STORM Therapeutics, a Cambridge Biotech, Raises $56M

STORM Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech company in Cambridge focused on using RNA modifications to treat cancer, has secured $56 million in a Series C funding round, with funds from current investors like M Ventures and Pfizer Ventures. They have also started a Phase 2 clinical trial for STC-15, aimed at specific sarcoma types. STC-15, the first RNA-modifying enzyme inhibitor to enter human trials, started Phase 1 in November 2022. This oral small-molecule inhibits METTL3, an enzyme influencing cancer cell differentiation, which could help treat sarcomas as they often rely on METTL3-driven mRNA methylation. Phase 1 showed significant tumour reduction among multiple sarcoma types. Results will be fully presented in 2026. Phase 2 aims to speed up regulatory approval and broaden clinical trials for other cancers. The first patient has been dosed, tracked under ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT06975293. STC-15 is also in a Phase 1b/2 study with LOQTORZI, focusing on several cancers like non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma. Jonathan Trent from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center remarked on STC-15’s potential in redirecting cancer cells toward apoptosis. STORM’s CEO Jerry McMahon sees this as a crucial step in addressing sarcomas, where treatment options are currently inadequate.