Our science & focus

Our proprietary branched siRNA construct opens new frontiers in treating neurodegenerative diseases

ourscience pymol
RNA interference offers a powerful means of silencing disease-causing genes.

RNA interference is a Nobel prize-winning discovery that allows for targeted silencing of disease-causing genes.

A central limitation in using RNA interference (RNAi) to treat neurological diseases has been the difficulty of achieving distribution throughout the central nervous system.

Many of the most pressing medical challenges in neurodegeneration require RNAi technologies to thoroughly reach all affected brain areas.

Our proprietary branched siRNA for the first time enables RNA interference to be deployed as a therapeutic approach throughout the brain and spinal cord.

RNAi Graphic Update 011720 v07 FINAL 06
--

RNA interference:
A natural mechanism to regulate genes

Within human cells, genes are constantly being expressed by way of RNA. RNA is the message that conveys genetic directions into action in the body.

RNA interference is a natural process that cells evolved to modulate gene activity. This same process can be leveraged for gene-silencing therapeutics in the following way.

1

Short pieces of synthetic RNA are designed to target the message of the disease-causing gene. These are called small interfering RNA,
or siRNA

2

These pieces of RNA join with the Argonaute proteins to form the enzymatic structure called the RNA-induced silencing complex, or RISC

3

One strand of the siRNA is discarded, and the RISC is activated for searching

4

The RISC scans for any and all matches within the cell’s gene messages

5

When it finds a match, the RISC destroys it, preventing the gene’s message from being translated into a functional protein, thus effectively modulating gene expression

6

The RISC is then free to search again

Our proprietary RNAi platform:
branched siRNA

We have developed a novel oligonucleotide structure called branched siRNA, which for the first time can perform RNA interference throughout the brain and spinal cord.

Branched siRNA is a type of “informational drug.” Informational drugs share a common scaffold that supports their delivery and distribution, combined with a variable nucleic acid sequence that defines the drug’s target.

The common scaffold for our therapeutics enables effective delivery to the central nervous system and a predictable safety profile.

This scaffold can be customized to target different genetic messages. Scientific research is rapidly expanding our understanding of genetic contributors to neurodegenerative diseases. The programmable nature of branched siRNA allows for rapid generation of new therapeutic candidates based on the latest research.

Branched siRNA provides unparalleled durability and distribution in the CNS

Our novel branched siRNAs show unparalleled distribution throughout the brain and spinal cord as well as substantial persistence in the brain, which has been attributed to their slow clearance profile. Additionally, branched siRNAs show prolonged duration of effect. In our preclinical studies, a single dose of branched siRNA has shown potential to perform gene silencing for six months or more, possibly allowing for once or twice yearly dosing in a clinical setting.

traditionalsrna v4

Our therapeutic focus

Our initial areas of therapeutic focus will include Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease, alongside other ongoing preclinical research work in other neurodegenerative diseases.

Your browser is out of date!

Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now