SEONGNAM, SOUTH KOREA — South Korean biotechnology company Rznomics has received an additional research payment from Eli Lilly and Company under the companies’ ongoing collaboration to develop RNA-editing therapies for hereditary hearing loss, according to multiple Korean media reports citing the company.
The development was first reported by Seoul Economic Daily, one of South Korea’s leading business publications, which reported that Rznomics had received an additional research fund under its ongoing joint research project with Lilly for a hereditary hearing loss treatment.
The newly reported payment marks the third research funding installment Rznomics says it has received under the collaboration, following two earlier research payments during the first half of 2026. The company did not disclose the amount received. According to the Korean reports, the payment is separate from the collaboration’s previously announced upfront payment, milestone payments, and royalties, and is intended to support ongoing joint research activities.
Rznomics reportedly said the additional funding reflects continued progress under the companies’ joint research program built around its proprietary RNA trans-splicing ribozyme platform, which is being evaluated for the development of treatments targeting hereditary sensorineural hearing loss.
According to Seoul Economic Daily, a company representative said the additional funding demonstrates that the collaboration with Lilly “is progressing smoothly” and that Rznomics will continue strengthening its research and development capabilities while expanding global partnerships.
The collaboration was first announced in May 2025, when the companies entered into a global research collaboration and licensing agreement to develop RNA-editing therapeutics for inherited hearing loss. Under the agreement, Rznomics is responsible for early-stage research using its proprietary platform, while Lilly oversees later-stage development and commercialization. If all options and milestones are achieved, the agreement carries a potential value of more than $1.3 billion, excluding royalties.
As previously reported, the collaboration marked Lilly’s continued expansion into genetic therapies for hearing loss, complementing the company’s broader investment in inner ear therapeutics.
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.
