FutureNeuro partners with STORM Therapeutics to explore the role of RNA epigenetics in epilepsy
We are delighted to announce that we have entered into partnership with STORM Therapeutics, the leading biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of small molecule therapies modulating RNA epigenetics, to explore new treatment options for people with epilepsy.
The project, which will be led by Dr. Gary Brennan in UCD and Professor David Henshall in RCSI, will explore if we can prevent or change how epilepsy develops. Dr Brennan and his team will look at the role of a novel form of gene regulation in epilepsy and test if modifying how these cells work can change the progression of the disease.
“We are delighted to enter this exciting partnership with STORM Therapeutics which is leading the way in developing drugs which target the proteins that make RNA modifications. We hope this will lead to new treatments, which can improve the lives of people with epilepsy. This is a very new field and we are excited to see what our studies uncover.”
Dr. Gary Brennan, Assistant Professor in UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science
This study will build on work Dr. Brennan initiated through a Science Foundation Ireland Starting Investigator Grant (SIRG), where he received funding to set up his own independent research group studying epilepsy. He will initially study this treatment option in temporal lobe epilepsy, the most common form of epilepsy in adults, which is often resistant to drug treatments.
STORM Therapeutics is the leading company currently tackling disease through modulating RNA modifying enzymes and is developing a unique platform and pipeline to address these enzyme classes, including RNA methyltransferases. The company already has strong connections in Ireland as it backed by Irish venture capital firm, Seroba Life Sciences.
“We believe in partnering with the best scientists to innovate and create value. This partnership with FutureNeuro to advance RNA modifying treatments is an innovative approach based on novel biology and may have benefits for people with epilepsy.”
Dr. Keith Blundy, Chief Executive Officer of STORM Therapeutics.
“This project builds on the work started by Dr. Brennan and Prof. Henshall here in RCSI and we are very pleased to provide the facilities which are enabling and enhancing this type of work in FutureNeuro”
Professor Fergal O’Brien, Director of Research and Innovation at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences.
The study will run for one year and combines FutureNeuro’s expertise in epilepsy, models of epilepsy and next generation sequencing and STORM Therapeutics’ expertise in drug development and RNA modifications.
