QurAlis, a privately-held company specializing in precision medicines for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases, has debuted its latest program. This initiative targets UNC13A RNA mis-splicing, a critical gene alteration present in ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). FTD has recently gained renewed attention following the disclosure of Bruce Willis’ diagnosis of the condition. UNC13A is a vital regulator of neurotransmitter release at synapses, and the genetic alteration resulting in mis-splicing is estimated to occur in 58% of ALS patients and up to half of FTD cases.
To tackle this gene alteration, QurAlis has developed its proprietary FlexASO splice modulator platform. This technology uses antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to correct mis-splicing, restore UNC13A protein production, and reduce cryptic exons that may contribute to disease progression. Kasper Roet, QurAlis CEO, explained that “FlexASOs operate on the s…