STORM Therapeutics Raises $56M for RNA Cancer Therapy

STORM Therapeutics has successfully closed a $56 million Series C funding round, injecting crucial capital to advance its pioneering RNA-targeting cancer therapies. This significant financial infusion coincides with the company initiating its Phase 2 clinical trial for its lead candidate, STC-15, in patients with sarcoma. The funding was robustly supported by a syndicate of existing investors, underscoring confidence in the company's innovative approach. Key participants included M Ventures, Pfizer Ventures, Taiho Ventures LLC, IP Group plc, UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd., and Fast Track Initiative.

The newly acquired funds are earmarked to propel the development of STC-15, a first-in-class oral small molecule designed to inhibit METTL3, an enzyme critical in regulating RNA modifications. This therapeutic strategy aims to reprogram cellular functions to combat cancer. The Phase 2 study will specifically evaluate STC-15 as a monotherapy in select sarcoma indications, with the potential to pave the way for accelerated regulatory review and broader application across other oncology areas. The company's focus on epitranscriptomics, the study of RNA modifications, positions it at the forefront of a rapidly evolving field within oncology drug discovery.

Sarcoma, a group of rare cancers originating in connective tissues, presents a significant unmet medical need. Affecting approximately 1% of adult cancer diagnoses and a more substantial 15% of pediatric cases, these tumors often resist conventional treatments due to a lack of identifiable driver mutations or immunogenic characteristics. This therapeutic gap highlights the urgent demand for novel mechanisms of action, such as the METTL3 inhibition pursued by STORM Therapeutics. The company's research suggests that METTL3-driven mRNA methylation plays a vital role in sustaining tumor growth and stem cell-like properties in sarcomas.

STC-15 targets METTL3, an enzyme implicated in controlling cancer stem cell differentiation. Dysregulation of this process is a known contributor to the development and progression of various malignancies. Promising results from a prior Phase 1 monotherapy study demonstrated durable tumor regression in multiple sarcoma subtypes, indicating STC-15's capacity to reprogram malignant progenitor cells. Further data from this initial study are anticipated for presentation at a medical conference in 2026, providing additional insights into the drug's efficacy and safety profile.

The commencement of the Phase 2 trial represents a critical advancement for STORM Therapeutics and the broader field of RNA-targeted cancer therapeutics. The trial's design aims to generate robust data that could support an accelerated approval pathway, a crucial objective for bringing innovative treatments to patients facing aggressive diseases like sarcoma. This strategic move also lays the groundwork for future clinical investigations into additional cancer types where METTL3 dysregulation is a contributing factor.

“Advancing our first-in-class METTL3 inhibitor, STC-15, into Phase 2 clinical development marks a pivotal breakthrough in tackling cancers characterized by aberrant cell differentiation,” stated Jerry McMahon, Chief Executive Officer of STORM Therapeutics. “This milestone highlights our scientific innovation and the potential to create new therapeutic options for patients with substantial unmet needs. We are grateful for the steadfast support from our investors and are encouraged by the robust durability and activity demonstrated with STC-15 in Phase 1 studies.”

Jonathan Trent, MD, from the University of Miami, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, added, “The launch of the Phase 2 trial for STC-15 represents a significant advancement in the treatment landscape for sarcoma and other tumors driven by METTL3. STC-15’s novel mechanism of action targets sarcomas at their vulnerability, reprogramming malignant cells toward cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. We are hopeful that this research will yield meaningful insights and, ultimately, new therapeutic avenues for patients with pressing unmet needs.”