Validation of differences in therapeutic activity based on PNA chemical modification and arrangement
Securing target-specific optimization technology for application in AOC payload development
HLB Panagene (046210) has unveiled research findings in the United States confirming that the chemical structure of peptide nucleic acids (PNA) significantly influences therapeutic activity. The company plans to leverage these insights to accelerate the optimization of PNA payloads—the core technology behind its proprietary antibody-oligonucleotide conjugate (AOC) platform.
On the 14th, HLB Panagene announced that it participated in the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society (OTS 2026), held in Denver, Colorado, starting on the 11th. During the conference, the company presented a poster detailing its research on PNA chemical modifications and the regulation of RNA splicing.
AOC technology utilizes antibodies to deliver nucleic acid therapeutics directly to target cells. In this system, the antibody acts as a homing mechanism to identify specific cells, while the conjugated nucleic acid performs the therapeutic function once inside. HLB Panagene is currently developing a platform that incorporates its proprietary PNA technology as the nucleic acid payload for AOCs.
In this study, researchers compared the RNA splicing modulation effects by varying the chemical structure and modification sites of PNA, specifically targeting genes associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and cancer. RNA splicing is the process of selecting and joining necessary segments of RNA to convey genetic information; modulating this process can influence the production of disease-related proteins.
The study results revealed that even when targeting the same genetic information, therapeutic activity varied significantly depending on the type and arrangement of PNA chemical modifications. Certain modified PNAs demonstrated activity comparable to or higher than PMO (phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer), a conventional material used in nucleic acid therapeutics. In cancer cell experiments, specific modified PNAs exhibited the highest apoptosis-inducing effects among all tested substances.
The research also confirmed that the most effective PNA structure varies by disease and target. This underscores the necessity of designing PNA sequences and chemical structures individually tailored to specific disease characteristics rather than applying a "one-size-fits-all" structure to every target.
HLB Panagene intends to utilize the PNA design techniques and experimental data secured through this study to advance its AOC platform. The company plans to verify cellular delivery efficiency and intracellular activity by conjugating target-optimized PNAs with antibodies, ultimately paving the way for the discovery of follow-up AOC drug candidates.
According to the company, the conference attendees showed strong interest in the potential of using chemical modifications to enhance PNA activity and its viability as a therapeutic payload. Technical inquiries regarding PNA synthesis and structural analysis were also noted throughout the event.
An official from HLB Panagene stated, "To enhance the therapeutic efficacy of AOCs, the performance of the payload—which executes the actual therapeutic function once delivered to the target cell—is paramount. Based on the PNA design expertise and data accumulated through this research, we will develop optimal, target-specific PNA payloads and translate this into a significant competitive advantage for our AOC platform."
