InduPro, a biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapeutics for cancer and autoimmune diseases, recently secured $85 million in funding through a Series A financing round. The funding was co-led by The Column Group and Vida Ventures, with participation from other investors such as MRL Ventures Fund, Emerson Collective, and Euclidean Capital. This financial support will enable InduPro to advance its lead programs towards clinical readiness and identify additional candidate therapies.
One significant development for InduPro is the appointment of Dr. Prakash Raman as the Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Raman brings over two decades of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, having previously worked at Novartis and Flagship Pioneering. His expertise in business development, executive leadership, and scientific background will play a crucial role in advancing InduPro’s pipeline of therapeutic candidates.
InduPro’s approach to developing therapeutics involves targeting cell surface proteins using bispecific antibodies that leverage protein proximity. By mapping protein neighborhoods with their proprietary technology, InduPro can identify novel co-target pairs that are selective for specific disease biology. This unique approach allows the company to discover new targets and develop innovative therapies for patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Dr. Raman emphasized the importance of expanding the range of targets beyond known disease biology to address areas of high unmet medical need. By focusing on spatial proximity of proteins on cell surfaces, InduPro aims to create impactful therapies for a wide range of indications and applications.
The lead program at InduPro utilizes a Tumor Associated Proximity Antigen (TAPA) therapeutic approach to target cancer tissue based on co-targeted pairs. Additionally, the company is exploring multi-specific antibodies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases by modulating the immunological synapse.
The company’s ProXiMATE platform combines deep learning analysis with protein microenvironment data to generate highly-tuned protein proximity maps. This technology enables InduPro to continuously identify novel targets for antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) and T cell engagers (TCEs) with a focus on tumor selectivity.
The Board of Directors at InduPro, led by Dr. Raman and scientific founder Dr. Chris Garcia, consists of industry experts and investors committed to driving innovation in biotechnology. With a strong foundation and a talented team, InduPro is poised to deliver transformative therapies for patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases.
In conclusion, InduPro’s innovative approach to protein therapeutics, coupled with the recent funding and appointment of Dr. Prakash Raman as CEO, positions the company for success in developing novel treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Their commitment to leveraging protein proximity for drug discovery has the potential to make a meaningful impact on patient outcomes in the future.