STORM Therapeutics Partners with AlidaBio to Advance First-in-Class RNA-Modifying Enzyme Inhibitor STC-15
Key Insights
STORM Therapeutics (search) has formed a strategic collaboration with AlidaBio (search) to utilize advanced epitranscriptomic analysis platforms for their groundbreaking METTL3 (search) inhibitor STC-15.
STC-15 represents the first small molecule drug targeting an RNA-modifying enzyme to enter human clinical trials, currently in Phase 1/2 studies.
The partnership will focus on correlating m6A RNA modifications with clinical response to identify biomarkers for patient selection in future trials.
STORM Therapeutics (search), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering cellular reprogramming through RNA modifications, has announced a strategic collaboration with Alida Biosciences (search) (AlidaBio (search)) to accelerate the development of STC-15, the first small molecule drug targeting an RNA-modifying enzyme to enter human clinical trials. The partnership will leverage AlidaBio's advanced epitranscriptomic analysis platforms to better understand how METTL3 (search) inhibition affects cancer patients.
Breakthrough RNA-Targeting Approach
STC-15 represents a first-in-class METTL3 (search) inhibitor that targets the METTL3/14 methyltransferase complex, which catalyzes the deposition of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modifications. Post-transcriptional modification of RNA, including m6A, adds a crucial layer of regulation to RNA metabolism, influencing processes like synthesis, stability, maturation, transport, and translation. Inhibition of METTL3 reduces global m6A levels, disrupting RNA regulation in cancer cells.
The drug is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1b/2 study in combination with LOQTORZI® (toripalimab-tpzi), a novel next-generation PD-1 (search) inhibitor, in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), melanoma, and endometrial cancer.
Advanced Molecular Profiling Partnership
Under the collaboration, STORM will utilize AlidaBio (search)'s EpiPlex® and EpiScout® next-generation sequencing platforms to detect and quantitatively measure transcript-specific m6A RNA modifications in clinical samples from cancer patients treated with STC-15. The partnership aims to correlate changes in m6A modifications at the transcript level with clinical response to treatment and identify baseline m6A features that could predict sensitivity to METTL3 (search) inhibition.
"AlidaBio (search) has demonstrated exceptional expertise and leadership in the field of RNA modification analysis, particularly through the development of advanced NGS technologies capable of detecting key epitranscriptomic modifications in both healthy and diseased settings," said Dr. Eric Martin, Chief Development Officer of STORM Therapeutics (search). "Through this collaboration, our shared goal is to extend our understanding of transcript-specific m6A changes in relation to clinical benefit and patient response, to improve outcomes for cancer patients treated with STC-15."
Precision Oncology Applications
The collaboration will focus on validating m6A-regulated genes and cell types affected by METTL3 (search) inhibition, exploring epitranscriptomic biomarkers to guide patient selection and enrichment strategies for future clinical trials. This approach represents a novel application of epitranscriptomics in precision oncology, combining targeted RNA-modifying enzyme inhibition with advanced molecular profiling.
Dr. Gudrun Stengel, Chief Executive Officer of AlidaBio (search), commented: "By applying the advanced features of our EpiPlex® and EpiScout® platforms, we aim to advance the clinical development and efficacy evaluation of STC-15 through comprehensive m6A biology analysis in patient samples. Our collaborative efforts are focused on generating deeper insights to ultimately deliver greater benefits for patients."
Expanding RNA Therapeutics Pipeline
STORM Therapeutics (search) has built its platform around world-leading understanding of RNA modifying enzymes, leading to the discovery of breakthrough small molecule drugs that precisely reprogram cells through RNA biology for the treatment of cancer, inflammation, viruses and CNS diseases. The collaboration with AlidaBio (search) highlights the growing importance of epitranscriptomics in drug development and represents a significant step forward in the clinical application of RNA modification therapeutics.