Ascidian Therapeutics inks collaboration with Roche

Boston, USA-based biotech start-up Ascidian Therapeutics yesterday announced a research collaboration and licensing agreement with Roche (ROG: SIX) for the discovery and development of RNA exon editing therapeutics targeting neurological diseases, adding to the Swiss pharma giant’s plethora of RNA alliances.

Ascidian's RNA exon editing platform is designed to advance the therapeutic possibilities of RNA medicine and treat diseases not addressed by today's gene editing technologies. The company designs and develops RNA exon editing therapeutics that edit RNA exons at the kilobase scale.

Ascidian will provide Roche with exclusive, target-specific rights to Ascidian's RNA exon editing technology for undisclosed neurological targets. Ascidian will conduct discovery and certain preclinical activities in collaboration with Roche, and Roche will be responsible for certain preclinical activities, and further clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization.