Next-gen oligonucleotides to transform patient care
Secarna Pharmaceuticals is redefining the discovery and development of oligonucleotide therapeutics to address hard-to-treat disorders. The Company is planning to raise a Series A to advance its lead oncology asset, SECN-15, into Phase 1/2. Secarna is supported by global partnerships that validate their expertise and accelerate development.
EuroBiotech_Can you give us an overview of Secarna, your platform, and the scope of your pipeline?
Konstantin_We are developing therapeutic oligonucleotides (ASOs and siRNAs) using our AI-powered OligoCreator® platform. This allows us to translate cutting-edge science into therapies with the potential to treat previously untreatable conditions. Our pipeline spans inhouse and partnered programs, covering a range of indications where oligonucleotides have the potential to be best-in-class, offering new hope to patients facing conditions beyond the reach of current approaches and modalities. Our proprietary lead program SECN-15 is a high-affinity ASO selectively downregulating NRP1 expression, a protein linked to poorer survival across multiple solid tumors.
EuroBiotech_What makes the OligoCreator® platform stand out from other oligonucleotide discovery approaches?
Konstantin_With OligoCreator®, we’ve greatly expedited the drug discovery process, identifying and characterizing safe and efficacious candidates at unparalleled speed. How? Our AI-powered bioinformatics selection process is constantly enhanced with wet lab data to refine our prediction algorithms. We apply our toolbox of chemical modifications to fine-tune our oligos, reducing expected side effects. And, we can employ required delivery methods to ensure it reaches the right tissue safely. Altogether, this increases the likelihood that our programs will become therapies that make a meaningful difference for patients.
EuroBiotech_Moving towards your pipeline, you’re planning to raise a Series A to develop SECN-15, why is it particularly exciting?
Konstantin_SECN-15 is a promising new therapeutic option in immuno-oncology with strong translational evidence. Multiple preclinical models demonstrate its potential to strongly enhance anti-tumor immunity as monotherapy and overcome resistance to checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in combination therapy settings. Furthermore, we have shown that knockdown of NRP1 can help reprogramming from an immunosuppressive to an immune-permissive state to enhance anti-tumor immunity.
While our planned Phase 1/2 trial will be a preselected basket trial, gastric cancer is our anticipated lead indication beyond proof of concept. IND-enabling studies are currently underway.
EuroBiotech_What’s particularly compelling about oligonucleotide therapies as a modality?
Konstantin_Oligonucleotides are now validated clinically across multiple indications, also very large ones. Their high specificity and emerging targeted delivery approaches complement small molecules and antibodies and allow the modulation of targets previously considered undruggable. The field is rapidly growing and poised to become the third major pillar of therapeutics.
EuroBiotech_Why is Munich and the IZB an ideal base for Secarna?
Konstantin_Munich, and the IZB in particular, offer an ideal environment for innovation, providing everything we need to succeed. The region hosts top universities, the renowned Max Planck Institute, major research hospitals, a rich biotech and service-provider network, and a strong and mature local investor community plus government support. Munich offers an excellent quality of life, attracting talent and fostering a collaborative ecosystem.
Konstantin Petropoulos, Ph.D., MBA, CEO & Managing Director, brings extensive experience in biotech business development, portfolio strategy, and commercialization.
This Advertorial was originally published in European Biotechnology Magazine Summer 2026.
