Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
LINKAGE MODIFIED OLIGOMERIC COMPOUNDS

Abstract:

The present invention provides gapped oligomeric compounds comprising from 1 to about 3 internucleoside linkages having one of formulas I to XVI. In certain embodiments, inclusion of from 1 to about 3 internucleoside linkages of one of formulas I to XVI, improves selectivity for a target RNA relative to an off target RNA. In certain embodiments, the improved selectivity also provides an improved toxicity profile. Certain such oligomeric compounds are useful for hybridizing to a complementary nucleic acid, including but not limited, to nucleic acids in a cell. In certain embodiments, hybridization results in modulation of the amount of activity or expression of the target nucleic acid in a cell.