The RNA therapeutics market is rapidly expanding beyond vaccines and rare diseases into cancer treatments, gene editing and cell therapies, intensifying competition in manufacturing technologies.
ST Pharm introduced its integrated contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) capabilities targeting next-generation RNA therapeutics at BIO International Convention 2026 (BIO USA) in San Diego, seeking to expand global partnerships.
Speaking with reporters, Choi Seok-woo, executive vice president and head of business operations at ST Pharm, said the RNA therapeutics market has entered a new phase in which competitive advantage depends not only on production but also on the ability to precisely manufacture therapies and deliver them to targeted tissues.
“The RNA therapeutics market is no longer simply about producing raw materials,” Choi said. “It has evolved into a stage where manufacturing precision and targeted delivery capabilities determine competitiveness. Based on an integrated platform spanning oligonucleotides, mRNA-LNP and gRNA, ST Pharm aims to become a key partner for developers of next-generation RNA therapeutics.”
One area receiving particular attention from the company is the rapidly growing antibody-oligonucleotide conjugate (AOC) market. AOCs are considered a next-generation therapeutic platform that combines the targeted delivery capabilities of antibodies with the gene-regulating functions of oligonucleotides.
“While many AOC developers possess antibody technologies, high-quality oligonucleotide manufacturing and quality-control capabilities become essential during clinical development and commercialization,” Choi said. “ST Pharm has established strong competitiveness in this area.”
The company also views in vivo CAR-T therapies, which directly reprogram immune cells inside the body, and gene-editing therapies as major future growth areas.
In particular, ST Pharm highlighted its proprietary SmartCap 5′ capping technology and STLNP lipid nanoparticle platform as key differentiators, enabling support for both mRNA production and delivery.
“The RNA therapeutics market is expanding from a vaccine-focused sector into diverse areas including gene editing, oncology and AOCs,” Choi said. “Leveraging our one-stop RNA CDMO platform, we plan to expand collaborations with global customers.”
Meanwhile, ST Pharm has been conducting numerous partnering meetings with global RNA therapeutics developers during BIO USA as it explores new business opportunities.
The company is also highlighting its manufacturing competitiveness in oligonucleotide therapeutics through its recently launched second oligonucleotide production facility. It is showcasing large-scale, high-purity manufacturing capabilities and quality-control systems that support production from early-stage clinical supply through commercial-scale manufacturing.
Another major focus is ST Pharm’s xRNA platform, developed to meet growing demand for next-generation RNA therapeutics. The company is promoting its mRNA-LNP CDMO capabilities to global customers through its proprietary SmartCap® 5′ capping technology and STLNP® lipid nanoparticle formulation platform.