Top 20 Lung Cancer treatment startups in USA
Dec 18, 2025
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16
1
Funding: $280.8M
Triana Biomedicines is developing a platform to discover molecular "glues" for disease regulation. This technology identifies small molecules that facilitate interactions between two proteins (work like a glue). One such application aims to activate the innate protein degradation pathway to destroy disease-specific protein (for example in cancer cells). The company's lead candidate, TRI-611, a molecular degrader targeting ALK-positive anaplastic lymphoma kinase, is aimed at treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is capable of overcoming resistance observed with existing treatments. The company also has clinical trials in breast cancer in its pipeline. Pfizer is a major investor.
Triana Biomedicines is developing a platform to discover molecular "glues" for disease regulation. This technology identifies small molecules that facilitate interactions between two proteins (work like a glue). One such application aims to activate the innate protein degradation pathway to destroy disease-specific protein (for example in cancer cells). The company's lead candidate, TRI-611, a molecular degrader targeting ALK-positive anaplastic lymphoma kinase, is aimed at treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is capable of overcoming resistance observed with existing treatments. The company also has clinical trials in breast cancer in its pipeline. Pfizer is a major investor.
2
Funding: $96M
Lantern Pharma is creating the AI platform RADR for the development of oncology drugs. It's mainly used to predict the potential response of patients to drugs. RADR uses publicly available databases, commercial clinical research and trial data, proprietary company data derived from ex vivo 3D tumor transcriptome models, genomic data and drug sensitivity data from a wide range of carefully selected sources that are constantly analyzed, tracked and updated. Currently, the Lantern Pharma's portfolio includes three leading drug candidates and an ADC program for the treatment of 12 oncological diseases, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), TNBC, Bladder Cancer, Recurrent Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, select solid tumors
Lantern Pharma is creating the AI platform RADR for the development of oncology drugs. It's mainly used to predict the potential response of patients to drugs. RADR uses publicly available databases, commercial clinical research and trial data, proprietary company data derived from ex vivo 3D tumor transcriptome models, genomic data and drug sensitivity data from a wide range of carefully selected sources that are constantly analyzed, tracked and updated. Currently, the Lantern Pharma's portfolio includes three leading drug candidates and an ADC program for the treatment of 12 oncological diseases, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), TNBC, Bladder Cancer, Recurrent Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, select solid tumors
3
Funding: $86.9M
Vaccinex develops novel therapeutic antibodies for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Its drugs are based on the inhibition of semaphorin SEMA4D - potent biological effector believed to prevent immune infiltration and induce myeloid-derived suppressor cells in tumors, as well as trigger neuroinflammation through reactive gliosis in the brain. The company's lead drug candidate, pepinemab, blocks SEMA4D and has the potential to enhance immune activity against tumors and reprogram underlying pathogenic immune mechanisms that exacerbate damage in chronic neurological diseases such as Asheimer's disease and Huntington's disease. The company is also advancing candidates for the treatment of cervical, pancreatic and lung cancer. Vaccinex uses its proprietary ActivMAb drug discovery platform, which enables the discovery and development of highly selective antibodies with novel mechanisms of action against complex membrane proteins.
Vaccinex develops novel therapeutic antibodies for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Its drugs are based on the inhibition of semaphorin SEMA4D - potent biological effector believed to prevent immune infiltration and induce myeloid-derived suppressor cells in tumors, as well as trigger neuroinflammation through reactive gliosis in the brain. The company's lead drug candidate, pepinemab, blocks SEMA4D and has the potential to enhance immune activity against tumors and reprogram underlying pathogenic immune mechanisms that exacerbate damage in chronic neurological diseases such as Asheimer's disease and Huntington's disease. The company is also advancing candidates for the treatment of cervical, pancreatic and lung cancer. Vaccinex uses its proprietary ActivMAb drug discovery platform, which enables the discovery and development of highly selective antibodies with novel mechanisms of action against complex membrane proteins.
4
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.
5
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)
6
Funding: $1.3B
Fate Therapeutics develops clinical drug candidates for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer using its propriety iPSCs platform (induced pluripotent stem cells). These cell therapies are selectively engineered and provide novel synthetic mechanisms for regulating cellular function. The company utilizes iPSC master cell lines to generate immune system cells, including NK cells, T cells and CD34+ cells and is developing a portfolio of ready-to-use cellular immunotherapy products for the treatment of solid tumors (particularly lung, pancreatic and ovarian cancer). FT819, its first iPSC-derived CAR T-cell product candidate, demonstrates potent, dose-dependent B-cell killing comparable to that of autologous primary CAR T cells in in-vitro cytotoxicity assay using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in SLE.
Fate Therapeutics develops clinical drug candidates for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer using its propriety iPSCs platform (induced pluripotent stem cells). These cell therapies are selectively engineered and provide novel synthetic mechanisms for regulating cellular function. The company utilizes iPSC master cell lines to generate immune system cells, including NK cells, T cells and CD34+ cells and is developing a portfolio of ready-to-use cellular immunotherapy products for the treatment of solid tumors (particularly lung, pancreatic and ovarian cancer). FT819, its first iPSC-derived CAR T-cell product candidate, demonstrates potent, dose-dependent B-cell killing comparable to that of autologous primary CAR T cells in in-vitro cytotoxicity assay using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in SLE.
7
Funding: $1.3B
Nuvalent is a biotechnology company that develops targeted therapies for clinically proven kinase targets in cancer.
Nuvalent is a biotechnology company that develops targeted therapies for clinically proven kinase targets in cancer.
8
Funding: $337M
Alaunos Therapeutics develops immunotherapies for cancer treatment using novel TCR-derived T cells. These cell therapies target neoantigens (neoAgs) arising from genomic mutations in solid tumors. The company has developed proprietary, rapid and cost-effective solutions for the delivery of tumor-specific killer T cells. Alaunos' clinical TCR library targets the most common mutations in the KRAS, TP53 and EGFR genes, which are prevalent in gastrointestinal (colon, bile duct, pancreatic), lung and gynecologic (ovarian and endometrial) cancers across a range of different HLA alleles. Company's propriety non-viral Sleeping Beauty transposon/transposase system is used to introduce the TCR gene into the patient's autologous T cells. Alaunos's current pipeline includes clinical trials against lung, colorectal, pancreatic and ovarian cancers.
Alaunos Therapeutics develops immunotherapies for cancer treatment using novel TCR-derived T cells. These cell therapies target neoantigens (neoAgs) arising from genomic mutations in solid tumors. The company has developed proprietary, rapid and cost-effective solutions for the delivery of tumor-specific killer T cells. Alaunos' clinical TCR library targets the most common mutations in the KRAS, TP53 and EGFR genes, which are prevalent in gastrointestinal (colon, bile duct, pancreatic), lung and gynecologic (ovarian and endometrial) cancers across a range of different HLA alleles. Company's propriety non-viral Sleeping Beauty transposon/transposase system is used to introduce the TCR gene into the patient's autologous T cells. Alaunos's current pipeline includes clinical trials against lung, colorectal, pancreatic and ovarian cancers.
9
Funding: $325M
Obsidian Therapeutics is a developer of a next-generation cell and gene therapies created to extend adoptive immunotherapy.
Obsidian Therapeutics is a developer of a next-generation cell and gene therapies created to extend adoptive immunotherapy.
10
Funding: $313M
Bicara Therapeutics develops dual-action cancer therapies, combining targeted treatments with tumor modulators for enhanced impact.
Bicara Therapeutics develops dual-action cancer therapies, combining targeted treatments with tumor modulators for enhanced impact.
11
Funding: $177M
Antares is a biotechnology company focused on developing transformational,medicines targeting validated cancer and other serious diseases.
Antares is a biotechnology company focused on developing transformational,medicines targeting validated cancer and other serious diseases.
12
Funding: $112.3M
iMDx is focused on cancers with large patient populations and significant unmet need. The company is developing three genetic tests – blood tests for breast cancer and lung cancer, and a urine-based test for bladder cancer.
iMDx is focused on cancers with large patient populations and significant unmet need. The company is developing three genetic tests – blood tests for breast cancer and lung cancer, and a urine-based test for bladder cancer.
13
Funding: $106M
Totus Medicines is a provider of chemical biology technologies by creating life-changing covalent drugs.
Totus Medicines is a provider of chemical biology technologies by creating life-changing covalent drugs.
14
Funding: $95.5M
Genprex is a clinical stage gene therapy company developing molecular therapies to better target lung cancer cells. Their new approach to treating cancer is based upon our novel proprietary technology platform, including our initial product candidate, Oncoprex immunogene therapy, or Oncoprex.
Genprex is a clinical stage gene therapy company developing molecular therapies to better target lung cancer cells. Their new approach to treating cancer is based upon our novel proprietary technology platform, including our initial product candidate, Oncoprex immunogene therapy, or Oncoprex.
15
Funding: $82.4M
Rain Therapeutics is a biotech company laser focused on a subtype of non-small cell lung cancer
Rain Therapeutics is a biotech company laser focused on a subtype of non-small cell lung cancer
16
Funding: $50M
OncoC4 is a biopharmaceutical company that engages in the discovery and development of novel biologicals for cancer treatment.
OncoC4 is a biopharmaceutical company that engages in the discovery and development of novel biologicals for cancer treatment.
18
Funding: $14.4M
20/20 GeneSystems develops and commercializes innovative, proprietary diagnostics tests that aid in the fight against cancer.
20/20 GeneSystems develops and commercializes innovative, proprietary diagnostics tests that aid in the fight against cancer.
20
Funding: $1.8M
Deton is transforming the understanding and treatment of lung disease by providing complete and timely lung health information thru Aerosol Biopsy
Deton is transforming the understanding and treatment of lung disease by providing complete and timely lung health information thru Aerosol Biopsy
