Cambridge-Japan alliance flourishes as Harness and OVI move up a gear
A biotech company unlocking previously undruggable targets to transform the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, Harness reveals the establishment of a second generation of its MISBA® (microRNA site blocking ASO) platform, MISBA Duo.
The first application of this platform is a new R & D programme, supported by Ono Venture Investment, Inc. (‘OVI’), the corporate venture capital arm of Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Harness’ MISBA platform is designed to enable controlled, target-specific upregulation. MISBA Duo builds on this foundation to deliver, for the first time, bimodal modulation: simultaneous upregulation of one target and downregulation of a second. This approach paves the way for advanced disease-modifying approaches to neurodegenerative diseases and other CNS disorders, the partners say.
Harness and OVI will collaborate in a research project that will leverage the MISBA Duo platform and expertise established through Harness’ wholly owned FAN1 programme for Huntington’s Disease (HD), now in pre-clinical studies.
This new programme will target disease modification for an undisclosed rare triplet repeat disorder. Harness will develop and evaluate MISBA Duo constructs, generating potential candidate molecules which selectively modulate two targets, with the aim of driving disease modification throughout all stages of disease.
OVI will fund this initiative, following on from its initial investment in Harness in January 2025 to support the progress of its lead HD programme. OVI will secure the exclusive option to negotiate exclusivity on any resulting candidates produced and associated IP for this rare triplet repeat disorder.
Dr. Jan Thirkettle, CEO of Harness Therapeutics, said: “Today’s announcement is a natural evolution of our technology and testament to the insights we have gained from our lead programme in Huntington’s Disease.
We’re looking forward to working closely with OVI as we explore the potential of the MISBA Duo platform for bimodal protein modulation. Such high-quality partnerships are a key strand of our wider strategy as we seek to deliver novel, disease-modifying therapies across a range of devastating CNS disorders.”
Dr. Shunichiro Matsumoto, President & CEO of Ono Venture Investment, said: “We are pleased to further collaborate with Harness and look forward to working closely together to advance this programme in the months ahead. We remain committed to supporting the development of the Company’s MISBA platform and pipeline of disease modifying therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.”
Harness has assembled a world-class team, supported by an SAB of leading experts in HD and RNA biology. Its leading life science backers include the foundational investors Takeda Ventures and SV Health Investors’ Dementia Discovery Fund, alongside Epidarex Capital and Ono Ventures Investment.