DiCE Molecules uses its DELSCAPE DNA-encoded library platform to discover selective oral small molecules with the potential to modulate protein-protein interactions as effectively as systemic biologics. The company is initially focused on developing oral therapeutics against well-validated targets in immunology with the goal of achieving potency comparable to systemic biologic counterparts. Its lead candidate, S011806, is an oral antagonist of interleukin-17 (IL-17). DiCE is also advancing preclinical programs targeting α4ß7 integrin (for inflammatory bowel disease) and αVß1/αVß6 integrins (for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis). The company announced a $60 million Series C-1 financing and has raised approximately $200 million to date. Proceeds are expected to support advancing the IL-17 franchise into clinical development, progression of the integrin programs, pipeline expansion and general corporate purposes. DiCE Molecules leverages a proprietary DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology combined with structural insights to generate small-molecule antagonists against protein–protein-interface (PPI) targets, with a focus on immunology. Its DEL strategy uses well-curated, target-customized libraries that enable medicinal chemistry at scale—producing more than 100,000 unique data points per target. The company has applied this approach to successfully inhibit four PPI targets, three of which are in immunology and owned outright by DiCE, while a fourth in immuno-oncology is part of a partnership with Sanofi. DiCE emphasizes progressing well-validated targets, often those validated by precursor antibodies, to lower target risk. The company recently completed an $80 million Series C financing to advance programs, and intends to use proceeds to move its lead oral IL-17 antagonist into clinical trials while advancing other preclinical PPI assets, including a pair of integrin inhibitors, and expanding its pipeline. DiCE is headquartered in South San Francisco.

Total raised

$140M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series C

Latest activity

Aug 2021