UK-based biotechnology company Nuntius Therapeutics has teamed up with Japanese pharmaceutical company Taiho Pharmaceutical to develop advanced cancer therapeutics.
Nuntius developing novel mRNA therapies using its advanced in-house delivery technology, machine learning and superior nucleic acid engineering.
The company is advancing a portfolio of novel mRNA therapies targeting cancer, lung diseases and neurodegenerative diseases.
Its collaboration agreement with Taiho follows a successful feasibility study which evaluated Nuntius’ delivery capabilities.
Under the partnership, Taiho will use Nuntius’ cell-specific peptide dendrimer- and lipid-based nanocarriers to develop novel mRNA cancer immunotherapies.
Nuntius’ programmable and scalable nanocarriers can effectively and safely target cell types beyond the liver and outperform leading delivery technologies.
The company recently published its machine learning approach to discovering high-performing mRNA nanocarriers in the journal Advanced Science.
Nuntius’ high-throughput, in silico screening of delivery vehicle candidates significantly reduces the time and cost required to bring mRNA therapies to the clinic.
Nuntius CEO and co-founder Benita Nagel said: “We are thrilled to embark on this collaboration with Taiho to improve treatments for cancer patients.
“Taiho is an excellent partner for us given their strong oncology-focused research and commercial capabilities.”
Nuntius CSO and co-founder Albert Kwok said: “Delivery remains a major challenge for mRNA therapies. This agreement validates our nanocarriers as an exceptionally effective cell-specific delivery technology for genetic medicines.”
Last month, Taiho exercised its option for Arcus Biosciences’ Quemliclustat, an investigational small molecule CD73 inhibitor, in Japan and other parts of Asia, excluding China.
CD73 is the primary enzymatic producer of immunosuppressive adenosine in the tumour microenvironment. Quemliclustat has been shown to block the production of adenosine.
The option exercise is based on an option and license agreement between Taiho and Arcus, signed in September 2017.
In exchange for rights to Quemliclustat, Taiho will make an option exercise payment, along with additional payments upon achieving certain milestones, and royalties on net sales of products.
