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]
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Pharmaceutical |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Waltham, Massachusetts, United States |
Key people | Jennifer Petter, PhD, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, Michael Gilman, PhD, CEO |
| Website | www |
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
edit- ^ a b c "Pfizer, Celgene-backed upstart Arrakis hopes to mine RNA spice". Fierce Biotech. February 17, 2017. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Gardizy, Anissa (2020-04-08). "Waltham biotech lands big partnership with Roche - The Boston Globe". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Cross, Ryan (2017-11-27). "The RNA drug hunters". Chemical & Engineering News. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
- ^ a b Lisa M, Jarvis (2017-02-17). "Arrakis launches to develop RNA-targeting small-molecule drugs". Chemical & Engineering News. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
- ^ Cross, Ryan (2019-04-20). "Arrakis raises $75 million series B for RNA-targeting small molecules". Chemical & Engineering News. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ Pagliarulo, Ned (2022-01-11). "Amgen partners with Arrakis to develop drugs aimed at RNA". BioPharma Dive. Retrieved 2024-02-22.