Biogen and Envisagenics Announce Collaboration to Advance RNA
Splicing Research
Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) and Envisagenics today announced a new
collaboration to advance ribonucleic acid (RNA) splicing research
within central nervous system (CNS) diseases. As part of the
collaboration, Biogen will leverage Envisagenics’ proprietary
artificial intelligence (AI)-driven RNA splicing platform,
SpliceCore®, to define and understand the regulation of different
RNA isoforms in CNS cell types.
Genetic information encoded in the human chromosome is converted
into RNA molecules which is then used as the template to make
proteins. RNA splicing is the process that trims out extra
information embedded in the intermediate RNA molecules, and this
trimmed RNA is what is then used to produce functional
proteins.
“Since Biogen’s earliest days, RNA splicing has been an integral
part of our history and mission dating back to co-founder Phillip
Sharp’s discovery of the process in 1977,” said Alfred Sandrock,
Jr., M.D., Ph.D., head of research and development at Biogen. “By
combining Envisagenics’ SpliceCore platform with our deep expertise
in this scientific approach, we believe that Biogen will be able to
advance our understanding of RNA splicing and potentially identify
new drug targets for CNS diseases.”
“Envisagenics is thrilled to work with Biogen because we share a
commitment to identifying potential treatments for CNS diseases
through innovative AI technology like the SpliceCore platform.
Envisagenics and Biogen recognize the power of RNA splicing to aid
in the discovery of potential therapeutics,” said Maria Luisa
Pineda, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Envisagenics.
Envisagenics’ Chief Technology Officer, Martin Akerman, Ph.D.,
added, “scientists have only recently been able to uncover
disease-causing novel isoforms at scale, thanks to improvements in
the speed and sensitivity of bioinformatics software like
SpliceCore.”
Traditionally, the process of detecting, cataloging and
interpreting RNA splicing errors has been laborious, slow and
costly. However, by tapping into Envisagenics’ machine learning
algorithms and high-performance computing, Biogen may now be able
to identify, test and validate splicing errors at scale. Through
this collaboration, Biogen will gain access to SpliceCore’s
database of approximately seven million potential RNA splicing
errors, which is the largest database of splicing errors in the
world. This will provide Biogen with a broader lens to evaluate
splicing events that may be targeted for therapeutic gain. In
addition, collaboration aligns to Biogen’s broader objective of
identifying and validating genetic targets of disease to increase
the probability of success in CNS drug discovery.
About BiogenAt Biogen, our mission is clear: we
are pioneers in neuroscience. Biogen discovers, develops and
delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with
serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases as well as
related therapeutic adjacencies. One of the world’s first global
biotechnology companies, Biogen was founded in 1978 by Charles
Weissmann, Heinz Schaller, Kenneth Murray and Nobel Prize winners
Walter Gilbert and Phillip Sharp. Today Biogen has the leading
portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis, has introduced
the first approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy,
commercializes biosimilars of advanced biologics and is focused on
advancing research programs in multiple sclerosis and
neuroimmunology, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, neuromuscular
disorders, movement disorders, ophthalmology, neuropsychiatry,
immunology, acute neurology and neuropathic pain.
We routinely post information that may be important to investors
on our website at www.biogen.com. Follow us on social media –
Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube.
About EnvisagenicsEnvisagenics is an Artificial
Intelligence-driven biotechnology company that focuses on the
discovery of novel RNA splicing variants that cause cancer and
other genetic diseases. Its principal technology is the SpliceCore®
discovery platform. The platform re-envisions the human genome with
a validated exon-centric approach, combined with machine learning
algorithms and high-performance computing. It is up to 250 times
more likely to discover novel targets than gene-centric discovery
tools. Using innovative technology and RNA analysis expertise,
Envisagenics accelerates the development of highly specific
therapeutics that modulate RNA splicing variants that drive
pathogenesis of oncology, neurodegenerative, and metabolic
disorders.
Envisagenics partners with biopharmaceutical companies and
academic institutions to advance their drug discovery capabilities.
Envisagenics also has its own internally developed RNA therapeutic
programs. Envisagenics is a spin-out of Cold Spring Harbor
Laboratory and a current resident of Johnson & Johnson
Innovation in JLABS@NYC. Envisagenics is a proud woman- and
minority-led recipient of several grants from the National
Institute of General Medical Sciences and the National Cancer
Institute.
For more information, please visit www.envisagenics.com. Follow
us on social media – Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube.
Biogen Safe HarborThis news release contains
forward-looking statements, made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
including statements relating to the potential benefits and results
that may be achieved through Biogen’s collaboration with
Envisagenics; the potential treatment of CNS diseases; the
potential of Biogen’s commercial business and pipeline programs;
Biogen’s strategy and plans; Biogen’s research and development
plans; and risks and uncertainties associated with drug development
and commercialization. These forward-looking statements may be
accompanied by words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,”
“could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,”
“plan,” “potential,” “possible,” “will,” “would” and other words
and terms of similar meaning. Drug development and
commercialization involve a high degree of risk, and only a small
number of research and development programs result in
commercialization of a product. You should not place undue reliance
on these statements or the scientific data presented.
These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in
such statements, including, without limitation: uncertainty as to
whether the anticipated benefits of the proposed collaboration can
be achieved; risks of unexpected hurdles, costs or delays;
uncertainty of success in the development and use of SpliceCore to
define and understand the regulation of different RNA isoforms in
CNS cell types; failure to protect and enforce data, intellectual
property and other proprietary rights and uncertainties relating to
intellectual property claims and challenges; product liability
claims; third party collaboration risks; and the direct and
indirect impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on Biogen’s
business, results of operations and financial condition. The
foregoing sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could
cause actual results to differ from Biogen’s expectations in any
forward-looking statement. Investors should consider this
cautionary statement as well as the risks factors identified in
Biogen’s most recent annual or quarterly report and in other
reports Biogen has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission. These statements are based on Biogen’s current beliefs
and expectations and speak only as of the date of this news
release. Biogen does not undertake any obligation to publicly
update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future developments or otherwise.
BIOGEN MEDIA CONTACT: |
BIOGEN INVESTOR CONTACT: |
David Caouette |
Mike Hencke |
Biogen Inc. |
Biogen Inc. |
Tel: (781) 464-3260 |
Tel: (781) 464-2442 |
|
|
ENVISAGENICS CONTACT: |
|
Kevin Cho |
|
kcho@envisagenics.com |
|
Tel: (949) 414-3896 |
|
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