Shanghai Simnova Biotech Co., Ltd. (Simnova), an affiliate of Simcere Investment Group, has expanded its strategic partnership with Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Orna Therapeutics. The collaboration now includes BCMA (B-cell maturation antigen) as a designated biological target for RNA-based therapeutics development. This partnership aims to leverage Orna’s groundbreaking circular RNA (oRNA) technology and Simnova’s expertise in cell therapy to deliver transformative treatments for patients worldwide.
Partnership Details
Under the agreement, Simnova will conduct the research and development and commercialization of in vivo panCar cell therapies targeting BCMA in Greater China. Orna will retain all rights for development and commercialization in the rest of the world. Each party will receive an upfront payment within their respective licensed territories and is eligible for clinical development, regulatory, and commercialization milestones, as well as royalties on any approved products derived from the collaboration.
Previous Collaboration
The two companies first partnered in January 2023, when Orna granted Simnova exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Orna’s in vivo cell therapy products in the Greater China region, including the CD19-targeted isCAR program ORN-101. This latest expansion underscores the ongoing commitment of both parties to advancing innovative therapeutic solutions.
Future Outlook
With BCMA now included as a target, the partnership between Simnova and Orna Therapeutics is poised to further enhance the development of RNA-based therapeutics. This collaboration positions both companies to address significant unmet medical needs and improve patient outcomes through next-generation treatments.-Fineline Info & Tech
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