Leveraging RNA Editing to Reprogram Reactive Astrocytes
About US
AstRNA is developing a cell-specific RNA editing platform to treat chronic neuroinflammation, a process driving many neurodegenerative and CNS conditions. Unlike existing RNAi- and ADAR-based therapies, our platform enables site-directed RNA editing targeted to specific cell populations — precisely tuning protein activity. Our lead program targets reactive astrocytes, key drivers of chronic neuroinflammation, without disrupting healthy cell function. Because our approach modulates disease pathways rather than correcting single genetic mutations, it has the potential to benefit the much larger population of patients affected by non-genetic, dysregulation-driven diseases, establishing a new class of RNA therapeutics that is precise, cell-specific, and broadly applicable.
For investors
Neurological diseases affect over 55 million people worldwide, including more than 6 million Alzheimer's patients in the U.S. alone, driving an annual economic burden exceeding $400 billion in healthcare costs and lost productivity . By targeting reactive astrocyte signaling, a mechanism shared across Parkinson's, ALS, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, and CNS oncology, our platform can address multiple large markets from a single core technology. Our approach also creates partnership opportunities with biotech and pharma , combining glial reprogramming with existing therapies. The result is a scalable, plug-and-play RNA platform with the potential to generate value across multiple markets.