RN-0191

Shanghai-based Rona Therapeutics raised $35 million in a series A+ financing to move two of its siRNA candidates into global clinical trials. The fresh funding adds to a $33-million A round closed in 2022. The biotech is developing liver-directed knockdown therapies to treat a variety of metabolic indications, including obesity, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), IgA nephropathy and hypertension. Two years ago, Rona gained worldwide exclusive rights to Sanofi’s siRNA platform, as well as licences to four liver-targeting preclinical candidates.Rona plans to use the new funds to progress clinical development of its two lead siRNA programmes: RN0191, which targets PCSK9, is slated to move into Phase II testing soon for hypercholesterolemia, while a Phase I trial is planned for RN0361, an siRNA against APOC3 to treat hypertriglyceridaemia. According to ClinicalTrials.gov, the latter study is expected to launch in September and recruit patients from Australia. LongRiver Investments, which led the A+ round, said the two candidates have best-in-class potential and have “demonstrated differentiated clinical data and platform value.”Additional investors Zhaode Investment, BioTrack Capital, Zhongqi Capital and Lilly Asia Ventures participated in the financing, which will also go towards the development of an extrahepatic siRNA delivery technology to address central nervous system disorders.

The company will use the investment proceeds to develop next-generation RNA platforms. Credit: FOTOGRIN / Shutterstock. Rona Therapeutics has secured $35m in its Series A+ financing round to advance its metabolic small interfering RNA (siRNA) pipeline in clinical settings. The company will also use the investment proceeds to develop next-generation RNA platforms. LongRiver Investments spearheaded the financing round, which saw contributions from Zhaode Investment, Zhongqi Capital, BioTrack Capital and Lilly Asia Ventures. LongRiver Investments will become part of Rona’s board. The company focuses on developing siRNA programmes, with its first product, RN0191, having completed Phase I clinical studies in Australia and China. See Also: Exscientia acquires oral CDK7 inhibitor for $20m, plans breast cancer trial Gene therapy: How the CRO of Veristat cut trial database costs by 30% In December 2023, Rona received clinical trial application clearance from the National Medical Products Administration in China to assess RN0191 injection to treat hypercholesterolemia, mixed hyperlipidemia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. The asset is set to enter Phase II clinical development for hypercholesterolemia. Rona’s second programme, RN0361, is scheduled to enter clinical trials in the second quarter of 2024 for hypertriglyceridemia. Rona is also advancing its pipeline for kidney disease, obesity and cardiometabolic diseases. The company’s siRNA drugs have unique properties, particularly in liver-targeted metabolism-related pipeline products for cardiovascular diseases, NASH, obesity and kidney diseases. In addition to its metabolic disease focus, Rona is exploring the potential of extra-hepatic nucleic acid delivery in CNS [central nervous system] degenerative diseases. Commenting on the funding, LongRiver Investments stated: “Rona Therapeutics has successfully brought two best-in-class siRNA metabolic programmes into global development and demonstrated differentiated clinical data and platform value. “We are impressed by the progress Rona has made in developing an innovative siRNA pipeline and expanding into extrahepatic delivery in CNS and beyond. We look forward to partnering with the Rona team to unlock the potential of RNA medicine as transformative therapies to patients globally.” mRNA vaccine coverage on Pharmaceutical Technology (Or Clinical Trials Arena)  is supported by Trilink . Editorial content is independently produced and follows the highest standards of journalistic integrity. Topic sponsors are not involved in the creation of editorial content. Free Whitepaper mRNA capping: low cost, high reward Are you aware of the latest mRNA capping techniques? The success of mRNA-based Covid vaccines has seen the technology boom in popularity – but capping is an essential part of the manufacturing process, and pharmaceutical firms face a range of choices on how to do it. This free whitepaper assesses differences in price, time, complexity and availability for the methods on offer – and provides essential insights on TriLink’s trailblazing CleanCap® approach. Fill in your details to find out more. Thank you. You will receive an email shortly. Please check your inbox to download the Whitepaper. By Trilink Thematic By downloading this case study, you acknowledge that GlobalData may share your information with Trilink Thematic and that your personal data will be used as described in their Privacy Policy