Addressing Complexity in Cell Therapy
“Early autologous CAR-T studies have shown the promise of cell therapy for patients with autoimmune diseases, but the complexity, cost, and logistics of ex vivo approaches make it challenging to deliver these breakthroughs to the broader population of patients who need them,” said Francisco Ramírez-Valle, Eli Lilly’s senior vice president and head of immunology research and early clinical development.
He added that Lilly looks forward to collaborating with Orna’s team to potentially unlock what he described as an entirely new class of genetic medicines.
According to the companies, preliminary experiments suggest Orna’s circular RNA platform may provide more sustained expression of therapeutic proteins and open the door to medicines that are “not feasible” using existing RNA or cell therapy technologies.
A Shared Vision for Genetic Medicines
Orna Chief Executive Joe Bolen said the company’s circular RNA technology, combined with its lipid nanoparticle delivery platform, could pave the way for in vivo CAR-T therapies across a broad spectrum of B cell-driven autoimmune conditions.
“We are excited to join forces with Lilly, an industry leader in the development of patient-centric therapeutics to realize the full potential of these technologies,” Bolen said.
The acquisition reflects Lilly’s broader push into cutting-edge immunology and genetic medicine, as pharmaceutical giants increasingly invest in platforms that promise durable, scalable treatments.
