(From l. to r.: Dr. Thomas Frischmuth, Dr. Christina Beck, Prof. Dr. Dr. Stefan Engelhardt, Prof. Dr. Klaus Rabe, Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Thum)
RNATICS GmbH, a spin-off of the Technical University of Munich, was awarded €2.7 million in funding by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). The grant will support the clinical development of RCS-21, an inhaled RNA therapeutic candidate that is the first of its kind for treating inflammatory and fibrotic lung diseases.
“Progressing further into clinical trials marks a critical milestone in translating our research into a potential therapy,” say Prof. Dr. Dr. Stefan Engelhardt, CSO and co-founder, and Dr. Christina Beck, project lead.
RCS-21 uses proprietary carbohydrate conjugation for selective uptake into pulmonary macrophages, where it inhibits microRNA-21 – a key driver of pathological inflammation and fibrosis. This cell-specific targeting represents a groundbreaking advance for RNA therapeutics.
RNATICS’ approach to macrophage-targeted RNA therapy is highly innovative, and I am excited to strategically support this program.
Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Thum, Board Member
Prof. Dr. Klaus Rabe, CMO and co-founder, emphasizes that by targeting the root cause of inflammatory and fibrotic lung diseases, RCS-21 has the potential to offer new hope to patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and related conditions, for which effective treatment options remain limited. The company expects the first clinical data within the coming months, according to CEO and co-founder Dr. Thomas Frischmuth, which will provide early insights into the therapy’s potential.