Arcturus Therapeutics & Synthetic Genomics Announce Strategic Alliance

Arcturus Therapeutics, Inc. and Synthetic Genomics, Inc. recently announced they have entered into a research collaboration and worldwide license agreement to develop self-amplifying RNA-based vaccines and therapeutics in both human and animal health. The collaboration will bring together Arcturus’s LUNAR lipid-mediated delivery platform with Synthetic Genomics’ RNA replicon platform to potentially enable more efficacious and lower cost vaccines and therapeutics.
Under the collaboration, Synthetic Genomics will have exclusive access to LUNAR technology for vaccines and therapeutics, using self-amplifying RNA. Arcturus will receive an upfront cash payment, R&D support, and preclinical, development, and sales milestone payments, as well as royalty payments on any future sublicensed products.

“This agreement with Synthetic Genomics is in line with our corporate strategy to form strategic collaborations that leverage our proprietary technologies,” said Joseph Payne, President and Chief Executive Officer of Arcturus. “This collaboration gives us the opportunity to apply our LUNAR technology to address unmet needs in both vaccines and therapeutics.”

Synthetic Genomics’ RNA replicons provide the genetic instructions to the body’s own cells to produce ample amounts of protein and unleash a powerful immune response. These replicons carry the RNA code for a self-replication engine as well as multiple antigens that signal for immune response. The self-amplifying RNA-based therapeutic triggers rapid and immediate antigen expression within host cells, stronger T-cell response (including when the host is already infected), and lower dose requirements compared to traditional RNA-based vaccine and therapeutic approaches.

Combining Synthetic Genomics’ replicons with Arcturus’ LUNAR technology may enable the replicon RNA to avoid degradation and target the tissues and cell types needed to promote a protective immune response or drive expression of therapeutic proteins. In this way, the combination of both platforms may yield preventative and therapeutic treatments for a variety of diseases.

“We have made tremendous progress in programming our replicon RNA system to develop next-generation vaccines and therapeutics,” said Oliver Fetzer, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Synthetic Genomics. “We are excited to collaborate with Arcturus to explore how their delivery technology can contribute to the shared goal of developing innovative RNA-based medicines.”

Synthetic Genomics is programming the operating system of life to create sustainable solutions for humankind’s most pressing issues, from the wellbeing of our population to the health of our planet. With an unmatched understanding of how DNA drives the function of cells — the basic biological units of all living organisms — Synthetic Genomics modifies and writes genomes to enable transformative products in the areas of vaccines, medicines, nutrition, and biotechnology research. In addition to designing novel organisms that overcome fundamental hurdles of scientific research and medicine, Synthetic Genomics pursues partnerships with organizations seeking to dramatically improve upon existing products in health care, energy and other sectors. Continuing its legacy of scientific firsts in genomics and synthetic biology, Synthetic Genomics is harnessing the power of nature to improve quality of life. For more information, visit www.syntheticgenomics.com.

Founded in 2013 and based in San Diego, Arcturus Therapeutics, Inc. is an RNA medicines company with enabling technologies — UNA Oligomer chemistry and LUNAR lipid-mediated delivery. Arcturus’s versatile RNA therapeutics platforms can be applied toward multiple types of RNA medicines, including small interfering RNA, messenger RNA, antisense RNA, microRNA, and gene-editing therapeutics. The company owns LUNAR lipid-mediated delivery and Unlocked Nucleomonomer Agent (UNA) technology, including UNA Oligomers, which are covered by its patent portfolio (120 patents and patent applications, issued in the US, Europe, Japan, China, and other countries). Arcturus’s proprietary UNA technology can be used to target individual genes in the human genome, as well as viral genes, and other species for therapeutic purposes. The company’s commitment to the development of novel RNA therapeutics has led to partnerships with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Inc. For more information, visit www.ArcturusRx.com.