Nosis Biosciences and Daiichi Sankyo Partner to Advance RNA Medicines
Nosis Biosciences, an AI-driven biotechnology company specializing in RNA therapeutics for challenging cell types, has announced a Research Collaboration and Option Agreement with Daiichi Sankyo. This collaboration aims to leverage Nosis’ proprietary Connexa™ platform, an advanced AI-powered drug design and delivery system, to enable therapeutic access to extrahepatic cell types across multiple vital organs affected by chronic diseases.
Expanding the Reach of RNA-Based Therapies
RNA-based therapeutics hold immense potential for treating genetic diseases, but their application has traditionally been restricted to liver-targeted therapies due to significant delivery challenges. Connexa™ represents a breakthrough in RNA medicine by allowing targeted treatment of critical organs such as the heart, brain, lungs, kidneys, and muscles—areas where effective treatments are currently limited or nonexistent.
“Connexa™ is the first universal platform for designing and developing cell-targeted RNA precision medicines for extrahepatic cell types,” said Jim Martineau, Co-founder and CEO of Nosis Biosciences. “We’ve already demonstrated its power across multiple tissue types, significantly accelerating the development of RNA medicines beyond the liver. Our collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo is an exciting opportunity to unlock therapeutic access to new cell types, paving the way for precision treatments that can transform patient outcomes.”
The Connexa™ Platform: A Game-Changer in RNA Therapeutics
Nosis’ proprietary Connexa™ platform integrates AI-powered drug design, single-cell receptor biology, and high-throughput chemistry to develop delivery vehicles optimized for in vivo use. By mapping over 2,900 receptor targets across 532 cell types, Connexa™ ensures precise delivery while optimizing the therapeutic payload for each disease target.
Traditional RNA-based therapies have focused primarily on liver cells due to their natural ability to absorb nucleic acids. However, Connexa™ circumvents this limitation by utilizing advanced AI algorithms to match therapeutic payloads with ideal receptor targets in various tissues, ensuring unprecedented specificity in gene silencing and modulation. This technology significantly expands the reach of RNA-based therapies, bringing new hope for patients suffering from chronic diseases that impact multiple organ systems.
Nosis Biosciences and Daiichi Sankyo: A Strategic Collaboration
Under the terms of the collaboration, Nosis Biosciences and Daiichi Sankyo will work together to develop and optimize cell-targeted RNA therapeutics for diseases with high unmet medical needs. Nosis will leverage its expertise in AI-driven RNA drug discovery, while Daiichi Sankyo brings extensive experience in global pharmaceutical development and commercialization.
Through this agreement, Daiichi Sankyo has the option to license therapies emerging from the collaboration for further clinical development and commercialization. If successful, this partnership could lead to the introduction of innovative, first-in-class RNA medicines that effectively address previously untreatable diseases.
“This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to push the boundaries of RNA medicine,” said Dr. Hideyuki Harada, Head of RNA Medicine Unit at Daiichi Sankyo. “Nosis’ cutting-edge Connexa™ platform provides the ideal foundation for developing new RNA therapies that go beyond traditional liver-targeted applications. By working together, we can drive scientific innovation and develop transformative treatments for patients in need.”
Potential Impact on the Future of Precision Medicine
The implications of the Connexa™ platform extend far beyond this collaboration. If successfully validated through this partnership, Connexa™ could set a new industry standard for precision RNA-based medicine. By targeting extrahepatic cell types, this approach has the potential to:
- Develop life-changing treatments for genetic and chronic diseases affecting multiple organ systems.
- Offer personalized therapies by optimizing RNA delivery mechanisms based on individual cellular profiles.
- Significantly enhance the efficacy and safety profile of RNA-based therapeutics by ensuring precise cellular targeting.
The ability to silence or regulate genes within specific organs opens doors for treating conditions like neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary fibrosis, and chronic kidney disease. The technology could also lead to advancements in oncology by enabling highly specific targeting of cancerous cells, reducing off-target effects and improving treatment outcomes.
AI and RNA Medicine: The Power of Data-Driven Innovation
One of the defining features of the Connexa™ platform is its AI-driven approach to drug design. By leveraging massive datasets, Connexa™ continuously refines its receptor-ligand matching capabilities, improving the precision and efficiency of RNA therapy development. AI plays a crucial role in:
- Identifying optimal receptor targets for RNA therapeutics.
- Predicting delivery efficacy and optimizing RNA formulations.
- Accelerating drug discovery timelines by rapidly analyzing biological interactions.
This data-driven methodology allows for a level of precision that was previously unattainable in RNA drug development, making it possible to create highly targeted therapies that minimize adverse effects while maximizing therapeutic impact.
