Secarna Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the discovery and development of next-generation antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies, and Evotec SE, have expanded their strategic partnership in the field of ASO-based therapeutics. The companies initiated joint work on third-party discovery, research and development programs leveraging Secarna’s antisense oligonucleotide expertise via its LNAplus platform with Evotec’s discovery and development capabilities.
 
Across therapeutic indications, antisense oligonucleotides are an emerging modality making targets druggable, which are typically not or only poorly addressable by small molecules and monoclonal antibodies.
 
Using state-of-the-art bioinformatics (Oligofyer™), Secarna will precisely design, screen, characterize and select ASO molecules, which specifically bind to the targeted pre-mRNA of the gene of interest. Through this process, Secarna will provide lead compounds for in-vitro and in-vivo proof-of-concept work to be performed for industry partners. Depending on the scope of the collaboration with the respective industrial partner, successful candidates may be progressed into IND-enabling studies and, ultimately, clinical development under such alliances. Terms and conditions of the collaboration were not disclosed.
 
Alexander Gebauer, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Secarna Pharmaceuticals, said: “We are excited to further expand our successful alliance with Evotec. Integrating our proven expertise in the field of antisense discovery into Evotec’s well established discovery and development platform, we form a strong foundation for enabling and strengthening third-party pipelines with our LNAplus™ ASOs. We are looking forward to continue working with Evotec to make new therapeutic options available to industry partners and the many patients who urgently need them.”
 
Dr. Craig Johnstone, Chief Operating Officer of Evotec, added: “We are delighted to open our strategic partnership with Secarna for third-party programs. Secarna’s validated ASO technology provides a highly promising pathway to access targets commonly deemed ‘undruggable’. Leveraging Secarna’s LNAplus™ technology through the capacity and capabilities of Evotec’s multimodality drug discovery platform will unlock a vast opportunity space for a broad range of partnerships with third parties to develop disease-modifying therapies in indications with high unmet medical need.”