Emergence of Oligonucleotide Drugs

Identification of DNA as hereditary material together with the revelation of double helical structure of DNA laid the foundation for understanding various diseases of genetic origin. Later on, with the report of non-aqueous chemical synthesis of genetic material, i.e., oligonucleotides, and discovery of solid phase synthesis, possibilities to produce custom design pieces of genetic material in large quantity, in reasonable time frame and in cost-effective manner emerged. This paved the path for nucleic acid based therapeutics. As technology matured, several oligonucleotide drugs got green signals from FDA during last decade. Waylivra® and Givlaari® are the latest additions.