Acorn Bioventures

OnKure Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing precision medicines that target biologically validated drivers of cancers underserved by existing therapies. The company develops epigenetic therapies, including selective histone deacetylase inhibitors, and advances candidates such as OKI-179 and OKI-422 in preclinical and clinical development. Its approach aims to directly target malignant cells, combine with other targeted therapies, and prime the tumor microenvironment to enhance immunotherapies, with a pipeline of tumor-agnostic candidates designed for optimal efficacy and tolerability.

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.

Protara Therapeutics is a clinical-stage company focused on identifying and advancing transformative therapies for cancer and rare diseases. Its lead program, TARA-002, is an investigational cell therapy being developed for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and lymphatic malformations, while IV choline chloride is an investigational phospholipid substrate replacement therapy for intestinal failure-associated liver disease. The company is based in New York, New York.

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 is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on restoring healthy immune balance in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases by developing antibody-based therapies that modulate regulators of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Its development program includes ADX-914, a human anti-IL-7R antibody aimed at rebalancing adaptive immune function, and ADX-097, which demonstrates tissue-targeted distribution and durable pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics. Founded in 2017 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company emphasizes a team of scientists and immunology experts pursuing novel biologics to address diseases with limited or inadequate treatment options.

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 biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing precision medicines that target biologically validated drivers of cancers underserved by existing therapies. The company develops epigenetic therapies, including selective histone deacetylase inhibitors, and advances candidates such as OKI-179 and OKI-422 in preclinical and clinical development. Its approach aims to directly target malignant cells, combine with other targeted therapies, and prime the tumor microenvironment to enhance immunotherapies, with a pipeline of tumor-agnostic candidates designed for optimal efficacy and tolerability.

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 biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing precision medicines that target biologically validated drivers of cancers underserved by existing therapies. The company develops epigenetic therapies, including selective histone deacetylase inhibitors, and advances candidates such as OKI-179 and OKI-422 in preclinical and clinical development. Its approach aims to directly target malignant cells, combine with other targeted therapies, and prime the tumor microenvironment to enhance immunotherapies, with a pipeline of tumor-agnostic candidates designed for optimal efficacy and tolerability.

Aileron Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel stabilized cell-permeating alpha-helical peptides for oncology and other therapeutic areas. Its lead product candidate, ALRN-6924, is in Phase 2a trials for advanced solid tumors and peripheral T-cell lymphoma, as well as Phase I trials for acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.

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 is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on restoring healthy immune balance in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases by developing antibody-based therapies that modulate regulators of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Its development program includes ADX-914, a human anti-IL-7R antibody aimed at rebalancing adaptive immune function, and ADX-097, which demonstrates tissue-targeted distribution and durable pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics. Founded in 2017 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company emphasizes a team of scientists and immunology experts pursuing novel biologics to address diseases with limited or inadequate treatment options.

Freeline Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in systemic adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapies. Its pipeline includes FLT180a for hemophilia B, FLT190 for Fabry disease, FLT201 for type 1 Gaucher disease, and FLT210 for hemophilia A, all in various stages of clinical trials.

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.