Amaroq Therapeutics

Amaroq Therapeutics is a New Zealand-based biotechnology company focused on developing a new class of cancer therapeutics that target long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Founded in 2021 as a spin-out from the University of Otago, Amaroq's research is based on the discovery that specific lncRNA molecules are highly expressed in cancer cells but not in normal healthy cells. The company's approach involves removing these lncRNA molecules to slow down cancer cell growth. Amaroq is developing innovative therapeutics targeting lncRNAs for treating common cancers such as breast, colorectal, and liver cancer.

The company's technology is based on the work of Dr. Sarah Diermeier, Amaroq's founder and Chief Scientific Officer, who has extensive experience in lncRNA research. Amaroq's research team has discovered lncRNA molecules that, when removed, can slow down the process of cancer cell division. The company is developing antisense oligomers (ASOs) as a therapy for various cancer types, including triple-negative breast cancer.

Amaroq Therapeutics has two main programs in development, one for bowel cancer and another for an aggressive form of breast cancer, with brain cancer next in the pipeline. The company was progressing toward clinical trials, with hopes to begin its first trials in 2025. Amaroq aims to conduct these trials in New Zealand, providing local patients with early access to new potential treatments.

In June 2021, Amaroq secured NZUSD 14 million in seed funding to accelerate its development efforts. The company has partnered with GeneCrypt, a data privacy startup, to enhance the security and privacy of patient genomic data used in its research. This collaboration allows Amaroq to access more patient datasets while ensuring data protection, potentially expanding its opportunities for drug discovery and business development.

Key customers and partnerships

Amaroq Therapeutics has established several key partnerships to advance its research and development efforts. In May 2023, the company announced a partnership with GeneCrypt, a startup specializing in privacy-preserving technology for genetic data. This collaboration aims to enhance Amaroq's existing research pipeline by allowing access to more patient datasets while ensuring data security and privacy.

The company has also worked with CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) to validate its findings and improve its processes. This partnership, completed in less than five months, helped Amaroq identify lncRNAs that affect cancer cell growth and deliver novel targets for cancer-directed intervention.

Amaroq Therapeutics has formed a Scientific Advisory Board comprising industry-leading experts in cancer research, RNA biology, drug development, and clinical trials. Notable appointments to this board include Prof David L. Spector as chair, along with Prof Sherene Loi, Prof Anna Pyle, and Dr Henrik Ørum as members. These appointments, announced in June 2022, demonstrate the scientific community's confidence in Amaroq's development of RNA therapy.