SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 26, 2026
Siren Biotechnology has been awarded an $8 million non-dilutive CLIN2 grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to accelerate the clinical development of SRN-101, the company’s lead investigational AAV immuno-gene therapy for high-grade glioma. The funding follows the U.S. FDA’s clearance of Siren’s first Investigational New Drug (IND) application earlier this year, enabling the company to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in adults with recurrent high-grade glioma. The latest grant will fund patient enrollment, clinical operations, and key development activities as Siren advances its first cancer gene therapy candidate into human studies.
SRN-101 Targets Aggressive Brain Cancer with Novel Gene Therapy
SRN-101 is built on Siren Biotechnology’s proprietary Universal AAV Immuno-Gene Therapy platform, designed to deliver immune-modulating therapeutic payloads directly into tumors for localized and durable anti-cancer activity. The investigational therapy aims to stimulate the immune system within the tumor microenvironment while minimizing systemic exposure, offering a potentially new treatment strategy for patients with high-grade glioma, including glioblastoma, one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer. The program has already received FDA Fast Track Designation, Orphan Drug Designation, and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation, highlighting its potential to address a serious disease with significant unmet medical needs.
CIRM Continues Long-Term Support for SRN-101 Development
The new $8 million CLIN2 award expands CIRM’s earlier investment in the program after previously providing a $4 million TRAN1 grant during the translational research stage. According to Siren Biotechnology Founder, CEO, and President Dr. Nicole K. Paulk, the continued support reflects confidence in the company’s scientific platform and commitment to advancing innovative treatments for patients facing aggressive brain cancers. She emphasized that patients with high-grade gliomas urgently need better therapeutic options and stated that the new funding will accelerate the clinical evaluation of SRN-101. CIRM, established by the State of California, supports regenerative medicine, stem cell, and gene therapy programs from early research through clinical trials to accelerate innovative therapies for patients..
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Clinical Trial Advances Precision Cancer Gene Therapy
High-grade gliomas remain among the most challenging cancers to treat, with current treatment options including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy providing only limited survival benefits. Siren Biotechnology aims to change this landscape through its Universal AAV Immuno-Gene Therapy platform, combining the precision and durability of AAV gene therapy with immune-modulating cytokine technology to activate anti-tumor immune responses directly within solid tumors. With FDA IND clearance, multiple regulatory designations, previous translational funding, and now $8 million in additional non-dilutive clinical funding, SRN-101 is advancing toward becoming a potential new therapeutic option for patients with recurrent high-grade glioma, while strengthening Siren Biotechnology’s growing pipeline of innovative cancer immunotherapies.
Source: Siren Biotechnology press release
