4basebio partners with Circio to build and test circVec synthetic DNA vectors for genetic medicine and vaccines

• 4basebio and Circio are combining Circio´s circVec circular RNA expression system with 4basebio´s proprietary synthetic DNA formats hpDNA™ and opDNA™
• 4basebio´s unique nanoparticle delivery platform, Hermes™, allows for improved delivery of synthetic DNA vectors over conventional LNPs
• Circio´s circVec technology has shown enhanced expression level and durability vs. standard mRNA approach, and together the technologies are expected to create a powerful therapeutic combination

Oslo, Norway 21 January 2025 – Circio Holding ASA (OSE: CRNA), a biotechnology company developing powerful circular RNA technology for next generation nucleic acid medicine, today announces that it has entered a partnership with 4basebio PLC of Cambridge, UK, for joint development and in vivo delivery testing of synthetic circVec DNA vectors.  

“The circVec technology achieves up to 70 times prolonged RNA half-life and 15-fold increase in protein levels vs. standard mRNA-based expression in vivo using plasmid DNA,” said Dr. Thomas Hansen, CTO of Circio. “We have therefore now partnered with 4basebio, a world-leader in next-generation DNA vectors for therapeutic applications. Combining 4basebio´s vector and delivery expertise with Circio´s circVec powerful expression technology has the potential to create a durable, repeat-dosable, non-viral platform for future synthetic DNA gene therapies.”

Dr. Emily Young, Head of Non-Viral Delivery for 4Basebio added: “We are delighted to partner with Circio to develop the next generation of DNA gene therapies and vaccines. 4Basebio’s synthetic DNA offers fast, scalable and cost-effective manufacturing advantages compared to plasmid DNA. Combining these capabilities with the superior expression of Circio’s circVec technology, in addition to 4Basebio’s Hermes DNA-delivery platform, promises to establish extremely robust and durable DNA therapeutics."

Under the collaboration, 4basebio has successfully developed and validated circVec vectors in their proprietary synthetic hpDNA™ and opDNA™ formats, including formulation into Hermes LNP formulations optimized for in vivo delivery of DNA payloads. Both parties will now in parallel proceed to test the performance of these circVec-op/hpDNA vectors in mouse models. If successful, the results will create the foundation for a continued collaboration to develop and test future therapeutic candidates for genetic medicine, vaccines and other potential applications.

About Circio

Building next generation RNA technology for nucleic acid medicine

Circio Holding ASA is a biotechnology company developing powerful circular RNA vector expression technology for next generation nucleic acid medicine.

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 more significantly more durable protein expression vs. classic 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 addition, Circio is developing a pan-RAS cancer vaccine, TG01, targeting KRAS driver mutations. TG01 is currently being tested in two clinical trials: RAS-mutated pancreatic and lung cancer in the USA and multiple myeloma in Norway. These studies are being run through academic and industry collaborative networks, supported by prestigious research grants from Innovation Norway and the Norwegian Research Council, creating read-outs and future optionality for the program at low cost to Circio.

For further information, please contact:
Erik Digman Wiklund, CEO
Phone: +47 413 33 536
Email: erik.wiklund@circio.com

Neil Hunter - Hunter PR
Phone:+44 7821 255568
Email: neiljameshunter@gmail.com