At the forefront of mRNA therapeutics and synthetic biology

Strand Therapeutics is an emerging biopharmaceutical company applying synthetic biology to RNA therapeutics and developing the first platform for the creation of programmable, long-acting mRNA drugs capable of delivering precise, multi-functional, potentially curative treatments with a single dose.

Co-founded by world-leading mRNA researchers from the MIT Synthetic Biology Center, Strand’s technology potentially has broad applicability across a spectrum of diseases. The company will initially focus on the development of mRNA therapies that act through multiple immune mediated mechanisms to deliver potentially curative treatments in oncology. In solid tumors, Strand’s mRNA approach has the potential to significantly improve response rates to checkpoint inhibitor therapy. In hematological tumors, Strand’s early work may have the potential to revolutionize CAR-T therapy.

Next Generation mRNA ➔ Therapeutics

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Merging synthetic biology and mRNA therapeutics

Strand is leading the field of mRNA synthetic biology to program mRNA with more precision and control in cell behavior, opening the door for mRNA therapeutics where multiple mechanisms can be modulated and timed.

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Bioengineering self-replicating mRNA therapeutics

Strand’s mRNA therapeutics enable precise control of the location, timing, intensity and duration of therapeutic protein expression for improved efficacy and lower toxicity.

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Targeting a wide range of unmet medical needs

Strand’s initial focus is on improving treatments for solid tumor cancer. But the company’s technology is applicable to a wide range of currently unmet medical needs. The programmable, self-replicating mRNA therapeutics offer single agent activity as well as synergistic efficacy with combination therapies.

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Expanding patient access to cell therapy

Strand is also developing programmable mRNA for cell therapies so patients can have better access to the technology.

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Leading the field in mRNA synthetic biology

ACTING ON OUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

Interdisciplinary Approach

Strand employees' expertise in synthetic biology, immunology, machine learning, advanced computation, and molecular biology contributes to a cross-pollinating research environment where the sum of the skills is exponentially more advanced than any one in isolation.

Attacking Disease at the Source

Strand’s genome engineering pipeline targets the root causes of genetic disease with the power to control editing at a single cell level of specificity, building therapies that don’t just treat the symptoms, but rather repair the underlying biological dysfunction.

Harnessing the Greatest Therapy: Yourself

Rather than fight disease directly, Strand’s immunotherapies harness the power of the immune system, the greatest drug ever made, to form long-lasting, curative responses to deadly diseases.

First-in-Class Gene Circuits

We incorporate a novel gene circuit technology developed at the MIT Synthetic Biology Center to create autonomous therapeutics which can survey their surrounding environment and respond to recognized threats and biological signatures.

Power to the Platform

Strand’s technology is widely applicable to any and all gene therapy approaches, making it a powerful platform for targeted controlled expression of biologics such as engineered proteins and targeted antibody therapies.

Synthetic Biology

Building on biology’s inherent ability to sense and respond to the surroundings, we seek to reprogram natural genetic sequences into breakthrough therapeutics. Much like a car with no steering or brakes, early gene therapies with no control must move past these early methods to programmed architectures.

Engineering advanced

cures

Strand's Co-founders

Strand’s team is comprised of world-class scientists in the field of synthetic biology and mRNA therapeutics. Strand is led by company founders previously at the MIT Synthetic Biology Center, creators of the field of mRNA-based synthetic biology.

Jake Becraft, Ph.D.

CEO, Co-founder

Tasuku Kitada, Ph.D.

President, Head of R&D, Co-founder

Prof. Darrell J. Irvine, Ph.D.

Scientific Co-founder

Professor of Materials Science & Engineering and Biological Engineering, MIT

Prof. Ron Weiss, Ph.D.

Scientific Co-founder

Professor of Biological Engineering, MIT

Prof. K. Dane Wittrup, Ph.D.

Scientific Advisor

Prof. Darrell J. Irvine, Ph.D.

Scientific Co-founder

Prof. Ron Weiss, Ph.D.

Scientific Co-founder

Investors

Anri operates as a venture capital. The Company invests in emerging companies that have high growth potential. Anri operates business in Japan.

Alexandria Venture Investments, the strategic venture capital arm of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., provides long-term investment capital to innovative life science, technology, and agtech entities developing breakthrough technologies and therapies.

Playground is an early stage investment firm where old masters and new inventors can bring their visions to fruition. In what used to be an apricot cannery, there’s now a vibrant community of engineers, designers, and technologists working in a 70,000 sq ft facility with 5 world class labs.

JOIN OUR TEAM

Strand Therapeutics is an early-stage biotechnology company genetically programming mRNA to deliver truly revolutionary therapies to improve the lives of patients. Strand is looking to build a team that understands the value of working at a startup. Joining the company now means having vast opportunities to learn and grow including having the exposure to all aspects of building a company. We are looking for people who have the enthusiasm and motivation to be a highly contributing member of a small team. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!

Open Positions:
a. Director, Preclinical Development
b.
Scientist, Ex Vivo and In Vitro Oncology
c. Applications for Future Consideration

Please email your CV and cover letter to careers@strandtx.com to apply.

Strand Therapeutics is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis protected by applicable law. Strand does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.