miRecule, Rio Biofarma Brasil to Co-Develop Peptide Tech for Targeted RNA Delivery

Editor’s Take: RNA therapeutics can potentially address major unmet medical needs, but delivery to some tissue types remains challenging.

miRecule and Rio Biofarma Brasil (RBBL), part of EMS, formed a strategic research collaboration to co-develop peptide-mediated delivery technologies. These will ideally improve targeted delivery of RNA therapeutics to extra-hepatic tissues, in a wide range of disease areas.

The agreement pairs miRecule’s proprietary NAVIgGator platform, supporting precision RNA medicine design, with RBBL’s peptide discovery, development, and manufacturing expertise.

While RNA therapeutics can address many unmet needs with their precise intervention at the genetic level, challenges remain. Outside of liver- and muscle-targeted applications, RNA delivery to other tissue types has proven difficult.

The novel, peptide-RNA conjugates this collaboration aims to develop would be capable of delivering therapeutics to new targets.

miRecule and Rio Biofarma Responsibilities

The two companies will co-own the developed technology. miRecule is developing oligo payloads for up to three targets, in tandem with the peptide delivery platform. RBBL will manufacture resultant products at its Brazil state-of-the-art facility.

miRecule CEO Anthony Saleh, PhD, said the partnership gives both sides ability to get transformative technologies ever closer to patients.

“Working alongside an organization with the scale, scientific commitment, manufacturing expertise, and global reputation of EMS-RBBL strengthens [us],” Saleh said. “We’re excited about the potential of this collaboration to expand the reach of RNA therapies into challenging extra-hepatic tissue targets.”

Dan Salazar, Rio Biofarma CEO, agreed, touting the collaboration’s potential.

“Our investment in and partnership with miRecule reflects our confidence in the company’s scientific vision,” Salazar said. “We are excited to work alongside the miRecule team to translate these innovations into future therapeutic opportunities.”

Terms of the Deal

Rio Biofarma Brasil made an equity investment in miRecule to support its neuromuscular pipeline, plus general advancement of the partnership. Exact financial terms are not known at this time.

The companies retain rights to mutually develop products in global markets.