At a Glance
- Company: Tenaya Therapeutics; Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
- Location: South San Francisco, CA; Cambridge, MA
- Deal value: Undisclosed (research collaboration)
- Focus area: RNAi-based gene target discovery in cardiovascular disease
- Next steps: Target validation; potential siRNA therapeutics
What happened?
Tenaya Therapeutics and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals announced a multi-year research collaboration on 5 March 2026 to discover and validate novel gene targets for cardiovascular diseases. Alnylam will apply its RNAi screening platform to Tenaya’s proprietary human cardiac disease models, with Tenaya leading target validation and therapeutic development.
Why does it matter?
Heart failure affects 64M globally with limited disease-modifying therapies; unbiased genetic screens can uncover novel drivers beyond known pathways like TNNT2 mutations. Collaboration merges Alnylam’s proven RNAi target discovery (successful in ATTR, hypertension) with Tenaya’s iPSC-cardiomyocyte platforms for precision hits in a $50B+ market.
Who’s behind it?
Tenaya specialises in gene therapies for heart disease (TN-201 for PKP2-ACM); Alnylam pioneers RNAi medicines (Amvuttra, Givlaari). CEOs highlighted complementary expertise in genetic validation and cardiac biology.
How was it achieved?
Alnylam’s enhanced RNAi library screens Tenaya’s diseased iPSC-cardiomyocytes and 3D heart tissue models; hits advance to functional validation using CRISPR knockout and Tenaya’s TN-401 gene editing tools. Collaboration covers target nomination through preclinical proof-of-concept.
What’s next?
Lead targets expected within 18 months; option structure allows Tenaya internal development or co-development with Alnylam siRNA delivery. Supports Tenaya’s MYMEE phase 1b/2a trial while building pipeline depth.
What are people saying?
Tenaya CEO: “Unlocks novel biology… transformative therapies.” Alnylam exec: “Expands RNAi beyond rare disease into cardio.”
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