BioCentury
ARTICLE | Product Development

Emerging circular RNA field split on what to deliver and how to deliver it

The rising therapeutic modality is more durable than linear mRNA, promising efficacy and manufacturing advantages

August 17, 2023 11:34 PM UTC

Enthusiasm for RNA-based medicines remains high after the success of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, and companies are now looking to use RNA therapies for a wide set of indications, with over a dozen biotechs exploring circularized RNA for its improved durability.

While there’s no debate that circular RNA has a longer half-life than linear mRNA, based on its ability to evade the main mechanism that drives cellular RNA turnover, the jury is still out on whether that property will translate to meaningful therapeutic advantages for patients...