Antisense Oligonucleotides Containing Conformationally Constrained 2′,4′-(N-Methoxy)aminomethylene and 2′,4′-Aminooxymethylene and 2′-O,4′-C-Aminomethylene Bridged Nucleoside Analogues Show Improved Potency in Animal Models

To identify chemistries and strategies to improve the potency of MOE second generation ASOs, we have evaluated gapmer antisense oligonucleotides containing BNAs having N-O bonds. These modifications include N-MeO-amino BNA, N-Me-aminooxy BNA, 2',4'-BNA(NC)[NMe], and 2',4'-BNA(NC) bridged nucleoside analogues. These modifications provided increased thermal stability and improved in vitro activity compared to the corresponding ASO containing the MOE modification. Additionally, ASOs containing N-MeO-amino BNA, N-Me-aminooxy BNA, and 2',4'-BNA(NC)[NMe] modifications showed improved in vivo activity (>5-fold) compared to MOE ASO. Importantly, toxicity parameters, such as AST, ALT, liver, kidney, and body weights, were found to be normal for N-MeO-amino BNA, N-Me-aminooxy BNA, and 2',4'-BNA(NC)[NMe] ASO treated animals. The data generated in these experiments suggest that N-MeO-amino BNA, N-Me-aminooxy BNA, and 2',4'-BNA(NC)[NMe] are useful modifications for applications in both antisense and other oligonucleotide based drug discovery efforts.