Francesca Ferraresso, PhD, a researcher in the Kastrup Laboratory at Versiti Blood Research Institute (VBRI), has been named to Forbes magazine's 30 Under 30 list for healthcare innovation.
Dr. Ferraresso serves as CEO and co-founder of Syrina Therapeutics, a biotech startup developing next-generation RNA technology to treat rare and chronic diseases. The company's self-amplifying RNA platform aims to help patients produce missing proteins within their bodies, offering a potentially transformative alternative for disorders that require frequent protein infusions.
"Being recognized by Forbes validates my work, efforts, and sacrifices, and reflects the strength of the mentorship and guidance I have received throughout my early career” Dr. Ferraresso says. “The rigorous scientific training I have received over the years through a wide range of experiences directly informs my approach to building Syrina Therapeutics. It has taught me how to ask scientific questions, design experiments, and focus on translating discoveries into therapies.”
The Forbes 30 Under 30 list recognizes the most influential young entrepreneurs, leaders, and game-changers across 20 industries.
“Francesca is the hardest working person I know, and she is unique in combining such a great work ethic with an ability to prioritize and address important problems,” says Christian Kastrup, PhD, a Senior Investigator and Leader of the Transfusion Medicine, Vascular Biology & Cell Therapy Program at VBRI, as well as a co-founder of Syrina Therapeutics. “Researchers at VBRI are making world-class contributions to science and medicine, and this recognition that Francesca received is one example of that excellence and level of innovation.”
Ferraresso’s work bridges her academic research with commercial translation through Syrina Therapeutics. The collaboration has achieved a key milestone by demonstrating that self-amplifying RNA can deliver therapeutic protein levels in the liver for more than 30 days, a breakthrough that has attracted interest from various pharmaceutical companies and investors.
“We've demonstrated that self-amplifying RNA can maintain therapeutic protein levels for over 30 days, which could transform treatment regimens for patients with rare disorders who have limited standard of care,” Ferraresso says. “Moving from promising preclinical data to clinical trials requires a focused effort by Syrina Therapeutics. Our efforts bring us closer to offering patients with rare diseases a more convenient, less invasive treatment option."