Gradiant Bioconvergence said Thursday that it has entered into a research collaboration agreement with U.S. messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) therapeutics developer Strand Therapeutics to develop next-generation mRNA therapeutics.

Under the agreement, the companies will collaborate on developing a follow-up pipeline to advance Strand Therapeutics' mRNA-based solid tumor therapy STX-001. STX-001 works by activating the recruitment of immune cells into the tumor microenvironment to induce tumor cell death.

Strand Therapeutics will develop and produce the mRNA and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery vehicles and key components of the development. Gradiant Bioconvergence will utilize its organoids and immune cell culture platform to validate the effectiveness of the mRNA therapeutics.

Strand Therapeutics is a biotech company founded by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) alumni who are leaders in mRNA-based synthetic biology. The company is developing the first long-acting mRNA therapeutics that can biotechnologically modulate the drug's point of action, strength of action, and duration of therapy.

In January, the company received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a phase 1 IND for its first pipeline product, STX-001.

"This collaboration will further accelerate our efforts to win global projects," Gradiant Bioconvergence CEO Rhee Jin-guen said. "We look forward to working with Strand Therapeutics to develop innovative new drugs that can improve the quality of life for patients."