Aura Biosciences is a clinical-stage oncology company developing a novel VDC (virus-like drug conjugate) technology platform. Its lead candidate, AU-011 (belzupacap sarotalocan), is a first-in-class VDC in Phase 2 development for first-line treatment of choroidal melanoma and has received Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the FDA. AU-011 is activated with infrared light via an ophthalmic laser, is designed to preserve key eye structures and vision, and can be delivered in an ophthalmologist’s office without surgery. The company plans to advance AU-011 into a pivotal Phase 3 program and continue research across additional ocular oncology indications. Aura also intends to expand the VDC platform into non-ophthalmic solid tumors, beginning with bladder cancer. The company is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. Aura Biosciences is developing a new class of targeted therapies for ocular oncology, with its lead program AU-011 aimed at primary choroidal melanoma. AU-011 is a first-in-class light-activated therapy made of proprietary viral-like particle bioconjugates that bind selectively to tumor cells and are activated with an ophthalmic laser to disrupt tumor cell membranes while sparing key eye structures. The therapy can be delivered in an ophthalmologist’s office without a surgical procedure and has received orphan drug and fast track designations from the U.S. FDA. AU-011 is being developed under a CRADA with the National Cancer Institute. Aura plans to use proceeds from its recent financing to support late-stage clinical development of AU-011. The company positions AU-011 as a potentially vision-sparing alternative to plaque radiotherapy and enucleation, addressing a high unmet need for a disease with no approved targeted therapies. Aura Biosciences is developing a new class of light-activated viral nanoparticle therapies that selectively target and destroy cancer cells, with its lead program AU-011 focused on primary treatment of ocular melanoma. AU-011 is being developed under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Cancer Institute. The company is led by founder and CEO Elisabet de los Pinos, Ph.D. Aura closed a $30M Series C to support its clinical programs. Proceeds will be used to expand infrastructure supporting ongoing clinical development and to continue enrolling patients in its Phase 1b/2 study of AU-011. Aura also plans to expand its Cambridge footprint in 2018 with additional employees, space and equipment. Aura Biosciences is a Cambridge, Mass.–based biotechnology company developing a new class of therapies that use viral nanoparticle conjugates to target and selectively destroy tumor cells. Its lead program, AU-011, is being developed for the primary treatment of ocular melanoma, has been granted orphan drug designation by the U.S. FDA, and was developed under a CRADA with the National Cancer Institute. The company secured an additional $8 million round of financing from expanded commitments by existing investors, including Advent Partners, Chiesi Ventures, Ysios Capital, Alexandria Venture Investments and several individual investors. Proceeds from the financing will be used to advance AU-011 into clinical testing, which the company expects to begin early next year. Aura says it has made significant strides since the closing of its Series B over a year ago while also advancing preclinical programs in other indications. The company has strengthened its governance and clinical guidance by adding Henri Termeer to its Board of Directors and expanding its Clinical Advisory Board with leading ocular oncologists. Aura Biosciences develops a platform of viral nanoparticles designed to selectively target solid tumors and metastases while sparing normal epithelium. Its lead product conjugates a viral nanoparticle with a potent, laser-activated cell‑killing molecule (IRDye 700DX) supplied by LI-COR Biosciences. The technology was discovered and developed in partnership with Dr. John Schiller’s lab at the National Cancer Institute and has shown selective tumor uptake in multiple in vitro and in vivo models. Aura positions the therapy to both eliminate tumors and preserve vision for patients with rare ocular cancers that lack targeted or FDA‑approved treatments. The company plans to use its recent financing to advance its candidates into clinical trials for eye cancers and to further develop additional cancer indications. Aura emphasizes a first‑in‑class approach aimed at high tumor specificity and reduced off‑target toxicity.

Total raised

$186M

Funding rounds

7

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Mar 2021