Evotec-Secarna: new partnership in
antisense oligonucleotide-based therapeutics
The German companies Evotec and Secarna Pharmaceuticals have concluded a strategic partnership in the field of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-based therapeutics.
Secarna, a global leader in discovering and developing next-generation ASO, combines its proprietary LNAplus™ platform with cutting edge third generation LNA-chemistry to generate molecules with significantly improved potency and a comprehensive safety profile against targets that are difficult to regulate or currently not druggable with alternative approaches. Using state-of-the-art bioinformatics (Oligofyer™), Secarna’s antisense molecules are precisely engineered to specifically bind to the targeted RNA of the gene of interest. The company’s pipeline currently includes 14 programs at the discovery stage in immunooncology (6), immunology (2), viral diseases (2), fibrotic diseases (1), ophthalmological diseases (1), neurodegenerative diseases (1) and cardiometabolic diseases (1).
Towards building a co-owned pipeline
With their framework agreement, Evotec and Secarna have laid the foundation for a long-term platform collaboration spanning across a number of targets and indications. The first programme has been identified and the companies are now progressing towards the establishment of a pipeline of co-owned antisense oligonucleotide therapies. Dr Cord Dohrmann, Chief Scientific Officer of Evotec, commented: “This strategic partnership with Secarna further complements Evotec’s multimodality platform. Evotec strives to identify the best possible interventions to develop disease modifying therapies in indications with high unmet medical need. Secarna is a leading provider of proven ASO technology with a unique platform to support early stage ASO identification and selection. We look forward to establishing a joint antisense pipeline to make new therapeutic options available to our industry partners and the many patients who urgently need them.” Jonas Renz, Managing Director at Secarna, added: “Partnering with Evotec will allow us to fully leverage the capabilities of our LNAplus™ technology platform above and beyond Secarna’s already successfully established in-house and partnered programs. By combining Secarna’s industry leading antisense oligonucleotide expertise with Evotec’s unparalleled discovery and development capabilities, we strive to create a high-value, co-owned antisense therapeutics pipeline.”
August 5th, 2020
Evotec – Secarna: new partnership in antisense oligonucleotide-based therapeutics
Evotec-Secarna: new partnership in
antisense oligonucleotide-based therapeutics
The German companies Evotec and Secarna Pharmaceuticals have concluded a strategic partnership in the field of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-based therapeutics.
Secarna, a global leader in discovering and developing next-generation ASO, combines its proprietary LNAplus™ platform with cutting edge third generation LNA-chemistry to generate molecules with significantly improved potency and a comprehensive safety profile against targets that are difficult to regulate or currently not druggable with alternative approaches. Using state-of-the-art bioinformatics (Oligofyer™), Secarna’s antisense molecules are precisely engineered to specifically bind to the targeted RNA of the gene of interest. The company’s pipeline currently includes 14 programs at the discovery stage in immunooncology (6), immunology (2), viral diseases (2), fibrotic diseases (1), ophthalmological diseases (1), neurodegenerative diseases (1) and cardiometabolic diseases (1).
Towards building a co-owned pipeline
With their framework agreement, Evotec and Secarna have laid the foundation for a long-term platform collaboration spanning across a number of targets and indications. The first programme has been identified and the companies are now progressing towards the establishment of a pipeline of co-owned antisense oligonucleotide therapies. Dr Cord Dohrmann, Chief Scientific Officer of Evotec, commented: “This strategic partnership with Secarna further complements Evotec’s multimodality platform. Evotec strives to identify the best possible interventions to develop disease modifying therapies in indications with high unmet medical need. Secarna is a leading provider of proven ASO technology with a unique platform to support early stage ASO identification and selection. We look forward to establishing a joint antisense pipeline to make new therapeutic options available to our industry partners and the many patients who urgently need them.” Jonas Renz, Managing Director at Secarna, added: “Partnering with Evotec will allow us to fully leverage the capabilities of our LNAplus™ technology platform above and beyond Secarna’s already successfully established in-house and partnered programs. By combining Secarna’s industry leading antisense oligonucleotide expertise with Evotec’s unparalleled discovery and development capabilities, we strive to create a high-value, co-owned antisense therapeutics pipeline.”
August 5th, 2020
The German companies Evotec and Secarna Pharmaceuticals have concluded a strategic partnership in the field of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-based therapeutics.
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