Strand Therapeutics, co-founded by Jake Becraft and Tasuku Kitada, has secured $153 million in funding to advance its programmable mRNA platform, which “lights up” tumors to the immune system. Early phase 1 trial results showed the company’s first drug was safe and shrank tumors in patients resistant to other treatments, using targeted delivery to avoid toxicity.
Backed by investors including Kinnevik, Amgen, and Eli Lilly, Strand’s valuation now stands at $550M. The company aims to bring its first therapy to market by 2030, with additional mRNA cancer treatments in development.