Ethris and Heqet Therapeutics have revealed plans to collaborate on RNA-based therapeutics for heart attack and heart failure, using non coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in regenerating heart tissue.
Under the terms of the agreement, Heqet Therapeutics will lead the development of the programme, while Ethris will provide its proprietary Stabilized NanoParticle (SNaP) LNP platform to deliver ncRNA payloads to the heart tissue.
Dr Carsten Rudolph, CEO of Ethris, said: “The collaboration with Heqet represents an exciting opportunity for Ethris to apply our proprietary SNaP LNP platform to deliver ncRNAs for heart tissue regeneration, representing a new application of the technology that further underscores its breadth.”
Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Ethris and Heqet will operate under a comprehensive commercial agreement, which encompasses various milestone and royalty payments.
Ethris’ SNaP LNP platform has been developed to safeguard RNA cargo during transit to target cells, facilitate cellular membrane entry, and ensure precise release. Using this platform, Heqet aims to test the efficacy of its ncRNA candidates to stimulate cardiac regeneration in patients with myocardial infarction and heart failure.
Professor Mauro Giacca, Founder of Heqet Therapeutics, added: “Partnering with Ethris marks an important step in our journey to reverse ischaemic heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide, by stimulating the regeneration of the damaged cardiac muscle using ncRNA. By combining both company’s innovative approaches, we look forward to developing a novel therapeutic that has the potential to revolutionise heart tissue regeneration and transform the treatment of cardiac diseases.”
