MiNA Therapeutics declares publication of Pre-Clinical data endorsing Therapeutic Potential of MTL-CEBPA

MiNA Therapeutics announced the publication of pre-clinical data on its MTL-CEBPA program in which the compound was shown to promote disease reversal in several models of liver disease and to reduce tumour burden in a model of liver cancer. MTL-CEBPA consists of CEBPA-51 small activating RNAs encapsulated in SMARTICLES nanoparticles. It is the first development candidate to emerge from MiNA’s RNA activation platform and is currently being evaluated in a Phase I clinical study in patients with liver cancer.

Robert Habib, CEO of MiNA Therapeutics said “This exciting pre-clinical data highlights the potential of saRNAs to up-regulate gene expression and treat disease in radically new ways compared to conventional medicines.”

Researchers investigated the potential benefits of MTL-CEBPA in a set of in vivosevere liver disease models representing advanced liver cirrhosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and liver cancer. Overall, MTL-CEBPA was shown to restore the expression of CEBPA, a master regulator of liver function. In the advanced liver cirrhosis model, MTL-CEBPA significantly reversed liver fibrosis and liver dysfunction and enhanced survival. In a model of NASH, MTL-CEBPA reversed liver steatosis. Improved liver function as well as a large reduction in tumour burden was also seen in a model of primary liver cancer.