VERAXA Biotech AG (NASDAQ: VRXA) and Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG have announced initial positive results from their strategic research collaboration to develop next-generation antibody oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) for autoimmune and chronic immune diseases. In early in vitro studies, an AOC candidate combining the companies’ technologies demonstrated greater potency than the equivalent unconjugated oligonucleotide, supporting the potential of the approach to selectively deliver therapeutic oligonucleotides to disease-specific cells.
The companies said they are discussing next steps in the collaboration, which VERAXA noted demonstrates the potential application of its proprietary click chemistry-powered conjugation technology beyond its primary focus on solid tumors. This is a significant development as it could expand the use of AOCs into new therapeutic areas, potentially offering more targeted treatments for chronic immune conditions.
The collaboration combines VERAXA’s expertise in antibody engineering and conjugation with Secarna’s proprietary antisense oligonucleotide platform. The positive early results suggest that the AOC approach could enhance the potency and specificity of oligonucleotide therapeutics, which are often limited by poor cellular uptake and off-target effects. By conjugating oligonucleotides to antibodies that target specific cell surface receptors, the AOCs may be able to deliver the therapeutic payload directly to disease-relevant cells, reducing systemic exposure and improving efficacy.
For VERAXA, this collaboration is part of a broader strategy to leverage its conjugation technology across multiple modalities. The company is focused on building a pipeline of next-generation antibody-based therapeutics, including bispecific T cell engagers, bispecific ADCs, and other innovative formats. The success of this collaboration could validate the versatility of their click chemistry platform, which allows for precise and efficient conjugation of various payloads to antibodies.
Secarna, a private German biotech, specializes in the development of antisense oligonucleotide therapies. Their LNA-based platform is designed to target a wide range of diseases, including inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. The partnership with VERAXA is expected to accelerate the development of AOCs that combine the targeting capabilities of antibodies with the gene-regulating potential of oligonucleotides.
The announcement comes as the field of oligonucleotide therapeutics is growing rapidly, with several approved drugs and many more in clinical development. However, challenges remain in delivering these molecules to specific tissues and cells. The AOC approach could address these challenges by harnessing the specificity of antibodies. If the positive in vitro results translate into in vivo efficacy, this could represent a significant step forward in the treatment of chronic immune diseases.
VERAXA’s newsroom provides the latest updates on the company’s progress: VERAXA Newsroom. The full press release on this collaboration is available at https://ibn.fm/IF9Cy.
Investors and industry observers will be watching for further data from this collaboration, as the companies discuss next steps. The potential to expand the application of AOCs beyond oncology could open up new markets and therapeutic opportunities, making this a noteworthy development in the biotech sector.
