Rznomics Joins Lilly Gateway Labs in San Diego to Accelerate RNA Editing Therapeutics
核心洞察
Rznomics, a South Korean RNA gene therapy developer, has joined Lilly Gateway Labs (搜索) in San Diego to accelerate its trans-splicing ribozyme platform and pipeline of more than 200 disease targets.
The move grants Rznomics access to wet-lab facilities and direct engagement with Lilly scientists and executives, supporting preclinical and clinical development.
Rznomics and Eli Lilly signed a research collaboration and licensing agreement in May 2025, reported at approximately ₩1.9 trillion ($1.4 billion), to co-develop a novel RNA editing therapy.
Rznomics Inc. (KOSDAQ: 476830), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in RNA-based gene therapies, announced on August 23 that it is joining Lilly Gateway Labs (搜索) (LGL) in San Diego, California. The move deepens the company's existing partnership with Eli Lilly and Company and is intended to accelerate candidate discovery and development across Rznomics' target gene database bank, which comprises more than 200 disease targets.
Lilly Gateway Labs (搜索) is an innovation hub designed to empower biotechnology companies to advance groundbreaking science by providing access to wet lab facilities and opportunities to engage with Lilly scientists and executives. It forms part of Lilly Catalyze360, alongside Lilly Ventures, Lilly ExploR&D, and Lilly TuneLab, which together support biotech innovation through strategic capital, lab space and technology, and research and development capabilities. The hub currently operates at six locations worldwide, spanning the United States and China.
Through its entry into Lilly Gateway Labs (搜索), Rznomics plans to accelerate candidate discovery and development across its target gene database bank, while simultaneously driving long-term efforts to establish global clinical infrastructure for its lead pipelines, expand global strategic partnerships, and recruit top-tier R&D researchers in the U.S.
"Joining Lilly Gateway Labs (搜索) in San Diego represents a meaningful milestone for Rznomics' proprietary RNA platform," said Seong-Wook Lee, CEO of Rznomics. "We intend to advance the development and commercialization of our RNA therapeutics by active collaboration with the global biotech ecosystem."
The announcement reflects a deepening relationship between the two companies. Rznomics and Eli Lilly signed a research collaboration and license agreement in May 2025 for the development of a novel RNA editing therapeutic, with South Korean media reporting the technology transfer deal at approximately ₩1.9 trillion (approximately $1.4 billion). Rznomics subsequently listed on South Korea's KOSDAQ market in December 2025 under ticker 476830.
Rznomics' core technology is a proprietary trans-splicing ribozyme platform that enables precise RNA editing, with broad applicability across multiple indications, including genetic diseases and rare disorders. By joining the San Diego location, Rznomics aims to shorten development timelines for its drug candidates and raise its visibility in the global RNA editing therapy arena. San Diego is one of the premier biotech clusters in the United States, home to a deep pool of talent and venture capital resources in RNA therapeutics and gene editing.
South Korean biotech industry observers noted that Rznomics is the second South Korean company to join Lilly Gateway Labs (搜索), following Illimis Therapeutics (搜索), which joined the hub's Boston location in 2025. Market analysts further noted that the Rznomics-Lilly partnership model — evolving from technology licensing to deeper participation in the R&D ecosystem — is uncommon in the biotech industry, suggesting that Lilly sees meaningful technical potential in Rznomics' proprietary RNA editing platform. Should the two parties achieve substantive progress in clinical development, it could further enhance Rznomics' valuation in the capital markets.