Ethris inks €15m deal with Indian Ciplas

The investment is aimed at establishing a long-term strategic partnership until the end of Q1/2023 between Cipla and Ethris for the development of messenger RNA (mRNA)-based therapies and fast-track participation of Cipla in the lucrative mRNA space. According to the agreement, the collaboration’s objective is to market Ethris’ portfolio in Cipla’s key emerging markets.

Ethris’ SNIM RNA technology is a novel nucleic acid therapy platform based on stabilised non-immunogenic mRNA, which overcomes the innate instability and immunity of mRNA, due to chemical modifications in their structural elements. SNIM RNAs can be administered repeatedly, leading to sustained production of therapeutically active proteins within the human body

“We expect mRNA-based therapies to be one of the key innovation levers for Cipla,” saidd Umang Vohra, Managing Director & Global Chief Executive Officer of Cipla. “This partnership reinforces Cipla’s strength in respiratory therapy in line with our aspiration of attaining global lung leadership.

The investment supports the further development of our (preclinical) pipeline and our objective to leverage the power of mRNA-based therapeutics to treat a broad range of diseases, said Dr. Carsten Rudolph, CEO of Ethris. Ethris is rapidly advancing its mRNA pipeline of immuno-modulation, protein replacement therapies, and differentiated vaccines against viral infections, with the ultimate goal of improving patients’ lives. Ethris has collaborations in mRNA vaccines preventing hepatitis C and beta-coronavirus effects in humans and owns a preclinical mRNA drug pipeline to treat influenza and COVID-19, and the rare diseases pulmonal alveolar proteinosis and primary cililary dyskinea.