OSE Immunotherapeutics Announces Strategic Partnership To Develop New mRNA Technologies

OSE Immunotherapeutics SA has announced a new strategic collaboration with two French research and development partners — Inside Therapeutics, based in Angoulême/Bordeaux, and the MiNT Laboratory in Angers to accelerate the development of mRNA therapeutics and nanodrug technologies. This partnership has been awarded €1.3 million in non-dilutive funding under the “I-Démo régionalisé” initiative. The funding is part of the broader “France 2030” national investment plan and is managed by Bpifrance on behalf of the French State and the Pays de la Loire Region.

At the center of this collaboration is a 36-month research program named “HexARN,” which will be led by OSE Immunotherapeutics. The program aims to address ongoing challenges in the development of RNA-based therapies, particularly those that involve delivering RNA molecules using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Although this technology has revolutionized treatment approaches in fields such as infectious diseases and cancer, further improvements are needed. These include enhancing the selectivity and safety of RNA therapeutics, expanding their potential targets, and improving the scalability of manufacturing processes.

Aurore Morello, Head of Research and Director of R&D Programs at OSE Immunotherapeutics, said in a statement, “We are incredibly grateful to Bpifrance and Région Pays de la Loire for their support and vision in recognizing the potential of this initiative. HexARN, is about the people and the innovation happening right here in the west of France. It’s about bringing together brilliant minds from different fields. When engineers, scientists, researchers and pharmacists work hand in hand, we spark real innovation and address real challenges.”

He continued, “This partnership is more than about cutting-edge science and technology, it's about creating solutions that have a tangible impact on people's lives. We believe that innovative mRNA therapeutics and delivery methods will be part of future transformative medicines and will offer new hope for patients and push the boundaries of medical research in the way we treat cancer and inflammatory diseases in modulating immune cell responses.”

The HexARN project will combine the strengths of three complementary organizations. OSE Immunotherapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech company focused on pioneering therapies in immuno-oncology and immuno-inflammation, will take the lead in developing new RNA-based drugs that can modulate immune responses in conditions such as autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Inside Therapeutics will contribute its specialized RNA-lipid formulation platform, known for being scalable and adaptable for various applications. The MiNT Laboratory, a research partnership between INSERM, CNRS, and the University of Angers, will provide expertise in the characterization and purification of drug delivery systems, ensuring high-quality and reproducible formulations.

Thomas Guérinier, CEO and Co-founder of Inside Therapeutics, stated, “The collaboration with OSE and MiNT provides us with a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate the uniqueness of our technology for the development of mRNA therapies from early development through to clinical trials and GMP production. The HexARN project fits perfectly with our mission to accelerate patient access to nano therapies. We thank the French BPI for supporting us in this challenge.”.

Brice Calvignac, Full Professor in Chemical engineering at Angers University and Researcher at MiNT, mentioned, “Beyond the impact of our know-how and innovations in formulation, purification and physicochemical characterization on the program HexARN, this industrial-academic collaboration will be beneficial to all partners and as regards MiNT and its SynNanoVect platform, this new experience will help our teams to improve and value our expertise on the development of nano-formulations and the RNA innovative therapies”.

Together, the consortium will work to overcome key technological hurdles and push mRNA-based therapies closer to clinical and industrial readiness. This initiative not only represents a significant step for RNA innovation in France but also highlights the value of collaborative, cross-sector partnerships in driving forward next-generation medical solutions.