Laronde

About Laronde

Laronde was established in 2017 as a venture by Flagship Labs, the innovation division of Flagship Pioneering. The company, initially designated FL50, originated from explorations into the therapeutic potential of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that began the same year. This research was spearheaded by a team led by Avak Kahvejian, Ph.D., a General Partner at Flagship Pioneering who also served as Laronde's founding CEO. The scientific inquiry into naturally occurring circular RNA in mammalian cells led to the creation of Endless RNA™ (eRNA).

The company's core technology, Endless RNA™ (eRNA), is a synthetically engineered, closed-loop RNA designed to be programmable for expressing therapeutic proteins within the body. Unlike linear messenger RNA (mRNA), eRNA's circular structure protects it from being broken down by exonuclease enzymes, which typically dismantle RNA strands from their ends. This structural feature is intended to provide high stability and a prolonged therapeutic effect. The name "Laronde" itself is derived from the French word for "round," highlighting the importance of this circular architecture. Furthermore, eRNA is designed to be non-immunogenic, meaning it avoids triggering the body's innate immune system, which allows for the possibility of repeat dosing.

Laronde's business model is centered on developing a new class of programmable medicines. The eRNA platform is modular, allowing for the "protein-coding cassette" to be switched out to produce different proteins, such as peptides, enzymes, and antibodies. This adaptability positions the company to address a wide spectrum of diseases, with initial areas of interest including hematology, oncology, neurology, and immunology. The firm operates as a biopharmaceutical platform company, aiming to create a portfolio of drug programs. Its strategy involves not only developing and commercializing its own medicines but also potentially selling or spinning out certain programs. A significant milestone was achieved in August 2021, when Laronde secured $440 million in a Series B financing round from a syndicate of investors, including its founder Flagship Pioneering.