Arrakis_Therapeutics

Arrakis Therapeutics

Arrakis Therapeutics

Biotechnology company in Massachusetts, US

Arrakis Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing oral medicines that target RNA to treat a range of diseases.[1][2] The company is based in Waltham, Massachusetts, and was founded in 2015 by Jennifer Petter, now the company's Chief Innovation Officer.[3][4] In October 2016, Michael Gilman, a former Biogen executive, was named CEO.[5]

Quick Facts Company type, Industry ...

In 2017, the company raised a $38 million investment from venture capital firm Canaan Partners as well as Celgene and Pfizer.[1] Arrakis was founded to focus on purposefully discovering RNA-targeting small molecule drugs.[6] Other companies had previously discovered drugs based on RNA-targeting small molecules, however, they were found opportunistically.[1]

Arrakis has been able to identify RNA binding sites where small molecule drugs can bind using a bioinformatics tool.[7] The company also utilizes chemical biology tools to confirm whether their compounds are inhibiting RNA cells, and also whether the compounds are specifically targeting the disease-associated RNA.[7]

In April 2019, Arrakis raised $75 million in financing to continue its development of small-molecule drugs that target RNA.[8] In April 2020, Arrakis signed a $190 million licensing agreement with Swiss multinational healthcare company Roche for exclusive rights to Arrakis' drugs developed to treat a range of diseases, including cancer.[3] In January 2022, Arrakis entered a partnership with biopharmaceutical company Amgen to develop oral drugs that target and degrade RNA. Amgen agreed to make an upfront payment of $75 million to Arrakis, with the possibility of further funding if research and development proceed as planned.[9]

References

  1. [1]
    "Pfizer, Celgene-backed upstart Arrakis hopes to mine RNA spice". Fierce Biotech. February 17, 2017. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  2. [2]
    Feuerstein, Adam (2019-04-18). "A biotech startup's lofty goal: Kill cancer with pills that target RNA instead of proteins". STAT. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  3. [3]
    Gardizy, Anissa (2020-04-08). "Waltham biotech lands big partnership with Roche - The Boston Globe". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  4. [4]
    "Jennifer Petter wants to interfere with RNA to discover new drug targets". C&E News, Chemical & Engineering News. April 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  5. [5]
    "Arrakis Raises $38M in Series A Financing and Names Michael Gilman as CEO". GEN, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News. February 27, 2017. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  6. [6]
    Cross, Ryan (2017-11-27). "The RNA drug hunters". Chemical & Engineering News. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  7. [7]
    Lisa M, Jarvis (2017-02-17). "Arrakis launches to develop RNA-targeting small-molecule drugs". Chemical & Engineering News. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  8. [8]
    Cross, Ryan (2019-04-20). "Arrakis raises $75 million series B for RNA-targeting small molecules". Chemical & Engineering News. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  9. [9]
    Pagliarulo, Ned (2022-01-11). "Amgen partners with Arrakis to develop drugs aimed at RNA". BioPharma Dive. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
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