Deploying the power circular RNA-based gene expression

The group´s circRNA R&D activities are being conducted by the wholly owned subsidiary Circio AB based at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

Circular RNA (circRNA) is a naturally occurring class of RNA first described biologically in human cells in 2011 by Circio employees: CTO Dr. Thomas B Hansen and CEO Dr. Erik D Wiklund. To date, around 100,000 natural human circRNAs have been identified and shown to play important roles in gene expression and other regulatory functions, particularly in neuronal tissue. Due to their circular structure with no free ends, circRNAs are resistant to the main cellular RNA degradation mechanisms, which dramatically prolongs their half-life compared to linear mRNA. This feature can enable increased and more durable gene expression, which is a major benefit compared to conventional mRNA-based gene and cell therapy approaches. Circio is developing a differentiated and proprietary circRNA-based gene expression system, circVec, and has an ambitious R&D strategy to utilize the plartform for next generation enhanced gene and cell therapies in areas of high unmet medical need.