AstraZeneca invests in saRNA platform

Imperial College spin-off VaxEquity uses self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) to provide extended duration of protein expression. This enables lower doses to be used for vaccines and higher protein levels to be achieved for therapeutics. AstraZeneca now hopes to benefit VaxEquity’s saRNA platform, planning to work with the London-based company to develop up to 26 potential drugs. For this, VaxEquity could receive milestones totalling up to US$195m and royalties in the mid-single digits per drug target. AstraZeneca and global life sciences investor Morningside Ventures have also made an upfront equity investment.

The strategic, long-term research collaboration aims to optimise VaxEquity’s saRNA platform and apply it to advance novel therapeutic programmes. AstraZeneca will support VaxEquity with research and development funding and has the option to collaborate with VaxEquity on up to 26 drug targets.

“With our self-amplifying RNA platform, we aim to underpin the next generation of RNA-delivered medicines enabling not only vaccines but also broad range of therapeutic applications,” said Michael Watson, Executive Chairman of VaxEquity. Robin Shattock, Head of Immunology of Infection within the Department of Infectious Diseases at Imperial College London, and co-founder of VaxEquity, added, “We have all seen how technologies based around RNA have been fundamental to preventing ongoing severe disease and death in major global pandemics. The prospect of further therapeutic applications adds to this technology’s great potential.”

Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals R&D at AstraZeneca, said “This collaboration with VaxEquity adds a promising new platform to our drug discovery toolbox. We believe self-amplifying RNA, once optimised, will allow us to target novel pathways not amenable to traditional drug discovery across our therapy areas of interest.”