Rgenta Therapeutics Forms Alliance with GSK on RNA-Targeting Splice Modulators

Rgenta Therapeutics, a biotechnology company in the clinical stage, has announced a strategic research partnership with GSK. This multi-year agreement aims to develop innovative RNA-targeted small molecule splice modulators for various diseases, including cancer. The collaboration will support the discovery and development of unique treatments through Rgenta's proprietary drug discovery platform.

Christopher Austin, Senior Vice President of Research Technologies at GSK, expressed enthusiasm about Rgenta's approach to developing these modulators. He noted that GSK is committed to collaborating with leading firms to enhance their expertise in RNA-targeting medicines, which holds promise for patients with challenging diseases.

Simon Xi, co-founder and CEO of Rgenta, highlighted the significance of the partnership with GSK, a major biopharmaceutical company. This alliance, he said, underscores the potential of Rgenta's RNA-targeting drug discovery platform. He emphasized that the collaboration could expedite the development of new therapeutic options for patients.

As part of the agreement, Rgenta will receive up to $46 million in cash upfront and pre-option milestone payments. Additionally, the company could obtain nearly $500 million per target through various milestone payments related to option exercise, research, development, regulatory approvals, and commercialization. The agreement also includes potential tiered royalties and future equity investments. GSK has the option to expand the alliance to include more targets.

Rgenta will employ its proprietary discovery platform to create novel oral RNA-targeting small molecule splice modulators against several targets selected by GSK for development. Once GSK exercises its options, it will take responsibility for further development and commercialization of any resulting drug candidates.

Travis Wager, co-founder, president, and chief scientific officer of Rgenta, also expressed excitement about the partnership with GSK. He praised GSK's science-driven approach and successful history of leveraging scientific innovations to benefit patients. Wager also pointed out that this alliance validates Rgenta's discovery platform, which has already produced their first clinical-stage asset, RGT-61159. This orally available small molecule is designed to modulate splicing of the transcription factor MYB and is being studied for its potential to treat adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), colorectal cancer (CRC), other solid tumors, and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Rgenta Therapeutics focuses on developing oral RNA-targeting small molecule medicines, initially targeting oncology and neurological disorders. Their leading program, RGT-61159, targets the transcription factor MYB, an oncogene, and is undergoing a Phase 1a/b study for treating various cancers and AML. The company's proprietary platform leverages genomics data to identify targetable RNA processing events and designs small molecules to modulate interactions among the spliceosome, regulatory proteins, and RNAs. This strategy aims to unlock therapeutic potential for traditionally undruggable targets in human diseases.