CatSci & Argonaute RNA Partner to Expedite Oligonucleotide Manufacturing for Gene-Silencing Therapeutics

CatSci Ltd and Argonaute RNA recently announced a chemistry, manufacturing, and control (CMC) development collaboration focused on novel therapeutic oligonucleotides.

The new collaboration is underpinned with significant upfront investment into Argonaute RNA by CatSci, and the appointment of CatSci’s CEO Ross Burn as Non-Executive Director to Argonaute RNA’s Board. The two parties will develop the CMC strategy for the production of synthetic oligonucleotides for use in Argonaute RNA’s gene-silencing platform.

Argonaute RNA has an RNA interference (RNAi) platform, protected by patents both granted and pending. Its unique approach to modification of small interfering RNA (siRNA) offers a safe and effective way to temporarily silence specific gene expression and modify disease progression. A novel siRNA stabilization method enables Argonaute RNA to avoid a range of issues which have proved significant obstacles to developing siRNA drugs for use in humans.

The implementation of a robust synthetic oligonucleotide CMC strategy will support the use of oligonucleotides in wider drug discovery and development programs, and further drive the expansion of CatSci’s analytical and synthetic capabilities.

Dr. Ross Burn, CEO at CatSci and newly appointed Non-Executive Director at Argonaute RNA, said “The promise of oligonucleotide therapeutics is hugely exciting but there is still significant work to be done to de-risk both the discovery and the manufacturing process. Partnering with Argonaute RNA fits perfectly with our mission to become a fully integrated CMC company. Going beyond drug substance to develop our oligonucleotide capabilities will open a whole new area in which we can help accelerate medicines development. CatSci’s investment directly into Argonaute RNA is a signifier of our commitment to making this a truly collaborative effort, and I look forward to working closely with the team.”

Anthony Parker, CEO at Argonaute RNA, added “We’re excited to work with CatSci in the CMC landscape and harness their expertise in solving complex drug development challenges to accelerate the development of our siRNA platform and antisense technology. Ross will be an excellent addition to our Board, and it will be great to have him as a hands-on partner as we progress the collaboration.”

Dr. Nigel Richardson, Director of Analytical Technology & New Modalities, at CatSci, added “Synthetic oligonucleotides are commonly used laboratory tools for modulating gene expression and have the potential to be widely used in the clinic, but progress has been slow and many challenges remain before they can be fully integrated within medicines development. Innovative multi-disciplinary solutions are urgently needed, as well as highly specific and sensitive methods for manufacturing, quality control, and to meet regulatory standards. Our work with Argonaute RNA to develop oligonucleotides for their siRNA platform will help drive the paradigm shift needed for the manufacturing process.”

Oligonucleotides can be designed to recognize any species of cellular DNA or RNA and, in theory, have the potential to modulate gene expression and affect the course of almost any disease. Once a target RNA is chosen based on its physiological significance, a complementary oligonucleotide can be synthesized, gene expression assayed, and phenotypes examined. Argonaute RNA recently secured £1.4 million in funding from a number of investors, led by The Fink Family Office with contributions from the Bristol Private Equity Club, as well as CatSci.

CatSci Ltd is an award-winning innovation partner for medicines development, dedicated to developing economically and environmentally sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. We proudly serve customers across the globe, meeting their needs from candidate selection to product launch and beyond. Our tailored services include route scouting and selection, initial scale-up and risk management for early development. For later development, we provide process design, assessment and optimisation, scale-up for clinical and commercial manufacture, tech transfer and post-approval improvements. We possess a range of critical enabling technologies including catalysis, material science and analytical development.

Agile, commercially-minded and scientifically-led, CatSci leverages its highly qualified technical team and state-of-the-art facilities to empower our customers to create affordable, best-in-class small molecule therapeutics in a safer, greener and more cost-effective way. Together, we can meet the evolving healthcare needs of the world.

CatSci works efficiently with your preferred partners, while continually strengthening our own industry-leading partnerships across the pharmaceutical supply chain, to address your dynamic drug substance development needs. A true extension of your team, we are a dependable, trusted partner for innovation that takes the time to understand your project objectives and provide you with perfect-for-purpose solutions.

Recognition includes wins at the prestigious CPhI Pharma Awards (Excellence in Pharma: Contract Services and Outsourcing), at the highly esteemed Cardiff Business Awards (International Business of the Year) and the Wales STEM 2020 Awards (STEM scale-up of the year). We were also recently shortlisted for the International Expansion Entrepreneur of the Year at the Barclays Entrepreneur Awards 2020 and the 2020 Bionow Export Award.

Argonaute RNA Ltd. is developing safe and reliable methods of temporarily silencing target genes in different tissue cells. Argonaute RNA is pursuing a number of therapeutic opportunities in RNA interference. RNAi harnesses a cell mechanism that inhibits the expression of a specific gene and thereby inhibits the production of a specific protein. Argonaute RNA research projects build on existing intellectual property. We show how our proprietary modification of small interfering RNA (siRNA) allows safe and effective ways to silence specific gene expression. We use a novel method of stabilising the siRNA and thereby avoid a range of issues which have hitherto proved significant obstacles to developing siRNA drugs for use in man.