Providence, Rhode Island, USA, November 5, 2026
Lilac Biosciences Inc., a biotechnology company and Brown University spinout focused on developing innovative RNA measurement technologies, has appointed Adriana Coll De Peña, Ph.D., as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the company’s next phase of growth and expand its analytical technology portfolio. Dr. Coll De Peña joined the company on September 15, 2026, bringing experience in biopharmaceutical analytical methods, RNA research and therapeutic development. Before joining Lilac Biosciences, she worked as a scientist at Moderna from January 2024 to September 2026, where she developed and implemented high-throughput analytical methods. She earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Brown University, where her research focused on microfluidic technologies for characterizing complex biopharmaceutical products, including double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) impurities in mRNA vaccines and therapeutics, plasmid DNA isoforms, and full and empty adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids. Dr. Coll De Peña has also authored 15 peer-reviewed scientific publications and received the CASSS Next Generation Investigator Award. In her new leadership role, she will focus on expanding Lilac’s existing ModQuant™ RNA measurement platform into a broader portfolio of analytical tools designed to support academic research, biotechnology laboratories and RNA-based therapeutic discovery.
ModQuant Platform Simplifies RNA Modification Measurement
A major component of Lilac Biosciences’ development strategy is its proprietary ModQuant™ platform, which is designed to make RNA modification analysis faster and more accessible using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) instruments already available in many research laboratories. Conventional RNA modification analysis can involve complex workflows, specialized equipment, substantial sample requirements and time-consuming sequencing or bioinformatics procedures. Lilac aims to address these challenges by converting RNA modification measurements into quantitative qPCR readouts without requiring sequencing or extensive computational analysis. According to the company, the ModQuant workflow can generate results within a single day using as little as 1 nanogram of messenger RNA (mRNA). Its first commercially available kit measures relative global levels of N6-methyladenosine (m6A), one of the most common chemical modifications found in RNA. This modification plays an important role in regulating RNA metabolism, gene expression, stability and translation. Understanding changes in m6A levels can help researchers investigate biological processes and identify potential relationships between RNA modifications and disease mechanisms. The first ModQuant kit is currently shipping, with product development and manufacturing conducted at the company’s Providence facility. The platform is designed to complement established analytical methods such as RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry, providing researchers with an accessible preliminary measurement approach before undertaking more complex investigations.
Company Plans to Expand RNA Research Product Portfolio
Under Dr. Coll De Peña’s leadership, Lilac Biosciences plans to expand its ModQuant platform with additional RNA modification assays, multiplexed analytical panels and RNA quality assessment tools. Future kits are expected to support the measurement of multiple RNA modifications, potentially allowing researchers to evaluate several biological markers within a single workflow. The company also aims to develop analytical solutions that support different stages of RNA-based research and therapeutic discovery. These technologies could be useful for academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology developers and translational research teams investigating RNA biology and emerging therapeutic approaches. Lilac is particularly interested in supporting research programs that require rapid and reliable RNA measurements across multiple experimental conditions, time points and genetic variations. The company is also inviting research laboratories and organizations to participate in pilot studies, collaborative research projects and co-development initiatives. Its approach emphasizes the development of tools that can operate on existing laboratory instruments, potentially reducing the need for additional specialized equipment and simplifying RNA analytical workflows. The company believes that accessible measurement technologies could help researchers obtain useful information earlier in the research process and improve the efficiency of RNA-focused investigations.
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Lilac Strengthens Leadership for Future RNA Innovation
The appointment represents an important organizational milestone for Lilac Biosciences as it transitions from its initial commercial product toward a broader RNA technology platform. Dr. Coll De Peña will lead a Providence-based team that includes co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Sabrina Tolppi, Vice President of Business and Commercial Operations Shreyas Shah, Director of Manufacturing and Technical Operations Lloyd Bwanali, Ph.D., and R&D Associate Scientist Kruti Savani. The company was also named Startup of the Year at Brown University’s 2026 Innovation Showcase, recognizing its research-driven approach to improving RNA measurement. Lilac’s long-term strategy focuses on developing analytical products that support RNA-based research and therapeutic discovery across academic and commercial laboratories. Its initial ModQuant technology provides a foundation for expanding into additional RNA modifications, quality testing and integrated analytical workflows. However, the company’s products are currently designated for Research Use Only (RUO) and are not approved for clinical diagnostic applications. Overall, Lilac Biosciences’ leadership appointment and ModQuant expansion highlight growing innovation in RNA analytical technology, an increasingly important area for biotechnology research and the development of next-generation RNA therapeutics.
Source: Lilac Biosciences press release
