NextRNA Therapeutics

NextRNA Therapeutics, Inc. was a biotechnology company founded around 2020 or 2021 and based in Boston or Cambridge, Massachusetts. The company focused on developing small molecule therapeutics that target long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) for applications in oncology, neuroscience, and immunology. NextRNA utilized a proprietary computational engine to identify disease-relevant lncRNAs and their interactions with RNA-binding proteins, aiming to create small molecules that disrupt these interactions for therapeutic purposes.

NextRNA launched publicly in March 2022, securing $56.1 million in funding from various investors. The company advanced initial programs in oncology and immunology, with a pipeline that included lead programs in these areas. Notably, NextRNA partnered with Bayer to co-develop therapeutics targeting lncRNAs in oncology. The company ceased operations in August 2025, expressing hope that its research would inspire future studies in lncRNA-related diseases.