Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have gained traction in the biotech industry and are attracting significant investment and M&A deals. In the last 12 months, several ADC startups have caught the attention of venture capital investors. Here are five startups that have raised significant funding:
- Adcendo: Danish startup Adcendo, a spinout from the University of Copenhagen and Rigshospitalet, has raised €82 million ($90 million) in funding. The company is developing ADC candidate drugs against various cancer targets.
- Adcentrx Therapeutics: This San Diego and Shanghai-based startup has secured $101 million in funding. Adcentrx is focused on developing stable ADCs that deliver a higher amount of the drug to the target.
- Alentis Therapeutics: Swiss startup Alentis Therapeutics has raised $172 million in funding. The company is researching cancer therapies targeting the protein claudin-1 (CLDN1).
- MBrace Therapeutics: San Diego-based MBrace Therapeutics has raised $85 million in funding. The company is using its SPARTA technology platform to develop ADCs against novel targets.
- Tagworks Pharmaceuticals: Dutch startup Tagworks Pharmaceuticals has raised $65 million in funding. The company uses a unique Click-to-Release approach to develop ADC compounds that can target non-internalizing cancer targets.
These ADC startups are at various stages of development and are addressing different aspects of ADC technology, such as target selection, stability, delivery, and manufacturing. The significant funding they have received reflects the growing interest and investment in ADCs as a promising therapeutic approach for cancer treatment.
