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Table 1 A comparison of various drug discovery attributes of siRNAs and small molecules

From: A status report on RNAi therapeutics

 

siRNA

Small molecule

Specificity

High, sequence driven

Low-medium, conformation driven

Potency

Typically pM

Variable

Number of accessible targets

>>1000

500 to 1,000

Number of potential leads and backups

>>10 to 100, depending on length of target

<2 to 3

Speed to lead molecule

4 to 8 weeks

2 to 4 years

Species crossreactivity

High

Low

Manufacturing

Common, rapid, scalable methods

Variable, can be complex