Raina Biosciences Inc. ("Raina"), a company focused on mRNA technology and therapeutics, has recently published findings from its generative AI platform in the journal Science. This data underscores Raina's groundbreaking method of mRNA design, utilizing the GEMORNA platform to create novel sequences that exhibit superior drug properties compared to traditional mRNA discovery techniques. The company was established by a team with extensive expertise in RNA therapeutics and AI, aiming to revolutionize the mRNA therapeutics landscape by accelerating drug discovery timelines and expanding the therapeutic applications of mRNA.

The article, titled "Deep generative models design mRNA sequences with enhanced translational capacity and stability," signifies a pivotal achievement in optimizing novel mRNAs for improved expression and durability, which can facilitate a broad spectrum of therapeutic mRNA applications. Timothy Lu, M.D., Ph.D., Raina’s Chairman of the Board and a former MIT faculty member, remarked, "Raina has the potential to transform mRNA therapeutics by rapidly and reliably generating novel sequences with greater performance, precision and efficacy." He added, "The GEMORNA platform could be a sea change for biopharma companies pursuing mRNA-based medicines beyond traditional infectious disease vaccines ranging from neoantigen cancer vaccines, in vivo CARs, to gene editing or gene therapy applications."

Raina Biosciences is a spinout from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and was founded by leaders in mRNA and AI with proven success in the biotech field. Key figures include Jicong Cao, Ph.D. (co-founder and CEO), a former mRNA researcher at MIT and co-founder of Bota Biosciences, and He Zhang, Ph.D. (co-founder and CTO), who previously worked as a Senior Staff Scientist at Baidu Research. Timothy Lu, M.D., Ph.D., also a co-founder, has a history of co-founding several biotechnology companies and served on the MIT faculty from 2010 to 2022. Additionally, Joel Edwards, Chief Corporate Development Officer, brings over 25 years of experience in corporate strategy and deal-making within the biotech sector. Raina is further supported by scientific advisor Jeff Coller, Ph.D., Bloomberg Distinguished Professor and Inaugural Director of the RNA Innovation Center at Johns Hopkins University. Upon its establishment, Raina secured an angel funding round of $5.7 million.