Bayer and NextRNA Therapeutics Partner to Develop Novel Small Molecule Drugs Targeting Long Non-Coding RNA in Cancer
Bayer and NextRNA Therapeutics have entered a strategic partnership to develop a new class of small molecule drugs targeting cancers driven by dysregulated long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). The collaboration could result in a financial commitment exceeding $547 million, including an upfront payment, though specific details of the payment were not disclosed.
The partnership leverages NextRNA’s proprietary technology to advance two small molecule drug programs aimed at addressing cancers with significant unmet medical needs. The initial program is already in the preclinical testing phase at NextRNA. Bayer retains the option to select a second target for joint development.
While both companies have kept details about the specific cancer types and drug targets under wraps, they emphasized their focus on indications with a high unmet need. The collaboration represents a significant step in exploring the therapeutic potential of long non-coding RNA (greater than 200 nucleotides), a category of RNA that constitutes the majority of transcribed DNA but does not code for proteins.
NextRNA, founded in 2022 with $56 million in initial funding, is built on the pioneering research of Dr. Carl Novina of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who co-founded the company. It applies its unique platform and capabilities to identify and disrupt lncRNA-RBP (RNA-binding protein) interactions with small molecules. Central to this approach is NextRNA's proprietary computational engine, NextMAP™, which identifies disease-driving lncRNAs across various conditions. The platform leverages deep expertise in lncRNA biology to validate the pathological mechanism of action, focusing on the interaction domains between lncRNAs and RBPs to guide drug discovery efforts.
In the drug development process, NextRNA utilizes a range of biochemical, biophysical, and chemical techniques to design functional small molecules. These molecules are engineered to inhibit the function of lncRNAs by disrupting their interactions with RBPs, offering a differentiated approach that allows for targeting either the lncRNA side or the RBP side of the interaction.
This partnership between Bayer and NextRNA underscores a growing focus on lncRNA as a novel target class in oncology, with the potential to open up new therapeutic avenues for cancers with few existing treatment options.
