Ascidian Therapeutics Named to 2024 "Endpoints 11" List of Most Promising Biotechs
BOSTON, September 27, 2024 – Ascidian Therapeutics, a biotechnology company seeking to treat human diseases by rewriting RNA, today announced that it has been named as one of the Endpoints 11 most promising biotech companies of 2024. This award is bestowed annually by the Endpoints News editorial team to private biotechnology companies they deem “the best and brightest,” based on factors including outstanding management, innovative science, ambitious drug development plans, and substantive resources and backing.
“We are thrilled to be named as an Endpoints 11 company,” said Michael Ehlers, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Ascidian Therapeutics and General Partner and Chief Scientific Officer at Apple Tree Partners (ATP). “This recognition reflects the transformative potential of RNA exon editing therapeutics, as well as our achievement of being the first to advance an RNA editing therapy through an FDA IND process as the first global regulator, all in record time. I am incredibly proud of Ascidian’s science and progress, made possible by a superlative team. This is just the beginning. Thank you to Endpoints News for this honor, and congratulations to all of this year’s honorees.”
Ascidian pioneers RNA exon editors that tackle the genetic origins of disease by editing RNA at the kilobase scale, with no foreign enzymes or genomic risk. The company's first-of-its-kind platform is designed to advance the therapeutic possibilities of RNA medicine and treat diseases not addressed by today’s gene editing technologies.
Ascidian has achieved significant milestones in 2024, including U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of its Investigational New Drug (IND) application and Fast Track Designation for ACDN-01, the first-ever RNA exon editor to reach the clinic.
ACDN-01 is the only RNA editor of any kind whose IND cleared with the U.S. FDA as the first regulator, and the only clinical program aimed at addressing the root cause of Stargardt disease, the most common hereditary cause of blindness. Ascidian's versatile platform has led to the fastest and most capital-efficient entry into the clinic of any novel gene editing technology to date. Ascidian recently announced a $1.8B collaboration with Roche to develop novel therapies for difficult-to-treat neurological diseases.
About Ascidian Therapeutics
Ascidian Therapeutics, an ATP company, is redefining the treatment of disease by rewriting RNA. By editing exons at the RNA level, Ascidian therapies enable precise post-transcriptional editing of genes, resulting in full-length, functional proteins at the right levels, in the right cells, at the right time. With discovery, preclinical, and clinical programs in retinal, neurological, neuromuscular, and genetically defined diseases, Ascidian’s approach has the potential to treat patients with one dose of an RNA exon editor, opening new therapeutic possibilities for patients and their families who are seeking breakthroughs. Ascidian has been named both an Endpoints 11 and Fierce 15 company for 2024. For more information, visit www.ascidian.com.
Company & Media Contacts:
Daniel Rosan, Chief Financial and Business Officer
outreach@ascidian-tx.com
Heather Shea
+1 617-286-2013
heather.shea@catalyticagency.com