Page 172 - CW E-Magazine (22-4-2025)

News from Abroad

COLLABORATION

Wacker Biotech to partner with US firm to advance

mRNA-based therapies

Wacker Biotech, a contract deve-
lopment and manufacturing organisa-
tion (CDMO) owned by Germany’s
Wacker Chemie, has announced a
collaboration with RNAV8 Bio, a US-
based mRNA engineering specialist.
The collaboration is aimed at progress-
ing the development and production of
mRNA-based advanced therapies for
the biopharma industry.

The partnership combines Wacker
Biotech’s expertise in pDNA/mRNA
manufacturing and lipid nano-particle
(LNP) formulation with RNAV8 Bio’s
mRNA engineering toolkit, which en-
hances the non-coding sequences of
mRNA strands, known as untranslated
regions (UTRs). UTRs are crucial for
mRNA processing, transport, stability, mon diseases, more predictive control ager of Wacker Biotech US Inc., added,
and translation, and their optimisation over mRNA function becomes critical. “In combination with Wacker’s nucleic
can significantly improve the efficacy RNAV8’s approach represents a major acids R&D team, this partnership ena-
of mRNA-based drug products. advance, enabling highly efficient and/ bles us to offer clients a top-of-the-line,
or more durable mRNA expression market-leading solution for mRNA
The collaboration positions Wacker at potentially lower doses,” said therapeutics optimisation and manu-
Biotech and RNAV8 Bio as premium Mr. Devan Shah, CEO of RNAV8 Bio. facturing. On clients’ behalf, we will
providers in the mRNA space, offering work with RNAV8 to optimise UTR
a unique end-to-end service. The com- “With its impressive manufactur- non-coding sequences to maximise the
panies aim to provide a comprehensive ing capabilities and clear track record expression of mRNA in the target cells.
solution that meets the growing demand in mRNA/LNP GMP production for Drug developers will have enhanced
for advanced mRNA therapeutics. scale-up, Wacker Biotech is an ideal abilities to rapidly prototype, test, iter-
partner for RNAV8 and its therapeutics ate, and scale up their mRNA therapeu-
“As the therapeutic potential of collaborators.” tics. Ultimately, this holds the promise
mRNA rapidly expands into high-value of improving drug efficacy and accele-
applications across genetic and com- Mr. Philippe Cronet, General Man- rating the development process.”
EXPANDING FOOTPRINT

ECI Group opens new office in Shanghai

ECI Group, a US-based technology The new office will provide tech- viding specialist consultancy services
licensor and engineering services pro- nology and engineering support ser- to the polyolefins sector in China: deli-
vider for the polyolefins industry, cele- vices to local customers. ECI Group’s vering technology support and plant
brated the opening of its new office in Consultancy Services division will also optimisation services to help opera-
Shanghai, China on April 9. expand into the Shanghai office, pro- tors achieve their safety, profitability,

172 Chemical Weekly April 22, 2025

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