MPAN: C19orf12 Protein Replacement Therapy – A Knockdown In Vitro Study

MPAN is a rare, progressive neurodegenerative disorder for which there is currently no disease-modifying treatment. Our work is focused on changing that. We are developing a two-stage therapeutic strategy designed to address MPAN at more than one level. Rather than targeting only the consequences of the disease, our approach aims to first tackle the underlying biological defect and then support the recovery and protection of affected cells. Stage 1 — Correct the underlying disease mechanism The first stage focuses on restoring the biological function disrupted in MPAN. By targeting the root molecular cause of the disease, we aim to reduce the cellular dysfunction that drives progressive neurodegeneration. Stage 2 — Protect and restore vulnerable cells Correcting the underlying defect may not be enough once cells have already been under stress for many years. The second stage therefore focuses on helping vulnerable cells recover, improving their resilience and creating the conditions needed for lasting therapeutic benefit.

On Track
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Duration

18 months

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Team Size

6

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Progress

80% Complete

80% Funded

$200,000 of $250,000
genetic
PROJECT

Research Objectives

Protein Replacement Strategy

Our research is focused on evaluating an mRNA-based therapeutic strategy for MPAN and investigating whether restoration of C19orf12 expression can rescue disease-associated changes in human neuronal cell models.

Completed

Therapeutic mRNA Design

Designed and generated five research-stage mRNA candidates intended to restore C19orf12 expression for experimental evaluation.

Completed

Human Neuronal Disease Model - Knock Down SH-SY5Y

Established a reproducible human neuronal cell model that mimics key cellular changes associated with C19orf12 deficiency and enables therapeutic testing.

Completed

mRNA Rescue Studies

Evaluated the mRNA candidates in our neuronal cell model and demonstrated rescue of disease-associated cellular phenotypes following mRNA treatment.

Completed

Rescue of Established Neuronal Damage

Investigated whether mRNA treatment could restore neuronal health after disease-associated cellular changes were already present. Our studies demonstrated improvement in impaired neuronal morphology, including recovery of reduced neurite outgrowth.

Completed

Confirmatory Studies & Publication

An additional round of confirmatory experiments is underway to reproduce and strengthen our findings in preparation for scientific publication.

In Progress

Project Timeline

Phase 1

Discovery

01-Sep-2024
Phase 2

Preclinical

30-Sep-2026
Phase 3

Filing Patent

30-Sep-2026
Phase 4

Clinical Readiness

30-Sep-2027

Discovery

ProjectNameSubitemsProject ManagerProject TimelineMilestone StatusReadiness LevelRisk LevelPublic VisibilityInvestor VisibilityPublic summaryInvestor Summary
NBIA-MPAN mRNA Therapy--PlannedIn Vitro-YesNo
NBIA-MPAN Therapuetic Program--PlannedHuman Evidence-NoYes
Target Validation--CompletedHuman EvidenceLowYesYesDiscovery Milestone Completed and Program Advanced to next stageTarget Validation completed with supportive in Vitro evidence. Next step is mechanism confirmation and advancement toward lead candidate slelection.
Mechanism of Action--CompletedHuman EvidenceMediumNoYes
In Vitro Efficacy--PlannedIn VitroHighNoYes
BBB Penetration--PlannedIn VitroLowNoYes

Preclinical

ProjectNameSubitemsProject ManagerProject TimelineMilestone StatusReadiness LevelRisk LevelPublic VisibilityInvestor VisibilityPublic summaryInvestor Summary
Lead Candidate Selection--In ProgressPreclinicalMedium-No
Preclinical Toxicology Initiated--In ProgressPreclinical--No
Biodistribution Study--PlannedPreclinicalMedium-No

IND Preparation

ProjectNameSubitemsProject ManagerProject TimelineMilestone StatusReadiness LevelRisk LevelPublic VisibilityInvestor VisibilityPublic summaryInvestor Summary
Pre-IND Meeting Preparation--BlockedPreclinicalMedium-Yes
IND Enabling Studies Intiated--In ProgressClinicalMedium-Yes

Clinical Readiness

ProjectNameSubitemsProject ManagerProject TimelineMilestone StatusReadiness LevelRisk LevelPublic VisibilityInvestor VisibilityPublic summaryInvestor Summary
No data available

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