Funding Round attributes
Alyssum Therapeutics, a Cambridge, MA-based clinical-stage biotechnology company, has emerged from stealth mode after raising $26 million in Series A funding. The round was led by co-founder Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, along with contributions from investors such as Accel, Famy, and Navam Capital. Alyssum focuses on developing innovative B-cell immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases, with its lead candidate, AT-1965, targeting immunologically "cold" tumors to stimulate a robust immune response.
AT-1965, a small molecule inhibitor of CMTR2, works by converting cold tumors into "hot" ones, making them visible to the immune system, specifically B cells, which are considered vital in orchestrating a comprehensive immune response. B cells, through their antigen-presenting and cytokine-releasing capabilities, play a pivotal role in both innate and adaptive immunity. Early results from clinical trials suggest that even at low doses, AT-1965 is showing promising activity in advanced cancer patients.
