Technology ID
TAB-3720
Targeting the 5’UTR of Survival Motor Neuron 2 (SMN2) with Antisense Oligonucleotides to Increase Expression for the Treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy
E-Numbers
E-208-2020-0
Lead Inventor
Fischbeck, Kenneth (Kurt) (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Co-Inventors
Winkelsas, Audrey (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Grunseich, Christopher (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Harmison, George (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Applications
Therapeutics
Therapeutic Areas
Ophthalmology
Oncology
Neurology
Infectious Disease
Endocrinology
Dental
Cardiology
Lead IC
NINDS
This technology includes the identification and use of antisense oligonuclecotides (ASOs) complimentary to the 5’UTR of SMN2 (Survival of motor neuron 2) for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). SMA is an autosomal-recessive motor neuron disease caused by the loss of both copies of the SMN1 gene. Copies of the similar gene SMN2 decrease the severity of this disease in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, increasing expression levels of the SMN2 transcript can be used to treat SMA. We found that targeting the 5' end with an ASO significantly increases SMN2 mRNA levels, but not pre-mRNA levels, suggesting the use of these ASO offers protection to mature transcripts.
Commercial Applications
An ASO targeting the 5'UTR of SMN2 may be used therapeutically to increase gene expression for spinal muscular atrophy which is caused by low levels of the SMN1 protein.
Competitive Advantages
Splice-switching oligonucleotides, such as nusinersen, have been successfully used to increase full-length SMN levels, but their effects have a ceiling, which is determined by the abundance of total SMN2 transcripts in the cell. The 5'UTR ASO overcomes this "ceiling effect" because it increases total SMN transcript levels. Combining the 5’UTR ASO with the splice-switching oligonucleotide increases SMN protein levels more than using the splicing oligonucleotide alone.
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