Heqet Therapeutics

What Heqet Therapeutics does

Heqet Therapeutics Srl is a privately held, pre-clinical stage biotechnology company founded in 2021 as a spin-out of King's College London, headquartered in Turin, Italy. The company is developing first-in-class non-coding RNA-based therapeutics — specifically microRNAs (miR-199a-3p and miR-1825) — designed to reactivate cardiomyocyte proliferation by modulating the Hippo/YAP signaling axis, with the goal of regenerating functional myocardium following acute myocardial infarction and treating subsequent heart failure. The pipeline is supported by a proprietary lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery platform optimized for myocardial administration via catheter-based techniques, and in June 2026 the company licensed the Extroducer® endovascular delivery platform from SmartCella to expand delivery options. Target indications are STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction) and HFrEF (heart failure with reduced ejection fraction), addressing an addressable population of over 64 million chronic heart failure patients globally.

The company's scientific foundation rests on Prof. Mauro Giacca's laboratory, with two key scientific staff (Dr. Filippo Perbellini and Dr. Gang Li) maintaining their primary positions at King's College London while serving as consultants. Bo Rode Hansen, formerly CEO of Genevant Sciences and a global head at Roche pRED, serves as Executive Chair. Heqet is backed by three institutional investors — Claris Ventures SGR S.p.A, i2i Capital Limited, and 2Invest AG.

The company has no commercial products, no pricing in market, and no revenue. Its future revenue model is structured around licensing and royalty arrangements, with commercialization expected to be executed through partnerships with large pharmaceutical companies. Headcount is in the 1-10 range, consistent with an early-stage biotech focused on advancing preclinical candidates toward clinical development.

Name

Heqet Therapeutics

Legal name

Heqet Therapeutics Srl

Website

https://heqettherapeutics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Heqet Therapeutics is a pre-clinical biotech developing first-in-class microRNA-based therapies (miR-199a-3p, miR-1825) to regenerate cardiac tissue after myocardial infarction, using a proprietary LNP delivery platform and catheter-based administration to address acute MI and subsequent heart failure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cardiovascular RNA Therapeutics

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

siRNA Therapeutics (gene silencing) (HLAAADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

RNA Delivery Technologies (LNPs, polymers, conjugates incl. GalNAc, peptides, exosomes) (HLAAADAD), Cardiovascular & Vascular Regeneration (vascular grafts, angiogenesis) (HLAAAGAJ), RNA Therapeutics Platforms & Design (sequence design, target ID/validation, AI/bioinformatics) (HLAAADAG), Cardiology & Vascular Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAG), Cardiac Assist & Heart Failure Therapies (Implantables, Neuromodulation) (HLAHAFAL)

Keywords

• RNA-based therapeutics
• Cardiac regeneration
• MicroRNA therapy
• Lipid nanoparticle delivery
• Cardiovascular biotech

Headquarters

HQ city

Torino

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Pre-commercial / Pipeline Development: As a pre-clinical stage biotech company, Heqet Therapeutics is focused on advancing its RNA-based therapy pipeline through development stages toward clinical trials and eventual commercialization. Revenue generation is not yet active.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Heqet Therapeutics is a pre-clinical stage biotech company developing first-in-class non-coding RNA-based therapeutics, specifically microRNAs (miR-199a-3p and miR-1825), to reactivate cardiomyocyte proliferation via the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway for cardiac regeneration following acute myocardial infarction. The therapies are delivered using a proprietary lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform optimized for catheter-based myocardial administration, supplemented by a licensed endovascular delivery platform.

Product overview

Heqet Therapeutics is developing a pipeline of first-in-class non-coding RNA-based therapies for cardiovascular diseases, with a primary focus on acute myocardial infarction. The core portfolio consists of microRNA therapeutics (miR-199a-3p and miR-1825) that reactivate cardiomyocyte proliferation through Hippo/YAP signaling pathway activation. These miRNA candidates are delivered via a proprietary lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform optimized for cardiac tissue targeting, with the option to utilize the licensed Extroducer® endovascular delivery platform for catheter-based administration. Target indications include STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction) and HFrEF (heart failure with reduced ejection fraction).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• miR-199a-3p Endogenous microRNA therapeutic candidate that reactivates adult cardiomyocyte proliferation through suppression of TAOK1 and activation of the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway, enabling functional cardiac regeneration following myocardial infarction.
• miR-1825 Endogenous microRNA therapeutic candidate that promotes cardiomyocyte cell cycle re-entry and proliferation to restore functional myocardium after cardiac injury.
• Proprietary LNP Delivery Platform Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform optimized for cardiac tissue delivery of microRNA therapeutics via catheter-based administration techniques including intracoronary infusion and endocardial injection.
• Extroducer Delivery Platform (Licensed) Modality-agnostic endovascular delivery platform licensed from SmartCella for localized catheter-based delivery of RNA therapeutics to cardiac tissue.

Quantifiable outcome

• In preclinical models, transient delivery of miRNAs induced cardiomyocyte cell cycle re-entry, DNA synthesis, mitosis, and cytokinesis
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SmartCellacoreTechnology or Integration · 23 June 2026SmartCella and Heqet Therapeutics entered into a licensing agreement for the Extroducer® delivery platform. Heqet has the right to use the Extroducer® platform to deliver certain RNA compounds for cardiac regeneration following myocardial infarction and potentially other therapeutic areas. The agreement spans from development through to commercialization of multiple Heqet product candidates. The Extroducer® is SmartCella's modality-agnostic endovascular delivery platform designed for localized drug delivery using catheter-based techniques.
• King's College LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Heqet Therapeutics originated from the pioneering research of Prof. Mauro Giacca at King's College London. The company maintains ongoing research collaborations with King's College London, including team members Dr. Filippo Perbellini and Dr. Gang Li who serve as consultants while based at King's College London.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cardior Pharmaceuticals: Cardior developed RNA-based therapeutics (CDR132L) targeting microRNAs for cardiac regeneration and heart failure. Most directly comparable peer - acquired by Novo Nordisk for ~$1B in 2024, validating the cardiac non-coding RNA space and providing M&A benchmark for Heqet.
• HAYA Therapeutics: HAYA develops long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-targeted therapeutics for cardiovascular disease and fibrotic disorders. Same non-coding RNA approach for heart failure and cardiac fibrosis, partnered with Eli Lilly in billion-dollar deal. Closest direct peer validating the lncRNA/ncRNA cardiac therapeutic thesis.
• Tenaya Therapeutics: Tenaya develops genetic medicines for heart disease, including gene therapy and cellular reprogramming approaches to cardiomyocyte regeneration. Directly comparable in targeting cardiac regeneration with genetic medicine, though using different modalities (gene therapy vs miRNA).
• Lexeo Therapeutics: Lexeo is a clinical-stage genetic medicine company developing AAV-based gene therapies for cardiovascular diseases, including cardiac indications. Comparable in targeting cardiac disease with genetic medicines, though using AAV gene therapy rather than RNA therapeutics.

Broad incumbents

• Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Alnylam is the leading commercial-stage RNAi therapeutics company (Onpattro, Givlaari, etc.). While not cardiac-focused, it is the dominant platform in RNA interference/silencing therapeutics and a benchmark for LNP and GalNAc delivery technologies relevant to miRNA delivery.
• Intellia Therapeutics: Intellia is a clinical-stage gene editing company using CRISPR/Cas9, including programs for cardiac indications (NTLA-2002 for transthyretin amyloidosis with cardiac involvement). Comparable as a genetic medicine company with cardiovascular pipeline focus.
• Genevant Sciences: Genevant is a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery technology company for RNA therapeutics, where Heqet's Executive Chair Bo Rode Hansen was previously CEO. Highly relevant as the LNP delivery platform leader and through leadership overlap; potential partnership/licensing counterparty for Heqet.
• Moderna: Moderna is a leading mRNA therapeutics company with broad pipeline including cardiovascular programs. While focused on mRNA (protein replacement/vaccines) rather than miRNA, comparable as a leading RNA therapeutics company with established LNP delivery technology and large balance sheet for cardiac M&A.

Emerging players

• Verve Therapeutics: Verve is developing in vivo base editing therapies for cardiovascular disease, targeting genes like PCSK9 and ANGPTL3. Comparable as a genetic medicine company targeting cardiovascular disease, though focused on lipid disorders rather than cardiac regeneration.
• Sana Biotechnology: Sana is developing cell and gene therapies including cardiac applications, where Heqet's Head of Preclinical Studies previously worked. Comparable as a genetic medicine company pursuing cardiac indications with deep pockets for talent and partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/heqet-therapeutics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Heqet Therapeutics