Acuitas Therapeutics shelled out an undisclosed sum to acquire a majority stake in Montreal-based and privately held RNA Technologies & Therapeutics in a move to scale the latter’s operations around high-end RNA constructs used to produce cutting-edge gene therapies.
Although no financial details of the investment were disclosed, the two Canadian companies—Acuitas is based in Vancouver—will continue to operate independently, they said in a Jan. 8 press release.
The deal gives both sides complementary access to RNA optimization and manufacturing expertise as well as deep experience in lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery that is used as a protective cover for therapeutic molecules in gene therapies. They are also used in COVID-19 vaccines.
Developing RNA therapeutics requires optimization of both the mRNA payload and the LNP carrier to maximize efficacy and safety. By taking an integrated approach to the two key components, the two companies can offer biotech and pharma companies access to RNA and LNP design and engineering expertise.
“Having 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,” Thomas Madden, Ph.D., Acuitas’ chief executive, said in a Jan. 8 statement. “Ultimately, this investment gives our partners a coordinated way to engage experts from both companies as they develop next-generation RNA-LNP therapies.”
“This investment 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 LN,” said Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh, Ph.D., RNA T&T co-founder and scientific advisor.
Alameh was part of the team that provided the RNA design for the first personalized CRISPR gene editing therapy that was given to baby KJ Muldoon at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia last year. The child was diagnosed with a rare metabolic disease known as severe carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) deficiency and began receiving the therapy in February and has responded well to the treatment.