About us

Who we are

RNA Technologies and Therapeutics Inc. (RNA T&T) is a privately held company headquartered in Montreal, Canada, that specializes in the design, optimization and small-mid scale production (mg to g) of RNA including nucleoside modified messenger RNA’s and the development of mRNA based technologies, targeted therapeutics, and personalized medicine solutions.

We are committed to address infrastructural barrier to clinical and translational research in vaccine development, gene therapy, stem cell reprograming, and other non-viral gene therapy-based applications by providing high quality in vitro transcribed RNA (e.g., mRNA, lncRNA) and targeted lipid-based (LNPs) and hybrid delivery systems, or nanoparticles, to the biotech industry, and academic partners.

Mission, Vision
and Values


Mission

Our business model, current research and development efforts, and therapeutic pipeline aim to develop innovative RNA-based targeted therapeutics and technologies that will be used in personalized medicine, improve the health and wellbeing of individuals around the world.


Vision

At RNA Technologies and Therapeutics, we are committed to advancing the frontiers of medical science and revolutionizing healthcare. Through cutting-edge research, development, and commercialization of RNA-based targeted therapies, we strive to address unmet medical needs, empower physicians, and enhance patient outcomes. We are driven by a passion for scientific excellence, collaboration, and the potential to shape the future of medicine.


Values
  • Patient-Centricity: We put patients at the heart of everything we do. Their health, well-being, and quality of life are our utmost priority, driving us to develop safe and effective RNA therapies that address their specific medical needs.
  • Scientific Excellence: We maintain the highest standards of scientific rigor, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning. Our team of experts is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of RNA technology and translating research discoveries into transformative therapeutics.
  • Integrity and Ethics: We conduct our business with unwavering integrity, adhering to the highest ethical standards. Transparency, honesty, and accountability are the cornerstones of our interactions with patients, healthcare partners, and stakeholders.
  • Collaboration: We believe in the power of collaboration and teamwork. By fostering strong partnerships with leading researchers, clinicians, and industry experts, we leverage collective knowledge to accelerate the development and delivery of ground-breaking
  • Diversity and Inclusion: We embrace diversity in all its forms and create an inclusive environment where every individual’s unique perspective and talent are valued and respected. This diversity fuels creativity and empowers us to better serve global communities.
  • Responsible Stewardship: We recognize our responsibility to society and the environment. We strive to minimize our ecological footprint, implement sustainable practices, and contribute positively to the communities where we operate.
  • Empowerment and Growth: We invest in our people, providing them with the resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive both personally and professionally. Empowered and fulfilled team members drive our success and the advancement of RNA technologies.
  • Adaptability and Agility: The landscape of medical science is ever-changing. We remain agile and adaptable, responding quickly to emerging scientific insights and healthcare challenges to stay at the forefront of RNA therapeutic development.
By adhering to this vision, mission, and set of values, we aim to make a profound impact on healthcare, advancing RNA technologies to improve patient lives and contribute to the betterment of human health globally.

Cofounders and management team

Our group consists of experts in the field of RNA with a combined experience of over three decades in therapeutic IVT RNA synthesis, sequence optimization and gene delivery vectors, enabling us to offer you with high-quality RNA in the market, but also a comprehensive strategy as to how to best reach your desired target.

Claude LeDuc, Co-founder

President & CEO
BIO

Claude LeDuc, the Co-Founder and President-CEO of RNA Technologies & Therapeutics, is a visionary leader in the field of Biopharma. With an impressive 36-year track record of international experience and accomplishments in both private and Fortune 500 companies, Claude has been a driving force behind the success of various organizations.

Claude’s journey in the pharmaceutical industry began at Syntex Labs, where he held diverse roles in sales, marketing. He then moved on to Serono Labs and Biomatrix-Genzyme RNA T&T, further enriching his expertise in international business development and knowledge in the industry.

As a serial entrepreneur and investor, Claude possesses a unique ability to identify promising opportunities and build successful ventures. Throughout his career, he has led teams through various development stages, from early R&D and preclinical programs to successful market launches at BioSyntech, Skeltex Technologies, Axcellon Biopolymers, MRM Proteomics, RNA T&T and Ortho Regenerative Technologies.’

One of Claude’s remarkable strengths lies in his exceptional fundraising capabilities. Under his leadership as CEO of multiple start-ups, he has raised more than $70M+ in equity and debenture notes in private and public settings, demonstrating his financial acumen and strategic accuity.

Claude’s unwavering passion for innovation and cutting-edge technologies has driven him to co-found RNA Technologies & Therapeutics. As President-CEO, he spearheads the company’s mission to revolutionize healthcare and improve patients’ lives through groundbreaking mRNA-based therapies.

Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh, Ph.D. – Co-founder

Scientific Advisor
BIO

Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh is the director of the Engineered mRNA and Targeted Nanomedicine Core at the University of Pennsylvania (Ivy League) and an Incoming Assistant professor in Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Alameh is involved in clinical trials, and the capacitation of low and middle-income countries to use and develop mRNA technology for the next pandemics. His research program focuses on nucleic acid delivery systems, novel adjuvants and understanding their biological effects for improved designs. He has published more than 40 peer-reviewed papers on mRNA, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), and mRNA-based vaccines including papers in prestigious journals such as Immunity, Cell, and Nature Nanotechnology.

Marc Lavertu, Ph.D. – Co-founder

Scientific Advisor
BIO

Marc Lavertu is an accomplish Ned Associate Professor in the Chemical Engineering Department of Polytechnique Montreal, recognized globally for his expertise in chitosan chemistry. His research is centered on creating innovative technologies for nanomedicine, with an emphasis on the production, characterization, and biomedical applications of chitosan’ Prof. Lavertu’s cutting-edge work in this field is paving the way for new breakthroughs and advancements in nanomedicine and regenerative medicine.

William Peranteau, M.D. – Co-founder

Clinical Advisor
BIO

Dr. Peranteau is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania and the Adzick-McCausland Distinguished Chair in Fetal and Pediatric Surgery at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). In addition to a clinical pediatric and fetal surgeon, Dr. Peranteau is the co-director of the Center for Fetal Research at CHOP where he runs a translational research lab focusing on prenatal and early postnatal cell and gene therapies. He has led teams on some of the initial studies demonstrating the feasibility of in utero CRISPR-mediated gene editing in relevant animal models and has led preclinical animal studies of in utero hematopoietic stem cell transplantation which are foundational for ongoing clinical trials. His research is/has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, including the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, as well as the American College of Surgeons, the Gerber Foundation, and the Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics and the Orphan Disease Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

Drew Weissman, M.D., Ph.D. – Co-founder

Clinical Advisor
BIO

Dr. Weissman is the Roberts Family Professor in Vaccine Research at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and Director of the Penn Institute for RNA Innovations.

Dr. Weissman, M.D., Ph.D., is a physician- scientist and pioneer in the science of immunology, with major contributions to the field. Notably, Dr. Weissman, and his colleagues discovered a novel nucleoside-modified mRNA platform that bypasses adverse immunologic response. The result of decades-long dedication and research, this platform now serves as the basis for the burgeoning research of targeted therapeutics for some of the world’s most devastating diseases. This research outcome paved the way for the first mRNA vaccines, being the critical backbone to the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Dr. Weissman and his lab team continue to conduct basic science research to understand and develop new nucleoside-modified mRNA platforms to advance effective and safe vaccines for different types of diseases, as well as new therapeutics.

Nicolas Tran-Khanh, Ph.D. – Co-founder

Senior scientist
BIO

Having a strong scientific background (BScA in physics, MScA and PhD in biomedical engineering), Nicolas Tran-Khanh has been involved in many tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and gene delivery research projects in both academic and industrial environments. Nicolas also participated in the management and promotion of responsible conduct of research, ethical conduct for research involving humans, research data management, and EDI (equity, diversity and inclusion) in the CEGEPS/colleges network. He now leads the platform of nanoparticle technology development at RNA Technologies & therapeutics.

Ousamah-Younoss Soliman, MSc. – Co-Founder

Head of RNA Synthesis Process
BIO

Ousamah Soliman’s academic journey began at École Polytechnique De Montréal, where he earned a Master of Applied Science in Nanomedicine in 05/201“. His thesis, “Efficiency of Chitosan/Hyaluronan-Based mRNA Delivery Systems In Vitro,” demonstrated his commitment to advancing genetic material delivery.

In 2019, Ousamah joined the Weissman Lab under Dr. Mohamad Gabriel Alameh’s guidance. His contributions extended globally, notably in SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development through RNA production.

Ousamah’s leadership shines in bioprocess development, optimizing gene delivery vectors and pioneering automated production systems for nucleic acid encapsulation. His transformative journey began with a bachelor’s in biomedical engineering from the same institution, showcasing his unwavering dedication to advancing RNA synthesis and bioprocess development.


Scientific team

David Ferland-McCollough, Ph.D. – Senior Scientist

RNA Focused Preclinical Programs
BIO

David is an accomplished Senior Researcher with extensive experience in the field of RNA biology and molecular research. Prior to his current position, he served at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM) in Canada as part of the Functional Genomics of Long Non-Coding RNAs Laboratory, led by Prof. Martin Sauvageau. His primary focus is on investigating the role and function of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in Colorectal Cancer, where he spearheaded his own research project.

David held various senior research roles in prestigious institutions worldwide. At the University of Bristol School of Clinical Sciences in the UK, he worked as a Senior Research Associate in the Cardiovascular Regeneration Research Laboratory, under the guidance of Prof. Paolo Madeddu. There, he explored the remodelling of the Bone Marrow Microenvironment in Type 2 Diabetic patients and its effects on Stem Cell Function and Cardiovascular Regeneration.

David’s international experience includes a stint as a Visiting Scientist at the Rockefeller Research Institute in New York City, USA, where he collaborated with Prof. Thomas Tuschl in the microRNA Research Laboratory. During this period, he developed and implemented Photon-Activated RNA Crosslinked Immunoprecipitation (PARClip) and deep sequencing for miRNA-mRNA identification.

Before his time in the USA, David served as a Staff Scientist at the MRC Toxicology Unit in Leicester and the Nottingham University School of Pharmacy, UK. In Prof.’Martin Bushell’s Post Transcriptional Regulation Research Laboratory, he investigated the role of microRNAs in Pre-Natal Programming, Adipogenesis, Metabolism, and Tumorigenesis.

David’s academic journey began with a BSc in Biochemistry from McGill University in Canada. He then laid the foundation for his successful Research career with a MSc in Biochemistry at the Université de Montréal in Canada, where he explored the regulation of Estrogen Receptor Alpha Transcriptional Activity in ErbB2 overexpressing Breast Cancer Cell Lines. David continued his academic education by completing a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology at the Université de Nantes in France, where he studied the transcriptional regulation of RhoA guanine exchange factors and its functional consequences in hypertension.

Throughout his professional journey, he has honed his skills in various areas, including RNA biology, Animal experimentation and surgical procedures, In Vitro assay development, Next-Gen RNA sequencing, tissue/cell culture, Flow Cytometry assays and public communication. Moreover, he has excellent supervisory and leadership skills, having mentored undergraduates, Ph.D. students, and post-doctoral fellows.

David’s expertise extends to human clinical samples collection and database management, as well as grant and project elaboration. He is bilingual, fluent in both French and English.

With an impressive background and a strong passion for innovative research, David remains at the forefront of advancements in RNA technologies and contributes significantly to the scientific community’s knowledge in his field.

Philip Loranger, MSc. Scientist

RNA Innovation Programs
BIO

Philip is an accomplished molecular biologist with a recent graduation holding an M.Sc. from the prestigious INRS Armand-Frappier Health and Biotechnology Center in Laval, Quebec. His academic journey has uniquely positioned him as a specialist in aptamers and cutting-edge nucleic acid modifications.

Venturing into the professional world, Philip’s passion for scientific exploration led him to join RNA T&T in December 2022. Currently an integral member of the RNA Innovation Department, he ardently contributes his expertise to the forefront of RNA research and technology. With an unyielding commitment to advancing scientific understanding and innovation, Philip is poised to make significant contributions in the realm of molecular biology and nucleic acid studies.

Quetia Joseph, MSc. – Scientist

Quality Assurance Specialist
BIO

Quetia possesses significant expertise in the biopharmaceutical and hospital settings, specializing in GLP and GCP regulations, procedure review, training document development, and laboratory raw data analysis. She holds a master’s degree from the INRS-Armand-Frappier Centre in Health and Biotechnology, focusing on applied microbiology and molecular biology. Quetia’s knowledge extends to best practices in biopharmaceutical environments (GxP), handling various animal and human biological fluids (LCS, urine, blood, etc.), working in CL2 and CL3 environments, as well as nucleic acid extraction, PCR and RT-qPCR, ELISA, MSD, western blot, cell culture, and PBMC isolation. A highly skilled professional with extensive experience in regulatory compliance, laboratory techniques, and biopharmaceutical practices, Quetia is a valuable asset to RNA.

Ahlam Amara, BSc. – Scientist

Laboratory Technician mRNA Production
BIO

Ahlam brings a wealth of expertise to the table, with a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology from Saad Dahlab Blida University, Algeria in 2019. She furthered her academic journey in laboratory techniques with a biotechnology focus at Ahuntsic College in Montreal in 2023.

Her skill set encompasses a comprehensive range of genetic engineering techniques, including but not limited to PCR, electrophoresis, cloning, sequencing, and molecular hybridization. Ahlam’s proficiency extends to microbiological testing across containment levels 1 and 2, showcasing her meticulous approach to scientific investigation.

In addition, Ahlam’s capabilities span the realm of organic chemistry and biochemistry analyses utilizing molecular spectrometry and instrumental chromatography. Her adeptness also encompasses the maintenance and cultivation of both animal and plant cell lines, reflecting her holistic understanding of cellular systems.

Ahlam’s prowess extends into applied biochemistry and immunology analyses, underscoring her dedication to practical applications in the field. Her commitment to excellence is further highlighted by her knowledge of and adherence to Good Laboratory Practice and WHMIS standards, emphasizing her role as a responsible and safety-conscious scientist.

Ahlam’s journey is defined by her unrelenting pursuit of scientific mastery, making her a valuable asset poised to make significant contributions in the realm of biotechnology and molecular biology.


Board of Directors

Claude LeDuc, Co-founder

President & CEO
Board Director
BIO

Claude LeDuc, the Co-Founder and President-CEO of RNA Technologies & Therapeutics, is a visionary leader in the field of Biopharma. With an impressive 36-year track record of international experience and accomplishments in both private and Fortune 500 companies, Claude has been a driving force behind the success of various organizations.

Claude’s journey in the pharmaceutical industry began at Syntex Labs, where he held diverse roles in sales, marketing. He then moved on to Serono Labs and Biomatrix-Genzyme RNA T&T, further enriching his expertise in international business development and knowledge in the industry.

As a serial entrepreneur and investor, Claude possesses a unique ability to identify promising opportunities and build successful ventures. Throughout his career, he has led teams through various development stages, from early R&D and preclinical programs to successful market launches at BioSyntech, Skeltex Technologies, Axcellon Biopolymers, MRM Proteomics, RNA T&T and Ortho Regenerative Technologies.’

One of Claude’s remarkable strengths lies in his exceptional fundraising capabilities. Under his leadership as CEO of multiple start-ups, he has raised more than $70M+ in equity and debenture notes in private and public settings, demonstrating his financial acumen and strategic accuity.

Claude’s unwavering passion for innovation and cutting-edge technologies has driven him to co-found RNA Technologies & Therapeutics. As President-CEO, he spearheads the company’s mission to revolutionize healthcare and improve patients’ lives through groundbreaking mRNA-based therapies.

Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh, Ph.D. – Co-founder

Scientific Advisor
Board Director
BIO

Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh is the director of the Engineered mRNA and Targeted Nanomedicine Core at the University of Pennsylvania (Ivy League) and an Incoming Assistant professor in Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Alameh is involved in clinical trials, and the capacitation of low and middle-income countries to use and develop mRNA technology for the next pandemics. His research program focuses on nucleic acid delivery systems, novel adjuvants and understanding their biological effects for improved designs. He has published more than 40 peer-reviewed papers on mRNA, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), and mRNA-based vaccines including papers in prestigious journals such as Immunity, Cell, and Nature Nanotechnology.

Margaret Bywater-Ekegärd,  

Principle – Bywater Associates
Board director
BIO

Mrs Bywater-Ekegard is co-founder of Inocucor Technologies, where she ran and coordinated the industrialization & commercialization process. Following a 30-year career in life-science and biotechnology; she now has an extensive experience in senior management positions; creating global markets; and implementing complex commercialization projects. Her knowledge of intellectual property portfolio management, quality product development and manufacturing is key to new technology introduction. Since Inocucor she has co-founded Morphocell a regenerative medicine company based in Montreal Canada. She is an adviser to the management team and a member of the Board of Directors. Maggie is passionate about the commercialization of novel technologies to advance the rapid application of research to society. In 2021, she joined District 3 Innovation (an accelerator associated with Concordia University) as Lead Coach in the Biotech Stream coaching entrepreneurs in the D3 ecosystem.

William Peranteau, M.D. – Co-founder

Clinical Advisor
Board Director
BIO

Dr. Peranteau is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania and the Adzick-McCausland Distinguished Chair in Fetal and Pediatric Surgery at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). In addition to a clinical pediatric and fetal surgeon, Dr. Peranteau is the co-director of the Center for Fetal Research at CHOP where he runs a translational research lab focusing on prenatal and early postnatal cell and gene therapies. He has led teams on some of the initial studies demonstrating the feasibility of in utero CRISPR-mediated gene editing in relevant animal models and has led preclinical animal studies of in utero hematopoietic stem cell transplantation which are foundational for ongoing clinical trials. His research is/has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, including the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, as well as the American College of Surgeons, the Gerber Foundation, and the Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics and the Orphan Disease Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

Pierrino Torbey,  

President Lesirg Consultants
Board Director
BIO

Mr. Torbey has over 22 years of experience in building and remediating quality management systems, and assisting companies advance their products and platforms development in the most manufacturing-friendly and efficient manner while always ensuring full compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. Mr. Torbey has worked with over 200 sites across 4 continents, either performing audits and site assessments, or remediating deficiencies and assisting the organizations comply with regulatory requirements applicable to their product and jurisdictions. He has worked with API manufacturers, biological manufacturing companies and contract manufacturing organizations for solid dose, sterile and non-sterile manufacturing, vaccine development and manufacturing, and most recently with new technologies such as viral vectors production and mRNA technologies.


Scientific Advisory Board

Marc Lavertu, Ph.D. – Co-founder

Scientific Advisor
BIO

Marc Lavertu is an accomplish Ned Associate Professor in the Chemical Engineering Department of Polytechnique Montreal, recognized globally for his expertise in chitosan chemistry. His research is centered on creating innovative technologies for nanomedicine, with an emphasis on the production, characterization, and biomedical applications of chitosan’ Prof. Lavertu’s cutting-edge work in this field is paving the way for new breakthroughs and advancements in nanomedicine and regenerative medicine.

Anthony Phan, Ph.D.

Scientific Advisor
BIO

Anthony Phan, PhD is a staff research associate at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Dr. Christopher Hunter’s laboratory. Anthony’s long-standing interest in CD8+ T cell biology has resulted in a number of publications defining the molecular mechanisms critical for the development of protective CD8+ T cell responses. His current studies center on defining critical immunological signals mRNA vaccines generate to promote potent T cell responses and leveraging the unique platform of mRNA vaccines for improving prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines.

Anthony earned his B.S. in Biochemistry/Cell Biology and his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of California San Diego.

William Peranteau, M.D. – Co-founder

Clinical Advisor
BIO

Dr. Peranteau is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania and the Adzick-McCausland Distinguished Chair in Fetal and Pediatric Surgery at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). In addition to a clinical pediatric and fetal surgeon, Dr. Peranteau is the co-director of the Center for Fetal Research at CHOP where he runs a translational research lab focusing on prenatal and early postnatal cell and gene therapies. He has led teams on some of the initial studies demonstrating the feasibility of in utero CRISPR-mediated gene editing in relevant animal models and has led preclinical animal studies of in utero hematopoietic stem cell transplantation which are foundational for ongoing clinical trials. His research is/has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, including the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, as well as the American College of Surgeons, the Gerber Foundation, and the Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics and the Orphan Disease Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

Drew Weissman, M.D., Ph.D. – Co-founder

Clinical Advisor
BIO

Dr. Weissman is the Roberts Family Professor in Vaccine Research at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and Director of the Penn Institute for RNA Innovations.

Dr. Weissman, M.D., Ph.D., is a physician- scientist and pioneer in the science of immunology, with major contributions to the field. Notably, Dr. Weissman, and his colleagues discovered a novel nucleoside-modified mRNA platform that bypasses adverse immunologic response. The result of decades-long dedication and research, this platform now serves as the basis for the burgeoning research of targeted therapeutics for some of the world’s most devastating diseases. This research outcome paved the way for the first mRNA vaccines, being the critical backbone to the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Dr. Weissman and his lab team continue to conduct basic science research to understand and develop new nucleoside-modified mRNA platforms to advance effective and safe vaccines for different types of diseases, as well as new therapeutics.