Cullgen is a privately held clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company applying its proprietary uSMITE™ (ubiquitin-mediated, small molecule-induced target elimination) platform to develop first-in-class new chemical entities. The company focuses on targeted protein degradation to expand drug design beyond functional site inhibition and to target historically “undruggable” proteins. Cullgen has generated multiple highly potent, selective, and bioavailable targeted protein degrader compounds that utilize proprietary novel E3 ligands. Its internal pipeline targets oncology and other diseases. The company said the new financing will support development of its technology platform and internal pipeline of targeted protein degraders. Cullgen is identified with offices/operations in San Diego and Shanghai in the announcement. Cullgen develops small-molecule therapeutics using its proprietary uSMITE™ ubiquitin-mediated targeted protein degradation platform. The company is advancing an internal pipeline of targeted protein degraders for oncology and other diseases and emphasizes discovery of novel E3 ligands. Cullgen plans to file an IND later this year for its most advanced program, CG001419, a TRK protein degrader, and intends to use new capital to move programs into human clinical studies. The company says its uSMITE™ approach enables elimination of previously “undruggable” proteins and aims to be more cost effective than traditional drug discovery. Cullgen operates out of San Diego and Shanghai and is privately held. Cullgen develops targeted protein degraders using its proprietary uSMITE™ (ubiquitin mediated small molecule induced target elimination) platform. The company focuses research programs on novel treatments for cancer, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases. Cullgen has identified several pre-clinical assets that it is advancing toward the clinic. It is also working to discover novel E3 ligands to incorporate into degrader complexes. Over the past year the company assembled a board of scientific advisors, established a senior management team, and built a state-of-the-art laboratory facility. The lab is run by more than 40 employees. The company intends to use its platform and assets to progress programs into clinical development. Cullgen is building a drug discovery platform based on advanced ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation technology that enables selective degradation of disease-causing proteins, including targets previously considered undruggable. The platform draws on Dr. Yue Xiong’s foundational work since 1998 identifying catalytic and regulatory components and assembly mechanisms of cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases. Cullgen’s founders, including Dr. Xiong and Dr. Jian Jin, have developed multiple new chemical entities (NCEs) against cancer targets and have filed multiple patent applications. Initial discovery programs will focus on oncology with planned expansion into inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The company is incorporated in Delaware and will initiate research operations in the United States, Japan, and China. Cullgen has established a scientific advisory board and a board of directors that includes executives from its lead investor, GNIG.

Total raised

$121M

Funding rounds

5

Latest round

Series C

Latest activity

May 2023