TransCode Therapeutics Acquires Polynoma, Secures $25 Million Investment to Advance Oncology Pipeline
TL;DR
TransCode's acquisition of Polynoma and $25M funding creates a unique oncology pipeline with Phase 3-ready melanoma vaccine and Phase 2 RNA therapeutic candidate.
TransCode acquired Polynoma for its seviprotimut-L melanoma vaccine while securing $25M from CK Life Sciences to fund TTX-MC138 through Phase 2 trials.
This acquisition advances treatments for metastatic cancer patients by combining late-stage melanoma vaccines with innovative RNA therapeutics targeting metastasis.
TransCode's oncology pipeline now includes a Phase 3-ready melanoma vaccine alongside RNA therapeutics targeting microRNA-10b, a unique biomarker of metastasis.
TransCode Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: RNAZ) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Polynoma LLC, a privately held immuno-oncology company developing seviprotimut-L, a late-stage polyvalent shed antigen vaccine for the adjuvant treatment of stage IIB and IIC melanoma. This strategic acquisition significantly expands TransCode's oncology pipeline by adding a Phase 3-ready asset alongside the company's existing microRNA therapeutic programs. The transaction represents a major consolidation in the oncology space, bringing together complementary technologies and clinical-stage assets.
Concurrent with the acquisition, TransCode secured a $25 million investment from CK Life Sciences Int'l (Holdings) Inc. to fund its lead microRNA candidate, TTX-MC138, through a Phase 2 clinical trial. This substantial financial backing provides critical resources to advance both the newly acquired melanoma vaccine and TransCode's proprietary RNA therapeutic platform. The funding commitment from CK Life Sciences demonstrates strong investor confidence in TransCode's strategic direction and the potential of its combined oncology pipeline.
Philippe Calais, PharmD, PhD, was appointed Chief Executive Officer following the acquisition announcement, succeeding Interim CEO Tom Fitzgerald, who returns to his role as Chief Financial Officer. Dr. Calais emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition, stating that it allows TransCode to create a unique and broader oncology pipeline with Phase 3-ready seviprotimut-L and the TTX-MC138 program. He noted that together, these assets position TransCode to deliver meaningful therapeutic advances for patients battling melanoma and metastatic disease.
The acquisition of Polynoma brings seviprotimut-L, a polyvalent shed antigen vaccine that has reached late-stage development for adjuvant treatment of stage IIB and IIC melanoma. This represents a significant advancement opportunity for TransCode, as melanoma remains a challenging cancer with limited treatment options for patients at these disease stages. The vaccine's mechanism of action, targeting multiple tumor antigens, could potentially provide broader immune protection against cancer recurrence.
TransCode's lead therapeutic candidate, TTX-MC138, focuses on treating metastatic tumors that overexpress microRNA-10b, a unique, well-documented biomarker of metastasis. The company's proprietary TTX nanoparticle platform is designed to overcome the challenges of RNA delivery, potentially unlocking therapeutic access to novel genetic targets relevant to treating various cancers. The latest news and updates relating to RNAZ are available in the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/RNAZ.
This strategic move positions TransCode as a more diversified oncology company with assets spanning both vaccine and RNA therapeutic approaches. The combination of a late-stage melanoma vaccine with an innovative microRNA targeting platform creates multiple pathways for potential clinical success and commercial opportunity. For investors and the oncology community, this development represents a significant step forward in the fight against metastatic disease and melanoma, two areas of high unmet medical need where new treatment approaches are urgently required.
Curated from InvestorBrandNetwork (IBN)
