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Updated: Sep 9, 2025

Nucleoside Triphosphates - From Synthesis to Biochemical Characterization
Published on: April 3, 2014
Chemical Modifications in Nucleic Acid Therapeutics
Kim A Lennox1, Rebecca C Young2, Mark A Behlke3
1Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc., Coralville, IA, USA. klennox@idtdna.com.
Chemically modified nucleic acid-based therapies (NATs) are advancing rapidly, offering new treatments for rare diseases. Innovations in chemical modifications enhance drug efficacy and safety, paving the way for more nucleic acid medicines.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Genetics
Background:
- Nucleic acid-based therapies (NATs) are a growing drug class, driven by chemical modifications.
- These therapies include gene expression inhibitors (ASOs, RNAi), gene structure modulators, mRNA therapeutics, and CRISPR/Cas gene editing tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review chemical modifications used in NATs.
- To highlight innovations improving efficacy and safety of nucleic acid drugs.
- To discuss the future of nucleic acid medicine.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on chemical modifications in NATs.
- Analysis of publications demonstrating milestones in oligonucleotide (ON) efficacy and safety.
- Highlighting key innovations in chemical modifications.
Main Results:
- Specific chemical modifications are crucial for the efficacy, safety, and cellular uptake of NATs.
- Successful clinical applications and regulatory approvals demonstrate the potential of NATs.
- Innovations are expanding the clinical capabilities of nucleic acid medicine.
Conclusions:
- Chemical modifications are key to the success of NATs.
- Further advancements in modifications will accelerate NATs into the clinic.
- NATs hold promise for treating currently untreatable diseases.
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