11 Feb Pantherna Therapeutics supports the translational research at HHU and UKD Düsseldorf to advance non-viral nucleic acid delivery technologies for catalytic DNAzymes

Düsseldorf (Germany) / Hennigsdorf (Germany), 11.02.2026

Pantherna Therapeutics, a biotech company enabling innovative mRNA therapies with tissue/-cell-selective LNP formulations, announces a collaboration with the Etzkorn Lab at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU, Institute of Physical Biology) and the Lang lab at University Hospital Düsseldorf (UKD). The research collaboration focuses on exploring the in vivo pharmacological use of Pantherna’s PTXDLNP® formulation technology along with RNA-cleaving DNAzymes developed at HHU/UKD for non-viral delivery of a novel class of therapeutic nucleic acids.

Led by Dr. Manuel Etzkorn, Heisenberg Research Group Leader at the Institute of Physical Biology, the Etzkorn Lab specializes in the structural and functional analysis of membrane systems and nucleic acid interactions in native environments. Dr. Etzkorn’s research is supported by the prestigious Heisenberg Programme of the German Research Foundation (DFG) as well as the Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovations (SPRIND), highlighting the lab’s excellence in fundamental biophysical research with translational potential.

The clinical and preclinical focus is anchored in the Institute of Molecular Medicine II, led by Prof. Dr. Philipp Lang, a renowned expert in tumour and infection immunology. The institute’s predominant aim is to explore innovative therapeutic strategies. His work describes several mechanisms regulating effective immunity against infections and cancer, which attracted prestigious awards.

The research efforts were additionally boosted by the Volkswagen Stiftung. This collaborative funding makes it possible to engage two leading experts whose contributions are pivotal to the project’s success: Prof. Dr. Holger Gohlke, Director of the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences at Forschungszentrum Jülich, brings world-class expertise in predicting (bio)molecular structures, while Prof. Dr. Stephanie Kath-Schorr provides essential support through advanced chemical synthesis of nucleic acids.

The latest milestone is the approval of the 3 Mio. € Go Bio-next project ‘DNAmazing’, which consolidates the ongoing collaboration with Pantherna to deepen our understanding of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) behaviour and DNAzyme activity. This strengthened partnership is pivotal for translating fundamental research into a new class of nucleic acid therapies targeting viral infections and cancer.