QurAlis Corporation has entered into an exclusive license agreement with UMass Chan Medical School for a novel RNA-targeted mechanism that could transform treatment options for Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the leading inherited form of intellectual disability and most common single genetic cause of autism.
The agreement, announced on May 15, 2025, follows a 2024 partnership between the organizations to explore FXS biology and identify targets for antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-mediated correction. The collaboration has confirmed FMR1-217, a mis-spliced form of the FMR1 gene, as a validated genetic target for potential precision medicine approaches.
"FXS is a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder with no effective disease-modifying therapies available," said Kasper Roet, Ph.D., chief executive officer and co-founder of QurAlis. "This groundbreaking discovery of a novel RNA-targeted mechanism to restore functional protein for FXS and the feasibility of a biomarker to detect mis-splicing of FMR1 in FXS patients opens up a completely new type of therapeutic approach through splice correction."
Understanding Fragile X Syndrome
Fragile X syndrome affects approximately 87,000 individuals in the United States alone—occurring in one in 4,000 men and one in 6,000 women. The condition results from a mutation of the Fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene on the X chromosome, leading to a range of developmental problems including learning disabilities, behavioral challenges, and cognitive impairment.
Males are typically more severely affected than females. Current interventions are limited to special education, various therapies, and medications that provide only symptomatic relief rather than addressing the underlying cause of the disorder.
Novel Therapeutic Approach
The research collaboration builds on work from the laboratory of Joel D. Richter, Ph.D., the Arthur F. Koskinas Chair in Neuroscience and professor of molecular medicine at UMass Chan. His team, including colleagues Sneha Shah, Ph.D., Jonathan Watts, Ph.D., and Elizabeth Berry-Kravis, M.D., Ph.D. of Rush Medical Center, identified the potential of targeting FMR1 mis-splicing.
"This is a meaningful step in the process of taking basic biological discoveries and turning them into practical therapies that can benefit patients in the clinic," said Dr. Richter. "QurAlis' platform and expertise in neurodegenerative disorders is industry leading and is well positioned to address the mis-splicing of FMR1 RNA and restoration of functional FMRP protein expression."
QurAlis' approach leverages antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) technology, which has shown significant potential in treating genetic disorders by targeting disease at the RNA level. ASOs are short, engineered single-stranded DNA/RNA molecules that can selectively bind RNA to regulate its expression in cells.
Biomarker Development and Patient Impact
A particularly promising aspect of the research is the identification of FMR1-217, which is widely expressed throughout cortical brain areas affected in FXS and can be measured in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. QurAlis' preliminary data suggests the feasibility of using this as a biomarker to detect mis-splicing of FMR1 in patients with FXS.
The company believes its approach could potentially benefit up to 80 percent of FXS patients. This represents a significant advance in the field, as there are currently no effective disease-modifying treatments for the condition.
Next Steps in Development
QurAlis is now applying its proprietary FlexASO® platform and expertise in ASO splicing targets toward advancing the program. The company aims to nominate a candidate for Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies in the near future.
"We look forward to applying QurAlis' FlexASO® platform and deep knowledge and expertise of ASO splicing targets toward having a candidate nominated for IND-enabling studies in the near future, so that we can bring a potential new precision medicine option to patients," added Dr. Roet.
The development represents a significant milestone in the field of RNA therapeutics and offers new hope for patients and families affected by Fragile X syndrome, who have long awaited effective treatment options that address the underlying cause of the disorder rather than just managing symptoms.
