Rani TherapeuticsNASDAQ: RANI outlined its strategy to expand the use of its RaniPill oral biologic-delivery platform through a mix of technology partnerships, selectively licensed product programs and investments in manufacturing capacity
Chief Executive Officer Talat Imran described the clinical-stage biotechnology company’s RaniPill as a “swallowable auto-injector” designed to deliver biologic medicines in the small intestine. According to Imran, the capsule dissolves in the intestine, where an internal reaction expands a balloon and delivers a dissolvable needle through the gut wall. The remaining components are excreted
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Imran said the platform has demonstrated bioavailability and variability comparable to subcutaneous injection for biologics, including large proteins and monoclonal antibodies. He said the company believes the technology can deliver 80% to 85% of marketed biologics in an oral dosing regimen
Chugai partnership and licensing strategy
The company highlighted its agreement with Chugai Pharmaceutical, which Imran said followed roughly two years of diligence and testing of Chugai molecules. The agreement initially covered a rare-disease candidate and was later expanded after additional diligence, he said
Imran said the collaboration now includes 11 targets, with pre-negotiated economic terms for five additional programs, primarily in high-value immunology categories. He described the deal as validation for Rani’s platform and said partnerships can provide cash to support the company’s operating runway
Rani expects to pursue additional agreements with drug developers, though Imran said it also sees value in selectively obtaining product licenses rather than solely licensing its technology. The company does not plan to run late-stage studies or build a commercial organization, he said, characterizing Rani primarily as a platform company focused on oral delivery of biologics
“We’ll have a mix of these over time,” Imran said, referring to technology and product licensing arrangements
RT-114 obesity program advances
Rani recently reported Phase 1A bioavailability data for RT-114, an oral version of ProGen’s PG-102, a GLP-1/GLP-2 Fc-fusion protein being evaluated for obesity-related applications. Imran said the study showed greater than 150% relative bioavailability compared with subcutaneous administration
He said the study showed variability similar to subcutaneous dosing, with adverse events consistent with the observed exposure level and no new adverse events attributed to the RaniPill. The company views the findings as supportive of potentially weekly oral dosing
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