London-based biotech startup Cranebio has made a significant stride in tackling the delivery challenge faced by RNA-based therapies for diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s. By leveraging the body’s own red blood cells as a delivery system. The company has shown that it can deliver RNA treatments with a 10-fold improvement in efficiency over current synthetic methods.
Cranebio’s innovative approach was proven in preclinical tests conducted in January 2024. The tests, which involved using nanoparticles derived from red blood cell membranes. Demonstrated a remarkable increase in the ability to deliver RNA to specific target cells, particularly in the brain and immune system. These nanoparticles, with their unique physicochemical properties, were able to deliver mRNA to neurons with over 75% expression. A massive leap compared to the typical sub-7% success rate seen with current RNA delivery methods. This breakthrough, says CEO Luca Bolondi, marks a major proof of concept for Cranebio’s technology.
Addressing Key Challenges in Disease Treatment
Both neurodegenerative diseases and cancer present significant challenges to drug developers. One of the major obstacles is effectively delivering treatments to target tissues such as the brain or immune system. RNA therapies have shown promise in preclinical models, but their clinical success has been hindered by delivery issues. For example, current methods to deliver RNA to the brain struggle to overcome the blood-brain barrier and fail to deliver therapeutic levels of mRNA to neurons.
Cranebio’s breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize how these diseases are treated. Red blood cells, the most abundant and widely distributed cells in the human body. Have unique properties that make them ideal for targeted delivery. By using nanoparticles derived from red blood cell membranes, Cranebio’s technology can cross the blood-brain barrier and deliver RNA to cells with high efficiency. This is a game changer for treating diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and various cancers. Where effective and safe delivery methods have been one of the biggest hurdles.
Bolondi explained that the key to their success is the natural efficiency of red blood cells. “Red blood cells are everywhere in the human body,” he said. “They are the most common type of cell in the human body, and they can reach virtually every tissue, including the brain.” In their tests, Cranebio was able to achieve a 75% efficiency in delivering mRNA to neurons in the brain. A huge improvement over the 5% typically seen with lipid nanoparticles. This success in preclinical testing, especially in crossing the blood-brain barrier, has opened the door for further research and development.
Potential for Cancer Treatment and Beyond
Cranebio’s technology is poised to have a significant impact on cancer treatment as well. Current cancer vaccines can reduce recurrence rates by 20-30%, but they often fail to prevent metastasis, the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. Bolondi believes that efficient delivery could solve this issue, providing a more effective way to target and eliminate cancer cells.
The challenge, however, is not just creating effective treatments but ensuring that they are delivered to the right cells. Over the past 15 years, the cost of RNA and DNA synthesis has fallen dramatically. Making the creation of these therapies more affordable. But the next challenge is ensuring that these treatments reach their intended target. Cranebio’s breakthrough with red blood cell-derived nanoparticles could be the key to addressing this problem.
“What we’ve shown isn’t just that efficient brain delivery is possible,” Bolondi said, “it’s that it can be done safely, affordably. And with technology simple enough to be made almost anywhere.” This simplicity is crucial as it opens the door for biotech companies of all sizes to potentially adopt and utilize Cranebio’s technology, broadening access to these promising RNA therapies.
Looking to the Future
Cranebio is currently preparing for its next phase of development. With plans to test its technology on non-human primates before moving into human clinical trials, which are set to begin in January 2025. Bolondi is confident that their breakthrough will have a lasting impact on the biotech industry. “What we want to do is benchmark the system and prove to the biotech industry that this is the best way to deliver RNA to these targets,” he explained. Once proven to be safe and effective.
Founded in 2022 at Imperial College London, Cranebio was born out of a shared mission to improve the lives of those suffering from genetic diseases. Bolondi and his cofounder, Sujaan Das, both experienced personal losses due to neurological conditions and are driven by a desire to make an impact in the world. “We’re not just working to create a world where brain diseases are treatable,” Bolondi said. “We want a world where everyone, regardless of income or status, can access the cures they need.”
With backing from angel investors like former Microsoft director Charlie Songhurst and former Eli Lilly director Anindya Sen. As well as support from accelerators like Norrsken and Exor Ventures, Cranebio has raised around $1.5 million so far.
Cranebio’s breakthrough with RNA delivery systems holds the potential to revolutionize the treatment of cancer. Neurodegenerative diseases, and many other conditions. By using the body’s own red blood cells as delivery vehicles, the company has solved one of the most difficult challenges in drug development. With plans to move into human trials in the coming months. Cranebio is set to make a significant impact on the future of biotechnology, offering hope for millions of patients worldwide.
