The startup develops immunomodulatory therapeutics that target autoimmunity and cancer by utilizing proprietary transcription data analysis to identify key immune system compartments. This approach enables healthcare professionals to tailor treatment plans for more effective patient outcomes.
Funding
$207.3M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
BCRGFounders
Product
Problem
Many autoimmune diseases and cancers involve highly cytotoxic T cells that cause tissue damage or inhibit anti-tumor activity. Broad T-cell depletion therapies can be effective but are limited by adverse effects due to non-selective immune cell depletion. Current therapeutic options for diseases like inclusion body myositis (IBM) and T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL) have limited efficacy and significant side effects.
Solution
Abcuro is developing ulviprubart, a first-in-class anti-KLRG1 monoclonal antibody, for selective depletion of highly cytotoxic T cells while sparing naïve, regulatory, and central memory T cells. By targeting KLRG1, a cell surface receptor selectively expressed on late-differentiated effector memory T cells, ulviprubart aims to treat autoimmune disorders and cancers mediated by these cytotoxic immune cells. This selective approach is designed to deplete the most mature, highly cytotoxic T cell populations that drive disease while preserving the body's ability to fight infections and protect against autoimmunity. Clinical trials are underway to evaluate ulviprubart's safety, tolerability, and efficacy in conditions like IBM and T-LGLL, where highly cytotoxic T cells play a critical role.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes patients with autoimmune diseases such as inclusion body myositis (IBM) and T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL), as well as those with mature T cell malignancies where highly cytotoxic immune cells play a critical role.
Features
- Selective depletion of highly cytotoxic T cells expressing KLRG1
- Sparing of naïve, regulatory, and central memory T cells to maintain immune homeostasis
- Potential for treating a range of autoimmune disorders and cancers mediated by cytotoxic T cells
- Clinical trials in progress for inclusion body myositis (IBM) and T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL)
- Investigational monoclonal antibody designed to target and eliminate disease-driving cytotoxic T cells