The project introduced a fast, stable, and easily accessible reagent class for oligonucleotide backbone modification. Their ability to react within seconds under standard synthesis conditions removes a major bottleneck in producing modified oligonucleotides and enables high density modification, including a fully modified 20 mer. Incorporation into siRNA preserved knockdown activity without cytotoxicity, confirming biological compatibility and expanding the design space for therapeutic nucleic acids.
A second key result is the development of a heating device that halves reagent consumption and synthesis time, improving efficiency and sustainability. Together, the chemistry and device form a technological platform that supports more cost effective production of RNA based medicines and enables the attachment of diverse ligands, dyes, and biomolecules for applications in diagnostics, imaging, and targeted delivery. A priority patent application was filed, and the work has already attracted interest from academic and industrial groups.
The expected impact includes faster development of oligonucleotide based therapies, reduced manufacturing costs, and broader access to genetic medicines. The results also support EU priorities in innovation, competitiveness, and greener production through reduced reagent use and waste.
To ensure further uptake, key needs include extended biological evaluation in disease relevant models, demonstration and scale up studies for industrial translation, continued IP support, and engagement with regulatory frameworks. Collaboration with pharmaceutical developers, oligonucleotide manufacturers, and academic partners will be essential for validating the method across applications and integrating it into existing production pipelines.
