Research: Drug Discovery Platforms

Drug Discovery Platforms

Modulation of Toll-like Receptors (TLRs)

Idera is creating compounds to modulate immune responses mediated through TLR3, 7, 8, and 9. Idera’s TLR-targeted compounds are based on synthetic DNA and RNA. Modulation of immune responses mediated through selected TLRs provides rationale for the potential treatment of a broad range of diseases including autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, cancer, infectious diseases, respiratory diseases, hematologic cancers, and for use as vaccine adjuvants.

Idera’s chemistry-based approach in creating TLR-targeted compounds has generated a large portfolio of compounds with unique chemical compositions. Based on the desired immune response required for treatment of a targeted disease, a drug candidate is selected from this portfolio for our internal pipeline and partnered program.

Gene Silencing Oligonucleotides (GSO)

Through Idera’s expertise in nucleic acid chemistry, we have designed and created a new class of molecules, referred to as gene-silencing oligonucleotides (GSOs), that inhibit the production of disease-associated proteins by targeting messenger RNA or microRNA. GSOs have the potential to overcome significant challenges, including delivery and specificity, of other gene silencing technologies such as RNAi and antisense. The GSOs represent a novel approach to gene silencing without requiring a delivery enhancement technology for systemic application.

Idera has studied its GSO molecules in preclinical models and the data has been published and presented. We are currently engaged in the evaluation of the potential of GSOs as research tools and therapeutic agents.

Antisense Technology

Idera is a pioneer in the development of antisense technology. Our founder, Paul Zamecnik, M.D., published the first paper on antisense technology in 1978.

Idera scientists have a strong track record of publications on key observations in the field of antisense technology. Idera scientists introduced the second-generation antisense chemistry, which includes oligonucleotides containing 2’ substitutions. Idera scientists also first published on oral delivery of second-generation antisense. Idera holds over 200 issued patents and patent applications for antisense chemistry, delivery, and specific gene targets. Idera’s second generation chemistry is being employed in a number of antisense compounds in clinical development by licensees of Idera’s antisense technology.