ARCALIS has developed a new mRNA sequence optimization technology, named “HARNA” and will officially integrate it into its mRNA drug discovery services starting in April.

Since protein expression efficiency depends on mRNA sequences, precise sequence design is crucial in drug discovery. In collaboration with Hitachi, Ltd., ARCALIS has been working to advance mRNA sequence optimization for enhanced protein expression. Through this partnership, we have successfully developed a novel AI-driven algorithm designed by Hitachi to optimize mRNA sequences.

This newly developed technology utilizes codon optimization, a method that modifies the coding sequence (CDS) of mRNA. Unlike our conventional approaches that primarily focus on translation efficiency, our new algorithm also prioritizes mRNA stability, offering a more comprehensive optimization strategy. In a mouse in vivo study, human erythropoietin (hEPO) mRNA designed with this technology demonstrated over a tenfold increase in protein expression levels in the bloodstream 24 hours post-administration compared to the wild-type mRNA. Furthermore, even at 72 hours post-administration, expression levels remained more than 100 times higher than those of the wild type. These findings suggest that mRNA optimized with this technology surpasses the mRNA with conventional methods in both expression levels and duration.

Starting this April, ARCALIS will integrate this breakthrough mRNA sequence optimization technology named “HARNA” into its mRNA drug discovery services. If you are exploring mRNA drug discovery, we invite you to contact us for more information.