Arrakis Therapeutics
Arrakis Therapeutics is a biotechnology company pioneering RNA-targeted small molecule medicines for various diseases, including cancer and neurodegeneration. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, the company collaborates with biopharmaceutical giants like Roche and Amgen.
Company Overview
Founded in 2017, Arrakis Therapeutics is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. The company focuses on developing RNA-targeted small molecule (rSM) medicines to treat cancer, cardiovascular conditions, neurodegeneration, and rare diseases. Arrakis Therapeutics utilizes a proprietary database of hundreds of RNA targets along with a comprehensive toolkit to identify RNA substructures and develop targeted therapies.
RNA-Targeted Small Molecule Medicines
Arrakis Therapeutics is pioneering the field of RNA-targeted small molecule (rSM) medicines. The company leverages a platform that identifies potent RNA-targeted small molecules capable of binding directly to RNA structures. Their pipeline includes programs aimed at multiple disease areas, showcasing the potential of rSMs in addressing a wide range of health conditions.
Collaborations and Partnerships
Arrakis Therapeutics has established significant collaborations with biopharmaceutical partners such as Roche and Amgen. The strategic collaboration and license agreement with Roche, for instance, is focused on utilizing Arrakis’s RNA-targeted small molecule drug discovery platform for multi-target programs, bolstering its research capabilities and drug development pipeline.
Technological Innovations and Tools
The company has developed several innovations to support its research. This includes SHAPEware, an open-source set of bioinformatics tools designed for analyzing SHAPE studies for RNA structure prediction. Additionally, Arrakis has released 'PEARL-seq: A Photoaffinity Platform for the Analysis of Small Molecule-RNA Interactions,' underscoring their commitment to advancing RNA-targeted drug discovery.
Recognition and Funding
In 2018, Arrakis Therapeutics was named one of FierceBiotech's “Fierce 15” Biotech Companies. The company has secured substantial financial backing, with $75 million in Series B financing aimed to propel the advancement of its RNA-targeted small molecule medicines. This funding supports the company's initiatives to innovate in the field of targeted therapies.
Scientific Expertise and Advisory Board
Arrakis Therapeutics benefits from the guidance of a scientific advisory board composed of experts from leading institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, Duke University, and Stanford University. This board provides insights and strategic direction, reinforcing the company’s commitment to cutting-edge research and effective drug discovery.