Circio Holding ASA has entered into a partnership with Certest Biotec, SL to develop and test innovative circVec LNP-formulations aimed at the targeted delivery of circular RNA therapeutics.

This collaboration focuses on creating circVec DNA-LNP formulations specifically designed for treating genetic diseases.

Certest Biotec brings to the partnership a comprehensive library of ionizable lipids, which are essential for producing thermostable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that can effectively target various tissues.

Certest has already achieved success in packaging and validating circVec-LNP formulations that target the lung, liver, and spleen, yielding positive technical results.

Circio plans to conduct in vivo tests of these circVec-LNP formulations over the next three to six months to assess their delivery efficiency, expression levels, and durability.

Initial in vitro results have been promising, paving the way for further in vivo testing of potential new therapeutic candidates.

The collaboration aims to enhance the in vivo testing of circVec, which serves as an RNAse-resistant protein expression vector, utilizing the advanced lipid nanoparticles.

Dr. Victor Levitsky, CSO of Circio, noted that their circVec-DNA technology can provide durability exceeding six months in mouse models from a single intramuscular injection, significantly outperforming standard mRNA vector systems.

Dr. Juan Martínez Oliván, CSO of Certest Pharma, expressed enthusiasm for integrating their ionizable lipids with Circio's circular RNA technology to develop a unique LNP strategy for gene therapy.

Success in these experiments could lead to the development of various circVec therapeutic candidates, benefiting both Circio's internal projects and potential partnerships.