Rona Therapeutics, a China-based RNA therapeutics platform company, has entered into a partnership with Keymed Biosciences to jointly discover and develop siRNA therapeutics for glomerulonephritis, a severe type of kidney disease.
The collaboration will make use of the scientific and technological expertise of both firms. It will build on the proprietary RAZOR platform of Rona Therapeutics in RNAi targeting extrahepatic and liver tissues.
As per the terms of the partnership, Rona Therapeutics will use the RAZOR platform for discovering and identifying siRNA lead compounds directed to a new target associated with glomerulonephritis. Keymed Biosciences agreed to contribute research and translational capabilities and know-how.
Rona Therapeutics founder and CEO Stella SHI said: “We are looking forward to partnering with Keymed to jointly discover and develop transformative RNA therapeutics globally.
“Rona’s proprietary next generation siRNA platform technology and the advanced biology expertise from Keymed is a strategic fit for developing first-in-class siRNA therapeutic for devastating diseases like glomerulonephritis.”
Keymed Biosciences is a China-based biotechnology company engaged in discovering and developing biological therapies in the therapeutic areas of autoimmune and oncology.
According to Rona Therapeutics, there is an urgent requirement for new drugs for the treatment of glomerulonephritis, as presently, there are few approved drugs for the condition.
Keymed Biosciences and Rona Therapeutics have agreed to a profit/loss arrangement to further jointly develop and commercialise therapeutic product candidates around the world that emerge from their discovery efforts. The programme is anticipated to enter into clinical stage in the first half of next year.
Keymed Biosciences founder and CEO Bo CHEN said: “We keep focusing on the urgent unmet clinical needs and dedicating to provide patients with high-quality, affordable, and innovative therapies.
“Taking advantage of Rona’s pioneering next generation siRNA platform and Keymed’s sophisticated biology expertise, the collaboration will provide exciting opportunities for both companies to explore the potential targets that have not been successfully modulated through conventional therapeutic modalities.”
