OSAKA– Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. has launched a research collaboration with Massachusetts-based Jorna Therapeutics to develop next-generation RNA editing therapeutics using artificial intelligence, the company announced.
The partnership, established in December 2024, leverages Jorna’s proprietary RNA editing platform, which employs a quantum mechanics-based generative AI model known as SkyEngine. Jorna will use the platform to design novel RNA-editing drug sequences, while Ono will hold exclusive global rights to discover, develop, and commercialize any drug candidates that emerge from the collaboration.
Ono has already made an upfront payment and will provide ongoing research funding and milestone-based payments as development progresses.
“We highly value Jorna’s unique generative AI technologies, which integrate amino acid sequence data and language models to design targeted proteins,” said Seishi Katsumata, Corporate Officer and Executive Director of Discovery & Research at Ono. “This collaboration will help accelerate RNA editing-based drug development and deliver new therapies for patients with unmet medical needs.”
Jorna CEO Chengwei Luo called the collaboration a major step toward advancing RNA editing as a therapeutic platform. “We are thrilled to work with Ono to drive our shared mission of bringing innovative, AI-powered therapies to patients worldwide,” he said.
