What if we could silence disease-causing proteins not by targeting the protein itself, but by preventing its mRNA from ever being translated—using small-molecule drugs?

In this episode, David Weitz, Co-founder, President and CEO of Syrna Therapeutics, shares how his company is pioneering a revolutionary approach: 3D structure-guided drug discovery for mRNA, coupled with covalent translation inhibitors that block disease-causing proteins before they're even made.

What we discuss:

• Why mRNA represents an untapped class of small-molecule drug targets

• How covalent translation inhibitors work to silence protein expression

• 3D structure-guided drug discovery: revealing druggable domains in mRNA

• Lead programs in immunology and neurodegeneration

• The universal mechanism that can be applied to any mRNA with a druggable structured domain

• Coming out of stealth: building Syrna and attracting top-tier investors

• Personal reflections on pioneering a fundamentally new drug discovery approach

This isn't traditional RNA therapeutics. This is small-molecule drug discovery targeting mRNA—a completely new frontier in precision medicine.

About the Guest: David Weitz is Co-founder, President and CEO of Syrna Therapeutics, a biotechnology company pioneering 3D structure-guided drug discovery for mRNA targets using covalent translation inhibitors.

About the Show: Innovating Tomorrow's Medicine features conversations with biotech leaders, researchers, and innovators who are transforming bold ideas into real-world impact in healthcare and life sciences.

🔗 Connect:

• Syrna Therapeutics: [https://www.syrnatx.com/]

• David Weitz: [https://linkedin.com/in/david-weitz-25ba]

• Host Jeff Trickett: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-trickett]

📧 Questions or guest suggestions? [[email protected]]

#Biotech #mRNA #DrugDiscovery #SmallMolecule #Immunology #Neurodegeneration #PrecisionMedicine #Innovation #RNATherapeutics