Ono Enters into Drug Discovery Collaboration Agreement with Reborna Biosciences to Generate RNA-Targeting Novel Small Molecule in the Central Nervous System Area
Osaka, Japan, March 31, 2025 - Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka, Japan; President and COO: Toichi Takino; “Ono”) announced that it has entered into a drug discovery collaboration agreement with Reborna Biosciences, Inc. (Headquarters: Kanagawa, Japan; Representative Director: Koji Fuji; “Reborna”) to generate ribonucleic acid (RNA)-targeting novel small molecule in the field of central nervous system.
Under the terms of the agreement, utilizing Reborna’s proprietary RNA-targeting drug discovery platform, the two companies will jointly conduct drug discovery research with the aim of obtaining small molecule compounds that could be drug candidates for the treatment of rare neurological disorders selected by both companies. Ono will obtain an exclusive option right to develop, manufacture and commercialize the identified small molecule compounds worldwide. Reborna will be eligible to receive an upfront payment, research expenses, milestone payments based on research and development progress and sales, as well as tiered royalties based on net sales.
“We highly value the Reborna’s technology, which enables the regulation of targets that were previously difficult to address with conventional drug discovery methods, through the normalization of RNA function. We will work with Reborna to advance new drug discovery projects targeting difficult-to-treat rare neurological disorders, striving to deliver innovative new drugs to patients as soon as possible,” said Seishi Katsumata, Corporate Officer / Executive Director, Discovery & Research of Ono.
“We are pleased to begin this research collaboration with Ono, which has a drug discovery policy of “creating original and innovative new drugs”, and to take a great step forward in the discovery of drugs for genetic rare disease. We are committed to maximizing our drug discovery research and development capabilities and working with Ono to create a new drug with high unmet medical needs,” said Koji Fuji, Representative Director of Reborna.
About Reborna’s proprietary drug discovery platform
Reborna possesses a drug discovery platform that includes proprietary screening technology utilizing the three-dimensional structures of RNA predicted to exist in the human body. This platform enables to identify small molecule compounds that directly modulate RNA functions, which have been considered difficult targets with conventional drug discovery methods.
About Reborna Biosciences, Inc.
Reborna is engaged in drug discovery research for oral drugs that show disease modifying effects through normalizing RNA function by using small molecule drugs with high affinity for RNA. By making RNA that governs protein synthesis the drug discovery target, we will provide drugs that offer a new approach to diseases that until now have proved difficult to treat. We will contribute to society by providing new drugs that enable patients suffering from rare genetic diseases and their families to feel that they have been reborn.
For more information, please visit http://rebornabiosciences.com .