Aptahem Partners with Hongene Biotech to Cut Costs and Boost Sustainability for Apta-1

Aptahem AB (publ), a biotech company specializing in RNA-based treatments for severe inflammatory conditions, has announced a strategic partnership with Hongene Biotech, a global leader in RNA and oligonucleotide manufacturing. This collaboration is poised to explore and implement innovative production methods that aim to significantly reduce manufacturing costs and enhance sustainability for Aptahem's primary candidate, Apta-1.

The alliance will focus on adopting next-generation manufacturing technologies that promise to lower the cost of goods (CoGs) for Apta-1 initially, while also improving the purity of the product. These advanced production techniques are designed not only to cut expenses but also to align with environmental objectives by recycling solvents, shortening processing times, and minimizing the number of steps required in the final product formulation.

In the pharmaceutical industry, cost-efficiency is a crucial factor for the evaluation of drug candidates by potential partners. This initiative marks a significant advancement in Aptahem’s business development strategy. In today's global landscape, where geopolitical uncertainties can disrupt supply chains, partnering with a globally active company like Hongene—headquartered in Singapore—provides added resilience to Aptahem's manufacturing operations.

This new collaboration will complement Aptahem’s existing manufacturing partnerships with LGC in the United States and Ajinomoto in Japan, thereby creating a diversified and robust production strategy. Such diversification is intended to mitigate risks and ensure the security of supply.

Hongene Biotech is at the cutting edge of new manufacturing technologies for nucleic acid-based products, establishing them as an ideal partner for Aptahem. This collaboration is viewed as strategically crucial, ensuring competitive product pricing and reliable delivery capacity, both of which are essential for a successful market debut.

Thomas Rupp, Aptahem’s expert in Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC), has played a key role in advising and leading the discussions with Hongene. Their joint efforts emphasize the importance of this partnership in achieving efficient and sustainable production solutions.

Mikael Lindstam, CEO of Aptahem, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "This partnership is an exciting development for Aptahem and clearly demonstrates our commitment to innovation, cost-efficiency, and sustainability. With Hongene’s advanced capabilities and global reach, we are making a significant step towards reducing risks associated with our manufacturing strategy and strengthening our position in the global biotech landscape."

Aptahem AB is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing RNA-based pharmaceuticals for treating acute, life-threatening conditions characterized by coagulation, inflammation, and tissue damage. The company’s lead candidate, Apta-1, is currently in the early clinical phase. Preclinical studies have demonstrated Apta-1’s promising anti-thrombotic, immunomodulating, and tissue repairing properties, showing potential as a treatment for sepsis and other critical conditions associated with it.

To summarize, this strategic partnership with Hongene Biotech is expected to enhance Aptahem’s manufacturing capabilities, ensuring cost-effective and sustainable production of Apta-1. This collaboration is a critical step in Aptahem’s strategy to secure a strong foothold in the competitive biotech industry.