WO2020038971A1 - Oligonucléotides antisens ciblant la vcan - Google Patents

Oligonucléotides antisens ciblant la vcan Download PDF

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WO2020038971A1
WO2020038971A1 PCT/EP2019/072319 EP2019072319W WO2020038971A1 WO 2020038971 A1 WO2020038971 A1 WO 2020038971A1 EP 2019072319 W EP2019072319 W EP 2019072319W WO 2020038971 A1 WO2020038971 A1 WO 2020038971A1
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seq
oligonucleotide
nucleosides
region
vcan
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Nanna ALBÆK
Lykke PEDERSEN
Steffen Schmidt
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Roche Innovation Center Copenhagen A/S
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • C07K14/46—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates
    • C07K14/47—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals
    • C07K14/4701—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals not used
    • C07K14/4725—Proteoglycans, e.g. aggreccan
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
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    • C12N15/00—Mutation or genetic engineering; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors, e.g. plasmids, or their isolation, preparation or purification; Use of hosts therefor
    • C12N15/09—Recombinant DNA-technology
    • C12N15/11—DNA or RNA fragments; Modified forms thereof; Non-coding nucleic acids having a biological activity
    • C12N15/113—Non-coding nucleic acids modulating the expression of genes, e.g. antisense oligonucleotides; Antisense DNA or RNA; Triplex- forming oligonucleotides; Catalytic nucleic acids, e.g. ribozymes; Nucleic acids used in co-suppression or gene silencing
    • C12N15/1138—Non-coding nucleic acids modulating the expression of genes, e.g. antisense oligonucleotides; Antisense DNA or RNA; Triplex- forming oligonucleotides; Catalytic nucleic acids, e.g. ribozymes; Nucleic acids used in co-suppression or gene silencing against receptors or cell surface proteins
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
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    • C12N2310/00—Structure or type of the nucleic acid
    • C12N2310/10—Type of nucleic acid
    • C12N2310/11—Antisense
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N2310/00—Structure or type of the nucleic acid
    • C12N2310/30—Chemical structure
    • C12N2310/31—Chemical structure of the backbone
    • C12N2310/315—Phosphorothioates
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N2310/00—Structure or type of the nucleic acid
    • C12N2310/30—Chemical structure
    • C12N2310/32—Chemical structure of the sugar
    • C12N2310/323—Chemical structure of the sugar modified ring structure
    • C12N2310/3231—Chemical structure of the sugar modified ring structure having an additional ring, e.g. LNA, ENA
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
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    • C12N2310/00—Structure or type of the nucleic acid
    • C12N2310/30—Chemical structure
    • C12N2310/33—Chemical structure of the base
    • C12N2310/334—Modified C
    • C12N2310/3341—5-Methylcytosine
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
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    • C12N2310/00—Structure or type of the nucleic acid
    • C12N2310/30—Chemical structure
    • C12N2310/34—Spatial arrangement of the modifications
    • C12N2310/341—Gapmers, i.e. of the type ===---===

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to antisense LNA oligonucleotides (oligomers) complementary to VCAN pre-mRNA intron sequences, which are capable of inhibiting the expression of VCAN. Inhibition of VCAN expression is beneficial for a range of medical disorders including inflammatory lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma), diabetic retinopathy, cancer and fibrotic disorders (such as fibrotic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary fibrosis).
  • inflammatory lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma
  • diabetic retinopathy such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma
  • fibrotic disorders such as fibrotic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary fibrosis.
  • VCAN (Versican) is a member of the aggrecan/versican proteoglycan family (other names: CSPG2, ERVR, GHAP, PG-M, WGN, WGN1 ).
  • the VCAN protein is a large chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan and is a major component of the extracellular matrix. This protein is involved in cell adhesion, proliferation, proliferation, migration and angiogenesis and plays a central role in tissue morphogenesis and maintenance. VCAN interacts with many proteins and molecules to facilitate the assembly of the extracellular matrix and ensure its stability.
  • the VCAN gene encodes four extracellular matrix isoforms which differ in the presence or length of a central glycosaminoglycan-binding region (Wight et al., 2002, Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. 14: 617-623).
  • VCAN has been associated with many diseases and disorders.
  • VCAN mutations are the cause of VCAN-related vitreoretinopathy.
  • At least 1 1 mutations in the VCAN gene have been found to cause Wagner syndrome, a condition that leads to progressive vision loss starting in childhood or early adulthood (see e.g. Rothschild et al.,
  • VCAN was suggested as a target in cancer therapy (Keire et al., Matrix Biol. 2016 Mar; 50: 67-81 ).
  • VCAN chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • CN103468681 discloses a siRNA which inhibits expression of a VCAN isoform for the treatment of COPD.
  • W02009/061368 discloses that siRNA molecules which target VCAN can be used to treat fibrotic disorders, arterial restenosis, atherosclerosis, cancer, fibrotic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, or emphysema.
  • EP 2 078 728 A1 discloses that inhibitors of a VCAN isoform can be used in the treatment of breast cancer.
  • the inhibitor could be e.g. an antibody or an antisense nucleic acid molecule directed against the isoform.
  • W02008/029868 discloses that siRNAs which target VCAN can be used in the treatment of chorioretinal neovascularization diseases such as diabetic retinopathy.
  • the inventors have identified particularly effective regions of the VCAN transcript (VCAN) for antisense inhibition in vitro or in vivo, and provides for antisense oligonucleotides, including LNA gapmer oligonucleotides, which target these regions of the VCAN premRNA.
  • the present invention identifies oligonucleotides which inhibit human VCAN which are useful in the treatment of a range of medical disorders including inflammatory lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma), diabetic retinopathy, cancer and fibrotic disorders (such as fibrotic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary fibrosis).
  • the invention provides for an antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, targeting a human VCAN target nucleic acid, wherein the antisense oligonucleotide is capable of inhibiting the expression of human VCAN in a cell which is expressing human VCAN.
  • the invention provides for an antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, targeting a human VCAN pre-mRNA target nucleic acid, wherein the antisense oligonucleotide is capable of inhibiting the expression of human VCAN in a cell which is expressing human VCAN, and wherein the antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence of at least 10 nucleotides which are fully complementary to the human VCAN pre-mRNA target nucleic acid.
  • the invention provides for an antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, targeting a human VCAN target nucleic acid, wherein the antisense oligonucleotide is capable of inhibiting the expression of human VCAN in a cell which is expressing human VCAN; and wherein the antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence of at least 10 nucleotides which are fully complementary to an intron region of VCAN pre-mRNA target nucleic acid.
  • the invention provides for an antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, targeting a human VCAN target nucleic acid, wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence 10 - 30 nucleotides in length, wherein the contiguous nucleotide sequence is at least 90% complementary, such as fully
  • the invention provides for an antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, targeting a human VCAN target nucleic acid, wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence 10 - 30 nucleotides in length, wherein the contiguous nucleotide sequence is at least 90% complementary, such as fully
  • the invention provides for an antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence 10 - 30 nucleotides in length, wherein the contiguous nucleotide sequence is at least 90% complementary, such as fully complementary, to SEQ ID NO 13 wherein the antisense oligonucleotide is capable of inhibiting the expression of human VCAN in a cell which is expressing human VCAN.
  • the invention provides for an LNA antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence 10 - 30 nucleotides in length, wherein the contiguous nucleotide sequence is at least 90% complementary, such as fully complementary, to SEQ ID NO 13, wherein the antisense oligonucleotide is capable of inhibiting the expression of human VCAN in a cell which is expressing human VCAN.
  • the invention provides for a gapmer antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence 10 - 30 nucleotides in length, wherein the contiguous nucleotide sequence is at least 90% complementary, such as fully complementary, to SEQ ID NO 13 wherein the antisense oligonucleotide is capable of inhibiting the expression of human VCAN in a cell which is expressing human VCAN.
  • the invention provides for an LNA gapmer antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence 10 - 30 nucleotides in length, wherein the contiguous nucleotide sequence is at least 90% complementary, such as fully complementary, to SEQ ID NO 13 wherein the antisense oligonucleotide is capable of inhibiting the expression of human VCAN in a cell which is expressing human VCAN.
  • the invention provides for an antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence 10 - 30 nucleotides in length, wherein the contiguous nucleotide sequence is at least 90% complementary, such as fully complementary, to a sequence shown in SEQ ID NO 1 1 or in SEQ ID NO 12, wherein the antisense oligonucleotide is capable of inhibiting the expression of human VCAN in a cell which is expressing human VCAN.
  • the invention provides for an LNA antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence 10 - 30 nucleotides in length, wherein the contiguous nucleotide sequence is at least 90% complementary, such as fully complementary, to a sequence shown in SEQ ID NO 1 1 or in SEQ ID NO 12, wherein the antisense oligonucleotide is capable of inhibiting the expression of human VCAN in a cell which is expressing human VCAN.
  • the invention provides for a gapmer antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence 10 - 30 nucleotides in length, wherein the contiguous nucleotide sequence is at least 90% complementary, such as fully complementary to a sequence shown in SEQ ID NO 1 1 or in SEQ ID NO 12, wherein the antisense oligonucleotide is capable of inhibiting the expression of human VCAN in a cell which is expressing human VCAN.
  • the invention provides for an LNA gapmer antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence 10 - 30 nucleotides in length, wherein the contiguous nucleotide sequence is at least 90% complementary, such as fully complementary, to a sequence shown in SEQ ID NO 1 1 or in SEQ ID NO 12, wherein the antisense oligonucleotide is capable of inhibiting the expression of human VCAN in a cell which is expressing human VCAN.
  • the invention provides for an antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence 10 - 30 nucleotides in length, wherein the contiguous nucleotide sequence is at least 90% complementary, such as fully complementary to SEQ ID NO 1 1 , wherein the antisense oligonucleotide is capable of inhibiting the expression of human VCAN transcript in a cell which is expressing human VCAN transcript.
  • the invention provides for an antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence 10 - 30 nucleotides in length, wherein the contiguous nucleotide sequence is at least 90% complementary, such as fully complementary to SEQ ID NO 12, wherein the antisense oligonucleotide is capable of inhibiting the expression of human VCAN transcript in a cell which is expressing human VCAN transcript.
  • oligonucleotide of the invention as referred to or claimed herein may be in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
  • the invention provides for a conjugate comprising the oligonucleotide according to the invention, and at least one conjugate moiety covalently attached to said oligonucleotide.
  • the invention provides for a pharmaceutical composition
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising the oligonucleotide or conjugate of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, solvent, carrier, salt and/or adjuvant.
  • the invention provides for an in vivo or in vitro method for modulating VCAN expression in a target cell which is expressing VCAN, said method comprising administering an oligonucleotide or conjugate or pharmaceutical composition of the invention in an effective amount to said cell.
  • the invention provides for a method for treating or preventing a disease comprising administering a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of an oligonucleotide, conjugate or the pharmaceutical composition of the invention to a subject suffering from or susceptible to the disease.
  • the disease is selected from the group consisting of inflammatory lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma), diabetic retinopathy, cancer and fibrotic disorders (such as fibrotic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary fibrosis).
  • inflammatory lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma
  • diabetic retinopathy such as diabetic retinopathy
  • cancer such as fibrotic disorders
  • fibrotic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary fibrosis such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma
  • fibrotic disorders such as fibrotic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary fibrosis
  • the invention provides for the oligonucleotide, conjugate or the pharmaceutical composition of the invention for use in medicine.
  • the invention provides for the oligonucleotide, conjugate or the pharmaceutical composition of the invention for use in the treatment or prevention of a disease selected from the group consisting of inflammatory lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma), diabetic retinopathy, cancer and fibrotic disorders (such as fibrotic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary fibrosis).
  • a disease selected from the group consisting of inflammatory lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma), diabetic retinopathy, cancer and fibrotic disorders (such as fibrotic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary fibrosis).
  • the invention provides for the use of the oligonucleotide, conjugate or the pharmaceutical composition of the invention, for the preparation of a medicament for treatment or prevention of a disease selected from the group consisting of inflammatory lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma), diabetic retinopathy, cancer and fibrotic disorders (such as fibrotic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary fibrosis).
  • a disease selected from the group consisting of inflammatory lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma), diabetic retinopathy, cancer and fibrotic disorders (such as fibrotic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary fibrosis).
  • Figure 1 Testing in vitro efficacy of various antisense oligonucleotides targeting human VCAN mRNA in HEK293 and A549 cell lines at single concentration.
  • Figure 2 Comparison of in vitro efficacy for antisense oligonucleotides targeting human VCAN mRNA in HEK293 and A549 cell lines at single concentration shows good correlation. One motif with very efficient targeting is highlighted.
  • Figure 3 IC50 values for selected oligonucleotides targeting human VCAN mRNA in vitro in HEK293 and A549 cell lines.
  • Figure 4 Testing selected oligonucleotides targeting human VCAN mRNA in vitro for concentration dependent potency and efficacy in A549 cell line.
  • Figure 5 Testing selected oligonucleotides targeting human VCAN mRNA in vitro for concentration dependent potency and efficacy in HEK293 cell line.
  • oligonucleotide as used herein is defined as it is generally understood by the skilled person as a molecule comprising two or more covalently linked nucleosides. Such covalently bound nucleosides may also be referred to as nucleic acid molecules or oligomers. Oligonucleotides are commonly made in the laboratory by solid-phase chemical synthesis followed by purification. When referring to a sequence of the oligonucleotide, reference is made to the sequence or order of nucleobase moieties, or modifications thereof, of the covalently linked nucleotides or nucleosides.
  • the oligonucleotide of the invention is man-made, and is chemically synthesized, and is typically purified or isolated.
  • the oligonucleotide of the invention may comprise one or more modified nucleosides or nucleotides.
  • Antisense oligonucleotide as used herein is defined as oligonucleotides capable of modulating expression of a target gene by hybridizing to a target nucleic acid, in particular to a contiguous sequence on a target nucleic acid.
  • the antisense oligonucleotides are not essentially double stranded and are therefore not siRNAs or shRNAs.
  • the antisense oligonucleotides of the present invention are single stranded.
  • single stranded oligonucleotides of the present invention can form hairpins or intermolecular duplex structures (duplex between two molecules of the same oligonucleotide), as long as the degree of intra or inter self-complementarity is less than 50% across of the full length of the oligonucleotide
  • sequence refers to the region of the oligonucleotide which is complementary to the target nucleic acid.
  • the term is used interchangeably herein with the term“contiguous nucleobase sequence” and the term“oligonucleotide motif sequence”.
  • nucleotides of the oligonucleotide constitute the contiguous nucleotide sequence.
  • the oligonucleotide comprises the contiguous nucleotide sequence, such as a F-G-F’ gapmer region, and may optionally comprise further nucleotide(s), for example a nucleotide linker region which may be used to attach a functional group to the contiguous nucleotide sequence.
  • the nucleotide linker region may or may not be complementary to the target nucleic acid.
  • the contiguous nucleotide sequence is 100% complementary to the target nucleic acid.
  • Nucleotides are the building blocks of oligonucleotides and polynucleotides, and for the purposes of the present invention include both naturally occurring and non-naturally occurring nucleotides.
  • nucleotides such as DNA and RNA nucleotides comprise a ribose sugar moiety, a nucleobase moiety and one or more phosphate groups (which is absent in nucleosides).
  • Nucleosides and nucleotides may also interchangeably be referred to as“units” or“monomers”.
  • modified nucleoside or“nucleoside modification” as used herein refers to nucleosides modified as compared to the equivalent DNA or RNA nucleoside by the introduction of one or more modifications of the sugar moiety or the (nucleo)base moiety.
  • the modified nucleoside comprise a modified sugar moiety.
  • modified nucleoside may also be used herein interchangeably with the term“nucleoside analogue” or modified“units” or modified“monomers”.
  • Nucleosides with an unmodified DNA or RNA sugar moiety are termed DNA or RNA nucleosides herein. Nucleosides with modifications in the base region of the DNA or RNA nucleoside are still generally termed DNA or RNA if they allow Watson Crick base pairing.
  • modified internucleoside linkage is defined as generally understood by the skilled person as linkages other than phosphodiester (PO) linkages, that covalently couples two nucleosides together.
  • the oligonucleotides of the invention may therefore comprise modified internucleoside linkages.
  • the modified internucleoside linkage increases the nuclease resistance of the oligonucleotide compared to a phosphodiester linkage.
  • the internucleoside linkage includes phosphate groups creating a phosphodiester bond between adjacent nucleosides.
  • Modified internucleoside linkages are particularly useful in stabilizing oligonucleotides for in vivo use, and may serve to protect against nuclease cleavage at regions of DNA or RNA nucleosides in the oligonucleotide of the invention, for example within the gap region of a gapmer oligonucleotide, as well as in regions of modified nucleosides, such as region F and F’.
  • the oligonucleotide comprises one or more internucleoside linkages modified from the natural phosphodiester, such one or more modified internucleoside linkages that is for example more resistant to nuclease attack.
  • Nuclease resistance may be determined by incubating the oligonucleotide in blood serum or by using a nuclease resistance assay (e.g. snake venom phosphodiesterase (SVPD)), both are well known in the art.
  • SVPD snake venom phosphodiesterase
  • Internucleoside linkages which are capable of enhancing the nuclease resistance of an oligonucleotide are referred to as nuclease resistant internucleoside linkages.
  • At least 50% of the internucleoside linkages in the oligonucleotide, or contiguous nucleotide sequence thereof are modified, such as at least 60%, such as at least 70%, such as at least 80 or such as at least 90% of the internucleoside linkages in the oligonucleotide, or contiguous nucleotide sequence thereof, are nuclease resistant internucleoside linkages.
  • all of the internucleoside linkages of the oligonucleotide, or contiguous nucleotide sequence thereof are nuclease resistant internucleoside linkages. It will be recognized that, in some embodiments the nucleosides which link the oligonucleotide of the invention to a non-nucleotide functional group, such as a conjugate, may be phosphodiester.
  • a preferred modified internucleoside linkage is phosphorothioate.
  • Phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages are particularly useful due to nuclease resistance, beneficial pharmacokinetics and ease of manufacture.
  • at least 50% of the internucleoside linkages in the oligonucleotide, or contiguous nucleotide sequence thereof are phosphorothioate, such as at least 60%, such as at least 70%, such as at least 80% or such as at least 90% of the internucleoside linkages in the oligonucleotide, or contiguous nucleotide sequence thereof, are phosphorothioate.
  • all of the internucleoside linkages of the oligonucleotide, or contiguous nucleotide sequence thereof are phosphorothioate.
  • Nuclease resistant linkages such as phosphorothioate linkages, are particularly useful in oligonucleotide regions capable of recruiting nuclease when forming a duplex with the target nucleic acid, such as region G for gapmers.
  • Phosphorothioate linkages may, however, also be useful in non-nuclease recruiting regions and/or affinity enhancing regions such as regions F and F’ for gapmers.
  • Gapmer oligonucleotides may, in some embodiments comprise one or more phosphodiester linkages in region F or F’, or both region F and F’, which the internucleoside linkage in region G may be fully phosphorothioate.
  • all the internucleoside linkages in the contiguous nucleotide sequence of the oligonucleotide are phosphorothioate linkages.
  • antisense oligonucleotide may comprise other internucleoside linkages (other than phosphodiester and phosphorothioate), for example alkyl phosphonate / methyl phosphonate internucleosides, which according to EP2 742 135 may for example be tolerated in an otherwise DNA phosphorothioate gap region.
  • nucleobase includes the purine (e.g. adenine and guanine) and pyrimidine (e.g. uracil, thymine and cytosine) moiety present in nucleosides and nucleotides which form hydrogen bonds in nucleic acid hybridization.
  • pyrimidine e.g. uracil, thymine and cytosine
  • nucleobase also encompasses modified nucleobases which may differ from naturally occurring nucleobases, but are functional during nucleic acid hybridization.
  • nucleobase refers to both naturally occurring nucleobases such as adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymidine, uracil, xanthine and hypoxanthine, as well as non-naturally occurring variants. Such variants are for example described in Hirao et al (2012) Accounts of Chemical Research vol 45 page 2055 and Bergstrom (2009) Current Protocols in Nucleic Acid
  • the nucleobase moiety is modified by changing the purine or pyrimidine into a modified purine or pyrimidine, such as substituted purine or substituted pyrimidine, such as a nucleobased selected from isocytosine, pseudoisocytosine, 5-methyl cytosine, 5-thiozolo-cytosine, 5-propynyl-cytosine, 5-propynyl-uracil, 5-bromouracil 5- thiazolo-uracil, 2-thio-uracil, 2’thio-thymine, inosine, diaminopurine, 6-aminopurine, 2- aminopurine, 2,6-diaminopurine and 2-chloro-6-aminopurine.
  • a nucleobased selected from isocytosine, pseudoisocytosine, 5-methyl cytosine, 5-thiozolo-cytosine, 5-propynyl-cytosine, 5-propynyl-uracil, 5-bromour
  • the nucleobase moieties may be indicated by the letter code for each corresponding nucleobase, e.g. A, T, G, C or U, wherein each letter may optionally include modified nucleobases of equivalent function.
  • the nucleobase moieties are selected from A, T, G, C, and 5-methyl cytosine.
  • 5-methyl cytosine LNA nucleosides may be used.
  • modified oligonucleotide describes an oligonucleotide comprising one or more sugar-modified nucleosides and/or modified internucleoside linkages.
  • chimeric oligonucleotide is a term that has been used in the literature to describe oligonucleotides with modified nucleosides.
  • Watson-Crick base pairs are guanine (G)-cytosine (C) and adenine (A) - thymine (T)/uracil (U).
  • G guanine
  • A adenine
  • T thymine
  • U uracil
  • oligonucleotides may comprise nucleosides with modified nucleobases, for example 5-methyl cytosine is often used in place of cytosine, and as such the term complementarity encompasses Watson Crick base-paring between non-modified and modified nucleobases (see for example Hirao et al (2012) Accounts of Chemical Research vol 45 page 2055 and Bergstrom (2009)
  • % complementary refers to the number of nucleotides in percent of a contiguous nucleotide sequence in a nucleic acid molecule (e.g. oligonucleotide) which, at a given position, are complementary to (i.e. form Watson Crick base pairs with) a contiguous sequence of nucleotides, at a given position of a separate nucleic acid molecule (e.g. the target nucleic acid or target sequence).
  • a nucleic acid molecule e.g. oligonucleotide
  • the percentage is calculated by counting the number of aligned bases that form pairs between the two sequences (when aligned with the target sequence 5’-3’ and the oligonucleotide sequence from 3’-5’), dividing by the total number of nucleotides in the oligonucleotide and multiplying by 100. In such a comparison a nucleobase/nucleotide which does not align (form a base pair) is termed a mismatch.
  • insertions and deletions are not allowed in the calculation of % complementarity of a contiguous nucleotide sequence.
  • nucleic acid molecule refers to the proportion of nucleotides (expressed in percent) of a contiguous nucleotide sequence in a nucleic acid molecule (e.g.
  • oligonucleotide which across the contiguous nucleotide sequence, are identical to a reference sequence (e.g. a sequence motif).
  • nucleobases are disregarded as long as the functional capacity of the nucleobase to form Watson Crick base pairing is retained (e.g. 5-methyl cytosine is considered identical to a cytosine for the purpose of calculating % identity).
  • hybridizing or“hybridizes” as used herein is to be understood as two nucleic acid strands (e.g. an oligonucleotide and a target nucleic acid) forming hydrogen bonds between base pairs on opposite strands thereby forming a duplex.
  • the affinity of the binding between two nucleic acid strands is the strength of the hybridization. It is often described in terms of the melting temperature (T m ) defined as the temperature at which half of the oligonucleotides are duplexed with the target nucleic acid. At physiological conditions T m is not strictly proportional to the affinity (Mergny and Lacroix, 2003, Oligonucleotides 13:515-537).
  • AG° is the energy associated with a reaction where aqueous concentrations are 1 M, the pH is 7, and the temperature is 37°C.
  • the hybridization of oligonucleotides to a target nucleic acid is a spontaneous reaction and for spontaneous reactions AG° is less than zero.
  • AG° can be measured experimentally, for example, by use of the isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) method as described in Hansen et al. , 1965, Chem. Comm. 36-38 and Holdgate et al. , 2005, Drug Discov Today. The skilled person will know that commercial equipment is available for AG° measurements.
  • ITC isothermal titration calorimetry
  • AG° can also be estimated numerically by using the nearest neighbor model as described by SantaLucia, 1998, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 95: 1460-1465 using appropriately derived thermodynamic parameters described by Sugimoto et al., 1995, Biochemistry 34:1 121 1-1 1216 and McTigue et al., 2004, Biochemistry 43:5388-5405.
  • oligonucleotides of the present invention hybridize to a target nucleic acid with estimated AG° values below -10 kcal for oligonucleotides that are 10-30 nucleotides in length.
  • the degree or strength of hybridization is measured by the standard state Gibbs free energy AG°.
  • the oligonucleotides may hybridize to a target nucleic acid with estimated AG° values below the range of -10 kcal, such as below -15 kcal, such as below - 20 kcal and such as below -25 kcal for oligonucleotides that are 8-30 nucleotides in length.
  • the oligonucleotides hybridize to a target nucleic acid with an estimated AG° value of -10 to -60 kcal, such as -12 to -40, such as from -15 to -30 kcal or- 16 to -27 kcal such as -18 to -25 kcal.
  • the target nucleic acid is a nucleic acid which encodes mammalian VCAN and may for example be a gene, a VCAN RNA, a mRNA, a pre-mRNA, a mature mRNA or a cDNA sequence.
  • the target may therefore be referred to as an VCAN target nucleic acid.
  • the target nucleic acid encodes an VCAN protein, in particular mammalian VCAN, such as the human VCAN gene encoding pre-mRNA or mRNA sequences provided herein as SEQ ID NO 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17.
  • VCAN protein in particular mammalian VCAN, such as the human VCAN gene encoding pre-mRNA or mRNA sequences provided herein as SEQ ID NO 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17.
  • the target nucleic acid is SEQ ID NO 13 or a naturally occurring variant thereof (e.g. VCAN sequences encoding a mammalian VCAN protein).
  • the target nucleic acid may be a cDNA or a synthetic nucleic acid derived from DNA or RNA.
  • the oligonucleotide of the invention is typically capable of inhibiting the expression of the VCAN target nucleic acid in a cell which is expressing the VCAN target nucleic acid.
  • the contiguous sequence of nucleobases of the oligonucleotide of the invention is typically complementary to the VCAN target nucleic acid, as measured across the length of the oligonucleotide, optionally with the exception of one or two mismatches, and optionally excluding nucleotide based linker regions which may link the oligonucleotide to an optional functional group such as a conjugate, or other noncomplementary terminal nucleotides (e.g. region D’ or D”).
  • the target nucleic acid is a messenger RNA, such as a mature mRNA or a pre-mRNA which encodes mammalian VCAN protein, such as human VCAN, e.g. the human VCAN pre-mRNA sequence, such as that disclosed as SEQ ID NO 13, or VCAN mature mRNA, such as that disclosed as SEQ ID NO 14, 15, 16 or 17.
  • SEQ ID NOs 13 - 17 are DNA sequences - it will be understood that target RNA sequences have uracil (U) bases in place of the thymidine bases (T).
  • the oligonucleotide of the invention targets SEQ ID NO 13.
  • the oligonucleotide of the invention targets SEQ ID NO 14.
  • the oligonucleotide of the invention targets SEQ ID NO 15.
  • the oligonucleotide of the invention targets SEQ ID NO 16.
  • the oligonucleotide of the invention targets SEQ ID NO 17.
  • target sequence refers to a sequence of nucleotides present in the target nucleic acid which comprises the nucleobase sequence which is complementary to the oligonucleotide of the invention.
  • the target sequence consists of a region on the target nucleic acid which is complementary to the contiguous nucleotide sequence of the oligonucleotide of the invention.
  • target sequence regions as defined by regions of the human VCAN pre-mRNA (using SEQ ID NO 13 as a reference) which may be targeted by the oligonucleotides of the invention.
  • the target sequence is longer than the complementary sequence of a single oligonucleotide, and may, for example represent a preferred region of the target nucleic acid which may be targeted by several oligonucleotides of the invention.
  • the oligonucleotide of the invention comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence which is complementary to or hybridizes to the target nucleic acid, such as a sub-sequence of the target nucleic acid, such as a target sequence described herein.
  • the oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence which are complementary to a target sequence present in the target nucleic acid molecule.
  • the contiguous nucleotide sequence (and therefore the target sequence) comprises of at least 10 contiguous nucleotides, such as 9, 10, 1 1 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30 contiguous nucleotides, such as from 12-25, such as from 14-18 contiguous nucleotides.
  • the inventors have identified particularly effective sequences of the VCAN target nucleic acid which may be targeted by the oligonucleotide of the invention.
  • the target sequence is SEQ ID NO 1 1.
  • the target sequence is SEQ ID NO 12.
  • the invention provides for an antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence 10 - 30 nucleotides in length, wherein the contiguous nucleotide sequence is at least 90% complementary, such as fully complementary to an exon region of SEQ ID NO 13, selected from the group consisting if Ex_1 - Ex_15 (see the following table).
  • the invention provides for an antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence 10 - 30 nucleotides in length, wherein the contiguous nucleotide sequence is at least 90% complementary, such as fully complementary to a region of SEQ ID NO 13, selected from the group consisting of 1 - 559; 12049 - 12124; 18634 - 19008; 22082 - 22256; 22340 - 22467; 40639 - 40932; 47885 - 50845; 65543 - 70804; 74073 - 74186; 76507 - 76620; 81900 - 82058; 83492 - 83574; 100952 - 101096; 108516 - 108698; and 108843 - 1 10839.
  • the invention provides for an antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence 10 - 30 nucleotides in length, wherein the contiguous nucleotide sequence is at least 90% complementary, such as fully complementary to an intron region of SEQ ID NO 13, selected from the group consisting of lnt_1 - lnt_14 (see the following table)
  • the invention provides for an antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence 10 - 30 nucleotides in length, wherein the contiguous nucleotide sequence is at least 90% complementary, such as fully complementary to a region of SEQ ID NO 13, selected from the group consisting of 559 - 12049; 12124 - 18634; 19008 - 22082; 22256 - 22340; 22467 - 40639; 40932 - 47885; 50845 - 65543; 70804 - 74073;
  • the invention provides for an antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence 10 - 30 nucleotides in length, wherein the contiguous nucleotide sequence is at least 90% complementary, such as fully complementary to a region of SEQ ID NO 13, selected from the group consisting of 1 - 138, 140 - 161 , 163 - 218, 220 - 348, 350 - 447.457 - 555.568 - 598.601 - 619.629 - 643.643 - 672.674 - 730.732 - 750.752 -
  • the invention provides for an antisense oligonucleotide, 10-30 nucleotides in length, wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence 10 - 30 nucleotides in length, wherein the contiguous nucleotide sequence is at least 90% complementary, such as fully complementary to a region of SEQ ID NO 13, selected from the group consisting of 174 - 200, 191 - 214, 213 - 261 , 265 - 320, 569 - 584, 588 - 607, 675 - 692, 925 - 942, 953 - 973, 1087 - 1 101 , 1261 - 1275, 1316 - 1333, 1596 - 161 1 , 1830 - 1855, 1988 - 2004, 2010 - 2025, 2070 - 2086, 2092 - 21 13, 2161 2178, 3152 - 3177, 4271 - 4293, 4296
  • a“target cell” as used herein refers to a cell which is expressing the target nucleic acid.
  • the target cell may be in vivo or in vitro.
  • the target cell is a mammalian cell such as a rodent cell, such as a mouse cell or a rat cell, or a primate cell such as a monkey cell or a human cell.
  • the target cell expresses VCAN mRNA, such as the VCAN pre- mRNA, e.g. SEQ ID NO 13, or VCAN mature mRNA(e.g. SEQ ID NO 14, 15, 16 or 17).
  • VCAN mRNA such as the VCAN pre- mRNA, e.g. SEQ ID NO 13, or VCAN mature mRNA(e.g. SEQ ID NO 14, 15, 16 or 17).
  • the poly A tail of VCAN mRNA is typically disregarded for antisense oligonucleotide targeting.
  • naturally occurring variant refers to variants of VCAN gene or transcripts which originate from the same genetic loci as the target nucleic acid, but may differ for example, by virtue of degeneracy of the genetic code causing a multiplicity of codons encoding the same amino acid, or due to alternative splicing of pre-mRNA, or the presence of polymorphisms, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and allelic variants. Based on the presence of the sufficient complementary sequence to the oligonucleotide, the
  • oligonucleotide of the invention may therefore target the target nucleic acid and naturally occurring variants thereof.
  • the homo sapiens VCAN gene is located at chromosome 5, 83471674..83582303, complement (NC_000005.10, Gene ID 1462).
  • the naturally occurring variants have at least 95% such as at least 98% or at least 99% homology to a mammalian VCAN target nucleic acid, such as a target nucleic acid selected form the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17. In some embodiments the naturally occurring variants have at least 99% homology to the human VCAN target nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO 13.
  • modulation of expression is to be understood as an overall term for an oligonucleotide’s ability to alter the amount of VCAN protein or VCAN mRNA when compared to the amount of VCAN or VCAN mRNA prior to administration of the
  • oligonucleotide Alternatively modulation of expression may be determined by reference to a control experiment. It is generally understood that the control is an individual or target cell treated with a saline composition or an individual or target cell treated with a non-targeting oligonucleotide (mock).
  • One type of modulation is an oligonucleotide’s ability to inhibit, down-regulate, reduce, suppress, remove, stop, block, prevent, lessen, lower, avoid or terminate expression of VCAN, e.g. by degradation of VCAN mRNA.
  • a high affinity modified nucleoside is a modified nucleotide which, when incorporated into the oligonucleotide enhances the affinity of the oligonucleotide for its complementary target, for example as measured by the melting temperature (T m ).
  • a high affinity modified nucleoside of the present invention preferably result in an increase in melting temperature between +0.5 to + 12°C, more preferably between +1.5 to +10°C and most preferably between+3 to +8°C per modified nucleoside.
  • Numerous high affinity modified nucleosides are known in the art and include for example, many 2’ substituted nucleosides as well as locked nucleic acids (LNA) (see e.g. Freier & Altmann; Nucl. Acid Res., 1997, 25, 4429-4443 and Uhlmann; Curr.
  • the oligomer of the invention may comprise one or more nucleosides which have a modified sugar moiety, i.e. a modification of the sugar moiety when compared to the ribose sugar moiety found in DNA and RNA.
  • nucleosides with modification of the ribose sugar moiety have been made, primarily with the aim of improving certain properties of oligonucleotides, such as affinity and/or nuclease resistance.
  • modifications include those where the ribose ring structure is modified, e.g. by replacement with a hexose ring (HNA), or a bicyclic ring, which typically have a biradicle bridge between the C2 and C4 carbons on the ribose ring (LNA), or an unlinked ribose ring which typically lacks a bond between the C2 and C3 carbons (e.g. UNA).
  • HNA hexose ring
  • LNA bicyclic ring
  • UNA unlinked ribose ring which typically lacks a bond between the C2 and C3 carbons
  • sugar modified nucleosides include, for example, bicyclohexose nucleic acids (WO201 1/017521 ) or tricyclic nucleic acids (WO2013/154798). Modified nucleosides also include nucleosides where the sugar moiety is replaced with a non-sugar moiety, for example in the case of peptide nucleic acids (PNA), or morpholino nucleic acids.
  • PNA peptide nucleic acids
  • Sugar modifications also include modifications made via altering the substituent groups on the ribose ring to groups other than hydrogen, or the 2’-OH group naturally found in DNA and RNA nucleosides. Substituents may, for example be introduced at the 2’, 3’, 4’ or 5’ positions.
  • a 2’ sugar modified nucleoside is a nucleoside which has a substituent other than H or -OH at the 2’ position (2’ substituted nucleoside) or comprises a 2’ linked biradicle capable of forming a bridge between the 2’ carbon and a second carbon in the ribose ring, such as LNA (2’ - 4’ biradicle bridged) nucleosides.
  • the 2’ modified sugar may provide enhanced binding affinity and/or increased nuclease resistance to the oligonucleotide.
  • 2’ substituted modified nucleosides are 2’-0-alkyl-RNA, 2’-0-methyl-RNA, 2’- alkoxy-RNA, 2’-0-methoxyethyl-RNA (MOE), 2’-amino-DNA, 2’-Fluoro-RNA, and 2’-F-ANA nucleoside.
  • MOE methoxyethyl-RNA
  • 2’-amino-DNA 2’-Fluoro-RNA
  • 2’-F-ANA nucleoside please see e.g. Freier & Altmann; Nucl. Acid Res., 1997, 25, 4429-4443 and Uhlmann; Curr. Opinion in Drug Development, 2000, 3(2), 293-213, and
  • 2’ substituted does not include 2’ bridged molecules like LNA.
  • LNA Locked Nucleic Acids
  • A“LNA nucleoside” is a 2’- modified nucleoside which comprises a biradical linking the
  • nucleosides are also termed bridged nucleic acid or bicyclic nucleic acid (BNA) in the literature.
  • BNA bicyclic nucleic acid
  • the locking of the conformation of the ribose is associated with an enhanced affinity of hybridization (duplex stabilization) when the LNA is incorporated into an oligonucleotide for a complementary RNA or DNA molecule. This can be routinely determined by measuring the melting temperature of the oligonucleotide/complement duplex.
  • Non limiting, exemplary LNA nucleosides are disclosed in WO 99/014226, WO 00/66604, WO 98/039352 , WO 2004/046160, WO 00/047599, WO 2007/134181 , WO 2010/077578, WO 2010/036698, WO 2007/090071 , WO 2009/006478, WO 201 1/156202,
  • LNA nucleosides are beta-D-oxy-LNA, 6’-methyl-beta-D-oxy LNA such as (S)-6’-methyl-beta-D-oxy-LNA (ScET) and ENA.
  • a particularly advantageous LNA is beta-D-oxy-LNA.
  • the RNase H activity of an antisense oligonucleotide refers to its ability to recruit RNase H when in a duplex with a complementary RNA molecule.
  • WO01/23613 provides in vitro methods for determining RNaseH activity, which may be used to determine the ability to recruit RNaseH.
  • an oligonucleotide is deemed capable of recruiting RNase H if it, when provided with a complementary target nucleic acid sequence, has an initial rate, as measured in pmol/l/min, of at least 5%, such as at least 10% or more than 20% of the of the initial rate determined when using a oligonucleotide having the same base sequence as the modified oligonucleotide being tested, but containing only DNA monomers with
  • the antisense oligonucleotide of the invention, or contiguous nucleotide sequence thereof may be a gapmer.
  • the antisense gapmers are commonly used to inhibit a target nucleic acid via RNase H mediated degradation.
  • a gapmer oligonucleotide comprises at least three distinct structural regions a 5’-flank, a gap and a 3’-flank, F-G-F’ in the‘5 -> 3’ orientation.
  • The“gap” region (G) comprises a stretch of contiguous DNA nucleotides which enable the oligonucleotide to recruit RNase H.
  • the gap region is flanked by a 5’ flanking region (F) comprising one or more sugar modified nucleosides, advantageously high affinity sugar modified nucleosides, and by a 3’ flanking region (F’) comprising one or more sugar modified nucleosides, advantageously high affinity sugar modified nucleosides.
  • the one or more sugar modified nucleosides in region F and F’ enhance the affinity of the oligonucleotide for the target nucleic acid (i.e. are affinity enhancing sugar modified nucleosides).
  • the one or more sugar modified nucleosides in region F and F’ are 2’ sugar modified nucleosides, such as high affinity 2’ sugar modifications, such as independently selected from LNA and 2’-MOE.
  • the 5’ and 3’ most nucleosides of the gap region are DNA nucleosides, and are positioned adjacent to a sugar modified nucleoside of the 5’ (F) or 3’ (F’) region respectively.
  • the flanks may further defined by having at least one sugar modified nucleoside at the end most distant from the gap region, i.e. at the 5’ end of the 5’ flank and at the 3’ end of the 3’ flank.
  • Regions F-G-F’ form a contiguous nucleotide sequence.
  • Antisense oligonucleotides of the invention, or the contiguous nucleotide sequence thereof, may comprise a gapmer region of formula F-G-F’.
  • the overall length of the gapmer design F-G-F’ may be, for example 12 to 32 nucleosides, such as 13 to 24, such as 14 to 22 nucleosides, Such as from 14 to17, such as 16 to18 nucleosides.
  • the gapmer oligonucleotide of the present invention can be represented by the following formulae:
  • the overall length of the gapmer regions F-G-F’ is at least 12, such as at least 14 nucleotides in length.
  • Regions F, G and F’ are further defined below and can be incorporated into the F-G-F’ formula. Gapmer - Region G
  • Region G is a region of nucleosides which enables the oligonucleotide to recruit RNaseH, such as human RNase H1 , typically DNA nucleosides.
  • RNaseH is a cellular enzyme which recognizes the duplex between DNA and RNA, and enzymatically cleaves the RNA molecule.
  • gapmers may have a gap region (G) of at least 5 or 6 contiguous DNA nucleosides, such as 5 - 16 contiguous DNA nucleosides, such as 6 - 15 contiguous DNA nucleosides, such as 7-14 contiguous DNA nucleosides, such as 8 - 12 contiguous DNA nucleotides, such as 8 - 12 contiguous DNA nucleotides in length.
  • the gap region G may, in some embodiments consist of 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 , 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 contiguous DNA nucleosides.
  • One or more cytosine (C) DNA in the gap region may in some instances be methylated (e.g.
  • the gap region G may consist of 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 , 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 contiguous phosphorothioate linked DNA nucleosides. In some embodiments, all internucleoside linkages in the gap are phosphorothioate linkages.
  • Modified nucleosides which allow for RNaseH recruitment when they are used within the gap region include, for example, alpha-L-LNA, C4’ alkylated DNA (as described in PCT/EP2009/050349 and Vester et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 18 (2008) 2296 - 2300, both incorporated herein by reference), arabinose derived nucleosides like ANA and 2'F-ANA (Mangos et al. 2003 J. AM. CHEM. SOC.
  • UNA locked nucleic acid
  • the modified nucleosides used in such gapmers may be nucleosides which adopt a 2’ endo (DNA like) structure when introduced into the gap region, i.e. modifications which allow for RNaseH recruitment).
  • the DNA Gap region (G) described herein may optionally contain 1 to 3 sugar modified nucleosides which adopt a 2’ endo (DNA like) structure when introduced into the gap region.
  • gapmers with a gap region comprising one or more 3’endo modified nucleosides are referred to as“gap-breaker” or“gap-disrupted” gapmers, see for example WO2013/022984.
  • Gap-breaker oligonucleotides retain sufficient region of DNA nucleosides within the gap region to allow for RNaseH recruitment. The ability of gapbreaker
  • oligonucleotide design to recruit RNaseH is typically sequence or even compound specific - see Rukov et al. 2015 Nucl. Acids Res. Vol. 43 pp. 8476-8487, which discloses“gapbreaker” oligonucleotides which recruit RNaseH which in some instances provide a more specific cleavage of the target RNA.
  • Modified nucleosides used within the gap region of gap- breaker oligonucleotides may for example be modified nucleosides which confer a 3’endo confirmation, such 2’ -O-methyl (OMe) or 2’-0-MOE (MOE) nucleosides, or beta-D LNA nucleosides (the bridge between C2’ and C4’ of the ribose sugar ring of a nucleoside is in the beta conformation), such as beta-D-oxy LNA or ScET nucleosides.
  • 2’ -O-methyl (OMe) or 2’-0-MOE (MOE) nucleosides or beta-D LNA nucleosides (the bridge between C2’ and C4’ of the ribose sugar ring of a nucleoside is in the beta conformation), such as beta-D-oxy LNA or ScET nucleosides.
  • the gap region of gap-breaker or gap-disrupted gapmers have a DNA nucleosides at the 5’ end of the gap (adjacent to the 3’ nucleoside of region F), and a DNA nucleoside at the 3’ end of the gap (adjacent to the 5’ nucleoside of region F’).
  • Gapmers which comprise a disrupted gap typically retain a region of at least 3 or 4 contiguous DNA nucleosides at either the 5’ end or 3’ end of the gap region.
  • Exemplary designs for gap-breaker oligonucleotides include
  • region G is within the brackets [D n -E r - D m ], D is a contiguous sequence of DNA nucleosides, E is a modified nucleoside (the gap-breaker or gap-disrupting nucleoside), and F and F’ are the flanking regions as defined herein, and with the proviso that the overall length of the gapmer regions F-G-F’ is at least 12, such as at least 14 nucleotides in length.
  • region G of a gap disrupted gapmer comprises at least 6 DNA nucleosides, such as 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 , 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 DNA nucleosides.
  • the DNA nucleosides may be contiguous or may optionally be interspersed with one or more modified nucleosides, with the proviso that the gap region G is capable of mediating RNaseH recruitment.
  • Region F is positioned immediately adjacent to the 5’ DNA nucleoside of region G.
  • the 3’ most nucleoside of region F is a sugar modified nucleoside, such as a high affinity sugar modified nucleoside, for example a 2’ substituted nucleoside, such as a MOE nucleoside, or an LNA nucleoside.
  • Region F’ is positioned immediately adjacent to the 3’ DNA nucleoside of region G.
  • the 5’ most nucleoside of region F’ is a sugar modified nucleoside, such as a high affinity sugar modified nucleoside, for example a 2’ substituted nucleoside, such as a MOE nucleoside, or an LNA nucleoside.
  • Region F is 1 - 8 contiguous nucleotides in length, such as 2-6, such as 3-4 contiguous nucleotides in length.
  • the 5’ most nucleoside of region F is a sugar modified nucleoside.
  • the two 5’ most nucleoside of region F are sugar modified nucleoside.
  • the 5’ most nucleoside of region F is an LNA nucleoside.
  • the two 5’ most nucleoside of region F are LNA nucleosides.
  • the two 5’ most nucleoside of region F are 2’ substituted nucleoside nucleosides, such as two 3’ MOE nucleosides.
  • the 5’ most nucleoside of region F is a 2’ substituted nucleoside, such as a MOE nucleoside.
  • Region F’ is 2 - 8 contiguous nucleotides in length, such as 3-6, such as 4-5 contiguous nucleotides in length.
  • the 3’ most nucleoside of region F’ is a sugar modified nucleoside.
  • the two 3’ most nucleoside of region F’ are sugar modified nucleoside.
  • the two 3’ most nucleoside of region F’ are LNA nucleosides.
  • the 3’ most nucleoside of region F’ is an LNA nucleoside.
  • the two 3’ most nucleoside of region F’ are 2’ substituted nucleoside nucleosides, such as two 3’ MOE nucleosides.
  • the 3’ most nucleoside of region F’ is a 2’ substituted nucleoside, such as a MOE nucleoside. It should be noted that when the length of region F or F’ is one, it is advantageously an LNA nucleoside.
  • region F and F’ independently consists of or comprises a contiguous sequence of sugar modified nucleosides.
  • the sugar modified nucleosides of region F may be independently selected from 2’-0-alkyl-RNA units, 2’-0- methyl-RNA, 2’-amino-DNA units, 2’-fluoro-DNA units, 2’-alkoxy-RNA, MOE units, LNA units, arabino nucleic acid (ANA) units and 2’-fluoro-ANA units.
  • region F and F’ independently comprises both LNA and a 2’ substituted modified nucleosides (mixed wing design).
  • region F and F’ consists of only one type of sugar modified nucleosides, such as only MOE or only beta-D-oxy LNA or only ScET. Such designs are also termed uniform flanks or uniform gapmer design.
  • all the nucleosides of region F or F’, or F and F’ are LNA
  • region F consists of 1-5, such as 2-4, such as 3-4 such as 1 , 2, 3, 4 or 5 contiguous LNA nucleosides.
  • all the nucleosides of region F and F’ are beta-D-oxy LNA nucleosides.
  • all the nucleosides of region F or F’, or F and F’ are 2’ substituted nucleosides, such as OMe or MOE nucleosides.
  • region F consists of 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 contiguous OMe or MOE nucleosides.
  • flanking regions can consist of 2’ substituted nucleosides, such as OMe or MOE nucleosides. In some embodiments it is the 5’ (F) flanking region that consists 2’ substituted nucleosides, such as OMe or MOE nucleosides whereas the 3’ (F’) flanking region comprises at least one LNA nucleoside, such as beta-D-oxy LNA nucleosides or cET nucleosides.
  • LNA nucleoside such as beta-D-oxy LNA nucleosides or cET nucleosides.
  • the 3’ (F’) flanking region that consists 2’ substituted nucleosides, such as OMe or MOE nucleosides whereas the 5’ (F) flanking region comprises at least one LNA nucleoside, such as beta-D-oxy LNA nucleosides or cET nucleosides.
  • all the modified nucleosides of region F and F’ are LNA nucleosides, such as independently selected from beta-D-oxy LNA, ENA or ScET nucleosides, wherein region F or F’, or F and F’ may optionally comprise DNA nucleosides (an alternating flank, see definition of these for more details).
  • all the modified nucleosides of region F and F’ are beta-D-oxy LNA nucleosides, wherein region F or F’, or F and F’ may optionally comprise DNA nucleosides (an alternating flank, see definition of these for more details).
  • the 5’ most and the 3’ most nucleosides of region F and F’ are LNA nucleosides, such as beta-D-oxy LNA nucleosides or ScET nucleosides.
  • the internucleoside linkage between region F and region G is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage. In some embodiments, the internucleoside linkage between region F’ and region G is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage. In some embodiments, the internucleoside linkages between the nucleosides of region F or F’, F and F’ are phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages.
  • An LNA gapmer is a gapmer wherein either one or both of region F and F’ comprises or consists of LNA nucleosides.
  • a beta-D-oxy gapmer is a gapmer wherein either one or both of region F and F’ comprises or consists of beta-D-oxy LNA nucleosides.
  • the LNA gapmer is of formula: [LNA ⁇ .s-tregion G] -[LNA] ⁇ , wherein region G is as defined in the Gapmer region G definition.
  • a MOE gapmers is a gapmer wherein regions F and F’ consist of MOE nucleosides.
  • the MOE gapmer is of design [MOEJ ⁇ s-lRegion G]-[MOE] 1-8 , such as [MOE] 2.7 -[Region G] 5 -ie-[MOE] 2- 7, such as [MOE] 3.6 -[Region G]-[MOE] 3-6 , wherein region G is as defined in the Gapmer definition.
  • MOE gapmers with a 5-10-5 design have been widely used in the art.
  • a mixed wing gapmer is an LNA gapmer wherein one or both of region F and F’ comprise a 2’ substituted nucleoside, such as a 2’ substituted nucleoside independently selected from the group consisting of 2’-0-alkyl-RNA units, 2’-0-methyl-RNA, 2’-amino-DNA units, 2’- fluoro-DNA units, 2’-alkoxy-RNA, MOE units, arabino nucleic acid (ANA) units and 2’-fluoro- ANA units, such as a MOE nucleosides.
  • a 2’ substituted nucleoside independently selected from the group consisting of 2’-0-alkyl-RNA units, 2’-0-methyl-RNA, 2’-amino-DNA units, 2’- fluoro-DNA units, 2’-alkoxy-RNA, MOE units, arabino nucleic acid (ANA) units and 2’-fluoro- ANA units, such as a MOE nucleosides.
  • region F and F’, or both region F and F’ comprise at least one LNA nucleoside
  • the remaining nucleosides of region F and F’ are independently selected from the group consisting of MOE and LNA.
  • at least one of region F and F’, or both region F and F’ comprise at least two LNA nucleosides
  • the remaining nucleosides of region F and F’ are independently selected from the group consisting of MOE and LNA.
  • one or both of region F and F’ may further comprise one or more DNA nucleosides.
  • Oligonucleotides with alternating flanks are LNA gapmer oligonucleotides where at least one of the flanks (F or F’) comprises DNA in addition to the LNA nucleoside(s).
  • at least one of region F or F’, or both region F and F’ comprise both LNA nucleosides and DNA nucleosides.
  • the flanking region F or F’, or both F and F’ comprise at least three nucleosides, wherein the 5’ and 3’ most nucleosides of the F and/or F’ region are LNA nucleosides.
  • region F or F’, or both region F and F’ comprise both LNA nucleosides and DNA nucleosides.
  • the flanking region F or F’, or both F and F’ comprise at least three nucleosides, wherein the 5’ and 3’ most nucleosides of the F or F’ region are LNA nucleosides, and there is at least one DNA nucleoside positioned between the 5’ and 3’ most LNA nucleosides of region F or F’ (or both region F and F’).
  • the oligonucleotide of the invention may in some embodiments comprise or consist of the contiguous nucleotide sequence of the oligonucleotide which is complementary to the target nucleic acid, such as the gapmer F-G-F’, and further 5’ and/or 3’ nucleosides.
  • the further 5’ and/or 3’ nucleosides may or may not be fully complementary to the target nucleic acid.
  • nucleosides may be referred to as region D’ and D” herein.
  • region D’ or D may be used for the purpose of joining the contiguous nucleotide sequence, such as the gapmer, to a conjugate moiety or another functional group.
  • region D may be used for joining the contiguous nucleotide sequence with a conjugate moiety.
  • a conjugate moiety is can serve as a biocleavable linker. Alternatively it may be used to provide exonucleoase protection or for ease of synthesis or manufacture.
  • Region D’ and D can be attached to the 5’ end of region F or the 3’ end of region F’, respectively to generate designs of the following formulas D’-F-G-F’, F-G-F’-D” or
  • F-G-F’ is the gapmer portion of the oligonucleotide and region D’ or D” constitute a separate part of the oligonucleotide.
  • Region D’ or D may independently comprise or consist of 1 , 2, 3, 4 or 5 additional nucleotides, which may be complementary or non-complementary to the target nucleic acid.
  • the nucleotide adjacent to the F or F’ region is not a sugar-modified nucleotide, such as a DNA or RNA or base modified versions of these.
  • the D’ or D’ region may serve as a nuclease susceptible biocleavable linker (see definition of linkers).
  • the additional 5’ and/or 3’ end nucleotides are linked with phosphodiester linkages, and are DNA or RNA.
  • Nucleotide based biocleavable linkers suitable for use as region D’ or D are disclosed in WO2014/076195, which include by way of example a phosphodiester linked DNA dinucleotide.
  • the use of biocleavable linkers in poly-oligonucleotide constructs is disclosed in WO2015/1 13922, where they are used to link multiple antisense constructs (e.g. gapmer regions) within a single oligonucleotide.
  • the oligonucleotide of the invention comprises a region D’ and/or D” in addition to the contiguous nucleotide sequence which constitutes the gapmer.
  • the oligonucleotide of the present invention can be represented by the following formulae:
  • D’-F-G-F’ in particular D’i- 3 -Fi- 8 -G 5 -i6-F’2-8
  • the internucleoside linkage positioned between region D’ and region F is a phosphodiester linkage. In some embodiments the internucleoside linkage positioned between region F’ and region D” is a phosphodiester linkage.
  • conjugate refers to an oligonucleotide which is covalently linked to a non-nucleotide moiety (conjugate moiety or region C or third region).
  • Conjugation of the oligonucleotide of the invention to one or more non-nucleotide moieties may improve the pharmacology of the oligonucleotide, e.g. by affecting the activity, cellular distribution, cellular uptake or stability of the oligonucleotide.
  • the conjugate moiety modify or enhance the pharmacokinetic properties of the oligonucleotide by improving cellular distribution, bioavailability, metabolism, excretion, permeability, and/or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide.
  • the conjugate may target the oligonucleotide to a specific organ, tissue or cell type and thereby enhance the effectiveness of the oligonucleotide in that organ, tissue or cell type.
  • the conjugate may serve to reduce activity of the oligonucleotide in non-target cell types, tissues or organs, e.g. off target activity or activity in non-target cell types, tissues or organs.
  • the non-nucleotide moiety is selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, cell surface receptor ligands, drug substances, hormones, lipophilic substances, polymers, proteins, peptides, toxins (e.g. bacterial toxins), vitamins, viral proteins (e.g. capsids) or combinations thereof.
  • a linkage or linker is a connection between two atoms that links one chemical group or segment of interest to another chemical group or segment of interest via one or more covalent bonds.
  • Conjugate moieties can be attached to the oligonucleotide directly or through a linking moiety (e.g. linker or tether).
  • Linkers serve to covalently connect a third region, e.g. a conjugate moiety (Region C), to a first region, e.g. an oligonucleotide or contiguous nucleotide sequence or gapmer region F-G-F’ (region A).
  • the conjugate or oligonucleotide conjugate of the invention may optionally, comprise a linker region (second region or region B and/or region Y) which is positioned between the oligonucleotide or contiguous nucleotide sequence complementary to the target nucleic acid (region A or first region) and the conjugate moiety (region C or third region).
  • a linker region second region or region B and/or region Y
  • Region B refers to biocleavable linkers comprising or consisting of a physiologically labile bond that is cleavable under conditions normally encountered or analogous to those encountered within a mammalian body.
  • Conditions under which physiologically labile linkers undergo chemical transformation include chemical conditions such as pH, temperature, oxidative or reductive conditions or agents, and salt concentration found in or analogous to those encountered in mammalian cells.
  • Mammalian intracellular conditions also include the presence of enzymatic activity normally present in a mammalian cell such as from proteolytic enzymes or hydrolytic enzymes or nucleases.
  • the biocleavable linker is susceptible to S1 nuclease cleavage.
  • DNA phosphodiester containing biocleavable linkers are described in more detail in WO 2014/076195 (hereby incorporated by reference) - see also region D’ or D” herein.
  • Region Y refers to linkers that are not necessarily biocleavable but primarily serve to covalently connect a conjugate moiety (region C or third region), to an oligonucleotide (region A or first region).
  • the region Y linkers may comprise a chain structure or an oligomer of repeating units such as ethylene glycol, amino acid units or amino alkyl groups.
  • the oligonucleotide conjugates of the present invention can be constructed of the following regional elements A-C, A-B-C, A-B-Y-C, A-Y-B-C or A-Y-C.
  • the linker (region Y) is an amino alkyl, such as a C2 - C36 amino alkyl group, including, for example C6 to C12 amino alkyl groups. In a preferred embodiment the linker (region Y) is a C6 amino alkyl group.
  • treatment refers to both treatment of an existing disease ⁇ e.g. a disease or disorder as herein referred to), or prevention of a disease, i.e. prophylaxis. It will therefore be recognized that treatment as referred to herein may, in some embodiments, be prophylactic.
  • the invention relates to oligonucleotides, such as antisense oligonucleotides, targeting VCAN expression.
  • the oligonucleotides of the invention targeting VCAN are capable of hybridizing to and inhibiting the expression of a VCAN target nucleic acid in a cell which is expressing the VCAN target nucleic acid.
  • the VCAN target nucleic acid may be a mammalian VCAN mRNA or premRNA, such as a human VCAN mRNA or premRNA, for example a premRNA or mRNA originating from the Homo sapiens versican (VCAN), RefSeqGene on chromosome 5, exemplified by NCBI Reference Sequence NG_012682.1 or Ensembl ENSG00000038427 (SEQ ID NO 13).
  • a mature human mRNA target sequence is illustrated herein by the cDNA sequences SEQ ID NO 14, 15, 16 or 17.
  • the oligonucleotides of the invention are capable of inhibiting the expression of VCAN target nucleic acid, such as the VCAN mRNA, in a cell which is expressing the target nucleic acid, such as the VCAN mRNA.
  • the oligonucleotides of the invention are capable of inhibiting the expression of VCAN target nucleic acid in a cell which is expressing the target nucleic acid, so to reduce the level of VCAN target nucleic acid (e.g. the mRNA) by at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% inhibition compared to the expression level of the VCAN target nucleic acid (e.g. the mRNA) in the cell.
  • the cell is selected from the group consisting of HEK293 and A549.
  • Example 1 provides a suitable assay for evaluating the ability of the oligonucleotides of the invention to inhibit the expression of the target nucleic acid.
  • the evaluation of a compounds ability to inhibit the expression of the target nucleic acid is performed in vitro, such a gymnotic in vitro assay, for example as according to Example 1.
  • An aspect of the present invention relates to an antisense oligonucleotide, such as an LNA antisense oligonucleotide gapmer which comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence of 10 to 30 nucleotides in length with at least 90% complementarity, such as is fully
  • the oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous sequence of 10 - 30 nucleotides, which is at least 90% complementary, such as at least 91 %, such as at least 92%, such as at least 93%, such as at least 94%, such as at least 95%, such as at least 96%, such as at least 97%, such as at least 98%, or 100% complementary with a region of the target nucleic acid or a target sequence.
  • the oligonucleotide of the invention comprises a contiguous nucleotides sequence of 12 - 24, such as 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 , 22, or 23, contiguous nucleotides in length, wherein the contiguous nucleotide sequence is fully complementary to SEQ ID NO 1 1.
  • the oligonucleotide of the invention comprises a contiguous nucleotides sequence of 12 - 20, such as 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20, contiguous nucleotides in length, wherein the contiguous nucleotide sequence is fully complementary to SEQ ID NO 12.
  • the antisense oligonucleotide of the invention or the contiguous nucleotide sequence thereof is a gapmer, such as an LNA gapmer, a mixed wing gapmer, or an alternating flank gapmer.
  • the antisense oligonucleotide according to the invention comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence of at least 10 contiguous nucleotides, such as at least 12 contiguous nucleotides, such as at least 13 contiguous nucleotides, such as at least 14 contiguous nucleotides, such as at least 15 contiguous nucleotides, which is fully complementary to SEQ ID NO 1 1.
  • the antisense oligonucleotide according to the invention comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence of at least 10 contiguous nucleotides, such as at least 12 contiguous nucleotides, such as at least 13 contiguous nucleotides, such as at least 14 contiguous nucleotides, such as at least 15 contiguous nucleotides, which is fully complementary to SEQ ID NO 12.
  • the contiguous nucleotide sequence of the antisense oligonucleotide according to the invention is less than 20 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments the contiguous nucleotide sequence of the antisense oligonucleotide according to the invention is 12 - 24 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments the contiguous nucleotide sequence of the antisense oligonucleotide according to the invention is 12 - 22 nucleotides in length.
  • the contiguous nucleotide sequence of the antisense oligonucleotide according to the invention is 12 - 20 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments the contiguous nucleotide sequence of the antisense oligonucleotide according to the invention is 12 - 18 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments the contiguous nucleotide sequence of the antisense oligonucleotide according to the invention is 12 - 16 nucleotides in length.
  • all of the internucleoside linkages between the nucleosides of the contiguous nucleotide sequence are phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages. In some embodiments, the contiguous nucleotide sequence is fully complementary to SEQ ID NO 1 1.
  • the contiguous nucleotide sequence is fully complementary to SEQ ID NO 12.
  • the antisense oligonucleotide is a gapmer oligonucleotide comprising a contiguous nucleotide sequence of formula 5’-F-G-F’-3’, where region F and F’ independently comprise 1 - 8 sugar modified nucleosides, and G is a region between 5 and 16 nucleosides which are capable of recruiting RNaseH.
  • the sugar modified nucleosides of region F and F’ are independently selected from the group consisting of 2’-0-alkyl-RNA, 2’-0-methyl-RNA, 2’-alkoxy-RNA, 2’- O-methoxyethyl-RNA, 2’-amino-DNA, 2’-fluoro-DNA, arabino nucleic acid (ANA), 2’-fluoro- ANA and LNA nucleosides.
  • region G comprises 5 - 16 contiguous DNA nucleosides.
  • the antisense oligonucleotide is a gapmer oligonucleotide, such as an LNA gapmer oligonucleotide.
  • the LNA nucleosides are beta-D-oxy LNA nucleosides.
  • the internucleoside linkages between the contiguous nucleotide sequence are phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages.
  • the invention provides antisense oligonucleotides according to the invention, such as antisense oligonucleotides 12 - 24, such as 12 - 18 in length, nucleosides in length wherein the antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence comprising at least 12, such as at least 14, such as at least 15 contiguous nucleotides present in SEQ ID NO 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10.
  • the invention provides antisense oligonucleotides according to the invention, such as antisense oligonucleotides 12 - 24 nucleosides in length, such as 12 - 18 in length, wherein the antisense oligonucleotide comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence comprising at least 12, such as at least 13, such as at least 14, such as at least 15 contiguous nucleotides present in SEQ ID NO 5, 6, 7 or 10.
  • the invention provides LNA gapmers according to the invention comprising or consisting of a contiguous nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NO 1 - 10.
  • the invention provides antisense oligonucleotides selected from the group consisting of: TTgtcttataacTGCA (SEQ ID NO 1 ), GGcttattttacCACA (SEQ ID NO 2), TATtattgaggaaGCC (SEQ ID NO 3),ATCAaatctgctatCA (SEQ ID NO 4), GAtttagttggcATGA (SEQ ID NO 5), TAGTtggcatgataAT (SEQ ID NO 6), TTtagttggcatGATA (SEQ ID NO 7), CTTggcattataaCTA (SEQ ID NO 8), GTTCacaaagaaagCC (SEQ ID NO 9), AGAtttagttggcATG (SEQ ID NO 10); wherein a capital letter is a LNA nucleoside, and a lower case letter is a DNA nucleoside.
  • all internucleoside linkages in contiguous nucleoside sequence are phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages.
  • LNA cytosine may be 5-methyl cytosine.
  • DNA cytosine may be 5-methyl cytosine.
  • the invention provides antisense oligonucleotides selected from the group consisting of: TTgtcttataacTGCA (SEQ ID NO 1 ), GGcttattttacCACA (SEQ ID NO 2), TATtattgaggaaGCC (SEQ ID NO 3),ATCAaatctgctatCA (SEQ ID NO 4), GAtttagttggcATGA (SEQ ID NO 5), TAGTtggcatgataAT (SEQ ID NO 6), TTtagttggcatGATA (SEQ ID NO 7), CTTggcattataaCTA (SEQ ID NO 8), GTTCacaaagaaagCC (SEQ ID NO 9), AGAtttagttggcATG (SEQ ID NO 10); wherein a capital letter is a beta-D-oxy-LNA nucleoside, and a lower case letter is a DNA nucleoside.
  • all internucleoside linkages in contiguous nucleoside sequence are phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages.
  • LNA cytosine may be 5-methyl cytosine.
  • DNA cytosine may be 5-methyl cytosine.
  • the invention provides antisense oligonucleotides selected from the group consisting of: TTgtcttataacTGCA (SEQ ID NO 1 ), GGcttattttacCACA (SEQ ID NO 2), TATtattgaggaaGCC (SEQ ID NO 3),ATCAaatctgctatCA (SEQ ID NO 4), GAtttagttggcATGA (SEQ ID NO 5), TAGTtggcatgataAT (SEQ ID NO 6), TTtagttggcatGATA (SEQ ID NO 7), CTTggcattataaCTA (SEQ ID NO 8), GTTCacaaagaaagCC (SEQ ID NO 9), AGAtttagttggcATG (SEQ ID NO 10); wherein a capital letter is a beta-D-oxy-LNA nucleoside, wherein all LNA cytosinese are 5- methyl cytosine, and a lower case letter is a DNA nucleoside, where
  • the invention provides methods for manufacturing the oligonucleotides of the invention comprising reacting nucleotide units and thereby forming covalently linked contiguous nucleotide units comprised in the oligonucleotide.
  • the method uses phophoramidite chemistry (see for example Caruthers et al, 1987, Methods in Enzymology vol. 154, pages 287-313).
  • the method further comprises reacting the contiguous nucleotide sequence with a conjugating moiety (ligand) to covalently attach the conjugate moiety to the oligonucleotide.
  • composition of the invention comprising mixing the oligonucleotide or conjugated oligonucleotide of the invention with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, solvent, carrier, salt and/or adjuvant.
  • the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising any of the aforementioned oligonucleotides and/or oligonucleotide conjugates or salts thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, carrier, salt and/or adjuvant.
  • a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent includes phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to, sodium and potassium salts.
  • the pharmaceutically acceptable diluent is sterile phosphate buffered saline.
  • the oligonucleotide is used in the pharmaceutically acceptable diluent at a concentration of 50 - 300pM solution.
  • the compounds according to the present invention may exist in the form of their
  • pharmaceutically acceptable salts refers to conventional acid-addition salts or base-addition salts that retain the biological effectiveness and properties of the compounds of the present invention and are formed from suitable nontoxic organic or inorganic acids or organic or inorganic bases.
  • Acid-addition salts include for example those derived from inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, sulfuric acid, sulfamic acid, phosphoric acid and nitric acid, and those derived from organic acids such as p-toluenesulfonic acid, salicylic acid, methanesulfonic acid, oxalic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, fumaric acid, and the like.
  • Base-addition salts include those derived from ammonium, potassium, sodium and, quaternary ammonium hydroxides, such as for example, tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide.
  • the chemical modification of a pharmaceutical compound into a salt is a technique well known to pharmaceutical chemists in order to obtain improved physical and chemical stability, hygroscopicity, flowability and solubility of compounds. It is for example described in Bastin, Organic Process Research & Development 2000, 4, 427-435 or in Ansel, In:
  • the pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compounds provided herein may be a sodium salt.
  • Suitable dosages, formulations, administration routes, compositions, dosage forms, combinations with other therapeutic agents, pro-drug formulations are also provided in W02007/031091.
  • Oligonucleotides or oligonucleotide conjugates of the invention may be mixed with pharmaceutically acceptable active or inert substances for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions or formulations.
  • compositions are dependent upon a number of criteria, including, but not limited to, route of administration, extent of disease, or dose to be administered.
  • compositions may be sterilized by conventional sterilization techniques, or may be sterile filtered.
  • the resulting aqueous solutions may be packaged for use as is, or lyophilized, the lyophilized preparation being combined with a sterile aqueous carrier prior to administration.
  • the pH of the preparations typically will be between 3 and 1 1 , more preferably between 5 and 9 or between 6 and 8, and most preferably between 7 and 8, such as 7 to 7.5.
  • the resulting compositions in solid form may be packaged in multiple single dose units, each containing a fixed amount of the above-mentioned agent or agents, such as in a sealed package of tablets or capsules.
  • the composition in solid form can also be packaged in a container for a flexible quantity, such as in a squeezable tube designed for a topically applicable cream or ointment.
  • the oligonucleotide or oligonucleotide conjugate of the invention is a prodrug.
  • the conjugate moiety is cleaved of the oligonucleotide once the prodrug is delivered to the site of action, e.g. the target cell.
  • oligonucleotides of the invention may be utilized as research reagents for, for example, diagnostics, therapeutics and prophylaxis.
  • such oligonucleotides may be used to specifically modulate the synthesis of VCAN protein in cells (e.g. in vitro cell cultures) and experimental animals thereby facilitating functional analysis of the target or an appraisal of its usefulness as a target for therapeutic intervention.
  • the target modulation is achieved by degrading or inhibiting the mRNA producing the protein, thereby prevent protein formation or by degrading or inhibiting a modulator of the gene or mRNA producing the protein.
  • the target nucleic acid may be a cDNA or a synthetic nucleic acid derived from DNA or RNA.
  • the present invention provides an in vivo or in vitro method for modulating VCAN expression in a target cell which is expressing VCAN, said method comprising administering an oligonucleotide of the invention in an effective amount to said cell.
  • the target cell is a mammalian cell in particular a human cell.
  • the target cell may be an in vitro cell culture or an in vivo cell forming part of a tissue in a mammal.
  • the oligonucleotides may be used to detect and quantitate VCAN expression in cell and tissues by northern blotting, in-situ hybridisation or similar techniques.
  • an animal or a human, suspected of having a disease or disorder which can be treated by modulating the expression of VCAN
  • the invention provides methods for treating or preventing a disease, comprising
  • an oligonucleotide administered a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of an oligonucleotide, an oligonucleotide conjugate or a pharmaceutical composition of the invention to a subject suffering from or susceptible to the disease.
  • the invention also relates to an oligonucleotide, a composition or a conjugate as defined herein for use as a medicament.
  • oligonucleotide, oligonucleotide conjugate or a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention is typically administered in an effective amount.
  • the invention also provides for the use of the oligonucleotide or oligonucleotide conjugate of the invention as described for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disorder as referred to herein, or for a method of the treatment of as a disorder as referred to herein.
  • disease or disorder is associated with expression of VCAN.
  • disease or disorder may be associated with a mutation in the VCAN gene. Therefore, in some embodiments, the target nucleic acid is a mutated form of the VCAN sequence.
  • the methods of the invention are preferably employed for treatment or prophylaxis against diseases caused by abnormal levels and/or activity of VCAN.
  • the invention further relates to use of an oligonucleotide, oligonucleotide conjugate or a pharmaceutical composition as defined herein for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of abnormal levels and/or activity of VCAN.
  • the invention relates to oligonucleotides, oligonucleotide conjugates or pharmaceutical compositions for use in the treatment of diseases or disorders selected from inflammatory lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma), diabetic retinopathy, cancer and fibrotic disorders (such as fibrotic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary fibrosis).
  • diseases or disorders selected from inflammatory lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma), diabetic retinopathy, cancer and fibrotic disorders (such as fibrotic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary fibrosis).
  • oligonucleotides or pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered topical or enteral or parenteral (such as, intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intracerebral, intracerebroventricular or intrathecal).
  • topical or enteral or parenteral such as, intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intracerebral, intracerebroventricular or intrathecal.
  • the oligonucleotide or pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are administered by a parenteral route including intravenous, intraarterial, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal or intramuscular injection or infusion, intrathecal or intracranial, e.g. intracerebral or intraventricular, intravitreal administration.
  • a parenteral route including intravenous, intraarterial, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal or intramuscular injection or infusion, intrathecal or intracranial, e.g. intracerebral or intraventricular, intravitreal administration.
  • the active oligonucleotide or oligonucleotide conjugate is administered intravenously.
  • the active oligonucleotide or oligonucleotide conjugate is administered subcutaneously.
  • the oligonucleotide, oligonucleotide conjugate or pharmaceutical composition of the invention is administered at a dose of 0.1 - 15 mg/kg, such as from 0.2 - 10 mg/kg, such as from 0.25 - 5 mg/kg.
  • the administration can be once a week, every 2 nd week, every third week or even once a month.
  • the oligonucleotide, oligonucleotide conjugate or pharmaceutical composition of the invention is for use in a combination treatment with another therapeutic agent.
  • the therapeutic agent can for example be the standard of care for the diseases or disorders described above.
  • Example 1 Testing in vitro efficacy of antisense oligonucleotides targeting VCAN mRNA in human HEK293 and A549 cells at single concentration.
  • HEK293 and A549 cell lines were purchased from ATCC and maintained as recommended by the supplier in a humidified incubator at 37°C with 5% C02.
  • 3500 cells/well of HEK293 or 4500 cells/well of A549 were seeded in a 96 multi well plate in culture media. Cells were incubated for 24 hours before addition of oligonucleotides dissolved in PBS. Final concentration of oligonucleotides: 25 pM. 3 days after addition of oligonucleotides, the cells were harvested.
  • RNA was extracted using the PureLink Pro 96 RNA Purification kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific) according to the manufacturer’s instructions and eluated in 50mI water. The RNA was subsequently diluted 10 times with DNase/RNase free Water (Gibco) and heated to 90°C for one minute.
  • One Step RT-qPCR was performed using qScriptTM XLT One-Step RT-qPCR ToughMix®, Low ROXTM (Quantabio) in a duplex set up.
  • the following TaqMan primer assays were used for qPCR: VCAN Hs 00171642 _m1 ) [FAM-MGB] and endogenous control GAPDH, Hs99999905_m1 [VIC-MGB] All primer sets were purchased from Thermo Fisher Scientific.
  • the relative VCAN mRNA expression level in the table is shown as percent of control (PBS-treated cells).
  • VCAN mRNA levels from cells treated with a selection of the compounds are shown in figures 1 and 2, evaluated in human HEK293 and A549 cell lines. From the initial library screen one motif on the VCAN human transcript was identified which provided surprisingly effective and potent compounds in the cell lines tested: Motif A (SEQ ID NO 1 1 ).
  • LNA nucleosides (beta-D-oxy LNA nucleosides were used), all LNA cytosines are 5-methyl cytosine, lower case letters represent DNA nucleosides. All internucleoside linkages are phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages.
  • Example 2 Testing in vitro potency and efficacy of selected oligonucleotides targeting human VCAN mRNA in human HEK293 and A549 cells at different concentrations for a concentration response curve.
  • PBS percent of control
  • the IC50 values for selected oligonucleotides targeting human VCAN mRNA in vitro in the human cell lines A549 and HEK293 are shown in Figure 3.
  • the concentration response curves in human cell lines A549 and HEK293 are provided as Figures 4 and 5, respectively.

Abstract

La présente invention concerne des oligonucléotides LNA antisens (oligomères) complémentaires à des séquences d'intron de pré-ARNm de VCAN, qui sont capables d'inhiber l'expression de la protéine VCAN. L'inhibition de l'expression de la VCAN est avantageuse pour le traitement d'une large gamme de troubles médicaux comprenant une maladie pulmonaire inflammatoire (telle qu'une broncho-pneumopathie chronique obstructive ou de l'asthme), la rétinopathie diabétique, le cancer et des troubles fibrotiques (tels que la maladie pulmonaire fibrotique, la fibrose kystique ou la fibrose pulmonaire).
PCT/EP2019/072319 2018-08-23 2019-08-21 Oligonucléotides antisens ciblant la vcan WO2020038971A1 (fr)

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