Secarna Pharmaceuticals
Secarna Pharmaceuticals is a privately held German biopharmaceutical company that discovers and develops antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) and siRNA therapeutics through its AI-empowered OligoCreator® platform, serving pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic partners via licensing and co-development deals while advancing its proprietary lead program SECN-15 toward the clinic.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersPlanegg, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Secarna Pharmaceuticals does
Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG is a privately held German biopharmaceutical company founded in 2015 and headquartered at the Innovation and Start-Up Centers Biotechnology (IZB) in Planegg/Martinsried, with a registered office in Marburg. The company focuses on the discovery and development of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapeutics, including both single-stranded ASOs and siRNAs, with the stated aim of addressing targets that are difficult or impossible to drug with conventional small molecules or biologics. Its core technology is the AI-empowered OligoCreator® platform, which integrates third-generation locked nucleic acid (LNA) chemistry via the LNAplus™ sub-platform, a proprietary in-silico sequence selection pipeline called Oligofyer™, and the LNA-Vit(r)ox™ safety assay for early identification of immunostimulatory and off-target effects; the Oligofyer system has been trained on data from over 50 discovery projects and is continuously refined with wet-lab feedback to optimize hit rates in safety and efficacy screens.
Secarna operates a B2B partnership-driven business model rather than a commercial product model. The company generates revenue — or more accurately, near-term cash inflows — through research collaborations, option-to-license agreements, milestone payments, and in some cases equity or warrant components with pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic counterparties; named partners span Evotec, Denali Therapeutics, Achilles Therapeutics, Lipigon Pharmaceuticals, SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals, Sun Yat-sen University, Celanese, Orbit Discovery, Vect-Horus, Scenic Biotech, VERAXA Biotech, Protalix BioTherapeutics, and venture firm Curie.Bio. Beyond partnered programs, Secarna maintains a proprietary pipeline led by SECN-15, a first-in-class ASO targeting Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) for solid tumors that is in IND-enabling studies with a planned IND submission in 2026. Pricing and deal economics are not publicly disclosed and are negotiated case-by-case. The company has 11–50 employees and is led by CEO Konstantin Petropoulos (promoted October 31, 2024), CSO Frank Jaschinski, and CRO Richard Klar, with a Scientific Advisory Board that includes NRP1 biology co-discoverer Prof. Dario Vignali and a corporate Advisory Board chaired by former BioNTech and MorphoSys CFO Jens Holstein.
Secarna Pharmaceuticals firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Secarna Pharmaceuticals
- Legal name
- Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG
- Website
- https://secarna.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Secarna Pharmaceuticals is a privately held German biopharmaceutical company that discovers and develops antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) and siRNA therapeutics through its AI-empowered OligoCreator® platform, serving pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic partners via licensing and co-development deals while advancing its proprietary lead program SECN-15 toward the clinic.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Secarna Pharmaceuticals industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Antisense Oligonucleotide Drug Discovery
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Antisense Oligonucleotides (ASO) Therapeutics (splice modulation/knockdown) (HLAAADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- RNA Therapeutics Platforms & Design (sequence design, target ID/validation, AI/bioinformatics) (HLAAADAG)
Keywords
Where Secarna Pharmaceuticals is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Planegg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Secarna Pharmaceuticals business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Partnership and Collaboration Agreements: Secarna generates revenue through strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic organizations. These arrangements typically involve technology access fees, research funding, milestone payments upon achievement of predefined success criteria, and warrants or equity stakes in partner companies.
- Co-development and Co-ownership: Collaborative arrangements where Secarna and partners share discovery and development responsibilities, building co-owned pipelines with milestone and royalty structures.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Secarna Pharmaceuticals product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Secarna Pharmaceuticals discovers and develops antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) and siRNA therapeutics using its AI-empowered OligoCreator® platform, which combines innovative and proven delivery modalities with proprietary safety and efficacy testing systems. The company offers partnered drug discovery and co-development services to pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic organizations, while also advancing its own proprietary pipeline, including the lead clinical candidate SECN-15 targeting Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) for solid tumors. Secarna generates real lead candidates for partners within 6–12 months through single- or multi-asset collaboration agreements.
Product overview
Secarna Pharmaceuticals offers a portfolio of proprietary AI-empowered drug discovery platforms centered on the OligoCreator® platform, which integrates the LNAplus™ antisense technology, Oligofyer™ bioinformatics selection system, and LNA-Vit(r)ox™ safety testing. The company develops proprietary antisense oligonucleotide therapeutics, with SECN-15 as its lead clinical candidate targeting NRP1 for solid tumors. Secarna provides partnered discovery services through its platforms and maintains over 20 discovery and development programs across immuno-oncology, inflammatory, fibrotic, cardiometabolic, CNS, and neuromuscular disease areas.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- OligoCreator®
Quantifiable outcome
- High hit rate in in vitro and in vivo safety and efficacy screens
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Secarna Pharmaceuticals
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Secarna Pharmaceuticals technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature4 records
Secarna Pharmaceuticals partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.
- Curie.BiocoreExpansion of existing scientific and strategic collaboration. Secarna supports Curie.Bio in identifying oligonucleotide candidates for its portfolio company ventures using OligoCreator® platform. Curie.Bio is a $1.25B global venture capital firm helping founders discover and develop important new medicines.
- Protalix BioTherapeuticscoreCollaboration and option agreement to develop oligonucleotide therapies for rare renal indications. Combines Protalix's rare disease and biologics expertise with Secarna's AI-powered OligoCreator® platform. Protalix obtains exclusive option to license active compounds for clinical development and potential commercialization.
- Scenic BiotechcoreDiscovery and co-development agreement to develop disease-modifying oligonucleotide therapy against a novel target. Leverages Scenic's Cell-Seq platform for target identification and Secarna's OligoCreator® for oligonucleotide discovery. Target is relevant for rare genetic disorders and broader disease conditions.
- VERAXA BiotechcoreStrategic research collaboration to develop next-generation antibody oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Combines Secarna's OligoCreator® platform with VERAXA's click chemistry conjugation technology. Aims to leverage targeted delivery advantages of AOCs to precisely modulate gene expression in disease-relevant cells while minimizing off-target effects.
- Vect-HorusstrategicResearch collaboration to advance systemic delivery of RNA-targeted therapeutics for CNS disorders. Combines Secarna's OligoCreator® technology with Vect-Horus' VECTrans® platform to enable delivery across the blood-brain barrier. VECTrans® uses engineered peptide and VHH antibody vectors for receptor-mediated transport.
- Orbit DiscoverystrategicCollaboration to discover and develop peptide-conjugated targeted antisense oligonucleotide therapeutics. Leverages Orbit's bead-based peptide display engine for identification and selection of cyclic peptides to pair with Secarna's ASO molecules. Expands targeted ASO capabilities beyond antibodies and GalNAc.
- Celanese CorporationstrategicRNA research collaboration for long-acting antisense therapies using Celanese VitalDose® Drug Delivery Platform with Secarna's ASO discovery platform. Aims to develop ASO-eluting implants to reduce dosing frequency and improve patient outcomes.
- SciNeuro PharmaceuticalsstrategicResearch and option agreement in the field of CNS diseases. Secarna applies its OligoCreator® platform to design ASO candidates for neurological targets.
- Lipigon PharmaceuticalsstrategicPartnership for ANGPTL4-targeting antisense oligonucleotide (Lipisense) for treatment of elevated blood lipids. First ASO derived from Secarna's LNAplus™ platform to enter Phase I clinical study.
- Achilles TherapeuticsstrategicResearch, option and license agreement to develop optimized T cell therapies. Secarna's LNAplus™ ASOs have potential to optimize personalized T cell therapies being developed by Achilles in immune oncology.
- Sun Yat-sen UniversitystrategicCooperation to develop LNAplus™-based antisense oligonucleotides specifically suppressing expression of host factors essential to SARS-CoV-2 viral infection cycle. Targeting host factors avoids risk of virus evading treatment due to mutation.
- Denali TherapeuticscoreResearch and option agreement for antisense therapies in neurodegenerative diseases. Leverages Secarna's LNAplus™ ASO platform with Denali's blood-brain barrier Transport Vehicle (TV) technology. Expanded in October 2021 to include multiple new programs across range of indications.
- EvoteccoreStrategic partnership in antisense therapy with comprehensive long-term platform agreement. Co-owned LNAplus™-based antisense pipeline with shared discovery and development responsibilities. Expanded in September 2021 to include third-party discovery, research and development programs. Evotec sources LNAplus™ antisense technology through strategic partnership with Secarna.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Secarna Pharmaceuticals competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals: The pioneer and largest antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapeutics company, with multiple approved drugs and a deep clinical pipeline across neurological, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. Direct comparison to Secarna on ASO chemistry platforms and partnership-driven business model.
- Wave Life Sciences: Clinical-stage oligonucleotide therapeutics company with PRISM platform for stereopure ASO/siRNA discovery and development, focused on neurological and rare diseases. Direct platform-based competitor with overlapping ASO chemistry focus.
- Stoke Therapeutics: Clinical-stage company developing antisense oligonucleotides (TANGO platform) for genetic diseases, with lead program in Dravet syndrome. Direct ASO peer with similar partnership-friendly discovery approach and CNS delivery focus.
- ProQR Therapeutics: RNA therapeutics company developing Axiomer® platform for ADAR-mediated RNA editing and antisense oligonucleotides for rare diseases. Comparable platform-based ASO company with similar pipeline-stage economics.
- Denali Therapeutics: Biotech developing BBB-crossing delivery vehicles (Transport Vehicle technology) for CNS-targeted therapeutics including ASOs. Secarna partner and a comparable developer of BBB-penetrant oligonucleotide therapies, partially overlapping in scope.
Broad incumbents
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Leading siRNA therapeutics company with approved products and broad pipeline, operating a discovery and partnership platform similar in concept to Secarna's OligoCreator. A broader incumbent in oligonucleotide therapeutics with deeper clinical pipeline and commercial revenues.
- Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals: siRNA platform company with broad delivery technology portfolio (TRiM™) and multiple partnered clinical programs across cardiometabolic, CNS, and oncology indications. Broader incumbent in oligonucleotide therapeutics with established pharma partnerships.
- Dicerna Pharmaceuticals (Novo Nordisk): Acquired by Novo Nordisk in 2021, Dicerna developed GalXC™ siRNA platform with multiple partnered programs in rare diseases and cardiometabolic indications. Now an internal oligonucleotide platform within a major pharma — relevant incumbent comparable.
- Sarepta Therapeutics: Commercial-stage RNA therapeutics company focused on gene therapy and exon-skipping PMO chemistries for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Broader incumbent in RNA-based therapeutics with established commercial products and delivery expertise.
Regional players
- Evotec: German drug discovery and development contract research organization with co-owned LNAplus™ antisense pipeline via Secarna partnership. Operating from Hamburg, Evotec is a comparable regional player with significant exposure to the oligonucleotide discovery space.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Secarna Pharmaceuticals social profiles
Digital presenceSecarna Pharmaceuticals financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Secarna Pharmaceuticals leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Secarna Pharmaceuticals funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Secarna Pharmaceuticals M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Secarna Pharmaceuticals
What does Secarna Pharmaceuticals do?
Secarna Pharmaceuticals discovers and develops antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) and siRNA therapeutics using its AI-empowered OligoCreator® platform, which combines innovative and proven delivery modalities with proprietary safety and efficacy testing systems. The company offers partnered drug discovery and co-development services to pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic organizations, while also advancing its own proprietary pipeline, including the lead clinical candidate SECN-15 targeting Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) for solid tumors. Secarna generates real lead candidates for partners within 6–12 months through single- or multi-asset collaboration agreements.
Is Secarna Pharmaceuticals a public or private company?
Secarna Pharmaceuticals is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Secarna Pharmaceuticals founded?
Secarna Pharmaceuticals was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Secarna Pharmaceuticals based?
Secarna Pharmaceuticals is headquartered in Planegg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Secarna Pharmaceuticals make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Partnership and Collaboration Agreements are the primary driver. The others are co-development and Co-ownership.
Who are Secarna Pharmaceuticals's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Wave Life Sciences, Stoke Therapeutics, ProQR Therapeutics and Denali Therapeutics. Broad incumbents are Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Dicerna Pharmaceuticals (Novo Nordisk) and Sarepta Therapeutics. Evotec is listed as a regional player.
Does Secarna Pharmaceuticals have an API?
No public API is recorded for Secarna Pharmaceuticals.
What industry is Secarna Pharmaceuticals in?
Secarna Pharmaceuticals's product category is Antisense Oligonucleotide Drug Discovery. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAADAC, Antisense Oligonucleotides (ASO) Therapeutics (splice modulation/knockdown), with a secondary code of HLAAADAG, RNA Therapeutics Platforms & Design (sequence design, target ID/validation, AI/bioinformatics). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 2834.