Rona Therapeutics Secures $35M Series A+ for Metabolic siRNA and RNA Platforms

Shanghai, July 19, 2024 – Rona Therapeutics, a clinical-stage company specializing in nucleic acid drug research and development, has secured $35 million in Series A+ financing. The funding round was led by LongRiver Investments, with additional participation from Zhaode Investment, BioTrack Capital, Zhongqi Capital, and Lilly Asia Ventures. This investment marks a significant step in Rona's mission to advance its pioneering siRNA pipeline programs and expand its delivery platforms beyond hepatic applications.

LongRiver Investments, which will join Rona's board as part of the financing deal, expressed strong support for Rona’s progress. A representative from LongRiver commented on the company's achievements: "Rona Therapeutics has successfully brought two best-in-class siRNA metabolic programs into global development, showcasing differentiated clinical data and platform value. We are impressed by Rona’s innovative siRNA pipeline and expansion into extra-hepatic delivery, particularly in the CNS and other areas. We look forward to partnering with Rona to unlock the potential of RNA medicine as transformative therapies for patients globally."

Rona Therapeutics' CEO and Founder, Ms. Stella SHI, welcomed the new investment: "We are thrilled to have LongRiver Investments and our other new partners join us as we push forward more best-in-class and first-in-class siRNA programs into global development. This funding will catalyze potential business development opportunities and reinforce our commitment to advancing RNA medicine in metabolic, obesity, renal, and neurodegenerative diseases through our proprietary RNA platform."

The funds will be used to advance Rona's pipeline of siRNA programs, which have shown promise in clinical settings. The company's lead program, RN0191, targets PCSK9 and has completed Phase 1 clinical studies in Australia and China. It is now poised for Phase 2 development for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Another program, RN0361, aimed at hypertriglyceridemia, is set to enter clinical trials in the second quarter of 2024. Rona is also progressing other innovative programs at the IND enabling stage, addressing kidney disease, obesity, and cardiometabolic conditions.

Rona Therapeutics has established itself as a global leader in nucleic acid drug innovation, particularly in the treatment of metabolic and CNS degenerative diseases. The company's liver-targeted metabolism-related pipeline includes products for cardiovascular diseases, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), obesity, and kidney diseases. Additionally, Rona is exploring extra-hepatic nucleic acid delivery for CNS degenerative diseases, having developed a proprietary platform to treat complex conditions like ALS and Alzheimer's disease.

LongRiver Investments, known for its forward-thinking approach and dedication to empowering entrepreneurs, leads this financing round. The venture capital firm aims to drive technological and industrial advancements while delivering superior returns to its investors and making a positive global impact.

This significant financing round positions Rona Therapeutics to make substantial progress in the field of RNA medicine, potentially offering new therapeutic options for patients with challenging medical conditions. The company’s innovative approach and commitment to excellence continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in nucleic acid drug development.

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