Hongene Biotech Corporation, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) focused on nucleic acid therapeutics, has entered a non-exclusive licensing agreement with UMass Chan Medical School to produce and supply extended nucleic acid (exNA) monomers and exNA-modified oligonucleotides for research use.

The partnership strengthens Hongene’s RNA chemistry portfolio and broadens access to advanced oligonucleotide technologies for academic and biopharmaceutical researchers developing RNA interference (RNAi), antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), CRISPR guides, and other oligo-based modalities.

Developed at the RNA Therapeutics Institute at UMass Chan Medical School, exNA is a proprietary backbone modification that enhances the durability and pharmacokinetics of oligonucleotide therapeutics while remaining compatible with established small interfering RNA (siRNA) designs (Yamada et al, 2025).

“This partnership reflects our strategy to bring next-generation RNA chemistries to market and support researchers working on the toughest delivery challenges in oligonucleotide therapeutics,” said Dr David Butler, chief technology officer at Hongene. “By enabling access to exNA for research, we hope to accelerate the development of RNA-based medicines for extrahepatic indications.”

Under the agreement, Hongene will leverage its expertise in phosphoramidite manufacturing and oligonucleotide synthesis to make exNA phosphoramidites and custom exNA oligonucleotides available through its catalog and bespoke services. The expanded access is expected to accelerate research into more stable, tissue-specific RNA therapeutics and support the development of novel medicines targeting areas of unmet clinical need.

The deal positions Hongene as a key provider of advanced RNA chemistries, helping researchers overcome longstanding challenges in oligonucleotide design and delivery. By integrating exNA into its portfolio, the CDMO is enabling early-stage and preclinical research teams to explore next-generation therapies with improved stability and efficacy.

Experts in the field have highlighted the potential of exNA technology to expand the therapeutic reach of oligonucleotide drugs beyond the liver, where most current RNA-based therapies are concentrated. Hongene’s capability to produce both monomers and modified oligonucleotides at scale could play a pivotal role in advancing the field of RNA therapeutics and accelerating the translation of innovative research into clinical solutions.