Building circular RNA expression systems for enhanced gene and cell therapies

Circio Holding ASA is a biotechnology company developing novel circular RNA and immunotherapy medicines.

Circio has established a unique circular RNA (circRNA) vector expression platform for novel DNA, RNA and viral therapeutics. The proprietary circVec technology is based on a modular genetic cassette design for efficient biogenesis of multifunctional circRNA inside cells, which can be deployed in multiple therapeutic settings, including genetic medicine, cell therapy and chronic disease. The circVec platform has demonstrated up to 15-fold enhanced and 70-fold more durable protein expression vs. conventional mRNA vector systems and has the potential to become a new gold-standard platform technology for nucleic acid and viral therapeutics in the future. The circRNA R&D activities are being conducted by the wholly owned subsidiary Circio AB based at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

In parallel, Circio is continuing to develop its legacy immuno-oncology program, TG01, through external collaborations. TG01 targets RAS-mutated cancers and is being tested in two clinical trials in Norway and the USA run through academic networks and industry partnerships. TG01 is a therapeutic peptide vaccine adjuvanted by STIMULON QS-21 licensed from  Agenus Inc.