Ymmunobio secures $1.4M seed funding

Ymmunobio is a preclinical stage oncology biotech company focused on the development of innovative treatments for cancer patients through new classes of antibodies based on the novel CEACAM antibody platform, which not only acts as a checkpoint inhibitor but also as an immune agonist, stimulating B- and T-cells to fight cancer. Its pipeline comprises two candidates; YB-200, a humanized anti CEACAM1 antibody with a new mechanism of action, which includes a direct immune agonistic effect on immune cells in addition to the known check-point inhibitor effect. 

The second candidate, YB-800, is a first in class humanized antibody targeting the Neuronal Pentraxin Receptor (NPTXR), which is selectively expressed on tumor cells. Both antibodies are developed for treatment of gastrointestinal tumors. YB-200 has received orphan drug status by the US FDA for the treatment of liver cancer in February 2023.

The proceeds from its $1.4M seed financing round will facilitate the development of the two assets, bringing them into IND enabling studies. Undisclosed private investors participated in the round. 

“Developing new and first in class antibodies for the treatment of cancers is a critical need. Available preclinical data of YB-200 and YB-800 show that each has the potential to be a first- and/or best-in-class therapy across a broad range of solid tumors”, said Caroline Germa, MD, board member of Ymmunobio, CMO of Transcenta and former head of early oncology development of Astra Zeneca.