Servier has expanded its research collaboration focused on Luxna Biotech Co., Ltd's XNAs Technology platform. The France-based pharmaceutical giant has signed for the right to obtain a worldwide exclusive license to the modified nucleic acid chemistry platform for use in antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) programs targeting neurological diseases.
The two companies initiated a drug discovery collaboration in April 2024, with Osaka, Japan-based Luxna applying its XNAs Technology to optimize Servier's ASO lead compounds against an undisclosed neurological target. The announcement marks an upgrade of that arrangement into a formal option structure following achievement of the first-stage research milestone, which has made Luxna eligible to receive a milestone payment. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Luxna's XNAs Technology comprises four proprietary modified nucleic acid chemistries — AmNA, scpBNA, GuNA, and 5′-CP — originating from Professor Satoshi Obika's laboratory at Osaka University. The company describes the platform as designed to generate ASOs with high target-binding activity and reduced toxicity compared with conventional chemistries. No named development candidate has been selected. The program remains at the lead-optimization stage. If Servier goes on to exercise its option, the license would provide Luxna with an upfront payment, annual fees, and additional milestone payments.