Remix Therapeutics Announces $1B+ Collaboration with Janssen to Pioneer Small Molecule Therapies Targeting RNA Processing

On February 17, 2022, Remix Therapeutics, Inc. announced a research and development collaboration with Janssen, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. The collaboration will utilize Remix's REMaster drug discovery platform to develop small molecule therapeutics that modulate RNA processing. Remix aims to reprogram the RNA processing pathway to treat diseases in an entirely new way. The REMaster platform can identify patterns in RNA processing and leverage them to regulate gene expression. Its innovative therapeutic approach has the potential to alter how genes are read from the genome and correct, enhance, or eliminate the messages conveyed by genes, addressing disease drivers at their source.

Traditional drug development treats diseases by modulating the activity of proteins or enzymes associated with the disease. However, it is estimated that only 10% of human proteins can be modulated by small molecules, and 10% of proteins that can be modulated by biological macromolecules are located on the cell surface, while up to 80% of proteins cannot be modulated by existing drugs. As the intermediary of genetic information connecting DNA and proteins, RNA is now considered a key molecule involved in almost all biological pathways. When researchers discovered the diversity of RNA, they simultaneously noticed the advantages of using RNA as a therapeutic molecule. Compared with traditional therapies, RNA therapies are more flexible and can address various diseases from different dimensions.

Image Source: Remix Therapeutics Official Website

Remix Therapeutics Adopts a Novel Strategy to Treat Diseases by Reprogramming RNA ProcessingRemix Therapeutics adopts a novel strategy by reprogramming the RNA processing to achieve disease treatment. As an intermediate step between transcription and translation, RNA can be regulated in multiple ways. Remix Therapeutics is developing drugs that target the RNA processing to modulate the production of mRNA sequences. The orally available small molecule drugs designed by the company can selectively degrade RNA, enhance protein expression by increasing RNA levels, induce exon skipping, and more, showing potential for treating various diseases including cancer, central nervous system disorders, and rare diseases.

Image Source: Remix Therapeutics Official Website

Under the terms of the agreement, Remix will receive an upfront payment and research funding totaling $45 million, with the potential to receive preclinical, clinical, and commercial milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties on future sales of any resulting products. The potential total amount could exceed $1 billion. Janssen will obtain exclusive rights to three specific targets for use in the fields of immunology and oncology.

References:

[1] Remix Therapeutics Enters Collaboration with Janssen to Advance Small Molecule Therapeutics Using REMaster Drug Discovery Platform to Modulate RNA Processing. Retrieved February 17, 2022, from https://www.remixtx.com/remix-therapeutics-enters-collaboration-with-janssen-to-advance-small-molecule-therapeutics-using-remaster-drug-discovery-platform-to-modulate-rna-processing/

(Original text has been abridged)

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