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Overview

Strategic Partners

What are long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs)?

Approximately 75% of the genome is transcribed into RNAs that do not encode proteins, called non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a large class of non-coding RNAs characterized by their length (greater than 200 nucleotides) and ability to establish modular three-dimensional structures. These defined structures enable them to interact with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) to regulate key cellular processes, such as gene transcription regulation, biomolecular condensate formation, or protein activity modulation.

Watch video to learn more about the importance and disease relevance of non-coding RNAs.

NextRNA Therapeutics

Developing Transformative Medicines

lncRNAs represent a vast and promising therapeutic target space

Dysregulated lncRNAs recruit RBPs to drive pathological processes across disease area and, thus, represent a vast and promising class of therapeutic targets.

It has been demonstrated that perturbation of these dysregulated interactions by silencing the lncRNA or the RBP resulted in beneficial effects across various disease models. These findings form the basis of NextRNA’s unique approach to design small molecules inhibiting lncRNA function by disrupting lncRNA-RBP interactions.

NextRNA is applying its unique platform and capabilities to identify and disrupt lncRNA-RBP interactions with small molecules.

NextMAP^TM

Unlocking a vast target space:

Our proprietary computational engine, NextMAP^TM, identifies disease-driving lncRNAs across diseases.

Validating the pathological mechanism of action:

We leverage deep lncRNA biology expertise and capabilities to validate the lncRNA and the RBP it interacts with to drive the mechanism of action in the disease of interest. As part of this process, we characterize the domain of interaction between the lncRNA and RBP to direct our drug discovery efforts.

Designing functional small molecules:

We utilize a diverse set of biochemical, biophysics, and chemistry capabilities to develop functional small molecules inhibiting the function of the lncRNA by disrupting the lncRNA-RBP interaction. Our approach is uniquely differentiated as it offers optionality to target the lncRNA side or the RBP side of the interaction.

NextRNA Therapeutics

Developing Transformative Medicines

Our therapeutic approach, centered on inhibiting the function of lncRNAs with small molecules, has the potential to address multiple high unmet need diseases.

lncRNAs are important regulators of processes that can be dysregulated in disease. While our primary focus is on oncology and neuroscience, our proprietary platform and approach ideally position us to unlock the therapeutic vale of lncRNAs across disease areas.

Strategic Partners

NextRNA & Bayer Partnership:

Jointly developing new oncology treatments targeting lncRNAs.

Bayer and NextRNA are collaborating to jointly advance two first-in-class oncology programs in high unmet need indications. Under the agreement, Bayer gains access to NextRNA’s differentiated approach to inhibit the function of lncRNAs by disrupting the interaction between lncRNAs and RBPs with small molecules.

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