Cluster for nucleic acid based therapeutics in Munich (CNATM)

CNATM is creating a network from which it is going to develop novel nucleic acid-based drugs and next-generation vaccines. Until now, nucleic acids have eluded drug development. Recent discoveries in the field of mRNA vaccines, but also in the field of nucleic acid therapies, now give hope that nucleic acids will soon be available as new "weapons" in the fight against previously untreatable diseases.

Nucleic acid therapies open up opportunities

The Cluster4Future CNATM aims to help nucleic acid therapies achieve a breakthrough on a broad front. New "prodrug" concepts are to be created for the development of the substance class as anti-viral, anti-cancer or immune modulators. Nucleic acids are being worked on in the cluster either as novel siRNAs (small interfering ribonucleic acids) or antisense oligonucleotides (short-chain, synthetic, single-stranded nucleic acids).

Natural science collaboration

To achieve these goals, different disciplines from science and industry are working together. Researchers in chemistry are developing new nucleic acids. Researchers from biochemistry and cell biology are investigating sites of action and principles of action. Pharmaceutical researchers are testing active substances, and polymer chemistry researchers are developing new delivery strategies. Medical researchers are focusing on the areas with the highest unmet medical needs.

Clusters4Future – CNATM selected as next generation innovation network

The course for the development of CNATM was set in November 2020 in the second round of the Clusters4Future competition organized by the BMBF. In September 2021, after a multi-stage selection process, CNATM made it into the already funded conception phase and was selected in July 2022 as one of seven clusters of the second competition round. Since 2023, CNATM has been in the funding of an initial three-year implementation phase.