Storm Therapeutics

Storm Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that spun out of the University of Cambridge in 2015. It was established by Professors Tony Kouzarides and Eric Miska, who translated their foundational research in RNA epigenetics into a drug discovery venture. The company focuses on developing novel, first-in-class small molecule therapies that target RNA modifying enzymes (RMEs) to treat cancer and other diseases.

The company's core business revolves around its proprietary drug discovery and RNA analytics platform, which identifies and validates novel therapeutic targets within the extensive landscape of over 150 known RNA modifications and approximately 300 RMEs. While its primary focus is on oncology, Storm's pipeline also extends to potential treatments for inflammation, CNS disorders, and viral diseases. The business model involves advancing its proprietary programs and leveraging its platform, potentially through partnerships, to explore applications outside of oncology. The company generates revenue through financing rounds from venture capital firms and strategic investors, including M Ventures, Pfizer Ventures, and Taiho Ventures.

Storm's lead product is STC-15, an orally available inhibitor of METTL3, an RNA methyltransferase. This candidate is the first-ever RME inhibitor to enter human clinical trials. A Phase 1 study in patients with advanced solid tumors, initiated in November 2022, showed that STC-15 was well-tolerated and demonstrated signs of clinical activity, including tumor regressions. Preclinical data indicate that STC-15 works by inhibiting tumor growth and stimulating anti-cancer immune responses. Following positive Phase 1 results, the company is advancing STC-15 into further clinical studies.

Keywords: RNA modifying enzymes, RME, small molecule therapies, oncology, RNA epigenetics, METTL3 inhibitor, STC-15, drug discovery, clinical-stage biotechnology, cancer research, epitranscriptomics, cellular reprogramming, immuno-oncology, solid tumors, leukemia, Cambridge biotech, Tony Kouzarides, Eric Miska, RNA methyltransferase