocytic cell-targeting moiety and an RNAi construct. The invention further provides methods of making the delivery system, and their uses, such as treating phagocytic cell-associated disease conditions.

Representative patent

US8815818B2

Category

Not provided

Patent holder

Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp

Exclusivity

Not provided

Expiration date

August 16, 2029

Status

Active