TransCode Therapeutics' TTX-MC138 Advances to Phase 2a Expansion Study Through Quantum Leap Healthcare Partnership

TransCode Therapeutics, Inc. (RNAZ) saw its stock surge 20.74% yesterday, closing at $10.42, following the unveiling of a strategic partnership with Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative to propel its flagship candidate forward. The collaboration marks a significant milestone for the biotech company’s lead therapeutic asset, TTX-MC138, which will now progress into a Phase 2a dose-expansion trial as part of the Quantum Leap PRE-I-SPY clinical trial platform.

TTX-MC138: A Novel Approach to Metastatic Cancer Prevention

TTX-MC138 represents a first-in-class therapeutic agent engineered to suppress microRNA-10b, a molecular marker strongly associated with metastatic cancer emergence and disease progression. The compound has already demonstrated encouraging safety profiles in its Phase 1a first-in-human trial, successfully meeting its primary safety endpoint while establishing the optimal dosing regimen for subsequent development stages.

Phase 2a Trial: Targeting Minimal Residual Disease

The upcoming Phase 2a study is slated to launch during the first half of 2026, with plans to enroll approximately 45 individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer who have undergone standard curative therapy yet remain ctDNA-positive. This ctDNA positivity indicates the presence of minimal residual disease (MRD)—microscopic cancer that has escaped standard treatment protocols.

The MRD setting represents a critical therapeutic window, as early intervention in this population may substantially enhance long-term patient outcomes. TransCode believes this approach addresses a fundamental gap in oncology: the challenge of detecting and eliminating micrometastatic disease before it becomes clinically apparent.

Market Response and Next Steps

While pre-market trading showed a pullback to $9.92, down 4.80%, the advancement into Phase 2a underscores the clinical momentum behind TTX-MC138’s development. The collaboration with Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative positions TransCode to rigorously assess both the biological activity and clinical efficacy of its lead candidate within a structured platform designed to accelerate promising oncology therapies.