FAST funds Frances Arnold’s directed‑evolution platform to create RNA‑targeted nucleoside analogs for Angelman syndrome therapy
Executive summary: FAST awarded a grant to Frances Arnold to use directed evolution to develop nucleoside analogs targeting RNA for Angelman syndrome therapy. The initiative could yield novel RNA‑based therapeutics for a rare neurodevelopmental disorder and demonstrates the application of award‑winning enzyme engineering to neurotherapeutics.
Who is involved: FAST (granting body), Frances Arnold (2018 Nobel laureate in Chemistry), and the Angelman syndrome research community.
Likely next: Researchers will generate mutant enzyme libraries, screen for nucleoside analog production, advance promising candidates into preclinical studies, and seek regulatory clearance for clinical testing.
The Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST) announced a grant to Nobel laureate Frances Arnold to apply directed evolution in designing nucleoside analogs that could modulate RNA associated with Angelman syndrome. The project aims to expand on existing research by generating novel chemical tools for therapeutic intervention. By leveraging Arnold’s expertise in enzyme evolution, FAST seeks to accelerate the discovery of candidate molecules for preclinical evaluation. No financial terms or timeline were disclosed in the announcement.
Timeline
- — FAST Awards Grant to Nobel Laureate Frances Arnold to Advance Next-Generation Tools for a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Angelman Syndrome (PR Newswire)