R&D Pipeline
Immunostimulation
Melanoma
eTheRNA is developing an mRNA-based vaccine against metastatic melanoma consisting of naked mRNA encoding for TriMix and 5 tumor-associated antigens that is being administered intranodally (injected into the patient’s lymph nodes).
The product has passed the first safety study in melanoma patients after removal of their tumor (an adjuvant setting). This study demonstrated that 5 intranodal administrations of the product was well tolerated and that it has the potential to elicit an immune response. The proof-of-concept of the clinical efficacy of the product is being tested in metastatic melanoma patients in combination with the standard of care
anti-PD1 treatment.
HPV+ cancer
eTheRNA is developing an mRNA-based vaccine against HPV+ Head and neck cancer consisting of mRNA encoding for TriMix and E6/E7 antigens packaged in lipid nanoparticles administered intravenously.
Currently, a candidate is being tested in preclinical studies.
Renal cancer
eTheRNA, in collaboration with Frame Therapeutics, is developing a mRNA-based vaccine against renal cancer consisting of mRNA encoding for TriMix and frame shift neo-antigens packaged in lipid nanoparticles that will be administered intravenously.
Gastric cancer
eTheRNA is developing an mRNA-based vaccine against gastric cancer that will be administered intravenously and/or intradermally.
Other indications
Antigens in both the intranodal and intravenous products are interchangeable. By replacing the antigens, a range of oncology indications could be targeted. The technology is available for partnering and collaboration (see partnership page).
Oncolytic mRNA & TME modifying mRNA
eTheRNA is developing mRNA-based products mimicking the action of oncolytic viruses. A mRNA-based approach has several advantages over oncolytic viruses:
- It's easier to regulate the mode of action of an mRNA-based product
- Side effects are expected to be less severe
- No viral antigens or anti-vector immunity
A single construct or a mix of naked or packaged mRNA is delivered directly into the tumour site giving direct access to the effector site of the therapy. This modality offers opportunities to develop products with cell-lytic, tumour microenvironment modulating mRNA
Preliminary in vitro and ex vivo experiments have provided promising anti-tumour responses in both the treated and untreated tumours suggesting a systemic response from a loco-regional delivery.
Infectious Disease
eTheRNA is developing vaccines against respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, Malaria and HIV. Based on our mRNA/TriMix technology we focus on developing vaccines to promote B cell but also T cell immune responses. For our antiviral vaccines, we include conserved immunogenic epitopes to provide protection against future variations of the virus. The mRNA of the vaccines is formulated in proprietary LNPs that are delivered intramuscularly. These LNPs have favourable thermostability properties to reduce supply chain costs and increase opportunities for lower healthcare economies.
Additionally, for the convenience of patients and practitioners, we are working on an mRNA-formulation that can be administered needle-free, via intranasal administration.
eTheRNA's Goal
to commercialize mRNA-based immunotherapies as off-the-shelf products for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases.
Oncology
To fight cancer, eTheRNA adopts multiple strategies including:
Immunostimulation: New, pioneering immunotherapies using proprietary TriMix mRNA technology to stimulate and educate dendritic cells to create a potent, durable T-cell-mediated immune response against tumors in specific cancer indications. Different routes of administration (intranodal and intravenous) and different sources of antigens (tumor-associated antigens, viral antigens and shared neoantigens) are being deployed in different combinations in multiple development programs.
Oncolysis & Tumour microenvironments (TME) modulation: An innovative mRNA mix that mimics the action of oncolytic viruses to induce immunogenic death of tumour cells and renders the tumour more susceptible towards the anti-tumour T cell response
The different approaches can be combined with each other and other classes of treatment interventions.
Infectious Diseases
To fight infectious diseases, eTheRNA is adapting its proprietary
TriMix technology to a product that can be administered intranasally or intramuscularly and lead to antigen-specific T-cell-mediated mucosal immunity. This new approach is being applied to vaccines to protect against upper respiratory tract viruses including SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus).
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