[Edaily Reporter KIM SAE-MI ] AprilBio Co.,Ltd.(397030)is expanding its research and development (R&D) scope from antibody-based new drug development to ribonucleic acid (RNA) therapeutics.

AprilBio Co.,Ltd. announced on the 21st that it will integrate RNA technology into its proprietary platforms, “SAFA” and “REMAP,” to pursue the development of new drugs based on antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) and short interfering RNA (siRNA).

Previously, in July, AprilBio Co.,Ltd. acquired a 25.26% stake in Curigen, an RNA therapeutics developer, becoming its second-largest shareholder. Through this, AprilBio Co.,Ltd. also secured options and joint development priority rights for Curigen’s siRNA platform.

The two companies are jointly developing AOC candidates that combine AprilBio Co.,Ltd.’s SAFA and REMAP platforms with Curigen’s bispecific siRNA technology.

AOC is a therapeutic modality that combines an antibody with an oligonucleotide. It uses antibodies to target specific cells and deliver RNA, employing a principle similar to that of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) but carrying oligonucleotides—such as RNA—instead of cytotoxic drugs.

Apart from AOCs, AprilBio Co.,Ltd. has also secured a new drug pipeline utilizing siRNA itself. Last month, the company acquired a candidate drug for metabolic diseases based on Curigen’s bispecific siRNA platform. This candidate is being developed to simultaneously inhibit two targets using a single siRNA.

AprilBio Co.,Ltd. plans to expand its R&D scope in the RNA field by integrating Curigen’s siRNA technology into REMAP-based antibody delivery systems, in addition to developing antibody and protein therapeutics using its existing SAFA platform. The company’s strategy is to diversify its new drug portfolio by simultaneously pursuing joint development with AOC and securing its own siRNA pipeline.

AprilBio Co.,Ltd. stated, “We will build our new drug portfolio by combining external technologies and pipelines with our proprietary SAFA and REMAP platforms,” adding, “We will foster the RNA sector as one of our new growth engines and secure a competitive pipeline in the global market.”