Message Pharmaceuticals

Message Pharmaceuticals was a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of small molecule drugs that target RNA and RNA-binding proteins. The company's proprietary Ribonomics platform enabled the identification of compounds that modulate the stability and translation of specific messenger RNAs (mRNAs) involved in disease processes. By targeting the regulatory mechanisms of RNA rather than the proteins themselves, Message aimed to address previously undruggable targets in oncology, inflammation, and metabolic disorders. The company established significant research collaborations, including a notable partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb to identify drugs targeting RNA-binding proteins. In 2002, Message Pharmaceuticals was acquired by Exelixis to integrate its RNA-targeting technology into Exelixis's broader drug discovery engine.