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Updated: Nov 1, 2025

Engineering Artificial Factors to Specifically Manipulate Alternative Splicing in Human Cells
Published on: April 26, 2017
Risdiplam, the First Approved Small Molecule Splicing Modifier Drug as a Blueprint for Future Transformative
Hasane Ratni1, Renata S Scalco1, Alexander H Stephan1
1pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Not too long ago, the concept of selectively targeting mRNA with small molecules was perceived as a formidable scientific challenge. The discovery of small molecule splicing modifiers and the development of risdiplam for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) have firmly established proof of concept for this exciting new platform and transformed a scientific curiosity into a viable technology to target disease. Today, several approaches to target mRNA with small molecules, supported by biophysical and screening methods, are in place to deliver new drugs with high therapeutic relevance.
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