Composition and method for inhibiting expression of a target gene
First Claim
1. A pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting the expression of a target gene in a mammal, comprising a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the dsRNA comprises a nucleotide sequence which is substantially identical to at least a part of the target gene and which is less than 25 nucleotides in length, and wherein the pharmaceutical composition is in a unit dosage amount of less than 5 milligram (mg) of dsRNA per kg body weight of the mammal.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a double-stranded oligoribonucleic acid (dsRNA) having a nucleotide sequence which is substantially identical to at least a part of a target gene in a mammalian cell and which is less than 25 nucleotides in length, together with 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, in a mammal at very 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 in a mammal, as well as methods for treating diseases caused by expression of the gene.
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54 Claims
- 1. A pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting the expression of a target gene in a mammal, comprising a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the dsRNA comprises a nucleotide sequence which is substantially identical to at least a part of the target gene and which is less than 25 nucleotides in length, and wherein the pharmaceutical composition is in a unit dosage amount of less than 5 milligram (mg) of dsRNA per kg body weight of the mammal.
- 19. A method for inhibiting the expression of a target gene in a mammal, which comprises administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the dsRNA comprises a nucleotide sequence which is substantially identical to at least a part of the target gene and which is less than 25 nucleotides in length, and wherein the pharmaceutical composition is in a unit dosage amount of less than 5 milligram (mg) of dsRNA per kg body weight of the mammal.
- 37. A method for treating a disease caused by the expression of a target gene in a mammal, which comprises administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the dsRNA comprises a nucleotide sequence which is substantially identical to at least a part of the target gene and which is less than 25 nucleotides in length, and wherein the pharmaceutical composition is in a unit dosage amount of less than 5 milligram (mg) of dsRNA per kg body weight of the mammal.
Specification