B4-RNA, a startup backed by LAB+ focused on developing RNA-based technologies to improve disease diagnostics, including cancer detection, has reported encouraging preliminary results from its RNA repair and sequencing platform, REJOIN-seq™.
RNA is a fundamental molecule for life, responsible for carrying and regulating genetic information. To develop faster and more accurate diagnostic tools, B4-RNA focuses on extracellular transfer RNAs (tRNAs), molecules that circulate outside cells in biological fluids such as blood.
These molecules are often fragmented and have complex structures that make them difficult to analyze. As a result, much of this molecular information cannot be properly detected using conventional sequencing techniques, which are designed to study more intact and simpler RNA molecules. B4-RNA’s approach is to repair these molecules before analysis, enabling access to biological signals that have so far remained hidden and that could prove useful for early disease detection and diagnosis.
Through the enzymatic repair of structurally damaged extracellular tRNAs, REJOIN-seq™ aims to uncover informative RNA patterns that might otherwise remain undetectable in blood samples.
The platform is based on the company’s proprietary methodology, which is currently patent pending.
In an initial cohort of more than 100 serum samples collected and sequenced at clinical centers in Uruguay and Spain, preliminary machine learning analyses consistently identified RNA patterns that distinguish colorectal and lung cancer cohorts from multiple healthy donor populations. The study also included early-stage lung cancer cases.
Researchers found evidence suggesting that many of the molecules relevant for classification corresponded to damaged extracellular tRNAs that had been repaired prior to sequencing. This specific type of fragmented RNA is the primary target of the REJOIN-seq™ technology.
“These findings are particularly encouraging. Although the results remain preliminary and additional validation studies are ongoing, the data support the possibility that repaired extracellular tRNAs may represent a previously underexplored source of clinically relevant molecular information,” said Juan Pablo Tosar, founder and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of the startup.
“If these findings are confirmed through further validation studies, they suggest that our platform could provide unique access to a previously underexplored class of circulating biomarkers, with potential applications extending beyond oncology,” said Carlos Palma, CEO of B4-RNA.
The startup is expanding its validation studies with a focus on larger cohorts, greater technical robustness, and external independent validation.
In parallel with its ongoing oncology studies, the company has also launched additional collaborations to evaluate the platform’s usefulness in other clinical settings, including exploratory applications for complementary diagnostics in immune-mediated diseases.
More information here.
