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. 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.
The acquisition creates a broader oncology pipeline combining Polynoma's Phase 3-ready seviprotimut-L with TransCode's TTX-MC138 program, positioning the company to deliver therapeutic advances for patients battling melanoma and metastatic disease. Philippe Calais, PharmD, PhD, was appointed Chief Executive Officer following the announcement, succeeding Interim CEO Tom Fitzgerald, who returns to his role as Chief Financial Officer.
This strategic move is significant because it brings together two promising cancer treatment approaches at critical development stages. Seviprotimut-L represents a late-stage vaccine candidate specifically targeting stage IIB and IIC melanoma, a form of skin cancer that can be challenging to treat effectively in its advanced stages. The vaccine's polyvalent shed antigen approach could offer new hope for patients requiring adjuvant treatment following initial melanoma therapy.
Meanwhile, the $25 million investment from CK Life Sciences ensures adequate funding for TransCode's lead candidate, TTX-MC138, to progress through Phase 2 clinical trials. TTX-MC138 focuses on treating metastatic tumors that overexpress microRNA-10b, a well-documented biomarker of metastasis. The company's proprietary TTX nanoparticle platform is designed to overcome the challenges of RNA delivery, potentially unlocking access to novel genetic targets relevant to treating various cancers.
The combination of these assets creates a diversified oncology portfolio that addresses both specific melanoma indications and broader metastatic disease challenges. For investors and the oncology community, this development represents a strategic consolidation of resources and expertise that could accelerate the development of meaningful cancer treatments. The latest news and updates relating to RNAZ are available in the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/RNAZ.
This acquisition and funding arrangement demonstrates how strategic partnerships and targeted investments can drive innovation in oncology drug development. By combining late-stage and earlier-phase assets, TransCode positions itself to potentially bring multiple cancer treatments to market, addressing significant unmet medical needs in both melanoma and metastatic cancer care.
