RNP Inc. (アールエヌピー株式会社, Āru Enu Pī Kabushiki-gaisha) is a Japanese biotechnology company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in RNA-based therapeutics and diagnostics for neurodegenerative diseases. Founded in 2016, RNP focuses on developing RNA-based drugs that target the underlying genetic causes of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological disorders.
| Attribute |
Details |
| Stock Ticker |
TSE 4976 |
| Headquarters |
Tokyo, Japan |
| Founded |
2016 |
| CEO |
Dr. Ken Tanaka |
| Website |
https://www.rnp.co.jp/ |
| IPO |
Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market (2020) |
RNP Inc. was established in 2016 as a spin-off from the University of Tokyo's Institute of Medical Science, based on research in RNA biology and gene expression regulation. The company's name stands for "RNA and Nucleic acid Pharmaceutical," reflecting its focus on RNA-based therapeutics.
The company went public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market in 2020, raising funds to advance its pipeline of RNA therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases.
RNP has developed several proprietary technology platforms:
- SiRNA (small interfering RNA): Sequence-specific gene silencing
- MiRNA mimics and inhibitors: Modulation of microRNA expression
- ShRNA (short hairpin RNA): Long-term gene knockdown
- Splice-modulating ASOs: Correction of abnormal RNA splicing
- Translation-blocking ASOs: Prevention of problematic protein translation
- RNase H-dependent ASOs: Degradation of target mRNA
- GalNAc conjugation: Liver-targeted delivery
- Lipid nanoparticles (LNP): Systemic delivery
- Brain-targeted delivery: Crossing the blood-brain barrier
RNP is developing several programs for Alzheimer's disease:
- RNP-401: ASO targeting APOE4 expression in the brain
- Mechanism: Reduces production of APOE4 protein, a major genetic risk factor
- Status: Preclinical, IND-enabling studies
- RNP-402: RNAi therapeutic targeting MAPT gene (tau)
- Mechanism: Reduces tau protein production in neurons
- Status: Discovery phase
- RNP-403: ASO modulating BACE1 expression
- Mechanism: Reduces amyloid-beta production by modulating BACE1
- RNP-501: RNAi therapeutic targeting SNCA (alpha-synuclein gene)
- Mechanism: Reduces alpha-synuclein protein production
- Status: Preclinical
- RNP-502: ASO targeting LRRK2 mutation carriers
- Mechanism: Modulates expression of mutant LRRK2 protein
- RNP-601: ASO targeting C9orf72 repeat expansions
- RNP-602: SOD1-targeting RNAi therapeutic
- RNP-701: ASO targeting mutant huntingtin (HTT) gene
RNP has established collaborations with:
- Takeda Pharmaceutical: Option agreement for neurological disease programs
- Moderna Therapeutics: Collaboration on mRNA-based therapies
- University of Tokyo: Academic research partnership
- Kyoto University: CiRA collaboration on iPSC-based validation
RNP also has a diagnostics division focused on:
- Biomarker discovery: RNA-based biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases
- Diagnostic tests: Development of RNA-based diagnostic assays
- Companion diagnostics: Tests to identify patients who may benefit from specific therapies
| Product |
Indication |
Modality |
Development Stage |
| RNP-401 |
Alzheimer's (APOE4) |
ASO |
Preclinical |
| RNP-402 |
Alzheimer's (Tau) |
RNAi |
Discovery |
| RNP-501 |
Parkinson's (α-syn) |
RNAi |
Preclinical |
| RNP-601 |
ALS (C9orf72) |
ASO |
Discovery |
| RNP-701 |
Huntington's |
ASO |
Discovery |
- Market capitalization: Approximately ¥8-12 billion
- Cash reserves: Strong following 2023 financing
- R&D budget: Approximately ¥1 billion annually