Acorn Bioventures

OnKure Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative cancer therapies. The company specializes in creating less toxic kinase inhibitor drugs and epigenetic therapies, including selective inhibitors of histone deacetylases. Its lead candidate, OKI-179, has demonstrated significant efficacy in preclinical models of hematological and solid tumor cancers, effectively reducing tumor growth both alone and in combination with other targeted therapies. Additionally, OnKure is advancing its HDAC3 selective inhibitor, OKI-422, into preclinical toxicology studies. The company's drug candidates are designed to directly target malignant cells, enhance the effects of small molecule therapies, and optimize the tumor microenvironment for improved checkpoint inhibition, addressing unmet medical needs in cancer treatment.

Acrivon Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing precision oncology therapeutics. The company employs a proteomics-based platform to identify patients whose tumors are likely to respond positively to specific treatments, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of its drug development efforts. Acrivon's pipeline features its lead program, ACR-368 (prexasertib), which is currently in Phase 2 trials, alongside several preclinical programs targeting key components of DNA damage response and cell cycle regulation, including WEE1 and PKMYT1. By concentrating on complex oncology drug targets that are often not addressed by traditional therapies, Acrivon aims to expedite the advancement of both in-licensed clinical-stage assets and its internally developed programs through accelerated registration trials.

ARTARA THERAPEUTICS is a clinical-stage healthcare company focused on developing transformative therapies for individuals with rare and specialty diseases. Its lead program, TARA-002, is an investigational cell therapy designed to treat lymphatic malformations and non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Additionally, the company is advancing intravenous choline chloride, an investigational phospholipid substrate replacement therapy aimed at addressing intestinal failure-associated liver disease. Based in New York, ARTARA THERAPEUTICS is dedicated to providing innovative solutions for patients with limited treatment options, leveraging a team that values creativity and diverse perspectives to expedite the development of its therapies.

Neurosterix is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative medicines for neurological disorders through a unique pharmacological approach known as allosteric modulation. This methodology aims to address the limitations of traditional treatments by enhancing the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of therapies, particularly for conditions such as schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Neurosterix operates a drug discovery and development platform that focuses on delivering improved treatment options for patients with underserved neurological conditions, ultimately striving to enhance the quality of life for those affected.

Q32 Bio Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative therapies for severe autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Established in 2017, the company aims to address immune system dysregulation, providing treatment options for conditions that currently have limited or inadequate therapies. Q32 Bio's pipeline includes ADX-914, a human anti-IL-7R antibody designed to re-regulate adaptive immune function, and ADX-097, which demonstrates effective distribution to affected tissues and robust efficacy. With a team of experienced scientists and industry professionals, Q32 Bio is dedicated to restoring healthy immune balance through novel biologic therapies that target critical pathways in both the innate and adaptive immune systems.

Cybin is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing research and development in psychedelic and medicinal mushrooms. It focuses on creating safe and effective therapeutics for mental health issues, with an emphasis on psilocybin-based products. The company is actively launching these products in jurisdictions where they are permitted and is engaged in clinical studies across North America and other regions. Through strategic partnerships with academic and institutional entities, Cybin seeks to develop novel compounds and delivery mechanisms, aiming to provide innovative treatments for various psychiatric and neurological conditions.

VYNE Therapeutics Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for dermatological conditions. It offers AMZEEQ, a topical minocycline treatment for non-nodular moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris in patients aged 9 and older. The company is advancing its pipeline with FMX103, currently in Phase III clinical trials for moderate-to-severe papulopustular rosacea in adults, and FCD105, a topical combination foam under investigation in Phase II trials for moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris. Additionally, VYNE is developing Serlopitant, an oral NK1 receptor antagonist aimed at addressing pruritus associated with prurigo nodularis, as well as exploring therapies for other immuno-inflammatory conditions. Formerly known as Menlo Therapeutics Inc., the company rebranded in September 2020 and is headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey.

OnKure Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative cancer therapies. The company specializes in creating less toxic kinase inhibitor drugs and epigenetic therapies, including selective inhibitors of histone deacetylases. Its lead candidate, OKI-179, has demonstrated significant efficacy in preclinical models of hematological and solid tumor cancers, effectively reducing tumor growth both alone and in combination with other targeted therapies. Additionally, OnKure is advancing its HDAC3 selective inhibitor, OKI-422, into preclinical toxicology studies. The company's drug candidates are designed to directly target malignant cells, enhance the effects of small molecule therapies, and optimize the tumor microenvironment for improved checkpoint inhibition, addressing unmet medical needs in cancer treatment.

CG Oncology, formerly known as Cold Genesys, is a privately held clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of innovative oncolytic immunotherapies aimed at treating cancer. The company focuses on creating therapies that offer alternatives to conventional cancer treatments, particularly for patients with bladder cancer. Its lead candidate, cretostimogene grenadenorepvec, is a targeted intravesical immunotherapy agent designed to be delivered directly to the bladder. Currently, CG Oncology is conducting multiple clinical trials, including two phase three trials addressing high-risk and intermediate-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), as well as a phase two study in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor for high-risk NMIBC. Through its research and clinical endeavors, CG Oncology aims to provide effective and less invasive treatment options for bladder cancer patients.

X4 Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in the discovery and development of innovative therapeutics for primary immune deficiencies and cancer. The company's lead drug candidate, mavorixafor, is an oral small molecule antagonist of the chemokine receptor CXCR4, currently undergoing multiple clinical trials. These include a Phase III trial for patients with warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections, and myelokathexis syndrome, as well as Phase Ib and Phase IIa trials focused on severe congenital neutropenia and clear cell renal cell carcinoma, respectively. In addition, X4 Pharmaceuticals is advancing X4P-002, targeting glioblastoma multiforme, and X4P-003 aimed at primary immune deficiencies. The company has also established a license agreement with Abbisko Therapeutics to develop mavorixafor in combination with checkpoint inhibitors for oncology applications. Founded in 2014, X4 Pharmaceuticals was previously known as Arsanis, Inc. before rebranding in March 2019.

Neuron23, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing and manufacturing innovative medicines for genetic disorders, particularly targeting neurological and immunological diseases. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, with an additional office in Munich, Germany, the company utilizes advanced artificial intelligence technology and cutting-edge genetic research to enhance drug discovery. Neuron23 aims to create effective treatments for conditions such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, leveraging its AI-enabled platforms to identify and develop therapeutics that address the needs of patients suffering from these debilitating disorders.

ONK Therapeutics Limited is a cell therapy company based in Galway, Ireland, specializing in the development of innovative anti-cancer therapies utilizing natural killer (NK) cells. Founded in 2015, the company focuses on creating off-the-shelf, optimally engineered NK cell therapies aimed at treating both hematological malignancies and solid tumors. ONK Therapeutics employs advanced techniques to enhance the efficacy of these therapies, including the expression of chimeric antigen receptors, high-affinity CD16, and novel immune checkpoint silencing. Through its collaboration with Avectas, the company aims to further advance its cancer treatment solutions, addressing significant unmet medical needs in oncology.

Renovacor, Inc., established in 2013 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing transformative gene therapies for cardiovascular diseases. Currently in the preclinical stage, Renovacor's primary focus is on creating a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy targeting patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) caused by mutations in the Bcl2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3) gene. This condition affects approximately 35,000 individuals in the United States and Europe, qualifying it as an orphan disease. Renovacor aims to improve patient outcomes by potentially preventing disease progression through a BAG3 gene replacement therapy, given the current five-year survival rate of only 50% for DCM patients despite standard care.

Eliem Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in developing therapeutic drugs for hyperexcitability disorders affecting the nervous system. Founded in 2018, the company focuses on creating innovative treatments for conditions such as chronic pain, depression, epilepsy, and anxiety, which significantly impact millions of individuals. Eliem utilizes its expertise in neuroscience and translational medicine to advance a promising pipeline of drug candidates, including its lead candidate, ETX-155, aimed at addressing major depressive disorder and focal onset seizures. The company's mission centers on meeting unmet medical needs and improving patients' quality of life through its novel therapies.

OnKure Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative cancer therapies. The company specializes in creating less toxic kinase inhibitor drugs and epigenetic therapies, including selective inhibitors of histone deacetylases. Its lead candidate, OKI-179, has demonstrated significant efficacy in preclinical models of hematological and solid tumor cancers, effectively reducing tumor growth both alone and in combination with other targeted therapies. Additionally, OnKure is advancing its HDAC3 selective inhibitor, OKI-422, into preclinical toxicology studies. The company's drug candidates are designed to directly target malignant cells, enhance the effects of small molecule therapies, and optimize the tumor microenvironment for improved checkpoint inhibition, addressing unmet medical needs in cancer treatment.

Aileron Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Watertown, Massachusetts, dedicated to developing innovative therapeutics, particularly stabilized cell-permeating alpha-helical peptides, for oncology and other therapeutic areas. The company’s lead product candidate, ALRN-6924, is designed to treat advanced solid tumors and is currently undergoing various clinical trials, including Phase 2a studies for peripheral T-cell lymphoma and advanced solid tumors, as well as Phase 1 trials for acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. Aileron Therapeutics also explores next-generation wild type p53 reactivators and has established collaborations with notable institutions such as Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Pfizer to evaluate the effectiveness of ALRN-6924 in combination with other treatments. Founded in 2001 and originally known as Renegade Therapeutics, the company aims to address critical cell functions through its novel approach to modulating protein-protein interactions.

Neuron23, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing and manufacturing innovative medicines for genetic disorders, particularly targeting neurological and immunological diseases. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, with an additional office in Munich, Germany, the company utilizes advanced artificial intelligence technology and cutting-edge genetic research to enhance drug discovery. Neuron23 aims to create effective treatments for conditions such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, leveraging its AI-enabled platforms to identify and develop therapeutics that address the needs of patients suffering from these debilitating disorders.

Q32 Bio Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative therapies for severe autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Established in 2017, the company aims to address immune system dysregulation, providing treatment options for conditions that currently have limited or inadequate therapies. Q32 Bio's pipeline includes ADX-914, a human anti-IL-7R antibody designed to re-regulate adaptive immune function, and ADX-097, which demonstrates effective distribution to affected tissues and robust efficacy. With a team of experienced scientists and industry professionals, Q32 Bio is dedicated to restoring healthy immune balance through novel biologic therapies that target critical pathways in both the innate and adaptive immune systems.

Freeline Therapeutics, established in 2015 and based in Stevenage, UK, is a clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in the development of systemic adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-mediated gene therapies. The company focuses on treating inherited, debilitating diseases by delivering functional copies of therapeutic genes into human liver cells, enabling the production of functional proteins in the bloodstream. Freeline's pipeline includes FLT180a for hemophilia B, FLT190 for Fabry disease, and FLT201 for Gaucher disease Type 1, all in various stages of clinical trials. Additionally, the company offers expertise in CMC process development, analytics, and AAV technologies.

Cardiff Oncology, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in San Diego, California, specializing in the development of innovative cancer therapies. The company's lead drug candidate, onvansertib, is a selective Polo-like Kinase 1 inhibitor currently undergoing clinical trials for various cancers, including acute myeloid leukemia, metastatic colorectal cancer, and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Additionally, Cardiff Oncology develops other therapeutics such as belinostat, quizartinib, and bortezomib, aimed at treating leukemias, lymphomas, and solid tumors. The company also utilizes its proprietary technology for measuring circulating tumor DNA in blood and urine to identify actionable markers that can predict responses to cancer treatments. With a strong focus on addressing unmet medical needs in oncology, Cardiff Oncology is engaged in various clinical programs, including those targeting RAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer and other aggressive cancer types. Founded in 1999 and formerly known as Trovagene, Cardiff Oncology continues to advance its mission of improving outcomes for cancer patients through precision medicine.