Fully 2′-modified oligonucleotide duplexes with improved in vitro potency and stability compared to unmodified small interfering RNA

We have identified a small interfering RNA (siRNA) motif, consisting entirely of 2'-O-methyl and 2'-fluoro nucleotides, that displays enhanced plasma stability and increased in vitro potency. At one site, this motif showed remarkable >500-fold improvement in potency over the unmodified siRNA. This marks the first report of such a potent fully modified motif, which may represent a useful design for therapeutic oligonucleotides.