All articles tagged with #rna therapeutics
Novartis plans to acquire Avidity Biosciences for $12 billion to strengthen its neuroscience pipeline with late-stage RNA therapeutics targeting neuromuscular diseases, including a new platform for muscle-directed delivery of RNA therapies, aiming for product launches before 2030 and increasing its sales growth forecast to 6% CAGR for 2024-2029.
Novartis is acquiring U.S. biotech firm Avidity Biosciences for about $12 billion in cash, aiming to expand its RNA therapeutics portfolio and boost growth, with the deal expected to close in the first half of 2026 after Avidity spins out some of its business units.
Researchers are exploring the art of designing therapeutic mRNA molecules for vaccines and immunotherapies. They are investigating various factors that influence mRNA stability and translation efficiency, such as codon usage, RNA structure, and nucleotide modifications. By optimizing these parameters, scientists aim to enhance the effectiveness and safety of mRNA-based therapies. Deep learning models are also being developed to predict RNA secondary structure, aiding in the design process. Understanding the intricacies of mRNA design could lead to improved treatments for various diseases.
Amit Munshi, former CEO of Arena Pharmaceuticals, is now leading ReNAgade Therapeutics, a startup focused on next-gen RNA therapeutics. Meanwhile, Indivior has acquired a new nasal spray for opioid overdose, Icosavax is pushing forward with a bivalent RSV-hMPV vaccine, and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals is set to acquire VectivBio in a $1 billion all-cash deal. Quanta Therapeutics has also raised $50.7 million to develop KRAS inhibitors for clinical trials in 2024.