Thalia Therapeutics has announced a significant strategic advancement by acquiring Sanmirna Therapeutics and its clinical-stage asset for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). This acquisition is supported by a successful, oversubscribed fundraise of £2.75 million, which will fuel the company's expanded development pipeline. The dual transaction catapults Thalia into a clinical-stage RNA therapeutics company, accelerating its timeline by several years.
A Transformative Strategic Move
The acquisition of US-based Sanmirna is a pivotal moment for Thalia, immediately elevating its status from a preclinical to a clinical-stage entity. Dr. David Solomon, CEO of Thalia, described the deal as a "transformative opportunity" that is fundamentally value accretive for shareholders. This move diversifies the company's RNA therapeutics pipeline and significantly advances its clinical development progress.
Under the agreement, Thalia will acquire Sanmirna for an initial consideration of £3.675 million, satisfied through shares and convertible loan notes. The deal also includes potential deferred milestone payments of up to an additional £13 million. This structure links future payments to the achievement of specific clinical, regulatory, and sales milestones for the acquired asset.
Securing a Promising Clinical-Stage Asset
At the heart of the acquisition is miRisten, a novel microRNA therapeutic candidate designed to treat AML. The therapy works by selectively inhibiting microRNA-126, which is understood to play a critical oncogenic role in this life-threatening cancer. Originally discovered at the City of Hope research center, miRisten represents a promising new approach for a disease with high unmet medical need.
miRisten is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 open-label, dose-escalation clinical trial involving patients with relapsed or refractory AML. This ongoing study is a crucial step in assessing the therapy's safety and potential efficacy. Thalia anticipates the release of top-line results from this trial during the first half of 2027.
AML is an aggressive form of blood cancer that affects over 22,000 new patients in the United States annually. The global market for AML treatments is substantial, valued at $3.9 billion and projected to expand to $9.8 billion by 2035. Thalia's entry into this market with a clinical-stage candidate positions it to address a significant and growing therapeutic area.
Financial Fortification for Future Growth
To support its expanded operations, Thalia has secured £2.75 million through a conditional placing and subscription that was oversubscribed. The fundraise saw strong support from new and existing institutional investors, including Premier Miton. Notably, company directors and vendors subscribed for £1.29 million, signaling strong internal confidence in the new strategy.
The proceeds from the fundraise have been strategically allocated to advance the company's key programs through mid-2027. Approximately £1 million will fund the miRisten Phase 1 trial to completion, while £750,000 will support Thalia's bispecific cardiovascular assets towards IND status. The remaining £1 million is designated for working capital, further research, and transaction costs.
This acquisition and successful fundraise mark a defining moment for Thalia Therapeutics, transforming it into a more robust and diversified clinical-stage biotechnology firm. With three material assets, including the newly acquired miRisten, the company is now better positioned to pursue multi-billion dollar market opportunities. The strategic execution enhances prospects for creating significant long-term shareholder value across its oncology and cardiovascular programs.