France Funds OSE's €1.3M mRNA Therapy Project

France Funds OSE's €1.3M mRNA Therapy Project

National Support for Cutting-Edge Biotech Innovation

OSE Immunotherapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology firm based in France, has received €1.3 million (approximately $1.47 million) in government funding to lead a groundbreaking research project focused on accelerating nanodrug development and the advancement of mRNA-based therapeutics. The investment comes through the French government’s “France 2030” initiative, a strategic national program designed to stimulate economic growth through innovation.

Collaborative Effort Across Sectors

As outlined in a May 21 announcement, the initiative—named HexARN—brings together multiple French stakeholders. Alongside OSE Immunotherapeutics, the project partners include Inside Therapeutics, a domestic RNA-lipid formulation specialist, and the MiNT Laboratory at the University of Angers. The three-year endeavor aims to address key limitations of RNA-based therapies, particularly in the areas of safety, selectivity, and scalability.

OSE will take the lead in developing novel RNA therapeutics targeting inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Inside Therapeutics is tasked with developing scalable, reproducible delivery systems leveraging its proprietary RNA-lipid technologies. Meanwhile, the MiNT Laboratory will be responsible for implementing innovative quality control protocols.

Strategic Investment Amid Global Shifts

The HexARN initiative is being financed under the auspices of the France 2030 program and is managed by Bpifrance, acting on behalf of the French state and the Pays de la Loire region. This investment stands in contrast to recent reductions in U.S. federal funding for healthcare innovation and COVID-19 vaccine research.

Driving Future Therapeutic Possibilities

Dr. Aurore Morello, R&D Director at OSE Immunotherapeutics, emphasized the importance of regional innovation in the company’s official release: “HexARN is about the people and the innovation happening right here in the west of France. We believe that innovative mRNA therapeutics and delivery methods will be part of future transformative medicines and will offer new hope for patients and push the boundaries of medical research in the way we treat cancer and inflammatory diseases in modulating immune cell responses.”

OSE's Broader Clinical Portfolio

In addition to the HexARN project, OSE Immunotherapeutics is advancing a phase 3 cancer vaccine and maintains strategic collaborations with major pharmaceutical players AbbVie and Boehringer Ingelheim. These assets underscore the company’s growing role in the global biotech landscape.

Highlights

• OSE Immunotherapeutics will lead the HexARN project, supported by €1.3M in government funding through the France 2030 initiative.
• The project involves collaborations with Inside Therapeutics and the MiNT Laboratory at the University of Angers.
• HexARN aims to develop safer, more selective, and scalable mRNA therapeutics for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
• This investment highlights France's commitment to biotech innovation amid declining U.S. federal healthcare research support.
• OSE is also progressing a phase 3 cancer vaccine and has partnerships with AbbVie and Boehringer Ingelheim.