Safe and Effective Cynomolgus Monkey GLP-Tox Study with Repetitive Intrathecal Application of a TGFBR2 Targeting LNA-Gapmer Antisense Oligonucleotide as Treatment Candidate for Neurodegenerative Disorders

RNA therapeutics for regenerative medicine

It is estimated that millions of people around the world experience various types of tissue injuries every year. Regenerative medicine was born and developed for understanding and application with the aim of replacing affected organs or some cells. The research, manufacture, production, and distribution of RNA in cells have acted as a basic foundation for the development and testing of therapies and treatments that are widely applied in different fields of medicine. Vaccines against COVID-19 are considered one of the brilliant and outstanding successes of RNA therapeutics research. With the characteristics of bio-derived RNA therapeutics, the mechanism of rapid implementation, safe production, and flexibility to create proteins depending on actual requirements. Based on the advantages above in this review, we discuss RNA therapeutics for regenerative medicine, and the types of RNA therapies currently being used for regenerative medicine. The relationship between disease and regenerative medicine is currently being studied or tested in RNA therapeutics. We have also covered the mechanisms of action of RNA therapy for regenerative medicine and some of the limitations in our current understanding of the effects of RNA therapy in this area. Additionally, we have also covered developing RNA therapeutics for regenerative medicine, focusing on RNA therapeutics for regenerative medicine. As a final point, we discuss potential applications for therapeutics for regenerative medicine in the future, as well as their mechanisms.

Targeting TGF-ß in the Central Nervous System: Assessment of Cynomolgus Monkey—Toxicity and Pharmacokinetics for an LNA-Antisense Oligonucleotide

Increasingly antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are developed for potential treatment of CNS disorders, and due to the inability to cross the blood brain barrier, they require direct administration into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In this regard, intrathecal (i.th.) administration in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) is a well-established approach for preclinical safety studies. Here, we present an innovative preclinical approach that is intended to support rapid entry into clinical development with ASOs targeting the CNS. The preclinical approach comprises one non-GLP study in 26 non-human primates, followed by a pivotal GLP repeated dose toxicity study in the same species. No pivotal rodent studies were conducted, and regulatory guidance to initiate this study was met by in vitro work. The non-GLP study consists of three separate phases: Phase A determines toxicity after i.th. administrations with five escalating dose levels in a single male and female animal, respectively. Dosing is conducted on days 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 and the experiment is terminated 36 days after start of the study. The second phase (Phase B) investigates pharmacokinetics over a 2- or 4-week period at two dose levels following single administrations in eight (8) animals (4 females, 4 males). Finally, a third phase (Phase C) investigates toxicity and pharmacokinetics after repeated (9×) dosing over a 13-week period at two dose levels in sixteen (8 females, 8 males) animals. In each phase, clinical observations and physical/neurological parameters are investigated directly pre-dose, 4 h and 24 h post-dose, respectively. In all phases, CSF and blood samples are taken pre-dose and after each dosing, for determination of test article concentration, biomarkers of tolerability and biomarkers of pharmacology. In all phases, tissue samples from the liver, kidney, spinal cord, and brain are collected for determination of NVP-13 tissue concentrations. The above concept has successfully supported first-in-human clinical trials. The entire non-GLP program is completed within less than six months and requires fewer animals in comparison to the conduct of three independent studies.