Rage Biotech opened first‑in‑human testing of RB‑042, an inhaled splice‑switching oligonucleotide for COPD and inflammatory lung disease, and announced AU$29 million (US$19.4 million) in Series A financing to support early clinical development. RB‑042 is delivered by inhalation to modulate splicing in lung tissues, an approach intended to reduce systemic exposure and target organ‑specific biology. Rage positioned the candidate as a potential new modality for chronic inflammatory lung indications. The entry into the clinic and financing underscore growing interest in oligonucleotide therapeutics for respiratory disease, and the company will focus on safety, local delivery metrics and proof‑of‑mechanism endpoints in the Phase I program.