UK BioTech Thalia Raises $3.6M, Acquires Sanmirna

Jan de Vries · 2026-06-26

Thalia Therapeutics, a British BioTech company focused on RNA-based treatments for cancer and heart disease, just made a big move. It acquired Sanmirna Therapeutics and raised about $3.6 million (€3.1 million) to fuel its growth. This funding round included support from new and existing investors, like Premier Miton. The deal brings miRisten, a promising microRNA therapy for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), into Thalia's pipeline. This should speed up Thalia's shift into a clinical-stage RNA therapeutics company. ### What This Means for Thalia Dr. David Solomon, Thalia's CEO, called this a "transformative opportunity." He said it accelerates their oncology work by years compared to their pre-clinical progress. The company is now positioned to move faster in developing treatments for serious diseases. Thalia's raise and acquisition are part of a bigger wave in 2026. European BioTech firms are pouring money into RNA therapies, oncology, and genetic medicines. Other notable deals include: - STORM Therapeutics raised $54 million (€47.5 million) for RNA-modifying cancer therapies. - Engitix secured $24 million (€21 million) for cancer and fibrosis programs. - Laigo Bio got $19.5 million (€17 million) for cancer and autoimmune therapies. - PlaqueTec raised $4.8 million (€4.2 million) for cardiovascular precision medicine. Many of these companies are UK-based, like STORM, Engitix, and PlaqueTec. This creates a strong domestic cluster for therapeutics and platform BioTech activity. ### The Deal Details Thalia is buying all of Sanmirna's shares for an initial $4.8 million (€4.2 million). There are also potential milestone payments of up to $17.1 million (€15 million) down the road. Sanmirna is a US-based company founded by NLC Health Ventures, focusing on microRNA-targeted cancer therapies. Dr. Solomon explained, "The Sanmirna acquisition is value accretive for Thalia shareholders. It transforms us into a clinical-stage company developing a novel approach to treat AML, a disease with high unmet medical need." ### What's Next for miRisten miRisten targets microRNA-126, which plays a key role in AML. This therapy was discovered at City of Hope and is now in a Phase 1 clinical trial for patients with relapsed or refractory AML. Topline results are expected in the first half of 2027. AML is a rare and aggressive blood cancer. It affects over 22,000 new patients in the US every year. The global market opportunity for AML treatments is estimated at $3.9 billion. ### Looking Ahead Thalia now has three major assets at different stages: Nuvec, a new cardiovascular product, and miRisten. Each one targets multi-billion dollar market opportunities. Dr. Solomon is optimistic: "We look forward to advancing this program and unlocking its potential, enabling shareholders to participate in long-term value creation." Founded in 2014, Thalia started as a BioTech company focused on RNA-based therapeutics. Now, it's building a diversified pipeline across oncology and cardiovascular disease. The addition of Sanmirna adds a new RNA therapeutic modality to their work, distinct from their pre-clinical small interfering RNA programs. This deal shows how European BioTech is heating up, especially in the UK. With strong investor support and a clear focus on clinical-stage assets, Thalia is well-positioned to make a real difference for patients.