TransCode Therapeutics Secures Exclusive Global License to Three Unleash Immuno-Oncolytics Drug Candidates

TransCode Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: RNAZ) announced it has entered into an exclusive, worldwide, fully paid-up royalty-free license agreement with Unleash Immuno Oncolytics, Inc., obtaining rights to develop three drug candidates — UIO-524, UIO-525 and UIO-526 — including all in-licensed and owned rights held by Unleash. Under the agreement, Unleash will receive a one-time payment of 1,136,364 shares of a new series of non-voting convertible preferred stock, convertible into an equal number of common shares and representing 6.8% of TransCode’s common stock on a fully diluted basis. This transaction represents a strategic expansion of TransCode’s oncology portfolio through acquisition of promising clinical assets without ongoing royalty obligations.

The lead candidate, UIO-524, is a next-generation oncolytic adenovirus engineered to selectively replicate in malignant cells and cancer-associated stroma, delivering a multi-cytokine immune-activating payload aimed at treating solid tumors, initially targeting muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The company said the addition of UIO-524 expands its oncology pipeline alongside its lead asset, TTX-MC138, which is advancing toward a Phase 2a clinical trial. This acquisition provides TransCode with complementary therapeutic approaches that could address multiple cancer types through different mechanisms of action.

The importance of this license agreement lies in its potential to accelerate TransCode’s development timeline for novel cancer treatments. By securing exclusive global rights to these three candidates, TransCode gains control over promising assets that have already undergone initial development work. The transaction structure, involving equity rather than cash payment, preserves TransCode’s financial resources while aligning Unleash’s interests with the successful development of these candidates. For investors and the oncology community, this represents a significant pipeline expansion that could enhance TransCode’s long-term value proposition in the competitive immuno-oncology space.

TransCode Therapeutics is a clinical stage company pioneering immuno-oncology and RNA therapeutic treatments for high risk and advanced cancers. The company’s lead therapeutic candidate, TTX-MC138, is focused on treating metastatic tumors that overexpress microRNA-10b, a unique, well-documented biomarker of metastasis. In addition, TransCode’s portfolio includes other first-in-class therapeutic candidates designed to mobilize the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. For more information, visit https://www.transcodetherapeutics.com. The latest news and updates relating to RNAZ are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/RNAZ.