A Vancouver-based biotechnology firm this month revealed a strategic investment to improve clinical therapeutics.
Acuitas Therapeutics, a developer of lipid nanoparticle delivery systems for nucleic acid therapeutics, has acquired a majority stake in Montreal’s RNA Technologies & Therapeutics, a company specializing in the design and manufacturing of RNA constructs.
“As genetic medicines expand into more complex areas such as personalized therapies, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are seeking efficient access to RNA and LNP design and engineering expertise,” explains Dr. Thomas Madden, chief executive officer of Acuitas Therapeutics.
Madden says that Acuitas has “worked extensively with RNA T&T over the last number of years.”
“We are impressed with their scientific approach and technical know-how, which brings a level of precision and consistency that is critical in RNA drug development,” he remarked.
The two Canadian companies will continue to operate independently, according to a statement from the firms, but each company gains streamlined access to complementary optimization and manufacturing expertise.
By integrating these capabilities, Madden believes partners will be able to take a more holistic approach to RNA-LNP therapeutics, helping to reduce development complexity, accelerate clinical timelines, and mitigate risk.
“Ultimately, this investment gives our partners a coordinated way to engage experts from both companies as they develop next-generation RNA-LNP therapies,” stated the CEO.
Pierrino Torbey, interim CEO of RNA T&T, suggests that “the synergy between our organizations is a natural result of our shared commitment to scientific integrity and technical excellence.”
“Acuitas is the ideal partner for our next phase of growth,” Torbey posited, “as both companies are deeply rooted in science and equally committed to advance the next generation of RNA-LNP medicines.”
Acuitas, Torbey notes, “has collaborated with RNA T&T since its inception, and together the two companies have collaborated at both the research and clinical level.”
The investment therefore “deepens the relationship between Acuitas and RNA T&T, while also allowing the latter to grow its operational footprint, further develop its proprietary algorithmic platform for RNA sequence optimization, and expand its capabilities in small-batch GMP-grade production of personalized and n-of-few therapies,” according to Torbey.
RNA T&T cofounder Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh argues that, “From the beginning, it was clear that both teams are aligned in scientific ethos and in their approach to advancing RNA-LNP therapeutics.”
The move “strengthens RNA T&T’s ability to support highly complex and personalized RNA programs, while allowing partners to benefit from seamless access to select the right LNP delivery vehicle from Acuitas’ extensive portfolio of clinically validated LNP,” Alameh said.
RNA Technologies & Therapeutics was established by RNA scientists and vaccinologists in 2022. Acuitas was founded in 2009.
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