List of Immuno-Oncology Companies in United Kingdom - 20

Accession Therapeutics Limited is based in Oxford, UK. Its platform technology, TROCEPT, is delivering a proprietary internal pipeline for Accession Therapeutics with significant innovation opportunities available for partnering. Products from the platform are expected to have strong clinical and commercial potential, convenient intravenous administration for better patient access and compliance, and a competitive cost of goods sold via an established manufacturing route. The potential of TROCEPT is illustrated in the animation here. Accession Therapeutics has raised >$66m to date backed by high net worth individuals, iGlobe Partners, Primavera Venture Partners, Birk Venture and other international biotech investors.

Akamis is a clinical-stage oncology company whose mission is to leverage its groundbreaking T-SIGn® platform to positively impact the lives of people living with cancer. We are developing a portfolio of solid tumor-targeted T-SIGn® therapeutics which aim to enable a patient’s own immune system to recognize, attack, and clear their cancer. Akamis’ growing pipeline of T-SIGn® therapeutics is anchored by its lead clinical-stage program, NG-350A, which is being investigated in an ongoing Phase 1 clinical study in patients with metastatic or advanced epithelial tumors. Akamis has a number of T-SIGn® platform-focused collaborations with leaders in the immuno-oncology field including BMS, Merck, and the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI)

Focused on the development of precisely targeted, controlled and highly active T cell therapies that are designed to offer cancer patients substantial benefits over existing standard of care.

Bicycle Therapeutics (NASDAQ: BCYC) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is harnessing the power of bicyclic peptides and leveraging Nobel Prize-winning science to develop a new and differentiated class of medicines to treat cancer and other diseases. Bicycle® molecules are fully synthetic short peptides constrained with small molecule scaffolds to form two loops that stabilize their structural geometry. This constraint facilitates target binding with high affinity and selectivity, making Bicycle molecules attractive candidates for drug development. The company is evaluating zelenectide pevedotin, previously BT8009, a Bicycle® Toxin Conjugate (BTC®) targeting Nectin-4, a well-validated tumor antigen; BT5528, a BTC molecule targeting EphA2, a historically undruggable target; and BT7480, a Bicycle Tumor-Targeted Immune Cell Agonist® (Bicycle TICA®) targeting Nectin-4 and agonizing CD137, in company-sponsored clinical trials. Additionally, the company is developing Bicycle® Radio Conjugates (BRC™) for radiopharmaceutical use and, through various partnerships, is exploring the use of Bicycle® technology to develop therapies for diseases beyond oncology. Bicycle is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, with many key functions and members of its leadership team located in Cambridge, MA.

Celentyx Ltd is a ‘boutique’ CRO providing bespoke drug discovery services focused on human immunology across a broad range of therapeutic areas including autoimmunity, COVID-19, inflammation, immuno-oncology, fibrosis and neuroinflammation. Celentyx has a highly experienced scientific team that develops and provides assays using human primary cells at all stages of the drug discovery pipeline. Situated in close proximity to major hospitals and blood services (with established partnerships), assays can be performed at scale using blood and tissue from healthy volunteers and patients with defined disease including deep access to their clinical records. Celentyx has well-established assay platforms in multi-colour flow-cytometry, Cytof, high-content imaging, multiplex supernatant analysis (Luminex), super-resolution microscopy as well as proteomic and molecular biology capability, enabling high-resolution analysis of the human immune system for target discovery, screening, candidate selection, mechanism of action, and biomarker studies. Celentyx is based in the UK (Oxford and Birmingham) and in addition to internationally recognised scientists within the company, benefits from the world-leading expertise of neighbouring translational medicine departments at the Universities of Oxford and Birmingham.

Centessa Pharmaceuticals Limited, a pharmaceutical company, develops and delivers life-altering and life-enhancing medicines to patients. Its products pipeline include Lixivaptan, a vasopressin V2 receptor small molecule inhibitor that is in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease; SerpinPC, an activated protein C inhibitor, which is in Phase 2a clinical development for the treatment of hemophilia A and B; Imgatuzumab, an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody expected to enter a Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, as well as is being considered for the treatment of other solid tumors in the context of combination treatment with immunotherapy; and ZF874, a small molecule chemical chaperone folding corrector of the Z variant of alpha-1-antitrypsin in Phase 1 clinical development for the treatment of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. The company’s preclinical product candidates comprise ZF887 for alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency; MGX292 for pulmonary arterial hypertension; CBS001 for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; CBS004 for systemic sclerosis and lupus; LB1 and LB2 for solid tumors; Oral OX2R Agonist and Intranasal OX2R Agonist for narcolepsy type 1; Dual STAT3/5 Degrader for hematological malignancies; EGFR Ex20 and EGFR-C797S inhibitors for non-small cell lung cancer; and next generation EGFR inhibitors. The company was formerly known as United Medicines Biopharma Limited and changed its name to Centessa Pharmaceuticals Limited in February 2021. Centessa Pharmaceuticals Limited was incorporated in 2020 and is based in Cambridge, the United Kingdom.

Crescendo Biologics is a private, clinical stage immuno-oncology company developing novel, targeted T cell enhancing Humabody® therapeutics. Leading its proprietary pipeline, Crescendo Biologics has developed CB307, a novel half-life extended CD137 x PSMA Humabody for the selective activation of tumour-specific T cells exclusively within the tumour microenvironment. CB307 is designed to achieve a longer lasting anti-cancer effect whilst avoiding systemic toxicity, and the clinical programme for CB307 is underway in patients with PSMA positive solid tumours (NCT04839991). CB693 is a half-life extended CD137 x MSLN Humabody and is the second proprietary clinical candidate from Crescendo’s T cell enhancing pipeline. Crescendo is also developing CB213, a preclinical PD-1 x LAG-3 multi-specific Humabody. The Company’s ability to develop multi-functional Humabody therapeutics is based on its unique, patent protected, transgenic mouse platform generating fully human VH domain building blocks (Humabody VH). These robust molecules can be configured to engage therapeutic targets in such a way that they deliver novel pharmacology and superior bio-distribution. This can lead to larger therapeutic windows compared to conventional IgG approaches. Humabody-based formats can also be applied across a range of non-cancer indications. Beyond Crescendo’s proprietary pipeline, the Company has global, multi-target discovery and development collaborations with both Takeda and BioNTech and an exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement with Zai Lab for ZL-1102 (formerly CB001, an anti-IL-17A targeting Humabody), which is expected to enter global Phase 2 clinical development in patients with psoriasis. Crescendo Biologics is located in Cambridge, UK, and is backed by blue-chip investors including Sofinnova Partners, Andera Partners, IP Group, BioNTech, Takeda and Quan Capital.

Duke Street Bio is focused on exploiting tumour genetic vulnerabilities and harnessing the natural power of the body’s immune system to fight cancer.

F-star, an invoX company, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical business pioneering bispecific antibodies in immunotherapy so more people with cancer can live longer and improved lives. F-star is committed to working towards a future free from cancer and other serious diseases through the use of tetravalent (2+2) bispecific antibodies to create a paradigm shift in treatments. F-star has four second-generation immunooncology therapeutics in the clinic, each directed against some of the most promising IO targets in drug development, including LAG-3 and CD137. F-star’s proprietary antibody discovery platform is protected by an extensive intellectual property estate, with over 500 granted patents and pending patent applications relating to its platform technology and product pipeline. The Company has attracted multiple partnerships with biopharma targeting significant unmet needs across several areas, including oncology, immunology, and CNS.

Grey Wolf Therapeutics is a UK-based drug discovery biotechnology company focused on immuno-oncology and founded by experienced industry professionals Tom McCarthy (Executive Chairman), former President and CEO of Spinifex Pharmaceuticals and Peter Joyce (CEO), formerly of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Rather than targeting the immune system, Grey Wolf’s approach is to directly alter the tumour cells, illuminating them for attack and destruction by the immune system. We are targeting a key protein in the antigen presentation pathway to drive modulation of the neoantigen repertoire on tumour cells, thus dramatically increasing tumour visibility and extending the reach of immunotherapy in oncology. Grey Wolf is working with leading academic and commercial drug discovery partners to deliver a clinical candidate against a strongly validated target. The Grey Wolf team is made up of experts in immuno-oncology, antigen presentation and drug discovery.

At ichorbio, we are passionate about animals and believe there is a better way to do in vivo research. For us, the most important consideration was that our antibodies for in vivo use have the lowest possible impact on the animals they are being used in. This is how our mission was born: to create the best antibodies for in vivo research. To achieve our mission, we have created products that have lower endotoxin, higher purity and lower aggregation than other antibodies currently available on the market. Our antibodies adhere to all the same criteria as many of the larger manufacturers from a quality perspective with the added benefit that you can feel confident that you are doing the best for your animals. Best selling antibodies: RMP1-14: https://ichor.bio/ich1132-compared-to-be0146 RMP1-14 LALAPG: https://ichor.bio/revolutionize-your-pd-1-research-with-rmp1-14-lalapg

IMU Biosciences is a UK-based techbio company that is revolutionizing immune powered precision medicine by mapping the immune system in unprecedented detail and scale. Their CytAtlas platform combines systems-level immunophenotyping with an AI platform to gain a new understanding of the immune system across health and disease.

Infinitopes is a pioneer in precision immunomics medicines. A Cancer Research UK (CRUK)-led biotech spinout from Oxford University, developing vaccines for the treatment of cancer.

Macomics is a biotechnology company that focuses on developing precision medicines to modulate macrophages for the treatment of cancer.

Medicxi is an international investment firm focused on the life sciences sector. It wasestablished in 2016 by the former Index Ventures life sciences team, who have been active for over 20 years and have significant experience in drug discovery and the development of therapeutics for unmet medical needs.

Microbiotica identifies gut bacteria linked to phenotype with unprecedented precision in order to discover and develop live bacterial therapeutics and biomarkers

Oncimmune is a leading immuno diagnostics developer, primarily focused on the growing fields of immuno-oncology, autoimmune disease and infectious diseases. Our growing range of diagnostic products can detect early-stage cancer and our service-based platform, delivers actionable insights into therapies to our pharmaceutical and biotech partners. Oncimmune's ImmunoINSIGHTS platform enables life-science organisations to optimise drug development and delivery, leading to more effective targeted as well as safer treatments for patients. Oncimmune is headquartered in the UK, with a discovery research centre in Dortmund, Germany and an office in Cambridge MA, USA.

Oxford Vacmedix UK Ltd, based at the Oxford Science Park, UK, is a bio-pharma company that was spun out from the University of Oxford’s Department of Oncology and is utilising the novel proprietary platform technology of recombinant overlapping peptides (ROPs) invented by Dr Shisong Jiang. ROPs have been validated as a technology to stimulate broad and strong T cell immunity therefore forming a good platform for therapeutic vaccines and diagnostics in cancer and infectious diseases. The technology uses the novel, proprietary platform of ROPs to design and develop therapeutic cancer vaccines and diagnostics with the potential for increased efficacy, lower costs, simpler regulatory pathways and synergy when used in combination with other immune oncology (IO) agents. The company has extensive contacts and collaborations in China through Changzhou Bioscience Group (CBIG) that is using the ROP platform for diagnostics in both cancer and in infectious diseases. OVM is developing two lead vaccines, OVM-100 and OVM-200, focusing on unmet clinical need. OVM-100 is an HPV vaccine targeted at cervical cancer, and OVM-200 represents a new type of vaccine utilising survivin to target solid tumours. Both vaccines will be tested as single agents and in combination with IO agents. OVM secured Series A investment from Cancer ROP, a leading South Korean healthcare institution, listed in KOSDAQ, and from existing shareholders in China in 2018. The company is currently seeking Series B funding to advance OVM-200 to Phase 2 and OVM-100 into Phase 1 trials, as monotherapy and also in combination.

Roquefort Therapeutics is a LSE Main Market listed biotech company developing first in class drugs in the high value and high growth oncology segment prior to partnering or selling to big pharma. Since listing in March 2021, Roquefort Therapeutics has successfully acquired Lyramid Pty Limited, a leader in the development of medicines for a new therapeutic target, Midkine (a human growth factor associated with cancer progression), and most recently acquired Oncogeni Ltd, founded by Nobel Laureate Professor Sir Martin Evans, which has developed two families of innovative cell and RNA oncology medicines. Roquefort Therapeutics’ portfolio consists of four fully funded, novel patent-protected pre-clinical anti-cancer medicines. The highly complementary profile of four best-in-class medicines consists of: 1. Midkine antibodies with significant in vivo efficacy and toxicology studies; 2. Midkine RNA therapeutics with novel anti-cancer gene editing action; 3. MK cell therapy with direct and NK-mediated anti-cancer action; and 4. siRNA targeting novel STAT-6 target in solid tumours showing significant in vivo efficacy.

Trogenix unites cutting-edge technologies in genomics, oncology, immunotherapy, and gene therapy to create a revolutionary therapeutic approach through its Odysseus platform. Using proven AAV vectors, our proprietary Synthetic Super-Enhancers (SSEs) are delivered directly to tumour cells without detection. Our SSEs enable unprecedented precision in gene control, effectively revealing cancer to the body's immune system and killing tumour cells. For any cells escaping Trogenix's technology, our 'Trojan horse' reawakens the immune system, countering recurrence and offering potentially curative 'one-and-done' treatments for aggressive tumours. With our lead asset showing curative potential in preclinical glioblastoma studies, we're poised to transform treatment paradigms across multiple cancer types and explore applications beyond oncology, such as regenerative medicine.