Mission BioCapital

SiteOne Therapeutics is a San Francisco-based company developing innovative therapeutics and diagnostics for acute and chronic pain. Their lead candidates are selective inhibitors of the Naᵥ1.7 ion channel, aiming to treat pain safely and effectively without relying on NSAIDs or opioids.

Nuvig Therapeutics focuses on developing innovative therapies aimed at restoring immune homeostasis and rebalancing immune function. The company is dedicated to creating a pipeline of novel immune therapeutics specifically targeting chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. By harnessing natural mechanisms to modulate immune responses, Nuvig seeks to enhance treatment options for patients, ultimately improving their health outcomes.

Cloverleaf Bio specializes in the development of an innovative RNA therapeutic platform focused on oncology. This platform enables the direct inhibition of cancer-promoting enzymes using a single therapeutic molecule, offering a novel approach to improve patient outcomes in cancer treatment.

NuCyRNA Therapeutics aims to refine RNA-targeting therapeutics based on a novel oligonucleotide platform, with an initial focus on CNS diseases.

TippingPoint Biosciences is developing therapeutics that target abnormal DNA packaging states in diseases such as cancer.

Umlaut.Bio is a spinout of the European Molecule Biology Laboratory (EMBL), is pursuing tRNA targets for treatment of cancer and immunological diseases.

Velocity Bio is a biotechnology company based in San Carlos, California, and is a spinout from Stanford University. The company focuses on high-throughput platforms designed for selectivity-first allosteric drug discovery, specifically targeting under-drugged human enzymes associated with severe diseases. Currently operating in stealth mode, Velocity Bio aims to innovate in the field of drug development by addressing critical unmet medical needs through its advanced technological approaches.

March Biosciences is a clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in cell therapies for hematological cancers. It focuses on developing CAR-T cell therapies, with its lead product, MB-105, targeting CD5 in refractory T-cell lymphoma and leukemia. The company's approach involves biologically informed target selection, simplified CAR-T engineering, and a streamlined manufacturing process to ensure cell functionality and consistency.

Progentos Therapeutics focuses on developing regenerative medicine therapies. Its primary approach involves stimulating the body's natural repair mechanisms to restore myelin in patients with multiple sclerosis, aiming to improve neurological function and enhance quality of life.

Aperture Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing novel therapies for age-related neurodegenerative diseases. It employs a distinctive drug discovery platform that leverages the genetic diversity of patients to identify new disease pathways and drug targets. Currently in the pre-clinical stage, the company operates from a lab incubator, integrating insights from neuroscience and immunology to advance its research. Aperture Therapeutics' approach centers on the significance of genetic diversity in the discovery process, aiming to create more effective treatments for neurodegeneration and neuroimmunology conditions.

Mediar Therapeutics is a pre-clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapeutics to treat fibrosis in chronically damaged organs. It designs antibodies that neutralize mediators driving fibrotic activity with the aim of halting and reversing fibrosis to improve patient outcomes. Founded in 2019 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company targets key fibrotic mediator proteins to address late-stage disease with precision and efficacy.

QurAlis Corporation is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based clinical-stage biotechnology company developing precision therapeutics for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases. It focuses on drugs that directly target disease-causing genetic alterations using proprietary platforms and biomarkers to identify and treat patients with specific genetic mutations, aiming to halt disease progression and improve outcomes.

Dren Bio is a biotechnology company that specializes in protein engineering technologies aimed at depleting pathogenic cells, protein aggregates, and other disease-causing agents. The company operates under a holding business model, developing a diverse portfolio of projects that function as stand-alone assets. Dren Bio's platform is designed to address a range of health conditions, including hematologic neoplasms, solid tumors, autoimmune disorders, and diseases associated with protein aggregation. By focusing on innovative protein-based technologies, Dren Bio enables healthcare professionals to manage and treat various serious diseases more effectively.

Nuvig Therapeutics focuses on developing innovative therapies aimed at restoring immune homeostasis and rebalancing immune function. The company is dedicated to creating a pipeline of novel immune therapeutics specifically targeting chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. By harnessing natural mechanisms to modulate immune responses, Nuvig seeks to enhance treatment options for patients, ultimately improving their health outcomes.

Arkuda Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company founded in 2018 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative treatments for patients with neurological diseases. The company utilizes new insights into progranulin and lysosomal biology to create therapies that aim to correct progranulin deficiency and address lysosomal dysfunction, particularly in genetically-defined frontotemporal dementia associated with mutations in the GRN gene. By targeting these underlying biological mechanisms, Arkuda's lead compounds are designed to improve cellular health in the brain, potentially delaying the progression of neurodegenerative diseases and the onset of their symptoms.

Ambagon Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing small-molecule therapeutics for cancer treatment. The company specializes in research aimed at stabilizing the interactions of oncogenic proteins, which are often difficult to modulate with traditional methods. By selectively enhancing the activity of tumor-suppressing proteins associated with transcription factors and oncoproteins, Ambagon aims to provide new therapeutic options for addressing significant unmet clinical needs in oncology. Founded by Christian Ottmann, Lucas Brunsveld, and Michelle Arkin, the company is dedicated to advancing innovative solutions in cancer care.

Asher Biotherapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California, founded in 2019. The company specializes in the development of immunotherapy drugs aimed at effectively treating cancer. Its innovative therapies are designed to enhance the immune system's ability to target and eliminate cancer cells while minimizing side effects. This focus allows healthcare providers to deliver effective treatments to patients in a shorter timeframe, aiming to improve overall outcomes in cancer care.

Shape Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on RNA-editing gene therapy for various medical conditions, including neurodegenerative disorders, oncology, metabolic diseases, and rare genetic disorders. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the company utilizes its proprietary RNAfix technology to edit RNA using the body’s natural cellular machinery. This approach minimizes risks associated with immunogenicity, cellular toxicity, and unintended DNA editing. Shape Therapeutics is dedicated to advancing its innovative platforms for payload, delivery, and manufacturing to enable the development of effective treatments, aiming to address critical health challenges and improve patient outcomes.

Glycomine, Inc. is a biotech company based in San Carlos, California, focused on developing nanomedicines for rare genetic disorders, particularly those related to protein and lipid glycosylation. Founded in 2014, the company addresses the significant unmet medical needs of patients suffering from rare diseases, of which approximately 7,000 exist globally, with a majority lacking FDA-approved treatments. Glycomine specializes in creating replacement therapies that combine substrates, enzymes, and proteins with advanced bio-nano materials. These therapeutics are designed to facilitate the targeted delivery of treatment to clinically relevant organs, thereby enhancing the efficacy of care for conditions characterized by metabolic disorders and protein misfolding.

Vedere Bio, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, established in 2019. The company focuses on developing gene therapy products aimed at restoring functional vision for patients who have experienced vision loss due to Inherited Retinal Degenerations (IRDs) and other causes of vision impairment, both genetic and non-genetic. Unlike many ocular gene therapies that primarily slow the progression of vision loss, Vedere Bio seeks to restore lost vision, regardless of the patient's genetic background or stage of their condition. As of September 2020, Vedere Bio operates as a subsidiary of Novartis AG.

Mediar Therapeutics is a pre-clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapeutics to treat fibrosis in chronically damaged organs. It designs antibodies that neutralize mediators driving fibrotic activity with the aim of halting and reversing fibrosis to improve patient outcomes. Founded in 2019 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company targets key fibrotic mediator proteins to address late-stage disease with precision and efficacy.

Dren Bio is a biotechnology company that specializes in protein engineering technologies aimed at depleting pathogenic cells, protein aggregates, and other disease-causing agents. The company operates under a holding business model, developing a diverse portfolio of projects that function as stand-alone assets. Dren Bio's platform is designed to address a range of health conditions, including hematologic neoplasms, solid tumors, autoimmune disorders, and diseases associated with protein aggregation. By focusing on innovative protein-based technologies, Dren Bio enables healthcare professionals to manage and treat various serious diseases more effectively.

Totient Inc. is an AI-driven biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 2016. The company specializes in using advanced machine learning and immunoinformatics to analyze complex datasets in the field of drug discovery and development. It focuses on identifying novel tissue-specific antigens and reconstructing high-affinity antibody therapeutics from tissues impacted by cancer, autoimmune diseases, and infections. By leveraging its platform's unique capabilities, Totient aims to quickly and accurately identify potent antibody candidates suitable for a variety of therapeutic applications, including cell therapies and bispecific antibodies. This innovative approach positions the company to address significant medical challenges in multiple areas of healthcare.

QurAlis Corporation is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based clinical-stage biotechnology company developing precision therapeutics for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases. It focuses on drugs that directly target disease-causing genetic alterations using proprietary platforms and biomarkers to identify and treat patients with specific genetic mutations, aiming to halt disease progression and improve outcomes.

Pandion Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Watertown, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative therapeutics for patients with autoimmune diseases. The company’s lead product candidate, PT101, is an engineered interleukin-2 variant currently undergoing Phase 1a clinical trials for various autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, including moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis and systemic lupus erythematosus. In addition to PT101, Pandion's pipeline includes PT627, a systemic PD-1 agonist in preclinical studies, and two bifunctional molecules, PT001 and PT002, designed to provide tissue-selective immunomodulation by targeting specific adhesion molecules in the gastrointestinal tract. Pandion employs a network-based approach to immune system conceptualization through its TALON drug design platform and collaborates with Astellas Pharma to develop locally acting immunomodulators for pancreatic autoimmune diseases. The company aims to create a new generation of therapeutics that offer enhanced efficacy and safety for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Arkuda Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company founded in 2018 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative treatments for patients with neurological diseases. The company utilizes new insights into progranulin and lysosomal biology to create therapies that aim to correct progranulin deficiency and address lysosomal dysfunction, particularly in genetically-defined frontotemporal dementia associated with mutations in the GRN gene. By targeting these underlying biological mechanisms, Arkuda's lead compounds are designed to improve cellular health in the brain, potentially delaying the progression of neurodegenerative diseases and the onset of their symptoms.

Shape Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on RNA-editing gene therapy for various medical conditions, including neurodegenerative disorders, oncology, metabolic diseases, and rare genetic disorders. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the company utilizes its proprietary RNAfix technology to edit RNA using the body’s natural cellular machinery. This approach minimizes risks associated with immunogenicity, cellular toxicity, and unintended DNA editing. Shape Therapeutics is dedicated to advancing its innovative platforms for payload, delivery, and manufacturing to enable the development of effective treatments, aiming to address critical health challenges and improve patient outcomes.

Glycomine, Inc. is a biotech company based in San Carlos, California, focused on developing nanomedicines for rare genetic disorders, particularly those related to protein and lipid glycosylation. Founded in 2014, the company addresses the significant unmet medical needs of patients suffering from rare diseases, of which approximately 7,000 exist globally, with a majority lacking FDA-approved treatments. Glycomine specializes in creating replacement therapies that combine substrates, enzymes, and proteins with advanced bio-nano materials. These therapeutics are designed to facilitate the targeted delivery of treatment to clinically relevant organs, thereby enhancing the efficacy of care for conditions characterized by metabolic disorders and protein misfolding.

Comet Therapeutics, established in 2018 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializes in developing novel small-molecule treatments for various diseases, with a focus on orphan neurological disorders. The company's core technology is its CoEnzyme metabolism platform, which aims to restore dysregulated CoEnzyme A metabolism, thereby addressing significant unmet medical needs in these areas.

Vedere Bio, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, established in 2019. The company focuses on developing gene therapy products aimed at restoring functional vision for patients who have experienced vision loss due to Inherited Retinal Degenerations (IRDs) and other causes of vision impairment, both genetic and non-genetic. Unlike many ocular gene therapies that primarily slow the progression of vision loss, Vedere Bio seeks to restore lost vision, regardless of the patient's genetic background or stage of their condition. As of September 2020, Vedere Bio operates as a subsidiary of Novartis AG.

Tangible Science, LLC is a company specializing in the development of innovative contact lens technology aimed at alleviating discomfort for individuals suffering from dry eye conditions. Founded in 2011 and based in Redwood City, California, the company has created a polymer-based coating for hydrogel and silicone hydrogel lenses. This advanced coating forms a bio-compatible and highly hydrated surface that maintains the integrity of the natural tear film, thereby helping users to eliminate symptoms of dryness during lens wear. The company's focus on enhancing comfort for contact lens patients positions it as a key player in the ocular health market.

Telo Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative cancer therapeutics aimed at reversing cancer cell immortality. The company employs a precision medicine approach to target telomerase, an enzyme that cancer cells utilize during the immortalization process. By inhibiting this enzyme, Telo Therapeutics seeks to leave healthy cells unscathed while improving treatment outcomes for patients who have exhausted other options. Through its unique platform, the company aspires to enhance survival and well-being in cancer patients, ultimately contributing to more effective treatment strategies and potential cures for various forms of cancer.

Invenio Imaging, Inc. is a privately held company founded in 2012 and based in Santa Clara, California. It specializes in the development of advanced technology for non-destructive microscopic analysis of the molecular composition of tissues and various materials. The company offers a multi-modal coherent Raman scattering microscope aimed at research and development as well as medical applications. Invenio Imaging's innovative platform technology is designed to facilitate intraoperative histology by providing high-resolution imaging that allows for the examination of specimens from multiple sites within a surgical cavity. The company was established based on research conducted by Professor Sunney Xie at Harvard University and has received funding from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health's Small Business Innovation Research programs.

QurAlis Corporation is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based clinical-stage biotechnology company developing precision therapeutics for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases. It focuses on drugs that directly target disease-causing genetic alterations using proprietary platforms and biomarkers to identify and treat patients with specific genetic mutations, aiming to halt disease progression and improve outcomes.

ViewPoint Therapeutics, founded in 2014 and headquartered in San Francisco, specializes in developing treatments for diseases caused by protein misfolding. Its primary focus is on age-related cataracts, a leading cause of blindness worldwide. The company's innovative approach involves creating crystallin stabilizers, including a small molecule active in preclinical models of cataracts. These stabilizers aim to prevent or reverse protein misfolding, which underlies various common disorders associated with aging. ViewPoint Therapeutics is committed to advancing its pipeline to deliver effective therapies for these conditions.

Avexegen Therapeutics Inc. is a development stage biotechnology company based in San Diego, California, founded in 2014. The company specializes in creating innovative therapies aimed at healing damaged and inflamed gut tissue in patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorders, particularly Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Additionally, Avexegen focuses on addressing needs in premature infants with necrotizing enterocolitis. By employing a novel approach to treatment, Avexegen aims to improve the long-term health outcomes of patients with these serious conditions.

Cell Design Labs, Inc. is a biotherapeutics company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2015. The company specializes in developing innovative cell-based therapies aimed at treating cancer and other severe diseases. By harnessing the potential of the body's immune system, Cell Design Labs creates advanced therapies that are designed to target and eliminate malignant cells with high precision and safety. Its focus includes developing disruptive T cell receptor therapies that modify immune cells to recognize and destroy cancerous threats effectively. As a subsidiary of Gilead Sciences, Cell Design Labs is positioned to contribute significantly to the field of cancer treatment through its pioneering research and development efforts.

Epiodyne, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in San Francisco, California, focused on developing innovative drugs derived from novel chemical matter and targeting delta opioid receptors. Founded in 2016, the company employs quantitative pharmacological and behavioral methodologies to translate its research insights into new therapeutic options. Epiodyne specializes in creating analgesics aimed at addressing neurobehavioral symptoms associated with brain disorders. By targeting the brain's opioid peptide system, Epiodyne seeks to restore the function of the brain's reward system, providing effective treatments for conditions such as compulsivity, self-injury, and addiction.

Mitokinin, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in New York, focused on developing small molecule therapeutics aimed at treating neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson's disease. The company specializes in medicinal chemistry to create kinetin analogs that optimize the activation of PINK1, a protein involved in cellular health. Mitokinin's compounds are designed to enhance the activity of active-form PINK1 without interfering with its natural regulation. Founded in 2017, the company comprises a team of neuroscientists, chemists, and pharmacologists dedicated to advancing disease-modifying therapies in the healthcare sector.

Atreca is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers and develops antibody-based immunotherapeutics for various solid tumor types. Its lead product candidate, ATRC-101, is a monoclonal antibody with a novel mechanism of action and target derived from its proprietary discovery platform.

Founded in 2014, Vivace Therapeutics is a biotechnology company based in the San Francisco Bay Area. It focuses on discovering and developing cancer therapeutics by targeting novel pathways, with a particular emphasis on the Hippo pathway which controls tissue regeneration and organ size.

Redwood Bioscience is a biotechnology company focused on precision protein-chemical engineering to develop optimized biotherapeutics. Established in 2008 and based in Emeryville, California, the company specializes in site-specific modification technology, which addresses the challenges of conjugating biologics with synthetic molecules. This innovative approach enables the creation of homogeneous hybrid biotherapeutics, enhancing the effectiveness of treatments. Redwood Bioscience's methods for optimizing drug conjugates leverage the binding specificity and extended half-life of biologic carriers while incorporating the potency advantages of small molecules and synthetic peptides, positioning the company at the forefront of advancements in antibody-drug conjugates and semi-synthetic biotherapeutics.

Circle Pharma, Inc. is an early-stage biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California, founded in 2012 by Matt Jacobson and Scott Lokey. The company specializes in developing cell-permeable macrocyclic peptide therapeutics aimed at critical clinical targets. It employs proprietary computational design algorithms and innovative synthetic chemistry to create first-in-class macrocycle therapies that can be administered through various routes, including oral delivery. Circle Pharma's platform utilizes structure-based rational drug design and an iterative process to generate large virtual libraries of diverse macrocycle scaffolds, which are selected for their permeability. This approach enables the company to address challenging targets, particularly in the context of intracellular protein-protein interactions that play a significant role in cancer, thereby fulfilling unmet clinical needs. The company is led by David J. Earp.

SiteOne Therapeutics is a San Francisco-based company developing innovative therapeutics and diagnostics for acute and chronic pain. Their lead candidates are selective inhibitors of the Naᵥ1.7 ion channel, aiming to treat pain safely and effectively without relying on NSAIDs or opioids.

Pionyr Immunotherapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative cancer immunotherapies that specifically target the tumor microenvironment to enhance the body's antitumor immunity. Founded in 2015 and based in San Francisco, California, Pionyr leverages advanced target discovery and antibody generation platform technologies to create next-generation immuno-oncology therapeutics. The company's proprietary approach, known as Myeloid Tuning™, aims to improve the immune system’s anti-tumor response by precisely altering the cellular composition within the tumor microenvironment. This strategy is designed to enable patients to better combat cancer, particularly when used in conjunction with checkpoint inhibitors.

iPierian is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Utilizing induced pluripotent stem cells, the company focuses on addressing significant unmet medical needs, particularly in conditions such as spinal muscular atrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. iPierian is engaged in the research and development of innovative therapies, including monoclonal antibodies aimed at treating Alzheimer's disease and other Tauopathies. By targeting the mechanisms that drive disease progression, the company aims to provide physicians with effective tools to slow the spread of Tau in the brain, thereby potentially improving patient outcomes.