Development of a drug for the treatment of aging-related bone loss and muscle ­atrophy

A spin-off of the clinic of the university of Hamburg-Eppendorf

Sirana Pharma is a recently founded start-up company that develops an anti-microRNA (anti-miR)-based approach to treat aging-related musculoskeletal diseases.
The musculoskeletal system is subject to aging-related degeneration, leading to brittle bones (osteoporosis) and muscle weakness (sarcopenia) that often coincide as ‘osteo-sarcopenia’. This condition represents a great medical burden and is predicted to further increase in aging societies while no drug is available to treat this disease. Thus, a great medical need exists for efficient drugs that improve the function of the skeleton and the musculature.

Figure-bone-resorption

Sirana Pharma aims to develop an anti-miR-based approach that is suitable to treat aging-related osteo-sarcopenia and other diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system. The innovation uses the locked nucleic-­acid technology and targets endogenous miRs that mediate the disease condition. The compound stimulates the formation of new bone while attenuating a pathologically elevated bone resorption. In addition, the compound improves muscle strength and fatigue under the conditions of various diseases, which makes it unique. The project is at the pre-clinical stage.
Sirana Pharma received seed funding from the High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) and is currently preparing for the next funding round with a syndicate of well-known venture capital funds.