Oncorus, Inc. and Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. announced a research collaboration for the discovery and development of novel lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations for mRNA drug candidates. Under the terms of the collaboration, Oncorus and Daewoong will conduct joint research to identify and evaluate formulations of Daewoong's mRNAs encapsulated in Oncorus' proprietary LNPs.

Oncorus will develop formulated drug candidates at its manufacturing facility in Andover, Massachusetts. Subject to the parties' satisfaction with the formulations and the achievement of certain study milestones specified in the research plan, Oncorus and Daewoong have agreed to commence negotiations of a potential future license and supply arrangement for the formulated product. Oncorus' LNP platform leverages proprietary ionizable and ?polyethylene glycol (PEG) lipids for multiple nucleic acid cargos and possesses other desirable physiochemical properties.

In multiple preclinical models involving repeat intravenous (IV) dosing, Oncorus' formulations have demonstrated improved tolerability, an enhanced therapeutic window and consistent pharmacokinetics compared to approved formulations. Similar studies incorporating Oncorus' LNP formulations have demonstrated low immunogenicity along with other desirable attributes, including tunable pharmacokinetics with different compositions and stable pharmacokinetics following repeat dosing. The platform is designed to efficiently deliver nucleic acids, including large cargos up to 14 kilobases.

This delivery strategy is intended to address many of the complications associated with anti-PEG antibodies interfering with the effective IV delivery of RNA and other nucleic acid-based medicines and can also be leveraged for vaccine applications.