eTheRNA immunotherapies has partnered with Merck to investigate the application of eTheRNA’s mRNA design expertise and LNP-delivery platforms to disease areas selected by Merck.
Context
The ongoing pandemic has underlined the capability for mRNA vaccines as a new therapeutic modality. eTheRNA and Merck both recognise the potential for using targeted mRNA therapeutics in an expanded range of diseases.
The collaboration
With this collaboration, eTheRNA and Merck will assess the feasibility of using eTheRNA’s mRNA and LNP technologies to develop therapeutic vaccination approaches in models of disease. If successful, mRNAs encoding antigens nominated by Merck and directly relevant for human diseases will then be designed and evaluated preclinically.
Official comment
Steven Powell, the CEO of eTheRNA, said: “We are extremely pleased to sign this partnership agreement with Merck, a leading German science and technology company. As two companies committed to innovation and creating patient focused solutions, we are excited about the many advantages such a partnership can offer to improve patient care and address a significant market need”.
