Codexis to Unveil RNA Drug Manufacturing Breakthroughs at TIDES USA

REDWOOD CITY, CA – April 29, 2026 – As the market for revolutionary RNA-based therapies expands, the challenge of manufacturing these complex molecules at scale has become a critical industry hurdle. Codexis, Inc., a company specializing in enzymatic solutions, is set to address this bottleneck head-on at the upcoming TIDES USA conference in Boston, where it will unveil new data on its ECO Synthesis® Manufacturing Platform. The presentations are expected to highlight significant progress in creating higher-quality, more scalable, and environmentally sustainable manufacturing processes for RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics.

Addressing the RNAi Manufacturing Bottleneck

The field of RNAi therapeutics is experiencing explosive growth, with market projections soaring past $30 billion by the early 2030s. These drugs hold the promise of treating a wide range of genetic disorders and chronic diseases by precisely silencing disease-causing genes. However, this therapeutic promise is constrained by the limitations of traditional manufacturing methods.

For decades, the industry has relied on solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis (SPOS), a complex chemical process known for its significant drawbacks. SPOS is resource-intensive, struggles with scalability, and generates substantial amounts of hazardous chemical waste, often thousands of kilograms for every kilogram of active pharmaceutical ingredient produced. As RNAi drugs move from treating rare diseases to targeting larger patient populations, the inefficiencies and environmental impact of this legacy technology have become untenable. The industry is actively seeking a paradigm shift—a new way to produce these life-changing medicines efficiently and sustainably.

The Enzymatic Revolution: A Closer Look at ECO Synthesis

Codexis aims to provide that shift with its ECO Synthesis® platform. The company will detail its advancements at TIDES USA, held from May 11–14. Unlike the harsh organic solvents and complex chemical steps of SPOS, ECO Synthesis employs a series of highly engineered enzymes to build RNA strands one nucleotide at a time in a mild, water-based environment. This "green chemistry" approach is at the core of its value proposition.

The platform, developed using Codexis's proprietary CodeEvolver® enzyme engineering technology, promises several key advantages. Company data suggests average coupling efficiencies of 99%, leading to higher yields and product purity of over 90%. This simplifies the downstream purification process, reducing both time and cost. Furthermore, the solution-based enzymatic process is inherently more scalable than solid-phase chemistry, enabling the production of much larger batches required for commercial-scale drug supply.

Presentations by the company's scientific leaders, including Chief Scientific Officer Stefan Lutz, PhD., and Vice President of Development Derek Gauntlett, will provide technical data on these improvements, focusing on enhanced ligation efficiency and overall process performance that could significantly shorten development timelines.

From "Noise" to Signal: The Critical Role of Stereochemistry

One of the most significant challenges in RNAi manufacturing is controlling the three-dimensional structure of the drug molecules, a property known as stereochemistry. Many therapeutic oligonucleotides incorporate phosphorothioate (PS) linkages to protect them from degradation in the body. However, each PS linkage creates a chiral center, resulting in a mixture of stereoisomers. This lack of control can be a major issue, as different isomers can have varying levels of efficacy, stability, and potential for off-target effects.

Historically, this has been treated as unavoidable "noise" in the manufacturing process. Codexis, however, is positioning it as a critical "signal" that can be controlled. The company's TIDES USA spotlight presentation, titled “Controlling Phosphorothioate Stereochemistry: Challenges and Innovations in Oligonucleotide Manufacturing,” will directly address this complex issue, presenting data on how its enzymatic platform can achieve superior stereochemical control.

The importance of this topic is underscored by an expert panel discussion Codexis is hosting, titled “Stereochemistry in RNAi Manufacturing: Signal or Noise?”. The panel features a roster of industry heavyweights, including John Maraganore, PhD., the founder and former CEO of RNAi pioneer Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, and Fred Fleitz, PhD., a senior executive at Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals. Their participation signals a broad industry consensus that mastering stereochemistry is no longer an academic exercise but a critical component for developing safer, more potent, and more consistent next-generation therapeutics.

A Greener Path to Next-Generation Medicines

Beyond the technical and clinical advantages, Codexis is emphasizing the sustainability of its platform. A presentation by David Entwistle, PhD., Senior Director of Program and Pipeline Management, will focus on “Advancing Sustainability through Innovation in Oligonucleotide Manufacturing.” This highlights a growing movement within the pharmaceutical industry to adopt more environmentally responsible practices.

By replacing harsh solvents like acetonitrile and pyridine with an aqueous process, the ECO Synthesis platform dramatically reduces the generation of toxic waste. This not only lowers the environmental footprint but can also offer a competitive advantage by reducing operational costs and risks associated with handling hazardous materials. As regulatory bodies and the public place greater emphasis on corporate environmental responsibility, such "green" manufacturing technologies are poised to become a new standard for the industry. The company's planned update on its regulatory engagement suggests a proactive approach to demonstrating the robustness and safety of this novel enzymatic process to agencies like the FDA. The combination of improved quality, scalability, and sustainability positions the technology as a compelling solution for the future of medicine manufacturing.