Nijmegen/Utrecht (the Netherlands) InteRNA Technologies B.V., a biopharma company engaged in the development of microRNA (miRNA)-based therapeutics for oncology, announces that following the notice of allowance of the Unites States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) last year, the Australian Patent Office now also has issued the Company a notice of allowance on the patent application covering miRNA sequences, identified through deep sequencing of several different mouse, monkey and human samples, including different tumor samples. Also here, the allowable product claims protect miRNA-3157, homologues, precursors and mimics thereof. A mimic of miRNA-3157 is in preclinical development and represents InteRNAs lead product in its B-Raf/melanoma program.

“We are very pleased with this issuance in Australia, the continent which has the highest incidence rate of melanoma, and more importantly, the highest death rates from melanoma worldwide. It further strengthens our intellectual property position and allows us to remain focused on the further development of our lead compound to the clinic to address the high medical need of this cancer”, said Roel Schaapveld, CEO of InteRNA Technologies.

Melanoma is one of the few cancer indications of which the incidence and mortality rates are still growing, according to a January 2013 special report by the US National Cancer Institute.

The latest data on miRNA-3157 as drug candidate for the treatment of human melanoma will be presented at the Society for Melanoma Research 2013 Congress, November 17-20 in Philadelphia, PA, USA.