AstraZeneca and MiNA Therapeutics Announce Collaboration to Develop Novel saRNA-Based Therapies for Metabolic Diseases

Today, AstraZeneca and MiNA Therapeutics jointly announced that they will collaborate to develop novel therapeutics for metabolic diseases based on MiNA’s small activating RNA (saRNA) development platform. This partnership combines MiNA’s expertise in the discovery and development of saRNA-based drugs with AstraZeneca’s experience in identifying metabolic diseases and delivering breakthrough therapies to patients, aiming to develop next-generation treatments for individuals suffering from metabolic disorders.

Metabolic diseases refer to a class of disorders caused by disruptions in the body’s normal metabolic processes. The most common metabolic diseases include type 2 diabetes, resulting from insulin resistance, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH). Previously, saRNA has been demonstrated to activate the transcription of specific genes, thereby upregulating the expression of proteins with therapeutic potential.

MiNA’s development platform leverages the innate mechanisms of gene activation to develop novel therapeutics aimed at restoring normal cellular function in patients. Under the terms of the agreement, MiNA and AstraZeneca will jointly conduct in vitro and in vivo studies of the developed drugs to determine whether saRNA molecules can treat metabolic diseases through pathways inaccessible by other modalities. Upon receipt of preclinical data, AstraZeneca will have the option to decide whether to proceed with further development of the candidate drugs.

▲MiNA Therapeutics’ technology platform (Image source: MiNA Therapeutics official website)

“saRNA molecules represent a novel therapeutic modality. They can upregulate protein expression and have the potential to target disease-related sites, thereby addressing targets that are not effectively treatable by other methods,” said Dr. Shalini Andersson, Chief Scientist at AstraZeneca’s R&D center. “We look forward to collaborating with MiNA Therapeutics to further investigate the therapeutic potential of saRNA.”

“Many metabolic diseases lack effective treatment options to help patients manage their conditions and address the underlying causes that lead to poor prognoses. AstraZeneca is a global leader in the discovery and development of therapies for metabolic disorders, and we are pleased to partner with them, looking forward to providing further treatments to more patients worldwide,” said Dr. Robert Habib, CEO of MiNA Therapeutics. “We will continue to evaluate the therapeutic potential of saRNA therapies across various indications while simultaneously advancing our proprietary programs in oncology.”

References:

[1] MiNA Therapeutics Announces Research Collaboration with AstraZeneca in Metabolic Diseases，Retrieved January 07, 2020, from https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200107005016/en

Original Title: Express | AstraZeneca Strikes Partnership to Develop RNA Therapies for Metabolic Diseases

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