Latest news with #Strand
Business Wire
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Strand Therapeutics Announces Initial First-in-human Phase 1 Data for STX-001 in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors at The 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Strand Therapeutics, a leader in next-generation mRNA-based therapeutics, today announced exciting preliminary Phase 1 clinical data for its lead investigational candidate, STX-001, in patients with advanced solid tumors. The study marks the first clinical evidence of Strand's proprietary programmable mRNA technology platform and represents a major milestone in the company's mission to bring next-generation mRNA therapies to patients with cancer. 'This is a transformative moment for Strand and for the field of synthetic mRNA therapeutics,' said Jake Becraft, PhD, CEO and Co-founder of Strand Therapeutics. 'The Phase 1 data for STX-001 provide early clinical validation of our platform." Share In the ongoing first-in-human Phase 1, open-label, dose-escalation clinical trial, STX-001 demonstrated a favorable safety profile and encouraging signs of anti-tumor activity as a monotherapy in patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor-refractory solid tumors, including melanoma and other solid tumor indications. As of the April 3rd, 2025 data cutoff, the trial had enrolled 22 patients across multiple sites in the United States and Australia. All patients were treated with STX-001 as a monotherapy (without combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors, etc.) with injections to surface accessible lesions. The data will be presented at The 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago on June 1 by Sarina Piha-Paul, M.D., professor of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. 'This investigational therapy has the potential to address an important unmet need in patients with checkpoint inhibitor-refractory advanced cancers,' said Dr. Piha-Paul. 'We're observing systemic immune activation and antitumor responses, including in non-injected lesions, across multiple tumor types, which is encouraging and supports continued evaluation.' Key highlights from the Phase 1 trial include: Preliminary Clinical Activity: Multiple RECIST responses were observed, including a confirmed complete response and multiple partial responses. Furthermore, there were multiple cases of prolonged disease stabilization. Safety and Tolerability: STX-001 was well-tolerated up to 300 µg. Treatment-related adverse events were consistent with STX-001's intended mechanism of action of immune activation. Pharmacodynamic Activity: Biomarker analysis confirmed dose-dependent increase in plasma IL-12 and IFN-γ, as well as infiltration of immune cells within the tumor microenvironment. 'This is a transformative moment for Strand and for the field of synthetic mRNA therapeutics,' said Jake Becraft, PhD, CEO and Co-founder of Strand Therapeutics. 'The Phase 1 data for STX-001 provide early clinical validation of our platform's ability to deliver programmable, tumor-localized immunotherapy safely and effectively. Our mRNA medicines as a therapeutic modality offer the potential capability to broaden pathways to treatment for patients while seamlessly integrating into the existing healthcare ecosystem.' STX-001 encodes IL-12, an immunomodulatory protein, which the company has designed such that it can reprogram the tumor microenvironment and stimulate a systemic anti-tumor immune response. Unlike traditional mRNA therapies, Strand's approach uses self-replicating mRNA, ensuring localized and durable therapeutic activity. The company is currently conducting dose expansion in the Phase 1 trial. Upon completion, the company plans to transition into a Phase 2 trial of STX-001 as a monotherapy. The company also plans to initiate dose escalation of STX-001 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors and expand into additional solid tumor indications. In addition, Strand is advancing a broader pipeline powered by the company's first-in-class cell-type specific mRNA engineering platform, including advancing STX-003, an intravenously administered version of STX-001, to patients in 2026. ASCO Poster Presentation Information: Abstract Title: Phase I dose escalation trial of STX-001, an LNP-encapsulated self-replicating mRNA expressing IL-12, in patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors. Session Type: Poster Date and Time: June 1, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM CDT Abstract Number: 9556 Location: Hall A Full abstract is available on the ASCO Annual Meeting Website. The study, an open-label, dose escalation trial, evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and preliminary antitumor activity of STX-001 in patients with advanced solid tumors. STX-001 was well-tolerated up to 300 µg, with dose-dependent and manageable treatment-related adverse events. Promising early clinical activity was observed, including multiple RECIST responses and durable disease stabilization. Findings support the further development of STX-001 as a monotherapy and in combination with checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of solid tumors. Additional Commentary Professor Georgina Long AO, BSc, PhD, MBBS, FRACP, FAHMS, AAHMS, FAA, Medical Director of Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA), and Chair of Melanoma Medical Oncology and Translational Research at MIA and Royal North Shore Hospital, The University of Sydney: 'I am encouraged by this early data. While intratumoral therapies offer a promising approach by initiating immune activation at the injected tumor site, they have historically struggled to generate robust systemic responses. STX-001 may represent a meaningful step forward, with early clinical evidence showing cases of regression of non-injected lesions, a sign of systemic immune engagement.' Tasuku Kitada, PhD, Co-Founder, President, and Head of R&D at Strand Therapeutics: 'Patients who are refractory to immune checkpoint inhibitors urgently need new treatment options. While IL-12 has long been recognized as a powerful immune stimulator, its clinical potential has been limited by toxicity, and to date, no IL-12–based therapies have been approved by the FDA. STX-001 is designed to overcome these challenges, delivering localized IL-12 expression to activate the tumor microenvironment and drive systemic immune responses, all while seeking to minimize toxicities. These early data suggest we may finally be able to realize the promise of IL-12 in cancer therapy.' About STX-001 STX-001 is an investigational multi-mechanistic, synthetic self-replicating mRNA technology that expresses an IL-12 cytokine for an extended period of time, directly injected into the tumor microenvironment in order to promote immune modulation and antitumor activity. The company received IND clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2023 to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for STX-001, and announced its first patient dosed just before the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting. Additional study details can be found at using identifier: NCT06249048. About Strand Therapeutics Strand Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing programmable mRNA therapeutics to transform the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases. Founded by synthetic biology pioneers from MIT, Strand's proprietary platform integrates synthetic gene circuits with mRNA delivery to enable targeted, controlled, and intelligent therapies. The company is based in Boston, Massachusetts. For more information, visit Follow us on LinkedIn and on X at @StrandTx.
North Wales Chronicle
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Historic Belfast picturehouse going back to the future in £6.5 million revamp
The Strand, which is also Belfast's only operational art-deco picturehouse, has released a first look at its £6.5 million face lift, with new CGIs that reveal a return to original art deco features with a contemporary twist. The attraction in east Belfast is set to reopen in summer 2026 following the work supported by Belfast City Council and a £1.8 million commitment from the Belfast Investment Fund. It originally opened on December 7 1935 and survived the bombing blitzes of the Second World War and changing entertainment tastes in the intervening decades while scores of picturehouses and cinemas closed. The images show the restoration of architectural features that were lost over the decades. For the first time, the Strand's name will stand atop its roof, using the original font that previously graced the side of the picturehouse in 1935, while the building's front facade will be restored with hand-glazed, blue-green terracotta tiles in the same material and style used when the doors first opened 90 years ago. Meanwhile the canopy that spanned the front of the building has been removed, restoring the original 1935 profile of the Strand and allowing south-facing sun to fill a new cafe bar space, creating a bright and welcoming hub at the heart of the venue. The ground floor will feature a Crittall-look window, echoing the original curved glass shopfront on the street corner. Bike stands outside will support active travel, while level access and a new lift will make the building fully accessible for the first time, widening the venue's ability to cater for a diverse range of audiences. Strand chief executive Mimi Turtle said it is a celebration of the building's heritage. 'We are thrilled to be sharing these highly-anticipated CGIs, which give people a taste of what the new and improved Strand will look like when we reopen our doors next summer,' she said. 'It was essential to us that the building's heritage was both protected and celebrated, while implementing vital enhancements and features that will strengthen the Strand's offering for future generations to come. 'Over the coming months, our team will continue to support the wider community and keep everyone connected to our treasured venue. 'We've been hosting our popular silver-screenings in Belmont Bowling Club, and we're looking forward to sharing further updates on both the restoration progress, and community activities being held across different locations.' Alongside the support of Belfast City Council, additional funding has been secured from Levelling Up Funding UK, Belfast City Council's Belfast Investment Fund, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Garfield Weston, Foyle Foundation, Ulster Garden Villages, and a number of private trusts and the support of the Strand's patrons. Meanwhile in the lead up to the Strand's summer 2026 reopening, the venue's fundraising initiative, Name a Seat campaign is calling out for both corporates and individuals to take part and purchase its last remaining plaques that will be placed in its new screen rooms. To find out more about the campaign, or further information about the Strand, visit or connect with @StrandBelfast on Facebook and @ on Instagram.
South Wales Guardian
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Historic Belfast picturehouse going back to the future in £6.5 million revamp
The Strand, which is also Belfast's only operational art-deco picturehouse, has released a first look at its £6.5 million face lift, with new CGIs that reveal a return to original art deco features with a contemporary twist. The attraction in east Belfast is set to reopen in summer 2026 following the work supported by Belfast City Council and a £1.8 million commitment from the Belfast Investment Fund. It originally opened on December 7 1935 and survived the bombing blitzes of the Second World War and changing entertainment tastes in the intervening decades while scores of picturehouses and cinemas closed. The images show the restoration of architectural features that were lost over the decades. For the first time, the Strand's name will stand atop its roof, using the original font that previously graced the side of the picturehouse in 1935, while the building's front facade will be restored with hand-glazed, blue-green terracotta tiles in the same material and style used when the doors first opened 90 years ago. Meanwhile the canopy that spanned the front of the building has been removed, restoring the original 1935 profile of the Strand and allowing south-facing sun to fill a new cafe bar space, creating a bright and welcoming hub at the heart of the venue. The ground floor will feature a Crittall-look window, echoing the original curved glass shopfront on the street corner. Bike stands outside will support active travel, while level access and a new lift will make the building fully accessible for the first time, widening the venue's ability to cater for a diverse range of audiences. Strand chief executive Mimi Turtle said it is a celebration of the building's heritage. 'We are thrilled to be sharing these highly-anticipated CGIs, which give people a taste of what the new and improved Strand will look like when we reopen our doors next summer,' she said. 'It was essential to us that the building's heritage was both protected and celebrated, while implementing vital enhancements and features that will strengthen the Strand's offering for future generations to come. 'Over the coming months, our team will continue to support the wider community and keep everyone connected to our treasured venue. 'We've been hosting our popular silver-screenings in Belmont Bowling Club, and we're looking forward to sharing further updates on both the restoration progress, and community activities being held across different locations.' Alongside the support of Belfast City Council, additional funding has been secured from Levelling Up Funding UK, Belfast City Council's Belfast Investment Fund, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Garfield Weston, Foyle Foundation, Ulster Garden Villages, and a number of private trusts and the support of the Strand's patrons. Meanwhile in the lead up to the Strand's summer 2026 reopening, the venue's fundraising initiative, Name a Seat campaign is calling out for both corporates and individuals to take part and purchase its last remaining plaques that will be placed in its new screen rooms. To find out more about the campaign, or further information about the Strand, visit or connect with @StrandBelfast on Facebook and @ on Instagram.
Glasgow Times
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Historic Belfast picturehouse going back to the future in £6.5 million revamp
The Strand, which is also Belfast's only operational art-deco picturehouse, has released a first look at its £6.5 million face lift, with new CGIs that reveal a return to original art deco features with a contemporary twist. The attraction in east Belfast is set to reopen in summer 2026 following the work supported by Belfast City Council and a £1.8 million commitment from the Belfast Investment Fund. The Strand is Belfast's only operational art-deco picturehouse (Strand Arts Centre/PA) It originally opened on December 7 1935 and survived the bombing blitzes of the Second World War and changing entertainment tastes in the intervening decades while scores of picturehouses and cinemas closed. The images show the restoration of architectural features that were lost over the decades. For the first time, the Strand's name will stand atop its roof, using the original font that previously graced the side of the picturehouse in 1935, while the building's front facade will be restored with hand-glazed, blue-green terracotta tiles in the same material and style used when the doors first opened 90 years ago. Meanwhile the canopy that spanned the front of the building has been removed, restoring the original 1935 profile of the Strand and allowing south-facing sun to fill a new cafe bar space, creating a bright and welcoming hub at the heart of the venue. The ground floor will feature a Crittall-look window, echoing the original curved glass shopfront on the street corner. Bike stands outside will support active travel, while level access and a new lift will make the building fully accessible for the first time, widening the venue's ability to cater for a diverse range of audiences. The Strand originally opened in 1935 and survived the bombing blitzes of the Second World War (Strand Arts Centre/PA) Strand chief executive Mimi Turtle said it is a celebration of the building's heritage. 'We are thrilled to be sharing these highly-anticipated CGIs, which give people a taste of what the new and improved Strand will look like when we reopen our doors next summer,' she said. 'It was essential to us that the building's heritage was both protected and celebrated, while implementing vital enhancements and features that will strengthen the Strand's offering for future generations to come. 'Over the coming months, our team will continue to support the wider community and keep everyone connected to our treasured venue. 'We've been hosting our popular silver-screenings in Belmont Bowling Club, and we're looking forward to sharing further updates on both the restoration progress, and community activities being held across different locations.' Alongside the support of Belfast City Council, additional funding has been secured from Levelling Up Funding UK, Belfast City Council's Belfast Investment Fund, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Garfield Weston, Foyle Foundation, Ulster Garden Villages, and a number of private trusts and the support of the Strand's patrons. Meanwhile in the lead up to the Strand's summer 2026 reopening, the venue's fundraising initiative, Name a Seat campaign is calling out for both corporates and individuals to take part and purchase its last remaining plaques that will be placed in its new screen rooms. To find out more about the campaign, or further information about the Strand, visit or connect with @StrandBelfast on Facebook and @ on Instagram.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Urgent appeal issued to find wanted Greater Manchester man
Officers are searching for a wanted man in Greater Manchester. Police say Thomas Strand is wanted for failure to appear and breach of a court order. Greater Manchester Police has issued an urgent appeal to trace Strand this afternoon (May 27). READ MORE: Manchester Arena survivor among injured after being hit by car in Liverpool parade crash READ MORE: Screams in court as Just Stop Oil activists jailed over 'audacious' Manchester Airport plot A photo of Strand has been released alongside an appeal posted on social media. The 29-year-old is known to have links to Rochdale, police say. Anyone who sees Strand or has information on his whereabouts is urged to come forward as soon as possible. Join our Court and Crime WhatsApp group HERE A GMP Rochdale spokesperson said: "Police are appealing for the public's help to trace Thomas Strand, who is wanted for failing to appear and breach of a court order. "He is known to have links to the Rochdale area. "Any info? Please call 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111." --- For the latest stories and breaking news visit Get the latest headlines, features and analysis that matter to you by signing up to our various Manchester Evening News newsletters here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to stay up to date with the latest. Follow us on X @mennewsdesk for all the latest stories and updates on breaking incidents from across the region and beyond, as well as on our Facebook page here. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our newsdesk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it.
