Cambridge, UK, 25 February 2025: Harness Therapeutics (‘Harness’), a biotechnology company unlocking previously undruggable targets to transform the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, today announces that it will present a poster on the potential of nanopore sequencing for detecting CAG expansion in the Huntingtin gene (HTT) in patient iPSC derived neurons and organoids at the 20th Annual CHDI Huntington’s Disease Therapeutics Conference, taking place from 24 February to 27 February 2025, in Palm Springs, California.
Recent studies published in Nature Medicine[1] and Cell[2] have demonstrated the link between somatic DNA-repeat expansion and Huntington’s disease progression. Harness’ lead programme in Huntington’s Disease (HD) is a high-potency antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) designed to target this process by promoting a controlled increase in FAN1 nuclease, a protective protein known to be a key modifier of disease progression.
The data presented at CHDI will highlight the potential of nanopore sequencing as a tool to assess the efficacy of FAN1 targeting ASO’s in relevant disease cell models.
Poster presentation details
- Title: Exploring the Potential of Nanopore Sequencing for Detecting CAG Expansion in HTT Gene
- Session date and time: 26 February 2025, 1:00pm-4:00pm PST
- Poster no: 54
- Speaker: Laura Grasso
- Authors: Laura Grasso, Yi-Fang Wang, Aleksandra Pitera, Laura Heraty, Tom Briston and Andy Billinton
A copy of the poster will be made available on the Company's website following the presentation at: https://www.harnesstx.com/
If you would like to arrange a meeting at the conference, please contact: bd@harnesstx.com
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About Harness Therapeutics
Harness Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on unlocking previously undruggable targets to transform the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Its technology drives controlled and precise upregulation of target protein levels by modulating the mechanisms controlling protein synthesis. Using its deep understanding of post-transcriptional regulation and sophisticated neuron-based models, Harness’ approach allows drugging of potentially disease-modifying targets, which would not be addressable using gene therapy or other modalities.
Its lead programme, in Huntington’s Disease, targets FAN1 nuclease, a key protective protein in slowing disease progression. Its pipeline also includes programmes targeting nuclear import receptors for ALS and Alzheimer's Disease, and the Company has plans to initiate a third programme for Parkinson’s Disease.
Harness has assembled a world-class team, supported by an SAB of leading experts in HD and RNA biology, and is based in Cambridge, UK. Its leading life science investors include the foundational investors Takeda Ventures and SV Health Investors’ Dementia Discovery Fund, alongside Epidarex Capital and Ono Ventures Investment.
For more information, please visit https://www.harnesstx.com/ and follow us on LinkedIn.
For further information, please contact:
ICR Healthcare
Amber Fennell, Stephanie Cuthbert,
Tel: +44 20 3709 5700
Email: harnesstx@icrinc.com
