Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomer Synthesis Scaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preparing phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) face challenges in scaling up production while maintaining yield and purity, and there is a need for improved antisense or antigene performance in therapeutic applications such as treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Innovation Solution

The development of processes for preparing phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers with enhanced affinity for DNA and RNA, minimizing RNase H activation, and scalable industrial production methods to achieve high yields and purity, including specific synthetic steps and support-bound synthesis techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If current methods for preparing phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers are used, then production can be scaled up, but yield and purity are not maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction scaleVSAvoidyield and purity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The synthesis process is divided into multiple discrete steps including phosphoramidite coupling, oxidation, and deblocking stages. Each step is optimized independently to maintain purity while enabling scale-up. The oligomer synthesis is segmented into repeating modular units that can be produced and quality-controlled systematically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Protecting groups are introduced in advance to prevent unwanted side reactions during synthesis. The phosphoramidite monomers are pre-synthesized and purified before oligomer assembly. These preliminary actions ensure high purity is maintained throughout the scaling process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If PMO affinity for DNA and RNA is enhanced, then therapeutic performance improves, but RNase H activation may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic performanceVSAvoidRNase H activation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The PMO structure incorporates localized modifications including 2'-O-methoxyethyl groups at specific positions and phosphorodiamidate linkages at targeted sites. These local structural variations enhance affinity for target RNA while the overall morpholino backbone maintains resistance to RNase H activation, achieving both therapeutic performance and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The PMO is constructed as a composite structure combining morpholino rings with modified sugar moieties and phosphorodiamidate linkages. This composite design integrates the high affinity of nucleic acid analogs with the enzymatic stability of the morpholino backbone, achieving enhanced therapeutic performance without triggering RNase H activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The processes enable the production of PMOs with stronger DNA and RNA affinity and improved stability, allowing for effective therapeutic applications, particularly in treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy, while maintaining sequence selectivity and preventing RNase H cleavage.

Implementation Method 1

an antisense compound, e.g., an oligonucleotide, which hybridizes to a target nucleic acid, modulates gene expression activities

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHybridization:

Implementation Method 2

Processes for preparing phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs). The synthetic processes described herein allow for a scaled-up PMO synthesis while maintaining overall yield and purity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical synthesis: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3464305B1Processes for preparing oligomers
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 SAREPTA THERAPEUTICS INC
  • EP3464305B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3464305B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3464305B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided herein are processes for preparing an oligomer (e.g., a morpholino oligomer). The synthetic processes described herein may be advantageous to scaling up oligomersynthesis while maintaining overall yield and purity of a synthesized oligomer.