BRIEF—STA Pharma partners with Regulus in microRNA manufacturing

STA Pharmaceutical, part of China’s WuXi AppTec group, has agreed a deal with microRNA specialist Regulus Therapeutics (Nasdaq: RGLS) to collaborate on oligonucleotide synthesis.

The Chinese firm will assist Regulus with mid-scale development and manufacturing for preclinical and clinical programs, while Regulus will supply “expertise, technical know-how, and training in the field of oligonucleotide scale-up.”

STA’s new GMP-compliant (Good Manufacturing Practice) oligonucleotide facility at Changzhou, near Shanghai, will become operational later this year.

STA chief executive Minzhang Chen said: "Through our newly established global quality oligonucleotide platform, we strive to make life-saving oligonucleotide therapeutics more affordable and available to patients worldwide."