-- Proceeds support the STARLYS clinical trial evaluating targeted LTBR agonist MST-0312 in solid tumors, together with platform and pipeline activities in inflammatory diseases
-- Expands the leadership team with exceptional development executives to propel the clinical advancement of the pipeline
CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom, March 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mestag Therapeutics ("Mestag"), a biotech company harnessing fibroblast immunology to develop impactful treatments for patients with cancer and inflammatory diseases, today announced the closing of a $40 million financing supported by leading life science investors SV Health Investors, Johnson & Johnson, through its corporate venture capital organization, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, JJDC, Inc., Forbion, GV (Google Ventures) and Northpond Ventures. The company also announced the appointment of Lindsey Rolfe, BSc, MBChB, MRCP, FFPM, as Chief Medical Officer and Pascal Merchiers, PhD, as Chief Development Officer.
The financing will support the Phase 1 STARLYS clinical study, which is anticipated to start in cancer patients in mid-2026. MST-0312 is a novel FAP-targeted bispecific antibody directed to lymphotoxin-β receptor (LTBR) to induce the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) and high endothelial venules (HEV) within solid tumors. An extensive body of clinical data correlates the presence of TLS and HEV in solid tumors with improved patient survival and enhanced response to therapy. MST-0312 is a first- and best-in-class program pioneering a new therapeutic approach to the treatment of cancer, including tumors that are typically resistant to immunotherapy.
"We are thrilled to welcome Lindsey and Pascal to the team at this exciting time as we progress our groundbreaking program MST-0312 into the STARLYS clinical trial," said Susan Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Mestag Therapeutics. "We thank our exceptional investor syndicate for ...
