Daiichi Sankyo Expands RNA Therapy Capabilities Through Nosis Biosciences Partnership

Daiichi Sankyo, the Japanese pharmaceutical giant known for its success in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), is making a strategic move to broaden its therapeutic portfolio by venturing further into RNA therapies. The company has announced a collaboration with California-based Nosis Biosciences, aiming to overcome one of the most significant challenges in RNA therapeutics: delivering these molecules to targets beyond the liver.

Expanding Beyond ADCs

Daiichi Sankyo has built its reputation on the success of ADCs, particularly with its blockbuster drug Enhertu, developed in partnership with AstraZeneca. However, the company has long expressed interest in diversifying its pipeline and expanding beyond oncology. In April 2022, Daiichi included nucleic acids and mRNA in lipid nanoparticles (LNP) as part of its multi-modality strategy, signaling its commitment to exploring new therapeutic frontiers.

The partnership with Nosis Biosciences represents a significant step in this direction. By tapping into Nosis's Connexa platform, Daiichi aims to design RNA drug candidates capable of reaching a broader range of targets throughout the body, potentially opening up new treatment avenues for various diseases.

The Connexa Platform: A Potential Game-Changer

Nosis Biosciences' Connexa platform is at the heart of this collaboration. The technology is designed to enable the delivery of RNA to any gene in any cell type, addressing a major hurdle in RNA therapeutics. Currently, most RNA-based treatments are limited to liver-directed therapies, as researchers have struggled to effectively deliver these molecules to other organs such as the heart, brain, lungs, and kidneys.

The Connexa platform combines AI-powered drug design, single-cell receptor biology, and high-throughput chemistry to tackle the delivery problem. While Nosis is still in the early stages of development, with its lead programs in lung and central nervous system tissue scheduled for IND-enabling studies in 2025, Daiichi's interest suggests promising potential.

Implications for the RNA Therapeutics Landscape

This partnership highlights the growing importance of RNA therapies in the pharmaceutical industry. As companies like Daiichi Sankyo invest in technologies to expand the reach of RNA therapeutics, we may see a shift in the treatment landscape for a wide range of diseases.

The ability to target genes in organs beyond the liver could open up new possibilities for treating conditions that have been challenging to address with current approaches. However, it's important to note that while the potential is significant, the technology is still unproven, and success will depend on the results of future studies and clinical trials.