Suzhou, China, and Mölndal, Sweden, November 9, 2026
Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co., Ltd. and its subsidiary Ribocure Pharmaceuticals AB, collectively known as Ribo, have announced the submission of a Phase I Clinical Trial Application (CTA) in the European Union for SR122, a novel dual-targeting small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutic candidate being developed for mixed dyslipidemia and severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG). The investigational therapy uses a GalNAc-conjugated siRNA platform designed to simultaneously target two important regulators of lipid metabolism, apolipoprotein C-III (ApoC3) and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). The regulatory submission represents an important milestone in Ribo’s lipid disorder development pipeline and expands its clinical research activities in Europe. By combining two complementary molecular targets in a single therapeutic approach, SR122 aims to address multiple lipid abnormalities, including elevated triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The company believes this dual-targeting strategy could offer a differentiated approach to managing cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors.
SR122 Targets Two Important Lipid Metabolism Pathways
SR122 is an investigational GalNAc-conjugated dual-targeting siRNA therapeutic designed to reduce the expression of ApoC3 and PCSK9. Both targets play important roles in lipid regulation and have been clinically validated as therapeutic targets for managing abnormal blood lipid levels. ApoC3 is a protein involved in regulating triglyceride metabolism and the clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from the bloodstream. Increased ApoC3 activity can contribute to elevated triglyceride concentrations, particularly in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia. PCSK9, meanwhile, regulates the availability of low-density lipoprotein receptors on liver cells. Increased PCSK9 activity can reduce LDL receptor recycling and contribute to elevated LDL cholesterol levels. By simultaneously reducing the expression of these two proteins, SR122 is designed to influence both triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and LDL cholesterol through complementary mechanisms. The GalNAc conjugation technology supports targeted delivery of siRNA molecules to liver cells, where the therapeutic can reduce the production of its intended target proteins. This approach is being investigated for its potential to deliver sustained improvements across multiple lipid parameters and cardiometabolic risk factors. However, the proposed therapeutic benefits will need to be demonstrated through clinical studies.
Phase I Clinical Trial to Evaluate Safety and Tolerability
Following the European CTA submission, SR122 is expected to enter its first clinical evaluation in humans through a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase I clinical trial. The study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of subcutaneously administered SR122 in healthy participants. Safety and tolerability assessments will help researchers understand how participants respond to the investigational therapy, including the occurrence of adverse events following administration. Pharmacokinetic evaluations will examine how the drug behaves in the body, while pharmacodynamic assessments will investigate its biological effects on the targeted pathways. These evaluations are particularly important for siRNA-based medicines because they help establish the relationship between drug exposure and the intended reduction in target protein expression. The Phase I study will provide the first clinical assessment of SR122’s dual-targeting mechanism in humans and generate essential evidence to guide subsequent clinical development. The findings will help determine whether the investigational treatment can progress into further studies involving patients with mixed dyslipidemia and severe hypertriglyceridemia. The company has not yet reported clinical efficacy results for SR122, as the candidate is at an early stage of clinical development.
Advertisement
Ribo Strengthens Its Lipid Disorder Research Pipeline
The SR122 submission also reflects Ribo’s broader strategy to expand its presence in the development of innovative RNA-based treatments for lipid disorders. Alongside SR122, the company is advancing RBD5044, its investigational ApoC3-targeting siRNA therapeutic, through Phase II clinical studies in Europe and China. RBD5044 represents a key asset in the company’s lipid disorder research portfolio and is being evaluated for its potential to address abnormal triglyceride levels. By advancing both single-target and dual-targeting siRNA candidates, Ribo aims to develop multiple therapeutic approaches for patients with different lipid abnormalities and unmet medical needs. Dyslipidemia remains a major global health challenge because abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels are important contributors to cardiovascular disease. Patients with mixed dyslipidemia may continue to experience residual cardiovascular risk despite available lipid-lowering treatments, while individuals with severe hypertriglyceridemia face an increased risk of acute pancreatitis. Ribo’s expanding pipeline reflects the growing interest in RNA-based medicines as potential options for managing complex metabolic conditions. The European Phase I CTA submission for SR122 strengthens the company’s international clinical development strategy and establishes another milestone in its efforts to advance innovative siRNA therapeutics. The advancement of SR122 into clinical development represents an important step for Ribo and its lipid disorder research program. Its dual-targeting approach against ApoC3 and PCSK9 offers a promising scientific strategy for investigating multiple lipid abnormalities through a single investigational therapy. The upcoming Phase I clinical trial will be essential in establishing the safety, tolerability and biological activity of SR122 in humans, helping determine its potential for further development in patients with mixed and severe dyslipidemia.
Source: Ribo Life Science press release
