Dr. Jenny van Asbeck, CEO at Mercurna who is a beneficiary of the NANEMIAR Project, explains to us how her team is contributing to NANEMIAR.

Hi, Jenny! Thank you very much for accepting our invitation to this interview. First, could you explain the role of your team in NANEMIAR?

Mercurna is one of the project partners in NANEMIAR. As a biotech start-up in the field of mRNA-based therapeutics, our mission is to develop lifechanging medicines based on messenger RNA. Within NANEMIAR, the team at Mercurna is working on the technological aspects of mRNA-based expression and lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-based delivery. Specifically, Mercurna focuses on ensuring that the therapeutic mRNA is delivered precisely to the cells that need it, which is essential for the correct production of red blood cells in patients with congenital anemia.

What type of expertise does your team bring to the project’s research objectives?

Mercurna has long-standing experience in the targeted delivery of therapeutic mRNA. Within the NANEMIAR project, this expertise is crucial for developing a novel nanomedicine aimed at treating congenital anemia, a group of rare, inherited blood disorders characterized by ineffective red blood cell production. A targeted approach aims to improve the efficacy and safety of the treatment, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for patients

What are the challenges in developing mRNA-based therapies and how to tackle them?

There are several challenges such as stability, immunogenicity and efficient delivery that we, and others in the field, are addressing for the successful development and widespread adoption of mRNA-based therapies. Overall, Mercurna’s targeted delivery system offers a highly specialized approach crucial for reducing off-target effects and enhancing the therapeutic efficacy.

What has led you to join this consortium?

Personal connections with the principal investigators at CNRS (France) and IMIB-FFIS (Spain) instigated the plan for NANEMIAR. The project is built on an interdisciplinary approach that fosters creativity and innovation, and Mercurna benefits from strong connections with experts in the field that have well-established disease models to demonstrate proof of concept of the proposed mRNA-based therapy. Together, we get to work on ground-breaking research that has the potential to change lives and solve complex health problems.

What do you find interesting about leading a biotech start-up?

It is exciting to be working at the forefront of cutting-edge science and technology. Also, I do find balancing scientific expertise and business acumen interesting and fulfilling. Moreover, the start-up environment is fast-paced and constantly evolving, which I find very stimulating, and offers continuous learning opportunities. And finally, building and leading a team of enthusiastic and dedicated people, and supporting team growth, is a rewarding experience.

Source of information: NANEMIAR project