TransCode Therapeutics and Quantum Leap Collaborate on PRE-I-SPY Trial for Colorectal Cancer Treatment

TransCode Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: RNAZ) and Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative have announced a collaboration to evaluate TransCode's lead therapeutic candidate, TTX-MC138, within the PRE-I-SPY Phase 2a clinical trial platform. The trial is designed to enroll up to 45 colorectal cancer patients who are ctDNA positive following standard curative-intent therapy, with the study scheduled to begin in the first half of 2026. This initiative will be led by Dr. Paula Pohlmann of MD Anderson Cancer Center and aims to assess the biological and clinical activity of TTX-MC138 in the minimal residual disease setting, where recurrence risk is high and therapeutic options are limited.

The collaboration reflects the growing interest in precision treatments targeting micrometastatic disease, a critical area in oncology where early intervention could prevent cancer recurrence. TransCode Therapeutics is a clinical-stage company pioneering immunoncology and RNA therapeutic treatments for high-risk and advanced cancers. Its lead candidate, TTX-MC138, focuses on treating metastatic tumors that overexpress microRNA-10b, a well-documented biomarker of metastasis. The company also maintains a portfolio of other first-in-class therapeutic candidates designed to mobilize the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

For investors and stakeholders, the latest news and updates relating to RNAZ are available in the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/RNAZ. The press release detailing this collaboration can be viewed in full at https://ibn.fm/iX3ak. This announcement was distributed via InvestorWire, a specialized communications platform that is part of the Dynamic Brand Portfolio at IBN, offering advanced wire-grade press release syndication and corporate communications solutions. More information about InvestorWire is available at https://www.InvestorWire.com, with full terms of use and disclaimers accessible at https://www.InvestorWire.com/Disclaimer.

The implications of this collaboration are significant for the oncology field, as it addresses a pressing need for effective treatments in the minimal residual disease setting. Colorectal cancer patients with ctDNA positivity after initial therapy face a high risk of recurrence, and current therapeutic options are often inadequate. By targeting microRNA-10b, TTX-MC138 offers a novel approach that could potentially halt metastasis at an early stage, improving patient outcomes and survival rates. This trial represents a step forward in personalized medicine, aligning with broader trends in healthcare toward precision oncology and biomarker-driven therapies.

From an industry perspective, the partnership between TransCode Therapeutics and Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative highlights the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing clinical research. Quantum Leap's PRE-I-SPY platform is designed to accelerate the development of innovative treatments, and integrating TTX-MC138 into this framework could streamline the path to regulatory approval and commercialization. For the global community, successful outcomes from this trial could lead to new treatment paradigms for colorectal cancer and other malignancies characterized by micrometastatic disease, ultimately reducing the burden of cancer worldwide. The focus on RNA-based therapeutics also underscores the expanding role of nucleic acid technologies in modern medicine, potentially opening doors for similar approaches in other disease areas.