SEONGNAM, SOUTH KOREA — Rznomics Inc., a South Korea-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has entered a strategic global research and licensing agreement with Eli Lilly and Company to co-develop RNA-editing therapies for sensorineural hearing loss. The collaboration marks another major step in Lilly’s expanding footprint in the field of genetic hearing restoration.
Under the agreement, Rznomics will lead early-stage discovery using its proprietary trans-splicing ribozyme platform, designed for precise RNA editing. Eli Lilly will assume responsibility for later-stage development and global commercialization.
Financial terms include a total potential deal value of more than $1.3 billion, pending the exercise of all options, in addition to tiered royalties on future product sales. The upfront payment remains undisclosed.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Lilly, a global leader in pharmaceutical innovation. This partnership validates our trans-splicing ribozyme platform and opens the door to treating previously intractable diseases with precision RNA therapeutics. Together with Lilly, we aim to accelerate the development of transformative therapies for patients around the world.”
–Dr. Seong-Wook Lee, CEO of Rznomics
Building a Multi-Pronged Pipeline in Genetic Hearing Restoration
This agreement further strengthens Lilly’s position in hearing therapeutics, following its 2022 acquisition of Boston-based Akouos, a gene therapy biotech focused on genetic forms of deafness. Through that acquisition, Lilly has been advancing investigational treatments such as AK-OTOF—a dual-vector gene therapy aimed at restoring hearing in individuals with mutations in the otoferlin gene.
The partnership with Rznomics adds a complementary RNA-editing approach to Lilly’s growing portfolio. Unlike traditional gene therapy, which introduces DNA into cells, RNA-editing therapeutics work post-transcriptionally, modifying existing RNA to correct mutations without altering the genome.
Rznomics’ trans-splicing ribozyme technology is engineered to precisely replace faulty RNA segments, offering potential advantages in specificity, reversibility, and safety.
A Strategic Milestone for Rznomics
For Rznomics, the deal marks one of the company’s most significant international collaborations. Best known for its oncology research, the company has recently expanded into rare genetic disorders, including inherited hearing loss—a condition affecting millions worldwide with few therapeutic options.
The collaboration provides a global development and commercialization pathway for its RNA-editing platform, while aligning with Lilly’s goal of addressing high unmet needs in sensory disorders.
Addressing a Global Health Challenge
Hearing loss affects more than 1.5 billion people globally, with a growing number of cases linked to genetic causes. Sensorineural hearing loss—caused by damage or mutations in the inner ear or auditory nerve—has historically been managed with devices such as hearing aids and cochlear implants. But advances in gene and RNA therapies may soon offer treatment options that target the biological root of these conditions.
Lilly’s dual investment in both gene therapy (via Akouos) and RNA-editing (via Rznomics) reflects a strategic commitment to develop a diversified pipeline aimed at treating hearing loss.
About Rznomics
Rznomics is a clinical-stage biotech company headquartered in Seongnam, South Korea. Its trans-splicing ribozyme technology enables precise RNA editing for therapeutic applications, including oncology, genetic diseases, and hearing loss. Learn more at www.rznomics.com.
About Eli Lilly and Company
Eli Lilly and Company is a global pharmaceutical leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company is actively expanding its capabilities in RNA therapeutics and genetic medicine, including targeted programs in oncology, neurodegeneration, and hearing restoration.
Source: Rznomics
