Frequently Asked Questions

ADViRNA provides end-to-end support for therapeutic oligonucleotide development. We design custom siRNAs and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) using a proprietary algorithm focused on potency, specificity, and minimal off-target effects. Oligonucleotide synthesis is performed in-house for standard chemistries and small-scale needs, with complex modifications or larger scales handled through trusted synthesis partners. Our team conducts in vitro screening across a range of cell types, including primary and hard-to-transfect cells, and designs and coordinates in vivo studies, including dosing, delivery, and endpoint analysis. We offer biodistribution studies to assess tissue-specific uptake and develop custom assays to measure gene and protein expression. From project initiation to final data, we provide scientific consulting and iterative optimization tailored to your research goals.

Our siRNAs are designed using a proprietary algorithm that integrates critical features such as sequence composition, target site accessibility, thermodynamic properties, and off-target minimization. The algorithm allows for species-specific and transcript-specific customization, including options to avoid SNPs, select specific exons or isoforms, and accommodate poorly annotated or novel gene models. We frequently support cross-species targeting and can assist with transcript reconstruction or alignment when working with non-model organisms. The result is a set of siRNAs optimized for potency, specificity, and functional success in downstream applications.

We work with a wide range of cell types, including adherent and suspension cells, primary cells, and custom-engineered lines. Our team has experience with tissue and samples from multiple species, including mice, rats, rabbits, pigs, monkeys, and humans. If the tissue is commercially available, we can typically integrate it into our workflows without issue. For more specialized needs, we can leverage our network to develop or acquire custom or genetically modified cell lines tailored to specific expression profiles or project requirements.

Yes. We routinely support projects involving poorly annotated genes, novel isoforms, and species that are underrepresented in public databases. Our team can perform transcriptome analysis using RNA-seq data, generate custom alignments, and interpret genome assemblies to define accurate transcript structures and coding sequences. We also assist with identifying orthologous regions across species for cross-species targeting. Whether you’re working with non-model organisms or exploring uncharacterized loci, we can help resolve target definition and design effective, specific oligos tailored to your application.

Depending on the nature of the target and the client’s goals, we validate knockdown using a range of techniques, including qPCR, western blotting, and transcriptomic profiling. Our team can tailor existing assays or develop completely custom assays from scratch to address specific experimental questions. We follow an iterative process that allows us to refine and optimize our workflows in real time, ensuring that the final data are high-quality and biologically informative. Comprehensive reports include quantitative results along with scientific interpretation.

Timelines depend on the scope and complexity of each project, but most full-service campaigns—from oligo design through in vitro screening data delivery—are typically completed within two months. For screening projects in which the client provides oligonucleotides, in vitro data are often available within 2 to 3 weeks from the start of the experiment. Overall timing may vary based on synthesis complexity, screen size, the need for custom assay development or optimization, and the availability of specific cell lines, tissues, or reagents. We maintain flexibility while ensuring scientific quality, and we communicate proactively to keep timelines aligned with your goals.

We perform oligonucleotide synthesis in-house for most common chemistries at small to medium scale, allowing for fast turnaround and competitive pricing. We currently support the synthesis of oligonucleotides from 5 to 100 bases in length at scales ranging from 100 nmol to 2 µmol. Our available modifications and conjugations include Cholesterol, DCA, Cy3, Cy5, GalNAc, and Biotin, as well as backbone and sugar modifications such as Phosphorothioate, Phosphorodithioate, 2’-OMe, 2’-O-MOE, 2’-F, PMO, and LNA. These chemistries can be incorporated into siRNAs or ASOs to tailor pharmacokinetics, cellular uptake, and tissue specificity. Our synthesis capabilities are continuously expanding, and we’ll soon have in-house analytical tools (HPLC and mass spectrometry) to support advanced QC and further expand our repertoire of available modifications and conjugates. For complex chemistries or larger-scale synthesis needs, we work closely with a network of trusted partners to ensure high-quality material delivery.

Yes. We frequently optimize siRNA and ASO delivery in a variety of cell types, including primary and hard-to-transfect cells. Our most commonly used methods include passive uptake and lipid-based transfection reagents, which we’ve validated across many systems. However, we also support other delivery methods such as electroporation and nanoparticle-based formulations when needed. We can develop delivery protocols from scratch, adapt existing ones, or work with client-supplied reagents. When challenges arise, we take an iterative, data-driven approach to optimize parameters like dose, timing, reagent ratios, and cell density to ensure effective and reproducible knockdown.

We support a broad range of backbone, sugar, and conjugation modifications to enhance oligo stability, improve delivery, and reduce immunogenicity. In-house, we currently offer 2’-O-methyl (2’-OMe), 2’-O-methoxyethyl (2’-O-MOE), 2’-fluoro (2’-F), phosphorothioate (PS), phosphorodithioate (PS2), LNA, and PMO modifications. We also offer a growing panel of conjugations, including Cholesterol, DCA, GalNAc, Biotin, Cy3, and Cy5. These chemistries can be incorporated into siRNAs or ASOs to tailor pharmacokinetics, cellular uptake, and tissue specificity. Our synthesis capabilities are continuously expanding, and we’ll soon have in-house analytical tools (HPLC and mass spectrometry) to support advanced QC and further expand our repertoire of available modifications and conjugates.

Yes. We frequently support clients as they move from in vitro validation to in vivo proof-of-concept studies. Our team can help design protocols from the ground up, including dosing regimens, administration routes, delivery strategies, and tissue collection timepoints. We assist with the selection of relevant animal models and coordinate directly with CROs or vivariums to streamline study execution. We also provide input on molecular and phenotypic endpoints, and can design custom assays for evaluating target knockdown, biodistribution, or pharmacodynamic response in collected tissues. Whether you’re planning your first in vivo study or optimizing a complex pipeline, we can help guide the process scientifically and operationally.

We work with clients across the full spectrum, including academic researchers, early-stage biotech startups, and large pharmaceutical companies. Our flexible, collaborative model is well-suited for academic labs seeking targeted RNAi support without the overhead of building in-house capabilities. We also partner with nimble biotech companies that need rapid, iterative development cycles, and with larger pharma teams looking for reliable data packages to support preclinical milestones. Regardless of scale, we adapt to your scientific and budgetary needs and provide the same high level of scientific rigor, communication, and customization to every client.

ADViRNA offers a boutique, science-first approach that emphasizes customization, responsiveness, and deep collaboration. Unlike high-volume providers, we tailor every project from the ground up, from target selection and oligo design to assay development and data interpretation. Our clients work directly with the same scientific team throughout the project, ensuring continuity, transparency, and rapid feedback. We’re structured to move quickly without sacrificing quality, and our in-house capabilities allow us to deliver high-quality data with shorter timelines and more competitive pricing than many larger providers. Most importantly, we don’t just deliver raw data—we help you interpret results, troubleshoot challenges, and strategically plan next steps based on your scientific and therapeutic goals.

All projects at ADViRNA are governed by a mutual NDA or Master Services Agreement to ensure confidentiality and clear expectations from the outset. Clients retain full ownership of their data, sequences, and any intellectual property arising from the project. Any new technology or therapeutic candidates developed during the engagement belong to the client, including full rights to use and commercialize those assets. In some cases, depending on the chemical modifications or delivery strategies used, additional licensing agreements may be required from third parties to advance commercial development. These arrangements are negotiated independently and directly by the relevant parties. If a project requires the development of a novel assay, workflow, or platform technology by ADViRNA, ownership and IP rights around those methods can be defined collaboratively to reflect each party’s contribution. We are flexible and transparent in our approach and work closely with clients to ensure all legal and scientific boundaries are clearly established.

Yes. We often work with clients who have encountered poor knockdown, off-target effects, or inconsistent results from commercial siRNA libraries or prior experiments. Our team can re-evaluate the target biology, redesign oligos using our proprietary algorithm, and optimize delivery conditions for the specific cell type or tissue involved. We also assess whether the original assay design was appropriate for the intended readout, and can troubleshoot issues related to reagent quality, timing, dose, or endpoint selection. Whether the problem lies in the sequence, the system, or the assay itself, we apply a systematic, data-driven approach to identify the bottleneck and design a path forward.

Getting started is simple. Just reach out through our website or email us directly. We’ll schedule an introductory call to learn about your scientific goals, target(s) of interest, and any technical constraints or preferences. From there, we’ll prepare a detailed project proposal that includes a recommended approach, timeline, and pricing. Our onboarding process is collaborative and scientifically grounded. We welcome early-stage discussions, even if your scope is still evolving. Most projects can be initiated within days of agreement, and our team remains responsive and available throughout planning and execution. Whether you have a defined target or are still exploring options, we’re ready to help shape a strategy that fits your timeline and objectives.