Storm Therapeutics and Alida Biosciences have formed a strategic collaboration
Storm Therapeutics, a clinical-stage company specialising in cellular reprogramming through RNA modifications to treat disease, has formed a strategic collaboration with Alida Biosciences, a specialist in epitranscriptomics and RNA modification analysis.
Through the collaboration, Storm will use AlidaBio’s advanced EpiPlex and EpiScout next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms to detect and quantitatively measure transcript-specific N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modifications resulting from METTL3 inhibition. This can be achieved by utilising Storm’s METTL3 inhibitor, STC-15, which is the first small molecule drug targeting an RNA-modifying enzyme to enter human clinical trials.
Post-transcriptional modification of RNA, including m6A, adds a vital layer of regulation to RNA metabolism, influencing processes such as synthesis, stability, maturation, transport, and translation. The METTL3/14 methyltransferase complex catalyses the deposition of m6A, and METTL3 inhibition reduces global m6A levels, disrupting RNA regulation.
This collaboration will enable Storm and AlidaBio to focus on the impact of METTL3 inhibition on RNA regulation, specifically m6A dynamics, in clinical samples from cancer patients treated with STC-15, currently in Phase 1/2 clinical trials.
The two will 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 inhibition. The collaboration aims to validate m6A-regulated genes and cell types affected by METTL3 inhibition, and to explore epitranscriptomic biomarkers to guide patient selection and enrichment strategies for future clinical trials.
Dr Eric Martin, chief development officer at Storm, said, “AlidaBio 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. 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.”
Dr Gudrun Stengel, chief executive officer of AlidaBio, said, “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.”
