CLOVERNA Inc.

CLOVERNA Inc. is a Japanese biotechnology company focused on revolutionizing drug discovery by targeting non-coding RNA. The company utilizes a proprietary CRISPR/dCas13-based platform, known as DIRAC and TRIP, to precisely identify and extract disease-associated RNA target motifs from a vast pool of candidates. This technology enables the discovery of selective RNA-interaction modifiers (SRiMs), which represent a new class of oligonucleotide therapeutics. By addressing the vast, previously untapped potential of the non-coding genome—which makes up the majority of the human genome—CLOVERNA aims to unlock novel biological pathways that traditional protein-targeted medicine has historically failed to reach.

This approach is particularly significant for developing treatments for rare and intractable diseases where medical needs remain unmet. By identifying sequences responsible for disease-specific interactions on long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), the company offers a more personalized and selective strategy for drug development. CLOVERNA collaborates with pharmaceutical partners to advance its research and development pipeline. The startup, based in Kurashiki, Japan, was founded by Dr. Tatsuo Ito and Dr. Yurika Shimizu, and has been supported by organizations like the Keio Innovation Initiative to further its mission of bringing innovative, RNA-targeted medicines to patients worldwide.