Circio Holding ASA has unveiled new data significantly strengthening its circVec circular RNA expression platform, showcasing a major upgrade and expanded application in key therapeutic areas.
The biotechnology company announced its latest construct, circVec 4.0, which delivers a substantial boost in gene expression, alongside compelling new evidence of its platform’s advantages in both heart and brain tissues.
A Potent New Generation
The highlight of the new data is the circVec generation 4 design. According to the company, this novel construct incorporates a new genetic element that increases gene expression by an additional 50 percent. This improvement builds upon the already high-performing third-generation design, which itself significantly outperformed conventional mRNA-based systems.
Dr. Thomas B Hansen, CTO of Circio, presented the findings, underscoring the continuous enhancement of their underlying technology.
Circio first presented promising heart data for its circVec-AAV platform in May 2025. The latest results not only validate those initial findings but also show a further 50% improvement with the circVec 4.0 construct.
The company reports that its heart-specific AAV vectors consistently achieve approximately 40-fold increased gene expression compared to standard methods. Live in vivo tracking and tissue analyses also indicate improved tissue specificity and a reduction in toxicity. These factors are critical for developing safer and more commercially viable gene therapies, addressing key limitations of current adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors.
Breaking New Ground in Brain and Eye Diseases
Beyond cardiac applications, Circio is demonstrating the breadth of its platform. For the first time, the company is presenting emerging in vivo data showing a four-fold increase in gene expression in the brain. This opens a new frontier for the technology, potentially enabling novel treatments for central nervous system (CNS) diseases, a area with significant unmet medical needs.
This follows data from the third quarter of 2025 showing a seven-fold increase in activity in the eye for locally delivered circVec-AAV. Both the eye and CNS are becoming increasingly active focus areas for biopharma, as evidenced by recent strategic moves by major companies.
Business Development and Financial Positioning
The technical progress is translating into business validation. Circio recently entered its first R&D agreement with a major pharmaceutical company, a milestone that affirms the platform’s potential and opens new commercial pathways.
Financially, the company has maintained a lean operational structure with tight cost controls. It retains access to four funding tranches of NOK 4 million ($0.39 million) each from Atlas, providing capital flexibility through the first quarter of 2026. Based on the strong data and business development activity, Circio is now exploring additional financing options to further accelerate its research and development programs.
