Harness Therapeutics

Harness Therapeutics is a biotechnology firm concentrating on the development of treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. The company was founded in 2020 as Transine Therapeutics and is headquartered in Cambridge, UK. It was established by life science investors Takeda Ventures and The Dementia Discovery Fund (DDF), with Epidarex Capital joining as an investor in 2022. The company rebranded to Harness Therapeutics, broadening its focus from its initial IncRNA “SINEUP” platform to a wider range of oligonucleotide-based tools for physiological protein upregulation.

The company's business model revolves around developing and advancing a pipeline of disease-modifying therapies for subsequent collaboration or licensing with larger pharmaceutical partners. The primary clients are patients suffering from debilitating neurodegenerative conditions with limited treatment options. Harness Therapeutics operates in the neurodegenerative disease market, with a focus on conditions like Huntington's Disease (HD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's Disease, and Parkinson's Disease. Revenue generation is anticipated through milestone payments from partnerships and eventual royalties on commercialized therapies.

Harness Therapeutics' core technology is its proprietary MISBA™ platform, which enables finely tuned, controlled increases in the expression of specific proteins. This is achieved by using mRNA-targeted oligonucleotides to modulate post-transcriptional protein synthesis. This method allows the company to pursue genetically validated targets that have been difficult to address with traditional therapeutic approaches like gene therapy. The lead program, HRN001, targets the FAN1 nuclease for Huntington's Disease. Genetic data suggests that higher levels of FAN1 can delay the onset and progression of HD by slowing down the expansion of CAG 'triplets', a key driver of the disease's pathology. The therapy is based on antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) technology designed to increase FAN1 levels in the brain. The company is also developing a second program for ALS and Alzheimer's and plans a third for Parkinson's Disease.

The leadership team includes CEO Dr. Jan Thirkettle, who has over 25 years of experience in pharmaceutical development, including leadership roles at Freeline Therapeutics and GSK. Dr. Andy Billinton serves as CSO, bringing more than 22 years of drug discovery experience from roles at Nodthera, MedImmune/AstraZeneca, and GSK. Dr. Heather Preston, a seasoned healthcare investor with over 30 years of experience as a scientist and physician, was appointed as Non-Executive Chair in January 2025. Keywords: neurodegenerative diseases, protein upregulation, oligonucleotide therapeutics, Huntington's Disease, FAN1 nuclease, MISBA platform, RNA biology, antisense oligonucleotide, CNS disorders, Takeda Ventures, Dementia Discovery Fund, Epidarex Capital, Cambridge biotech, physiological protein modulation, disease-modifying therapies, ALS, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, translational medicine, post-transcriptional regulation