Rznomics, a biopharmaceutical company, has developed a groundbreaking 'self-circularized RNA structure' platform technology that efficiently generates circular RNA, overcoming the limitations of existing methods. Circular RNA (circRNA) offers improved stability against nucleases and minimal unwanted immune responses, making it an attractive candidate for vaccines and therapeutics. Rznomics' technology utilizes a unique Tetrahymena trans-splicing ribozyme platform to convert linear RNA into circular RNA through an end-to-end self-targeting and splicing (STS) reaction. Unlike other methods, Rznomics' circularization does not leave unnecessary genetic information in the gene of interest (GOI). The efficiency of the self-circularization process is comparable to other methods, and various optimization strategies can be employed to increase its efficacy, even with long RNA molecules.

The significance of Rznomics' technology lies in its potential for commercialization, enabling more competitive pricing for circRNA vaccines or therapeutics while maintaining efficacy. In vitro transcription initiates the self-circularization reaction simultaneously, streamlining the purification process. The purified circRNA demonstrates sustained protein expression without unwanted immune responses, outperforming linear RNA with modified nucleotides.

The research was supported by the Ministry of Science & ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea. Rznomics holds a patent for the 'Self-circularization RNA structure and Platform technology' in South Korea, with applications submitted in the U.S. and other major countries.

Rznomics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on RNA-based gene therapeutic bio-drugs for cancer and incurable diseases. Their core platform technology utilizes an RNA replacement enzyme, trans-splicing ribozyme, to selectively induce therapeutic gene activity in cells expressing target RNA. The company's lead candidate, RZ-001, is intended for treating Hepatocellular Carcinoma & Glioblastoma, with other treatments in the pipeline for Alzheimer's disease and hereditary retinal dystrophy.