Fortis Therapeutics is developing FOR46, a fully human antibody–drug conjugate that binds a tumor‑specific conformational epitope of CD46 and is conjugated to a potent payload. Early in vitro studies reportedly showed tumor‑cell killing with no effect on normal cells, and the company says preliminary clinical data are promising. Fortis exclusively licensed the antibody from UCSF and maintains a strong intellectual property position. The company is advancing FOR46 in clinical trials for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (NCT03650491) and metastatic castration‑resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) (NCT03575819), having completed dose‑finding and dose‑escalation cohorts and beginning expansion cohorts. Fortis is based in San Diego and was founded on technology developed in the laboratory of Bin Liu, Ph.D. Proceeds from the recent financing will be used to further clinical development and pursue additional indications. Fortis Therapeutics is a San Diego-based immuno-oncology company formed around technology exclusively licensed from UCSF and developed in the laboratory of Bin Liu, Ph.D. The company focuses on developing antibody drug conjugate (ADC) therapies that target a receptor over-expressed in late-stage prostate cancer, including both adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine types. Genes encoding the target receptor are part of a chromosome amplification seen in a large number of multiple myeloma patients with poor prognosis, indicating potential relevance beyond prostate cancer. Leadership includes Jay Lichter, Ph.D., president and CEO, and Marc Nasoff, Ph.D., chief scientific officer, both affiliated with COI Pharmaceuticals and Avalon Ventures. Financially, Fortis closed an $18M Series A financing. The company is developing ADC programs to advance its targeted therapies.

Total raised

$58M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Mar 2021