What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate current tissue distribution assessment methods for oligonucleotide therapeutic candidates and identify areas for enhancement.

February 2, 2026Open Access

Industry Practices in Oligonucleotide Tissue Biodistribution Assessment: An IQ consortium Cross-Industry Survey of Current Approaches and Emerging Trends

Key Points

To evaluate current tissue distribution assessment methods for oligonucleotide therapeutic candidates and identify areas for enhancement.
Conducted a survey among member companies of the IQ Consortium Tissue Concentration Working Group.
Collected data on current strategies for oligonucleotide tissue concentration assessment.
Analyzed varying approaches to evaluating tissue concentrations across companies.
Most companies indicate oligonucleotides are a small part of their pre-candidate selection.
siRNAs are the most developed type of oligonucleotide, followed by antisense oligonucleotides.
Strategies for assessing tissue concentration varied significantly among organizations, reflecting diverse resource use.
All companies utilized LC-MS for quantification, with some using qPCR/RT-qPCR alongside other assays.
Few companies regularly implemented PBPK models in their assessment practices.

Abstract

Abstract Accurate assessment of tissue distribution for oligonucleotide therapeutic (ONT) drug candidates is essential for understanding pharmacokinetic behavior and predicting therapeutic efficacy. ONTs present a unique challenge with their rapid systemic clearance coupled with prolonged tissue retention, making comprehensive tissue concentration evaluation critical for successful drug development. The IQ Consortium Tissue Concentration Working Group surveyed member companies about their current tissue concentration assessment methods to understand industry practices and identify areas for improvement. Most companies reported that ONTs still represent a relatively small portion of their pre-candidate selection portfolios, reflecting the evolving nature of this therapeutic modality. siRNAs dominated development efforts across surveyed organizations, followed by antisense oligonucleotides, indicating clear therapeutic class preferences within the industry. Assessment strategies varied considerably across organizations, highlighting different approaches to resource allocation and risk management. While some companies routinely evaluate tissue concentrations for all ONT programs regardless of indication or target, others take a more selective, program-dependent approach based on compound characteristics and therapeutic objectives. Despite this strategic variability, there was universal reliance on LC–MS for quantification, often supplemented with qPCR/RT-qPCR and hybridization assays for comprehensive analytical coverage. All surveyed companies integrate tissue concentration data into translational pharmacokinetic modeling efforts, yet few have adopted physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models as standard practice. Companies recognize the value of improving ONT tissue distribution assessment through standardized methodology tailored to specific oligonucleotide classes. Graphical Abstract

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