10055833Oligonucleotide therapeutics to transform IPF treatmentClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKHere we propose a highly innovative RNA medicine project that will leverage the previous work carried out by SENISCA on the identification of a new and druggable set of target genes to enable significant senescence reversal effect in primary human cell lines. This project is a step forward towards the most innovative and fruitful avenue for novel therapeutics for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), capable, for the first time, of attenuating the disease mechanism and with the potential to reverse the disease rather than mitigating symptoms only. IPF is the most common and aggressive form of interstitial lung disease, which can't be cured, reversed or stopped and current treatment options offer only a palliative solution, as they can only mildly slow disease progression and only in certain patients. Data shows that both incidence and prevalence of IPF are rising sharply and are predicted to continue to do so, leading to a crisis for healthcare systems. A strong team and advisory board have been established to carry out this project, which will ultimately lead to clinical trials of a new drug to stop advancement of the disease or potentially even reverse the fibrotic deposition that occurs during its progression. The expected outcomes are novel oligonucleotide therapeutics capable of reversing senescence in IPF-specific tissues. These new drugs will drive extension of the business strategy and scientific achievement of SENISCA which will contribute to the future generation of revenues and operational growth and strengthen the competitive position of SENISCA as a UK-based RNA medicine biotech. We expect significant benefits for the healthcare system (decrease of annual NHS costs up to ˜£2.5m in 3 years post launch), the UK economy (a reduction of working days lost because of IPF by ˜0.1%, with overall saving of estimated £32m for the UK economy) and a significant improvement of care outcome that will enable better quality of life and care for patients with IPF.