Tony Kouzarides, STORM Therapeutics Founder, Awarded British Knighthood for Healthcare Innovation

Ground-breaking discoveries in RNA epigenetics have unveiled promising new targets for treating diseases, with significant advancements spearheaded by STORM Therapeutics Ltd. (STORM), a clinical-stage company based in Cambridge, England. The company, which focuses on cellular reprogramming through RNA modifications to combat various diseases, recently announced that its founder, Professor Tony Kouzarides, will be honored with a Knighthood for his extensive contributions to disease treatment.

Professor Kouzarides, a globally recognized cancer biologist, has had a profound impact on translating scientific research into practical patient benefits. His career, spanning over 25 years, has been dedicated to uncovering the mechanisms of disease and developing innovative therapeutic strategies. Kouzarides’ groundbreaking research in RNA epigenetics, particularly in understanding RNA modifications' role in cancer progression, led to the establishment of STORM Therapeutics in 2015. Alongside his colleague, Professor Eric Miska, Kouzarides has focused on developing first-in-class drugs targeting RNA modification pathways, which hold promise not only for cancer but also for neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, and infectious diseases.

STORM Therapeutics' pioneering work has opened new avenues in therapeutic development. The company’s platform leverages RNA modifications to reprogram cellular functions, offering potential treatments for a range of diseases. Kouzarides expressed his gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the crucial role of translating basic research into clinical therapies through collaboration between academia and healthcare businesses. Jerry McMahon, CEO of STORM, lauded Kouzarides' achievements, noting his unwavering commitment to advancing cellular reprogramming through RNA modification.

In addition to his pivotal role at STORM, Professor Kouzarides serves as a Professor of Cancer Biology at the University of Cambridge and a Senior Group Leader at the Gurdon Institute, where he specializes in developmental and cancer biology. He also co-founded the Milner Therapeutics Institute, dedicated to fostering scientific collaborations to transform therapeutic approaches. Kouzarides' laboratory, the TK LAB, has been at the forefront of epigenetic research, identifying and characterizing chromatin modification pathways implicated in cancer. The lab has now extended its focus to exploring mRNA modifications and their links to cancer, collaborating closely with STORM Therapeutics to develop small molecule inhibitors targeting RNA modification pathways.

Beyond his scientific endeavors, Professor Kouzarides has founded several organizations aimed at promoting scientific research and collaboration. He established Cambridge Gravity, which supports science at the University of Cambridge, and co-founded the Spanish cancer charity Vencer el Cancer ("Conquer Cancer"). Kouzarides also co-founded Abcam, which was recently acquired by Danaher Corporation, and Chroma Therapeutics, a drug discovery company.

Kouzarides' numerous accolades and memberships in prestigious scientific organizations reflect his significant contributions to the field. He is an elected member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), a fellow of the British Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci), the Royal Society (FRS), the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS), and the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts. His work has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Bodossaki Foundation prize in Biology, the Wellcome Trust Award for Research in Biochemistry Related to Medicine, and the Heinrich Wieland Prize.

STORM Therapeutics continues to push the boundaries of RNA biology with its lead product, STC-15, the first RNA modifying enzyme inhibitor to enter human clinical development. Currently in a Phase 1 study for patients with advanced solid tumors, STC-15 has shown promise in preclinical studies, particularly in stimulating immune responses and enhancing the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors. The company is poised to advance additional RNA modifying enzyme inhibitor programs into clinical development, seeking partnerships to expand the applications of these novel therapies beyond oncology.

With the support of specialized healthcare investors, STORM Therapeutics is well-positioned to transform its pioneering research into effective treatments for a range of diseases, harnessing the potential of RNA modifications to reprogram cellular functions and combat illness.