STORM Therapeutics Ltd., a UK-based biotechnology company discovering and developing novel small molecule therapies targeting RNA modifying enzymes (RMEs) for oncology and other diseases, announced on Wednesday that it has dosed its first patient with STC-15, the firm's first-in-class clinical candidate.

The product, an orally bioavailable, highly selective METTL3 inhibitor, is the first molecule aimed at an RNA methyltransferase enzyme to enter clinical development.

The phase one study, a multiple ascending dose escalation trial, is intended to enrol 40 to 60 patients to assess safety, pharmacokinetics, target engagement, biomarkers related to mechanism, and anti-tumour efficacy in patients with solid tumours.

Dr Jerry McMahon, STORM Therapeutics CEO, said, 'This is a major milestone for STORM as we enter clinical development with our lead candidate STC-15 and continue progressing a pipeline targeting RNA modifying enzymes beyond METTL3. We intend to exhibit preclinical data related to STC-15 at future medical conferences this year as we execute our Phase 1 study in patients with solid tumours. We anticipate presenting results from our Phase 1 study in 2023.'