MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Aug. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation RXII a biotechnology company developing the next generation of immuno-oncology therapeutics based on its proprietary self-delivering RNAi (sd-rxRNA) therapeutic platform, announced today that the European Patent Office (EPO) and Japan Patent Office (JPO) have granted patents for the Company's novel self-delivering RNAi (sd-rxRNA®) therapeutic platform.  The EPO Patent #: 2949752 B1 and JPO Patent #: 620309 cover composition of matter, specifically structural and chemical attributes of sd-rxRNA.  These patents will be set to expire in 2029.

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"We are pleased that both the European and Japan Patent offices have recognized our novel therapeutic platform with the granting of these patents," said Dr. James Cardia, Vice President of Business Operations at RXi Pharmaceuticals.  He further added, "The Company recently reported the successful outcomes from both our dermatology and ophthalmology clinical trials where our lead candidate RXI-109, an sd-rxRNA therapeutic compound targeting connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), is being evaluated.  We announced earlier this year that we would exclusively focus on developing the next generation of immuno-oncology therapeutics based on our self-delivering RNAi therapeutic platform.  As such, we are actively seeking to partner or out-license both the Dermatology and Ophthalmology Franchises. The granting of these patents further provides for multiple commercial and development opportunities with RXI-109 and RXi's sd-rxRNA technology platform, each broadly protected in the United States and International regions." 

About RXi's Proprietary Self-delivering RNAi (sd-rxRNA) Technology Platform

RXi is a leader in the development of RNAi therapeutics that have the ability to selectively block the expression of any target in the genome, thus providing applicability to a broad spectrum of therapeutic areas.  Scientists at RXi have designed chemically-modified RNAi compounds with improved drug-like properties that are potent, stable and specific.  These proprietary compounds have built-in delivery properties and therefore do not require a delivery vehicle for local therapeutic applications. The enhanced properties of sd-rxRNA include efficient spontaneous cellular uptake, stability, reduced potential for immune stimulation, and potent, long-lasting intracellular activity.  All cell types tested (primary, neuronal and non-adherent) internalize sd-rxRNA compounds uniformly and efficiently, resulting in potent and long-lasting silencing. 

About RXi Pharmaceuticals

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation RXII is a biotechnology company developing the next generation of immuno-oncology therapeutics based on its self-delivering RNAi (sd-rxRNA®) therapeutic platform. The Company's discovery and research efforts are focused on developing sd-rxRNA therapeutic compounds to be used with an Adoptive Cell Transfer (ACT) approach. This process uses immune cells, such as T-lymphocytes that are isolated from the patient or retrieved from allogeneic immune cell banks, and then expanded and in some cases processed to express tumor-binding receptors. Our approach introduces a new and important step in ex-vivo processing of the immune cells where sd-rxRNA is used to eliminate the expression of immunosuppressive receptors or proteins from the therapeutic immune cells, making them less sensitive to tumor resistance mechanisms and thus improving their ability to destroy the tumor cells. Essentially, we aim to maximize the power of our sd-rxRNA therapeutic compounds by weaponizing therapeutic immune effector cells to attack cancer and ultimately provide patients battling terminal cancers with a powerful new treatment option that goes beyond current treatment modalities.

For additional information, visit the Company's website, www.rxipharma.com.  

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. These statements are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of important factors, including the safety and efficacy of our product candidates, future success of our clinical trials and scientific studies, our ability to enter into strategic partnerships and the future success of these strategic partnerships, the availability of funds and resources to pursue our research and development projects and general economic conditions. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q include detailed risks under the caption "Risk Factors" that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. Readers are urged to review these risk factors and to not act in reliance on any forward-looking statements, as actual results may differ from those contemplated by our forward-looking statements. RXi does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect a change in its views, events or circumstances that occur after the date of this release.

Contact RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Tamara McGrillen
Tel: +1 508-929-3646
Email: tmcgrillen@rxipharma.com

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SOURCE RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation