Kriya acquires Redpin Therapeutics, adds gene therapies for epilepsy, trigeminal neuralgia

Kriya Therapeutics Inc. announced the acquisition of biotech company Redpin Therapeutics Inc., bolstering Kriya’s neurology therapeutic portfolio by adding gene therapy programs for epilepsy and trigeminal neuralgia.

According to a Kriya release, Redpin’s proprietary chemogenetics platform selectively targets disease-causing neurons, without affecting normally functioning cells. Unlike some traditional treatments for neurologic conditions, which rely on systemic medications or surgical intervention and may have limited efficacy, this technology uses gene products that are responsive to a specific molecule.

“Redpin’s innovative chemogenetics platform has the potential to transform the lives of patients suffering from intractable neurological conditions,” Shankar Ramaswamy, MD, CEO and co-founder of Kriya, stated in the release. “We are looking forward to integrating Redpin’s platform and pipeline into Kriya’s gene therapy engine as we advance our mission to develop lifechanging gene therapies that can address diseases affecting millions of patients around the world.”

According to the release, the Redpin technology will be used to target engineered cells that are responsive to modification by the FDA-approved anti-smoking drug varenicline, which will inhibit overactive neurons or stimulate underactive ones.

“Redpin has a built a breakthrough, validated chemogenetics approach that could have significant potential in the targeted treatment of neurological disorders,” Redpin President, CEO and Co-Founder Elma Hawkins, PhD, MBA, said in the release. “Kriya Therapeutics is the perfect company to take this leading ion channel-based platform forward and deliver an effective treatment option for patients.”