Hillstar Bio develops precision immunotherapies that selectively deplete pathogenic immune‑cell subsets to reset the immune system in autoimmune diseases. By engineering antibodies that target disease‑specific genetic markers, its candidates aim to spare healthy cells, reduce adverse effects, and enable less frequent dosing compared to broad immunosuppression. The lead program, HSB‑101, targets TRBV9+ T cells for axial spondyloarthritis and related HLA‑B27‑mediated conditions, with preclinical work advancing toward a Phase 1 trial.
Funding
$67M 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.
Founders
Product
Problem
Current autoimmune therapies broadly suppress the immune system, requiring chronic dosing and increasing patients’ risk of infections while only managing symptoms rather than addressing underlying disease mechanisms.
Solution
Hillstar Bio develops precision immunotherapies that selectively deplete pathogenic immune-cell subsets responsible for autoimmune pathology, aiming to reset the immune system rather than provide continuous symptom control. By engineering antibodies that target disease‑specific genetic markers, the company seeks to spare healthy immune cells, reducing adverse effects and enabling less frequent dosing. Their lead candidate, HSB‑101, is designed to eliminate TRBV9+ T cells implicated in axial spondyloarthritis and related HLA‑B27‑mediated conditions, with preclinical work progressing toward a Phase 1 trial in 2026. This approach leverages validated antibody platforms and a disciplined discovery pipeline to de‑risk development and identify patient populations most likely to benefit.
Target Audience
Primary customers are pharmaceutical partners and clinical development teams seeking targeted therapies for autoimmune diseases, as well as rheumatologists and specialists treating conditions like axial spondyloarthritis.
Features
- Antibody‑based therapeutics engineered to bind selectively to pathogenic immune‑cell subsets (e.g., TRBV9+ T cells)
- Utilization of disease‑specific genetic markers to guide target selection and patient stratification
- Designed for durable immune reset, potentially reducing the need for chronic dosing
- Platform built on established antibody engineering expertise to accelerate development timelines
- Preclinical programs focused on HLA‑B27‑mediated autoimmune diseases such as axial spondyloarthritis