RNatives

RNatives, Inc. is a biotechnology firm established in 2020, with dual headquarters in Kuopio, Finland, and Boston, USA. The company focuses on developing precision RNA-based gene regulating therapies. It was founded by Mikko Turunen, who currently serves as the Chief Scientific Officer. Turunen has over 27 years of experience in gene therapy, with a research focus on non-coding RNAs and cardiovascular disease. His journey into entrepreneurship was driven by his pioneering discovery in 2009, where he was the first to demonstrate transcriptional gene activation by small RNAs in vivo.

The company operates by leveraging its proprietary RNAIntel™ platform, which identifies small non-coding RNAs that bind directly to gene promoters to regulate gene expression. This platform utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to pinpoint specific small RNAs that can either activate or silence genes by targeting nuclear non-coding RNAs. The business model is centered on the discovery and development of novel RNA-based therapies. These therapies are being developed to treat a range of conditions, including ocular, central nervous system (CNS), and metabolic diseases, as well as various forms of cancer. The company's initial lead programs are focused on treatments for Heart Failure (HF) and Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). By upregulating the body's own VEGFA gene, RNatives aims to induce neovascularization in tissues affected by conditions like myocardial ischemia.

RNatives has secured a total of EUR 2.8 million in seed funding to advance its therapeutic platform. A recent funding round of EUR 1.4 million was led by Nordic Science Investments (NSI) and supported by Force10 and Business Finland. These funds are allocated to accelerate the expansion of the RNAIntel™ platform. In a significant leadership development, Jeff Abbey was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer in May 2025. Abbey brings over two decades of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, including a successful track record in company building and fundraising in both public and private markets. His prior roles include Chief Operating Officer and Chief Business Officer at ImmunOs Therapeutics, where he was instrumental in a $74 million Series B financing.

Keywords: RNA therapy, gene regulation, biotechnology, precision medicine, RNAIntel platform, non-coding RNA, gene expression, ocular diseases, CNS diseases, metabolic diseases, cancer therapy, cardiovascular disease, Mikko Turunen, Jeff Abbey, Nordic Science Investments, RNA activation, gene silencing, biopharmaceutical, drug discovery, venture capital