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Top 10 Cancer Immunotherapy startups
Updated: April 19, 2024 |
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment designed to boost the body's natural defenses to fight the cancer. It uses materials either made by the body or in a laboratory to improve, target, or restore immune system function.
1
Country: USA | Funding: $3B
At Moderna, we are pioneering the development of a new class of drugs made of messenger RNA (mRNA). This novel drug platform builds on the discovery that modified mRNA can direct the body’s cellular machinery to produce nearly any protein of interest, from native proteins to antibodies and other entirely novel protein constructs that can have therapeutic activity inside and outside of cells.
At Moderna, we are pioneering the development of a new class of drugs made of messenger RNA (mRNA). This novel drug platform builds on the discovery that modified mRNA can direct the body’s cellular machinery to produce nearly any protein of interest, from native proteins to antibodies and other entirely novel protein constructs that can have therapeutic activity inside and outside of cells.
2
Country: Germany | Funding: $1.7B
We are developing the next generation of personalized immunotherapies to help revolutionize the treatment of people with cancer and other debilitating diseases.
We are developing the next generation of personalized immunotherapies to help revolutionize the treatment of people with cancer and other debilitating diseases.
3
Country: USA | Funding: $1.6B
IOVANCE Biotherapeutics is focused on the development and commercialization of autologous cellular immunotherapies optimizing personalized, tumor-directed Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL)
IOVANCE Biotherapeutics is focused on the development and commercialization of autologous cellular immunotherapies optimizing personalized, tumor-directed Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL)
4
Country: USA | Funding: $1.3B
Fate Therapeutics is a stem cell and developmental biology research company using biological mechanisms to develop stem cell therapeutics.
Fate Therapeutics is a stem cell and developmental biology research company using biological mechanisms to develop stem cell therapeutics.
5
Country: USA | Funding: $1.1B
ImmunityBio is a privately held immunotherapy company with one of the broadest portfolios of biological molecules spanning albumin-linked chemotherapeutic, peptides, fusion proteins, cytokine, monoclonal antibodies, adenovirus and yeast vaccine therapies.
ImmunityBio is a privately held immunotherapy company with one of the broadest portfolios of biological molecules spanning albumin-linked chemotherapeutic, peptides, fusion proteins, cytokine, monoclonal antibodies, adenovirus and yeast vaccine therapies.
6
Country: USA | Funding: $917.7M
Using our proprietary Antibody-Coupled T-cell Receptor (ACTR) technology, we are discovering and developing new cellular immunotherapies for cancer. The company doesn’t intend to make its own antibodies in-house, but rather align with various companies that want to enhance their experimental antibody drugs.
Using our proprietary Antibody-Coupled T-cell Receptor (ACTR) technology, we are discovering and developing new cellular immunotherapies for cancer. The company doesn’t intend to make its own antibodies in-house, but rather align with various companies that want to enhance their experimental antibody drugs.
7
Country: USA | Funding: $879M
Kymera Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that specializes in the field of targeted protein degradation.
Kymera Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that specializes in the field of targeted protein degradation.
8
Country: UK | Funding: $781.6M
Autolus utilises advanced cell programming CAR-T and manufacturing technologies and we have established a development-stage pipeline of products for the treatment of haematological malignancies and solid tumours.
Autolus utilises advanced cell programming CAR-T and manufacturing technologies and we have established a development-stage pipeline of products for the treatment of haematological malignancies and solid tumours.
9
Country: Switzerland | Funding: $751.6M
ADC Therapeutics is focused on the development of proprietary Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) for the treatment of both solid and hematological cancers. ADC Therapeutics employs monoclonal antibodies specific to particular tumor antigens conjugated to a novel class of highly potent pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) -based warheads to selectively kill cancer cells.
ADC Therapeutics is focused on the development of proprietary Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) for the treatment of both solid and hematological cancers. ADC Therapeutics employs monoclonal antibodies specific to particular tumor antigens conjugated to a novel class of highly potent pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) -based warheads to selectively kill cancer cells.
10
Country: China | Funding: $723.4M
Rakuten Aspyrian is developing tumor-targeted precision therapies based on its proprietary platform Photoimmunotherapy.
Rakuten Aspyrian is developing tumor-targeted precision therapies based on its proprietary platform Photoimmunotherapy.
11
Country: USA | Funding: $652M
Apogee Therapeutics operates pipeline candidates designed to treat inflammatory and immunological disorders.
Apogee Therapeutics operates pipeline candidates designed to treat inflammatory and immunological disorders.
12
Country: USA | Funding: $647.1M
Arcus discovers and develops innovative cancer immunotherapies based on known but under-exploited biology. Arcus’s lead program targets the adenosine pathway, which has been shown to play a significant role in driving immuno-suppression in the tumor micro-environment.
Arcus discovers and develops innovative cancer immunotherapies based on known but under-exploited biology. Arcus’s lead program targets the adenosine pathway, which has been shown to play a significant role in driving immuno-suppression in the tumor micro-environment.
13
Country: UK | Funding: $542.9M
Bicycle Therapeutics is developing a technology for the creation of new generation biotherapeutics.
Bicycle Therapeutics is developing a technology for the creation of new generation biotherapeutics.
14
Country: USA | Funding: $520.6M
We’ve created a pipeline of novel vaccine and immunotherapy programs that stimulate the T cell arm of the immune system, which is increasingly recognized as critical to generating protective immune responses against a wide array of diseases.
We’ve created a pipeline of novel vaccine and immunotherapy programs that stimulate the T cell arm of the immune system, which is increasingly recognized as critical to generating protective immune responses against a wide array of diseases.
15
Country: USA | Funding: $499.8M
Atara Biotherapeutics is a leading off-the-shelf, allogeneic T-cell immunotherapy company developing novel treatments for patients with cancer, autoimmune and viral diseases, multiple sclerosis (MS).
Atara Biotherapeutics is a leading off-the-shelf, allogeneic T-cell immunotherapy company developing novel treatments for patients with cancer, autoimmune and viral diseases, multiple sclerosis (MS).
16
Country: USA | Funding: $487M
Odyssey Therapeutics is a computational immunology company that develops novel therapeutics for patients with autoimmune diseases.
Odyssey Therapeutics is a computational immunology company that develops novel therapeutics for patients with autoimmune diseases.
17
Country: USA | Funding: $431.1M
IDEAYA is an oncology-focused biotechnology company committed to the discovery of breakthrough synthetic lethality medicines for genetically defined patient populations and immuno-oncology therapies targeting immuno-metabolism and innate immunity.
IDEAYA is an oncology-focused biotechnology company committed to the discovery of breakthrough synthetic lethality medicines for genetically defined patient populations and immuno-oncology therapies targeting immuno-metabolism and innate immunity.
18
Country: USA | Funding: $397M
Evelo is pioneering therapies that modulate systemic immune response by acting on the gut-body network - monoclonal microbials. They have the potential to treat many diseases, including inflammatory disease, cancer, autoimmune disease, metabolic, neurobehavior and neuroinflammatory diseases.
Evelo is pioneering therapies that modulate systemic immune response by acting on the gut-body network - monoclonal microbials. They have the potential to treat many diseases, including inflammatory disease, cancer, autoimmune disease, metabolic, neurobehavior and neuroinflammatory diseases.
19
Country: USA | Funding: $370.9M
Nurix develops small molecule inhibitors for the treatment of proliferative and degenerative diseases.
Nurix develops small molecule inhibitors for the treatment of proliferative and degenerative diseases.
20
Country: USA | Funding: $347.9M
Atreca develops a technology to identify the set of antibodies produced during an immune response, without prior knowledge of an antigen.
Atreca develops a technology to identify the set of antibodies produced during an immune response, without prior knowledge of an antigen.
21
Country: USA | Funding: $335.4M
Kite Pharma is a development-stage biotechnology company designing and developing immune-based therapies to treat cancer indications. Acquired by Gilead Sciences
Kite Pharma is a development-stage biotechnology company designing and developing immune-based therapies to treat cancer indications. Acquired by Gilead Sciences
22
Country: USA | Funding: $329.2M
ALX Oncology is a preclinical stage biotechnology company developing innovative immuno-oncology therapies for cancer.
ALX Oncology is a preclinical stage biotechnology company developing innovative immuno-oncology therapies for cancer.
23
Country: France | Funding: $328.2M
Cellectis is a biopharmaceutical company that develops adoptive immunotherapies for cancer.
Cellectis is a biopharmaceutical company that develops adoptive immunotherapies for cancer.
24
Country: USA | Funding: $317.6M
CG Oncology is developing the next evolution of oncolytic immunotherapy for patients with advanced cancers.
CG Oncology is developing the next evolution of oncolytic immunotherapy for patients with advanced cancers.
25
Country: Czech Republic | Funding: $316.9M
SOTIO Biotech is shaping the future of cancer immunotherapies by translating compelling science into patient benefit.
SOTIO Biotech is shaping the future of cancer immunotherapies by translating compelling science into patient benefit.
26
Country: USA | Funding: $310M
Juno Therapeutics is a clinical-stage company developing novel cellular immunotherapies based on two distinct and complementary platforms – Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) and T Cell Receptors (TCRs) technologies. Our goal is to revolutionize medicine by re-engaging the body’s immune system to treat cancer.
Juno Therapeutics is a clinical-stage company developing novel cellular immunotherapies based on two distinct and complementary platforms – Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) and T Cell Receptors (TCRs) technologies. Our goal is to revolutionize medicine by re-engaging the body’s immune system to treat cancer.
27
Country: USA | Funding: $310M
NextCure is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing next generation immuno-oncology-based drugs.
NextCure is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing next generation immuno-oncology-based drugs.
28
Country: USA | Funding: $295M
Immunai is a biotech company that combines single cell genomics with ML algorithms to enable high resolution profiling of the immune system.
Immunai is a biotech company that combines single cell genomics with ML algorithms to enable high resolution profiling of the immune system.
29
Country: USA | Funding: $293.4M
Ziopharm oncology is a biotechnology company that acquires, develops, and commercializes cancer therapies.
Ziopharm oncology is a biotechnology company that acquires, develops, and commercializes cancer therapies.
30
Country: USA | Funding: $257.3M
Repertoire Immune Medicines advances anti-cancer T-cell therapies through the clinic while expanding its immune response drug discovery platform.
Repertoire Immune Medicines advances anti-cancer T-cell therapies through the clinic while expanding its immune response drug discovery platform.
31
Country: USA | Funding: $256M
Acepodia is a therapeutics company that employs flexible therapeutic design to treat cancer.
Acepodia is a therapeutics company that employs flexible therapeutic design to treat cancer.
32
Country: USA | Funding: $252.4M
Janux Therapeutics develops immunotherapies that generates immune responses to prevent tumors and not affecting a patient’s healthy tissue.
Janux Therapeutics develops immunotherapies that generates immune responses to prevent tumors and not affecting a patient’s healthy tissue.
33
Country: Belgium | Funding: $249.7M
ITeos Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that specializes in tumor immunology, cancer immunotherapy, and drug discovery.
ITeos Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that specializes in tumor immunology, cancer immunotherapy, and drug discovery.
34
Country: Germany | Funding: $250M
GEMoaB develops universal CAR-T platform with focus on providing significantly safer and more efficacious treatments to patients who are suffering from hard-to-treat cancers and autoimmune diseases
GEMoaB develops universal CAR-T platform with focus on providing significantly safer and more efficacious treatments to patients who are suffering from hard-to-treat cancers and autoimmune diseases
35
Country: USA | Funding: $233M
Xilio Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing highly-potent, targeted immuno-oncology therapeutics.
Xilio Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing highly-potent, targeted immuno-oncology therapeutics.
36
Country: USA | Funding: $230M
Tmunity Therapeutics is a private biotherapeutics company focused on saving and improving lives by delivering the full potential of next-generation T cell immunotherapy to more patients with devastating diseases.
Tmunity Therapeutics is a private biotherapeutics company focused on saving and improving lives by delivering the full potential of next-generation T cell immunotherapy to more patients with devastating diseases.
37
Country: USA | Funding: $229.8M
SQZ’s unique cell engineering capabilities are being used to develop a new generation of cell therapies.
SQZ’s unique cell engineering capabilities are being used to develop a new generation of cell therapies.
38
Country: USA | Funding: $229M
Alladapt Immunotherapeutics is a privately held biopharmaceutical company developing prescription therapeutics targeting food allergy.
Alladapt Immunotherapeutics is a privately held biopharmaceutical company developing prescription therapeutics targeting food allergy.
39
Country: USA | Funding: $225.2M
Precision BioSciences is a genome editing company dedicated to improving life. Our team seeks to solve – not just treat, but solve – significant problems in oncology, genetic disease, agriculture, and beyond via its proprietary ARCUS genome editing platform.
Precision BioSciences is a genome editing company dedicated to improving life. Our team seeks to solve – not just treat, but solve – significant problems in oncology, genetic disease, agriculture, and beyond via its proprietary ARCUS genome editing platform.
40
Country: USA | Funding: $225M
Shattuck develops cancer immunotherapy, with immune checkpoint blockade, has provided profound benefit for patients with late-stage cancers.
Shattuck develops cancer immunotherapy, with immune checkpoint blockade, has provided profound benefit for patients with late-stage cancers.
41
Country: USA | Funding: $215.1M
Corvus Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel agents that target the immune system to treat patients with cancer. With accomplished and talented scientists, we are well positioned in an exciting new era of immuno-oncology.
Corvus Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel agents that target the immune system to treat patients with cancer. With accomplished and talented scientists, we are well positioned in an exciting new era of immuno-oncology.
42
Country: USA | Funding: $214.8M
Abcuro develops first-in-class immunotherapies to treat autoimmunity and cancer.
Abcuro develops first-in-class immunotherapies to treat autoimmunity and cancer.
43
Country: UK | Funding: $213M
Achilles Tx's mission is to develop next-generation, patient-specific therapies that harness the immune system to destroy cancer cells
Achilles Tx's mission is to develop next-generation, patient-specific therapies that harness the immune system to destroy cancer cells
44
Country: China | Funding: $200M
D3 Bio identifies areas of unmet need in immunology and oncology and use existing clinical data to find precision medicine targets and delivery methods with the potential to improve outcomes.
D3 Bio identifies areas of unmet need in immunology and oncology and use existing clinical data to find precision medicine targets and delivery methods with the potential to improve outcomes.
45
Country: USA | Funding: $198.5M
Bolt Biotherapeutics is a biotechnology company that develops a platform for cancer immunotherapy.
Bolt Biotherapeutics is a biotechnology company that develops a platform for cancer immunotherapy.
46
Country: USA | Funding: $199M
ROME Therapeutics is developing novel therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases by harnessing the power of the repeatome.
ROME Therapeutics is developing novel therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases by harnessing the power of the repeatome.
47
Country: USA | Funding: $198M
Artiva Biotherapeutics is an oncology company focused on developing and commercializing allogeneic natural killer (NK) cell therapies.
Artiva Biotherapeutics is an oncology company focused on developing and commercializing allogeneic natural killer (NK) cell therapies.
48
Country: Germany | Funding: $197.4M
T-knife is a developer of T cell receptors intended for T cell therapy of cancer.
T-knife is a developer of T cell receptors intended for T cell therapy of cancer.
49
Country: USA | Funding: $194.2M
We are stepping outside the conventional approach to developing cancer immunotherapies by using our Translational Science Platform to prioritize targets and identify related biomarkers to match the right therapy to the right patients, thereby enabling enriched trial designs, which we believe will lead to shortened development timelines.
We are stepping outside the conventional approach to developing cancer immunotherapies by using our Translational Science Platform to prioritize targets and identify related biomarkers to match the right therapy to the right patients, thereby enabling enriched trial designs, which we believe will lead to shortened development timelines.
50
Country: UK | Funding: $191.8M
Kuur Therapeutics is a cell therapy company working on new techniques to cure human diseases based upon a treatment method called cellular immunotherapy. This technique involves harnessing and enhancing the power of the human immune system to fight disease.
Kuur Therapeutics is a cell therapy company working on new techniques to cure human diseases based upon a treatment method called cellular immunotherapy. This technique involves harnessing and enhancing the power of the human immune system to fight disease.