[Edaily Reporter NA EUN-KYUNG ] Rznomics Inc., a developer of RNA-based gene therapies, and Ribotech, a developer of RNA therapeutics, announced on the 30th that they have signed a joint research agreement to develop next-generation RNA-editing therapeutics.

The two companies plan to combine Rznomics Inc.’s “RNA exonuclease platform” with LyboTech’s “Lariat messenger RNA (mRNA) platform” to validate the feasibility of developing RNA correction therapeutics without the use of viral vectors.

Rznomics Inc.’s RNA exonuclease technology recognizes disease-causing target RNA, cuts it, and replaces it with a therapeutic RNA sequence. Currently, Rznomics Inc. uses viral vectors, such as adenoviruses, to deliver therapeutic RNA exonucleases into the body.

Viral vectors have the advantage of delivering genetic material into cells and ensuring the sustained expression of substances necessary for treatment. On the other hand, they have limitations, such as restrictions on the size of genetic material that can be loaded onto the vector and the potential difficulty of repeated administration due to immune responses within the body.

This joint research focuses on determining whether RNA exonucleases can be delivered in RNA form instead of via viral vectors. To this end, it incorporates Libotech’s loop-type mRNA technology. Ribotech’s looped mRNA technology creates a loop-shaped structure at the 5′ end of the mRNA to enhance RNA stability and protein expression. The underlying technology has been shown to provide higher stability and improved protein expression profiles compared to conventional capped mRNA.

Conventional mRNA is easily degraded in the body, resulting in a short duration of expression. The two companies plan to verify whether applying the loop-type mRNA can increase the duration of expression and stability of RNA-editing enzymes in the body.

If the research proceeds as planned, it will confirm the possibility of developing RNA-based corrective therapies using RNA alone, without viral vectors. According to the two companies, this approach reduces limitations associated with the genetic material loading capacity of viral vectors while also enabling the exploration of repeated and systemic administration.

Lybotech’s loop-type mRNA technology is a platform developed to enhance mRNA stability and protein expression. According to technical documents released by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), this technology uses Lybozyme to form a loop-like structure at the mRNA terminus and was developed with the goal of applying it to mRNA vaccines and therapeutics.

Rznomics Inc. official stated, “Through this joint research, we plan to evaluate the in vivo expression efficiency and stability when the two platforms are combined, and to examine the target diseases and scope of development for future RNA-editing therapeutics.”