San Diego startup DTx Pharma, which is developing technology for delivering RNA-based therapies to hard-to-treat diseases, has been acquired by drug giant Novartis for $500 million.
The first disease being targeted using FALCON is Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 1A — a genetic disorder that can result in progressive loss of muscle function. “The way FALCON technology or RNA interference technology works is that it operates at the gene level,” he said. “It essentially chops up the excess production of the gene. At least in rodent models, when we apply the technology, the mice go from not being able to balance, not being able to coordinate to all of a sudden walking and running.”
“This is a great outcome for the patients,” said Peter Condon, DTx Pharma’s Chief Business Officer. “The clinical infrastructure that Novartis brings will help accelerate this program.”