• 23 May 2024
• Admin
• News Article

Ractigen Therapeutics Gains FTS for Pioneering saRNA Therapy RAG-01

Ractigen Therapeutics Gains FDA Fast Track Status for Pioneering saRNA Therapy RAG-01 for Bladder Cancer

Overview

Ractigen Therapeutics, a leader in the development of small activating RNA (saRNA) therapeutics, proudly announces that its flagship program, RAG-01, has been granted Fast Track Designation (FTD) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This achievement is a significant milestone for saRNA technology and highlights Ractigen's dedication to addressing critical unmet medical needs. RAG-01 is now the first saRNA drug globally to receive FTD.

At Present: Phase I Clinical Trial

RAG-01 is currently in a Phase I clinical trial in Australia for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), having successfully enrolled and dosed three patients since December 2023. This progress underscores the potential of saRNA therapies in clinical development.

RAG-01 Therapeutic Promise

• The FDA's approval of the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for RAG-01 further affirms its therapeutic promise. 
• This regulatory milestone not only paves the way for clinical trials in the United States but also signifies the FDA's recognition of RAG-01's potential to meet the urgent medical needs of NMIBC patients.

Fast Track Designation

• Fast Track Designation is granted to investigational drugs intended to treat serious conditions with unmet medical needs, facilitating their expedited development and review. 
• With FTD, Ractigen gains enhanced opportunities for collaboration with the FDA, enabling closer communication and expedited guidance throughout the development and review process.

Ractigen Therapeutics on Receiving FTD

• Ractigen Therapeutics, expressed his excitement: ""We are thrilled to receive Fast Track Designation for RAG-01. 
• This milestone not only advances our program but also the saRNA field as a whole. 
• This designation emphasizes the importance of progressing innovative therapies like RAG-01 to address critical medical needs. 
• We remain dedicated to accelerating the development of saRNA therapies to treat a wide range of diseases, including cancer, genetic disorders, and chronic conditions. 
• Through strategic collaborations and pioneering research, we aim to deliver transformative treatments that improve patient outcomes and quality of life.""

About RAG-01: 

• RAG-01 is an innovative saRNA candidate designed to target and activate the tumor suppressor gene p21 through RNA activation (RNAa). 
• Traditionally considered ""undruggable,"" p21 presents a unique opportunity for saRNA-based targeted activation. 
• Delivered via intravesical instillation using Ractigen's proprietary LiCO™ delivery technology, RAG-01 has shown significant tumor suppression in mouse models of bladder cancer. 
• The ongoing Phase I clinical trial in Australia has successfully enrolled and dosed the first three patients, marking a significant advancement in RNAa-based therapies for NMIBC.

About NMIBC: 

• NMIBC accounts for 50-80% of all bladder cancer cases. Despite standard treatments like transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) followed by intravesical BCG or chemotherapy, recurrence rates remain high, with estimates of 50-70% within the first five years. 
• RAG-01's development aims to address this significant unmet need in bladder cancer therapy.

About RNAa: 

• Pioneered by Dr. Long-Cheng Li and his team, RNAa is a clinically validated platform technology that uses saRNA to target gene regulatory domains, activating gene expression and restoring therapeutic protein levels. 
• This technology holds vast potential for developing therapeutic drugs across various diseases, particularly where traditional methods have been inadequate, including cancer, genetic disorders, chronic diseases, and metabolic and cerebrovascular disorders.