Top 9 Startups developing Cancer Vaccines in USA
Apr 01, 2026
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1
Funding: $146.5M
CancerVax is developing a new bispecific antibody vaccine for the treatment of recurrent Ewing sarcoma. This therapeutic vaccine can target and attach to Ewing sarcoma cancer cells, recruiting the body's natural killer T cells to the tumor to destroy it; hence the name "bispecific." In extensive laboratory cell studies, several candidates demonstrated significant T-cell killing of Ewing sarcoma cells, meaning the vaccine was doing its job of recruiting T cells to the tumor cells for destruction. The company also has candidates for the treatment of pancreatic and liver cancer.
CancerVax is developing a new bispecific antibody vaccine for the treatment of recurrent Ewing sarcoma. This therapeutic vaccine can target and attach to Ewing sarcoma cancer cells, recruiting the body's natural killer T cells to the tumor to destroy it; hence the name "bispecific." In extensive laboratory cell studies, several candidates demonstrated significant T-cell killing of Ewing sarcoma cells, meaning the vaccine was doing its job of recruiting T cells to the tumor cells for destruction. The company also has candidates for the treatment of pancreatic and liver cancer.
2
Funding: $15.2M
BioVaxys develops immunotherapeutic cancer vaccines targeting lymphoma and ovarian cancer. The company develops them using its proprietary DPX delivery platform. Unlike conventional emulsions or lipid nanoparticles that release their contents systemically, DPX is fully synthetic and compatible with peptides, proteins, mRNA, virus-like particles and small molecules. It is ideal for mRNA delivery, remaining localized at the injection site with superior stability compared to LDL. Maveropepimute-S, the company's lead clinical drug based on this platform, demonstrated an overall response rate of 21% and a disease control rate of 63% in recurrent ovarian cancer. In relapsed/refractory DLBL, the combination of MVP-S and Keytruda achieved complete remission in 3 of 6 evaluable patients. This means that no detectable cancer cells remained after treatment.
BioVaxys develops immunotherapeutic cancer vaccines targeting lymphoma and ovarian cancer. The company develops them using its proprietary DPX delivery platform. Unlike conventional emulsions or lipid nanoparticles that release their contents systemically, DPX is fully synthetic and compatible with peptides, proteins, mRNA, virus-like particles and small molecules. It is ideal for mRNA delivery, remaining localized at the injection site with superior stability compared to LDL. Maveropepimute-S, the company's lead clinical drug based on this platform, demonstrated an overall response rate of 21% and a disease control rate of 63% in recurrent ovarian cancer. In relapsed/refractory DLBL, the combination of MVP-S and Keytruda achieved complete remission in 3 of 6 evaluable patients. This means that no detectable cancer cells remained after treatment.
3
Funding: $3.9B
Moderna is a pioneer in developing a new class of drugs based on messenger RNA (mRNA). This new drug platform is based on the discovery that in-vitro engeneered and injected mRNA can direct the body's cellular machinery to produce virtually any protein of interest, from native proteins to antibodies and other entirely new protein constructs with therapeutic activity both inside and outside cells. In other words, mRNA can guide the body to produce its own drugs. Moderna used mRNA to create the first COVID-19 vaccine and is now applying this technology to create vaccines for infectious diseases (influenza, RSV, HSV, etc.), immuno-oncology (melanoma, lung cancer, liver cancer, etc.), rare diseases and autoimmune diseases.
Moderna is a pioneer in developing a new class of drugs based on messenger RNA (mRNA). This new drug platform is based on the discovery that in-vitro engeneered and injected mRNA can direct the body's cellular machinery to produce virtually any protein of interest, from native proteins to antibodies and other entirely new protein constructs with therapeutic activity both inside and outside cells. In other words, mRNA can guide the body to produce its own drugs. Moderna used mRNA to create the first COVID-19 vaccine and is now applying this technology to create vaccines for infectious diseases (influenza, RSV, HSV, etc.), immuno-oncology (melanoma, lung cancer, liver cancer, etc.), rare diseases and autoimmune diseases.
4
Funding: $263.8M
Elicio Therapeutics is a pharmaceutical research company that develops an immuno-tumor vaccine to treat cancer.
Elicio Therapeutics is a pharmaceutical research company that develops an immuno-tumor vaccine to treat cancer.
5
Funding: $100M
Azalea Therapeutics is a biotech company co-founded by Nobel laureate and CRISPR co-creator Jennifer Doudna to develop a revolutionary cancer vaccine - a single injection that reprograms a patient's T cells directly within the body (in vivo). The technology combines virus-like particles (EDVs) for precise delivery of the CRISPR editor and adeno-associated viruses, which allow genes to be inserted into precisely defined sections of DNA. The combination of these technologies enables a single injection that modifies T cells while preserving their natural behavior. The company is also exploring the possibility of applying the technology to hematopoietic stem cells and B cells. Azalea stands out from its competitors thanks to its unique ability to precisely program gene placement in immune cells.
Azalea Therapeutics is a biotech company co-founded by Nobel laureate and CRISPR co-creator Jennifer Doudna to develop a revolutionary cancer vaccine - a single injection that reprograms a patient's T cells directly within the body (in vivo). The technology combines virus-like particles (EDVs) for precise delivery of the CRISPR editor and adeno-associated viruses, which allow genes to be inserted into precisely defined sections of DNA. The combination of these technologies enables a single injection that modifies T cells while preserving their natural behavior. The company is also exploring the possibility of applying the technology to hematopoietic stem cells and B cells. Azalea stands out from its competitors thanks to its unique ability to precisely program gene placement in immune cells.
6
Funding: $84.9M
Immunomic Therapeutics is a development stage biotechnology company that develops lysosomal associated membrane protein-based vaccines.
Immunomic Therapeutics is a development stage biotechnology company that develops lysosomal associated membrane protein-based vaccines.
7
Funding: $48.1M
TransCode Therapeutics is an RNA oncology company that develops and commercializes drugs for the treatment of metastatic cancer.
TransCode Therapeutics is an RNA oncology company that develops and commercializes drugs for the treatment of metastatic cancer.
8
Funding: $34.3M
Anixa is a publicly-traded biotechnology company focused on harnessing the body's immune system in the fight against cancer. Anixa's therapeutic portfolio includes a cancer vaccine technology focused on the immunization against α-Lactalbumin to prevent triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), as well as a cancer immunotherapy program which uses a novel type of CAR-T, known as chimeric endocrine receptor T-cell (CER-T) technology.
Anixa is a publicly-traded biotechnology company focused on harnessing the body's immune system in the fight against cancer. Anixa's therapeutic portfolio includes a cancer vaccine technology focused on the immunization against α-Lactalbumin to prevent triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), as well as a cancer immunotherapy program which uses a novel type of CAR-T, known as chimeric endocrine receptor T-cell (CER-T) technology.
9
Dendreon was a biotechnology company produces immunotherapy for prostate cancer. Its cancer vaccine uses a patient’s own immune cells, which are collected, processed and infused back into the individual through an intravenous infusion that is completed in three cycles.
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