Circular RNAs represent a biologically distinct and highly stable class of RNA molecules. They are enriched in brain tissue, resistant to degradation in blood, and increasingly shown to be implicated in the molecular biology of neurodegenerative diseases. These characteristics make circular RNAs particularly well suited for diagnostic applications in conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, where long subclinical phases, subtle molecular changes, and the need for scalable, minimally invasive testing have historically limited diagnostic innovation.
In 2015, researchers in Nikolaus Rajewsky’s group at the Max Delbrück Center demonstrated that specific circular RNAs detectable in blood can serve as diagnostic markers for Alzheimer’s disease. The intellectual property arising from these findings, including a granted patent family, has now been licensed exclusively to Circular Genomics.
Circular Genomics is leveraging the licensed technology to develop blood-based assays for both the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and the prediction of disease risk. The company plans to advance the program through clinical validation and regulatory pathways, while pursuing strategic partnerships and commercialization opportunities.
Alzheimer’s disease remains one of the largest and most urgent unmet needs in medicine, with diagnosis often occurring late and relying on invasive cerebrospinal fluid sampling or costly imaging procedures. Blood-based diagnostics could significantly improve early detection and patient access to testing.
In close coordination with the Max Delbrück Center’s Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, the conclusion of the licence agreement was facilitated by Ascenion, the technology transfer partner of the Max Delbrück Center.
Further information: Circular Genomics' press release
