MiNA Therapeutics Announces Research Collaboration with AstraZeneca in Metabolic Diseases
[caption id="attachment_9277" align="aligncenter" width="1079"] Press Release[/caption]
London, United Kingdom, January 7, 2020 ? MiNA Therapeutics, the pioneer in RNA
activation therapeutics, announced today the initiation of a research collaboration with
AstraZeneca to evaluate small activating RNA ("saRNA") molecules in metabolic diseases. The
collaboration combines MiNA's leading expertise in the discovery and development of saRNA
therapeutics with AstraZeneca's experience in identifying and bringing breakthrough
treatments to patients with metabolic diseases.
?Many metabolic diseases lack sufficient treatment options to help patients manage their
disease and to treat the underlying causes to improve patient outcomes. This is an exciting
opportunity for us to collaborate with AstraZeneca, a global leader in the discovery and
development of prescription medicines to treat metabolic diseases, that may lead to
therapeutic advances for a large number of patients globally,? said Robert Habib, CEO of
MiNA. ?We continue to evaluate the potential of saRNA therapeutics in a variety of
indications, in parallel with advancing our proprietary programs in cancer.?
Under the terms of the agreement MiNA and AstraZeneca will conduct in vitro and in vivo
studies that may enable the future development of saRNA therapeutics to treat metabolic
diseases through biological pathways not addressable by conventional treatment strategies.
Upon completion of these studies, AstraZeneca will have the option to negotiate a license
agreement to further develop saRNA molecules that activate an undisclosed gene target
identified by AstraZeneca. No further details about the collaboration have been disclosed.
?saRNA molecules are a novel therapeutic modality that upregulate genes and have the
potential to access disease-relevant targets that cannot be addressed efficiently with other
approaches. We look forward to working with MiNA to investigate the potential of saRNAs
further,? said Shalini Andersson, Chief Scientist, New Modalities, Discovery Sciences, R&D,
AstraZeneca.
About MiNA Therapeutics
Harnessing an innate mechanism of gene activation, MiNA Therapeutics' platform enables
the development of new medicines that restore normal function to patients? cells. We are
applying our technology and clinical know-how to transform the therapy landscape of cancer
and other severe diseases. www.minatx.com
Contact:
MiNA Therapeutics
Robert Habib, CEO
Phone: +44 208 811 6700
E-Mail: info@minatx.com
Media requests:
Stephanie May or Gretchen Schweitzer
Trophic Communications
Phone: +49 89 2388 7734 or +49 171 185 56 82
E-Mail: may@trophic.eu