Biotechnology company Thalia Therapeutics plc (AIM: THAT) disclosed on Wednesday that it has agreed to acquire clinical-stage oncology company Sanmirna Therapeutics Inc, adding its lead RNA therapeutic candidate, miRisten, for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). The acquisition, subject to shareholder approval, is valued at an initial GBP3.675m with potential milestone payments of up to GBP13m.

The transaction transforms Thalia into a clinical-stage RNA therapeutics developer, expanding its pipeline beyond preclinical siRNA programmes. MiRisten, a microRNA-126 inhibitor licensed exclusively from City of Hope, is currently in a Phase 1 trial for relapsed or refractory AML, with topline data expected in the first half of 2027.

Alongside the acquisition, Thalia has completed an oversubscribed GBP2.75m fundraising through the issue of 458.3 million new shares at GBP0.006 each, a premium to the previous closing price. Directors and vendors subscribed for GBP1.29m, with directors alone contributing GBP1.12m. Existing and new investors, including Premier Miton, participated in the raise.

The acquisition consideration will be satisfied through the issue of 485.1 million new shares and GBP764,357 of convertible loan notes. Additional consideration linked to clinical, regulatory and commercial milestones could reach GBP13m.

Proceeds from the fundraising will fund completion of the miRisten Phase 1 trial, advance Thalia's bispecific cardiovascular siRNA programme towards IND status with the US Food and Drug Administration, and provide working capital through mid-2027.

Completion of the acquisition is expected following shareholder approval at the annual general meeting on 17 July 2026, with admission of the consideration shares to AIM anticipated on 20 July 2026.

Thalia said the acquisition accelerates its strategic transition from RNA delivery technologies to the development of RNA therapeutics, creating a broader pipeline across oncology and cardiovascular disease while adding a clinical-stage asset with near-term data catalysts.