[Edaily Reporter KIM SAE-MI ] AprilBio Co.,Ltd.(397030)Curigen, an RNA-based new drug development company in which April Bio has made a strategic investment, will meet with representatives from global pharmaceutical company Bayer in the U.S. to introduce its proprietary RNA technology.
AprilBio Co.,Ltd. announced on the 10th that Curigen will participate in the Bayer Co.Lab showcase at “RESI Boston 2026,” taking place in Boston, U.S., on the 22nd.
Curigen is scheduled to be featured as one of seven promising biotech companies from South Korea and Japan at the “Connecting Asian Biotech Innovation with Global Partners: A Bayer Co.Lab Showcase.” In addition to Bayer Co.Lab representatives, executives from the Business Development & Licensing (BD&L) division will also attend the event.
At the event, Curigen plans to present its in-house short interfering RNA (siRNA) technology, RNA-based therapeutic platform, and key pipeline candidates. Based on this, the company will explore commercialization opportunities—including technology transfer, joint development, and strategic partnerships—with global pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
This event serves as an opportunity for Curigen to showcase its RNA technology to global pharmaceutical companies and investors following AprilBio Co.,Ltd.’s strategic investment in Curigen last July.
Previously, in July, AprilBio Co.,Ltd. invested 2.9 billion won to secure a 25.26% stake in Curigen, becoming its second-largest shareholder. Along with the investment, AprilBio Co.,Ltd. secured options and co-development rights for Curigen’s siRNA platform.
The two companies are also pursuing the development of next-generation antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) by combining AprilBio Co.,Ltd.’s platform technology with Curigen’s dual-target siRNA technology. Curigen recently obtained certification as a “New Health Technology” for its siRNA-based dual-target therapeutic technology.
AprilBio Co.,Ltd. is expanding its business scope from its existing antibody-based new drug development into RNA therapeutics. The company’s strategy is to expand its RNA drug portfolio by securing AOC and siRNA candidates through its collaboration with Curigen.
AprilBio Co.,Ltd. stated, “By combining the siRNA technology secured through our strategic investment in Curigen with our own platform technology, we are establishing a new growth engine in the RNA therapeutics field,” adding, “Based on our collaboration with Curigen, we plan to expand opportunities for global business development and joint development.”
Meanwhile, RESI Boston 2026 will be held on the 22nd and 23rd at The Westin Copley Place in Boston, USA. At this event, Bayer CoLab plans to introduce Asian biotech companies and explore business development and collaboration opportunities.
