China-based SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals and Germany’s Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG have announced a research and option deal aimed at advancing treatments for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. According to the agreement, Secarna will utilize its nucleic acid discovery and development platform, LNAplus, to generate and profile antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) candidates against targets selected by SciNeuro. SciNeuro will subsequently have the option to secure worldwide exclusive development and commercialization rights. The financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed.
Secarna’s LNAplus Platform and SciNeuro’s CNS Focus
Secarna Pharmaceuticals, a leading independent European company in next-generation antisense drug discovery and development, will apply its LNAplus platform to access targets often considered ‘undruggable.’ The company’s pipeline products address a range of diseases, including immuno-oncology, immunology, viral infections, neurodegenerative conditions, and cardiometabolic diseases. SciNeuro, on the other hand, specializes in R&D for neurodegenerative and CNS diseases, with facilities in Shanghai, China, and Maryland, US.
Background on SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals
SciNeuro was established in 2020 by Dr. Min Li, who previously served as the head of GlaxoSmithKline’s research center in Shanghai until its closure in 2017. The company’s establishment marks a significant step in the advancement of CNS disease research and development, leveraging Dr. Li’s extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry.-Fineline Info & Tech
