Circio's CircVec Platform Achieves 50-Fold Gene Expression Enhancement in Eye Disease Applications
Key Insights
Circio's AAV-circVec 4.0 (search) platform demonstrated up to 50-fold enhanced gene expression in eye tissue compared to conventional mRNA (search)-based AAV systems in new in vivo studies.
The circular RNA (search) technology maintained 10-fold superior performance even at 90% reduced dosing levels, potentially improving safety and reducing treatment costs.
The company successfully raised NOK 68.6 million in oversubscribed financing to accelerate development of the circVec (search) platform for cardiac and ophthalmology applications.
Circio Holding ASA (search) has announced breakthrough in vivo data showing its circular RNA (search)-based gene expression platform, circVec (search), achieved up to 50-fold enhanced gene expression in eye tissue compared to conventional mRNA (search)-based adeno-associated virus (AAV) systems. The results represent the strongest performance improvement demonstrated by the company's technology to date and open ophthalmology as a promising new therapeutic avenue.
Enhanced Performance in Ocular Applications
The latest generation circVec (search) 4.0 design delivered unprecedented results when tested via local delivery to the eye. According to Dr. Thomas B Hansen, CTO of Circio, the technology not only achieved the 50-fold improvement at standard doses but maintained 10-fold superior performance even when delivered at 90% reduced dose levels. This dose-sparing potential could significantly improve the safety profile and reduce costs of AAV-based therapeutics for genetic and degenerative eye diseases (search).
"The expanding data package clearly demonstrates the potential of the circVec (search) platform to improve efficacy, safety, and accessibility of AAV gene therapy," Hansen stated during the company's presentation of the findings.
Validation in Cardiac Applications
Circio has simultaneously strengthened its evidence base in cardiac applications, reproducing previously reported 40-fold gene expression increases in new heart tissue experiments. Molecular analyses of ex vivo tissue samples revealed that 80% of heart cells showed positive circVec (search) expression following systemic AAV delivery at low doses.
The company's RNA and AAV DNA copy number quantification confirmed that the circVec (search) expression advantage stems directly from the increased durability of circular RNA (search) compared to conventional mRNA (search), validating the core scientific rationale underlying the platform.
Technology Platform and Mechanism
The proprietary circVec (search) platform utilizes a modular genetic construct designed for efficient biogenesis of multifunctional circular RNA (search) inside target cells. The technology has previously demonstrated 75-fold increased RNA half-life and up to 40-fold enhanced protein expression versus conventional mRNA (search)-based viral and non-viral vector systems across multiple therapeutic settings.
The circular RNA (search) approach addresses fundamental limitations of current gene therapy vectors by providing more stable and durable gene expression, potentially establishing a new standard for gene expression technology in therapeutic applications.
Strategic Funding and Development Plans
The company completed a highly successful financing round in Q1 2026, raising NOK 68.6 million (approximately USD 7 million) in a 50% oversubscribed transaction combining a rights issue and parallel private placements. The funding will support expanded R&D activities over the next twelve months, with an associated warrant structure potentially extending the financing runway into the second half of 2027.
"The robust technological foundation, unique expertise and strong in vivo data, combined with the recently announced R&D collaboration with a global pharma company, were key elements to achieve a highly successful fundraising," said CEO Dr. Erik Digman Wiklund.
Market Context and Future Applications
Circio has identified ophthalmology as a strategic development area, citing increasing industry interest evidenced by recent strategic transactions from major pharmaceutical companies and specialist investors. The circVec (search) platform's potential to substantially increase potency while reducing toxicity and costs positions it to address high unmet medical needs in genetic and degenerative eye diseases (search).
The company plans to focus on applying these technical findings in disease-relevant contexts, developing therapeutic AAV-circVec (search) constructs for both cardiac and ocular conditions with significant unmet medical needs.