Small interfering RNA (siRNA), sometimes known as short interfering RNA or silencing RNA, is a class of double-stranded RNA molecules. siRNA operates within the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway, where it interferes with the expression of specific genes with complementary nucleotide sequences by degrading mRNA after transcription, resulting in no translation.

Chemically synthesized siRNA, a structural mimic of the Dicer-cleavage product of a long dsRNA, could trigger efficient and specific target gene silencing in mammalian cells. However, the new therapeutics based on siRNA couldn’t be easily utilized, because the use of siRNA to inhibit target genes has side effects in cells, such as off-target effect. In addition, it is hard to deliver siRNA to specific cells or organs effectively.

OliX’s cell penetrating asymmetric RNAi technology offers great advantages, such as a dramatic reduction in off-target effects and the resolution of problems related to the delivery of siRNA.

Asymmetric siRNA (asiRNA) technology reduces the existing off-target effects of siRNA dramatically, and cell penetrating asymmetric siRNA (cp-asiRNA) technology enables RNA to be delivered into the desired cells without delivery vehicle.