MARLBOROUGH, Mass. - Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. (NASDAQ:PHIO), a clinical stage biotechnology company, has been granted a U.S. patent for two compounds, RXI-185 and RXI-231, designed to address age-related skin disorders such as photo-aging and hyperpigmentation.
The patent, issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), specifically targets the down-regulation of proteins involved in skin aging and pigment conditions.
RXI-185 aims to inhibit the Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1) protein, which is known to increase with ultraviolet radiation exposure, leading to collagen degradation and impacting skin elasticity and wrinkle formation. The compound is reported to interrupt this process, potentially improving skin conditions related to aging.
The second compound, RXI-231, is focused on reducing Tyrosinase (TYR) levels, a key enzyme in melanin production. This compound has demonstrated potential in nonclinical studies to decrease melanin and pigmentation, addressing conditions like melasma and lentigines that are often challenging to treat.
The addition of these patents expands Phio's patent portfolio to 81 issued patents, with 77 covering the INTASYL siRNA gene silencing technology. This technology is designed for ex vivo cell-based cancer immunotherapies, targeting immune checkpoint, cellular differentiation, and metabolism targets.
Phio's CEO, Robert Bitterman, highlighted the significance of the new patent, stating it complements the company's initiatives in treating skin cancer. The INTASYL technology is a self-delivering RNAi platform focused on immuno-oncology therapeutics, aiming to enhance the efficacy of immune cells in combating tumor cells.
The company's announcement is based on a press release statement.
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