Samsara BioCapital

Normunity is a biotechnology company focused on developing precision immuno-oncology medicines, specifically a new class known as immune normalizers. These medicines aim to target novel mechanisms that enhance the body’s natural immune response against cancer. In collaboration with the lab of Dr. Lieping Chen at Yale School of Medicine, Normunity is researching newly-discovered mechanisms of immune disruption in cancer, utilizing proprietary discovery platforms to explore the intricate interactions between cancer and the immune system. The company is advancing a pipeline of immune normalizers, which includes initial drug programs designed to address the exclusion of T-cells from immune-sensitive tumors and other factors that impede normal immune function in cancer. Normunity operates from locations in Boston, Massachusetts, and West Haven, Connecticut.

Leap Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, dedicated to developing targeted and immuno-oncology therapies for cancer treatment. Founded in 2011, the company primarily focuses on acquiring and advancing therapies that inhibit tumor-promoting pathways and activate the immune system against cancer cells. Its lead program, DKN-01, is a monoclonal antibody targeting Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1), currently undergoing clinical trials for various cancers, including esophagogastric, gynecologic, and colorectal cancers. Additionally, Leap Therapeutics is developing FL-301, which targets Claudin18.2-expressing cells, along with two preclinical antibody programs, FL-302 and FL-501, aimed at creating transformative cancer treatments.

Abcuro, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing immunotherapies for the treatment of autoimmunity and cancer. Based in Newton, Massachusetts, Abcuro creates therapeutic antibodies targeting novel mechanisms related to these diseases. The company utilizes advanced bioinformatics to analyze transcription data from human diseases, which aids in the identification of new therapeutic targets. Through ex-vivo validation in diseased tissues, Abcuro seeks to uncover innovative methods to modulate key components of the immune system. Established in 2015, Abcuro aims to enhance treatment strategies in the healthcare industry by offering effective solutions for complex immunological conditions.

ElevateBio, LLC is a holding company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on the development of cell and gene-based therapies for treating cancer and viral infections. Founded in 2017 by Vikas Sinha, Mitchell Finer, and David Hallal, ElevateBio operates a portfolio of companies dedicated to creating life-changing medicines. The company collaborates with leading scientists and innovators to build this portfolio and has established a centralized facility that streamlines the transition from research and development to the commercialization of these therapies. This integrated approach enhances efficiency and accelerates the availability of medical products aimed at addressing severe diseases.

Scholar Rock is a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing innovative therapies that target dysregulated growth factors within disease microenvironments. Founded in 2012 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company employs a proprietary platform to create monoclonal antibodies that selectively modulate the activation of these signaling proteins. This approach aims to avoid traditional challenges associated with growth factor inhibition while facilitating efficient drug development. Scholar Rock's lead product, SRK-015, is designed as a first-in-class inhibitor of myostatin activation, targeting conditions such as spinal muscular atrophy. The company's pipeline includes additional candidates, such as SRK-181, which inhibits latent transforming growth factor beta-1 for cancer treatment. Scholar Rock's research focuses on serious diseases, including neuromuscular disorders, cancer, fibrosis, and autoimmune diseases, reflecting its commitment to transforming patient outcomes through targeted therapies.

Dewpoint Therapeutics is a Boston-based biotech company focused on the research and development of treatments targeting biomolecular condensates to address various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and immunological conditions. Founded in 2018, the company employs an innovative drug platform that utilizes machine-learning-based image analysis for visualizing condensates. This technology supports an engine of engineered cell lines designed to track and mitigate harmful protein sequestration. By leveraging its proprietary platform, Dewpoint seeks to facilitate drug discovery across a wide range of medical indications and collaborates with leading academic and pharmaceutical partners to enhance the accessibility of new therapies for unmet healthcare needs.

Simcha Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing engineered cytokine immunotherapy for cancer. The company uses directed evolution to engineer novel cytokines designed to unlock the precision and power of the immune system. Simcha’s lead program, ST-067, is a designer IL-18 cytokine that has shown potent antitumor effects in animal models, both as a monotherapy and when combined with anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors, as described in Nature in June 2020. It was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut, USA.

Exo Therapeutics, Inc. is a drug discovery and development company focused on addressing intractable pharmaceutical targets. Founded in 2018 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company utilizes its proprietary ExoSight platform to develop a pipeline of drug candidates. These candidates are designed to bind to exosites and unique binding pockets, allowing for the reprogramming of enzyme activity to achieve targeted therapeutic effects. This innovative approach aims to provide robust treatments in areas such as oncology and inflammation, while also minimizing potential side effects for patients. By employing a precise and selective methodology, Exo Therapeutics is positioned to unlock new therapeutic possibilities for a variety of diseases.

HilleVax is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the development and commercialization of novel vaccines. HilleVax was founded in 2021 and was headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.

Tango Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative cancer therapies through the principle of synthetic lethality. Established in 2014, the company aims to discover and target specific driver genes involved in cancer progression. Its research concentrates on three main areas: counteracting the loss of tumor suppressor genes, reversing cancer cells' ability to evade the immune system, and identifying effective drug combinations that outperform single-agent therapies. Tango's pipeline includes TNG908, a selective inhibitor of PRMT5 designed for cancer cells with an MTAP deletion, alongside other discovery programs like TNG462, TNG348, and TNG260, which target various cancer types with limited treatment options.

ElevateBio, LLC is a holding company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on the development of cell and gene-based therapies for treating cancer and viral infections. Founded in 2017 by Vikas Sinha, Mitchell Finer, and David Hallal, ElevateBio operates a portfolio of companies dedicated to creating life-changing medicines. The company collaborates with leading scientists and innovators to build this portfolio and has established a centralized facility that streamlines the transition from research and development to the commercialization of these therapies. This integrated approach enhances efficiency and accelerates the availability of medical products aimed at addressing severe diseases.

Egenesis Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on gene editing and genome engineering to create human transplantable organs, tissues, and cells. Established in 2015 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with an additional office in New York City, Egenesis aims to address the global organ shortage by developing solid organs and therapeutic cell transplantation solutions for various diseases. The company utilizes a gene editing platform that incorporates techniques such as single-cell cloning and somatic cell nuclear transfer, which are essential for creating human-compatible organ tissues and cells. Egenesis is particularly engaged in advancing programs related to kidney and islet cell transplantation, striving to provide alternative treatment options for patients with life-threatening conditions.

Abcuro, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing immunotherapies for the treatment of autoimmunity and cancer. Based in Newton, Massachusetts, Abcuro creates therapeutic antibodies targeting novel mechanisms related to these diseases. The company utilizes advanced bioinformatics to analyze transcription data from human diseases, which aids in the identification of new therapeutic targets. Through ex-vivo validation in diseased tissues, Abcuro seeks to uncover innovative methods to modulate key components of the immune system. Established in 2015, Abcuro aims to enhance treatment strategies in the healthcare industry by offering effective solutions for complex immunological conditions.

Dewpoint Therapeutics is a Boston-based biotech company focused on the research and development of treatments targeting biomolecular condensates to address various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and immunological conditions. Founded in 2018, the company employs an innovative drug platform that utilizes machine-learning-based image analysis for visualizing condensates. This technology supports an engine of engineered cell lines designed to track and mitigate harmful protein sequestration. By leveraging its proprietary platform, Dewpoint seeks to facilitate drug discovery across a wide range of medical indications and collaborates with leading academic and pharmaceutical partners to enhance the accessibility of new therapies for unmet healthcare needs.

Fulcrum Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing therapies for patients with rare genetic diseases. The company is dedicated to addressing unmet medical needs, particularly in the realm of genetically defined conditions. Its lead product candidate, losmapimod, is a small molecule currently undergoing Phase 2b clinical trials for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a progressive muscle-wasting disorder. Additionally, Fulcrum is developing FTX-6058, aimed at increasing fetal hemoglobin levels in patients with sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. The company also engages in research to identify drug targets for various conditions, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy and neurological diseases. Fulcrum Therapeutics has established collaborations with Acceleron Pharma Inc. and MyoKardia, Inc. to explore new therapeutic avenues in pulmonary disease and genetic cardiomyopathies, respectively. Founded in 2015, Fulcrum aims to enhance the quality of life for patients suffering from these challenging disorders.

ElevateBio, LLC is a holding company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on the development of cell and gene-based therapies for treating cancer and viral infections. Founded in 2017 by Vikas Sinha, Mitchell Finer, and David Hallal, ElevateBio operates a portfolio of companies dedicated to creating life-changing medicines. The company collaborates with leading scientists and innovators to build this portfolio and has established a centralized facility that streamlines the transition from research and development to the commercialization of these therapies. This integrated approach enhances efficiency and accelerates the availability of medical products aimed at addressing severe diseases.

FORMA Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Watertown, Massachusetts, specializing in the development and commercialization of innovative therapeutics for rare hematologic diseases and various cancers. The company's notable product candidates include FT-4202, currently in Phase 1 trials for sickle cell disease and other hemoglobinopathies, and FT-7051, which targets metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Additionally, FORMA is advancing FT-2102, an oral investigational agent designed to inhibit mutated IDH1 enzymes, now being evaluated in Phase 2 trials for relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia and exploratory Phase 1 trials for glioma. The company also develops FT-4101 and FT-8225, selective inhibitors of fatty acid synthase. By integrating advanced drug discovery technologies and oncology expertise, FORMA aims to target challenging biological pathways that contribute to cancer, thereby enhancing the development of small molecule drug candidates with unique mechanisms of action.

Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Boston, Massachusetts, focused on the discovery and development of anticalin-based drugs. Anticalins are engineered proteins derived from naturally occurring lipocalins, which have the ability to bind and transport a variety of molecules. The company's clinical pipeline includes PRS-060, a drug candidate in Phase I trials for asthma and inflammatory diseases, and PRS-343, a bispecific protein also in Phase I trials for oncology. Additionally, Pieris is advancing PRS-344, a bispecific anticalin-antibody fusion protein in preclinical development, and PRS-080, which targets hepcidin for treating iron deficiency in patients with chronic kidney disease, currently in Phase IIa trials. Pieris has established strategic partnerships with several organizations, including Les Laboratoires Servier and AstraZeneca, and engages in research collaborations with academic institutions such as the University of Pittsburgh. The company was incorporated in 2000 and aims to address high unmet medical needs across various therapeutic areas, including cancer and severe asthma.

AlloVir is a clinical-stage cell therapy company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in the research and development of allogeneic, off-the-shelf multi-virus specific T cell (VST) therapies aimed at preventing and treating serious viral-associated diseases. Its lead product, Viralym-M, targets multiple viruses, including BK virus, cytomegalovirus, adenovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and human herpesvirus 6. The company's pipeline includes several candidates in various stages of development, such as ALVR106 for respiratory syncytial virus and influenza, ALVR109 for SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, ALVR107 for hepatitis B, and ALVR108 for human herpesvirus-8. AlloVir was founded in 2013 and was formerly known as ViraCyte, Inc. The company is committed to addressing the urgent medical needs of patients with limited treatment options for viral diseases through its proprietary VST therapy platform.

ElevateBio, LLC is a holding company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on the development of cell and gene-based therapies for treating cancer and viral infections. Founded in 2017 by Vikas Sinha, Mitchell Finer, and David Hallal, ElevateBio operates a portfolio of companies dedicated to creating life-changing medicines. The company collaborates with leading scientists and innovators to build this portfolio and has established a centralized facility that streamlines the transition from research and development to the commercialization of these therapies. This integrated approach enhances efficiency and accelerates the availability of medical products aimed at addressing severe diseases.

SpringWorks Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing medicines for underserved patient populations affected by rare diseases and cancer. The company employs a precision medicine approach and has a diverse portfolio of small molecule targeted oncology products. Its lead candidate, nirogacestat, an oral gamma secretase inhibitor, is currently in Phase III clinical trials for desmoid tumors. Additionally, SpringWorks is advancing several other product candidates, including mirdametinib, an oral MEK inhibitor in Phase IIb trials for neurofibromatosis type 1-associated plexiform neurofibromas, and various combinations involving nirogacestat for multiple myeloma. The company has established collaborations with organizations such as BeiGene, GlaxoSmithKline, and Allogene, aimed at enhancing the development of its therapies. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, SpringWorks is committed to unlocking the potential of its pipeline to provide innovative solutions for patients suffering from cancer and rare diseases.