Jounce’s lead product candidate, JTX-2011, is a monoclonal antibody that binds to and activates ICOS and is being developed for solid tumors as a single agent and in combination; it was expected to enter the clinic in the second half of 2016. The company applies a Translational Science Platform to prioritize tumor microenvironment targets (including B cells, T regulatory cells and tumor-associated macrophages) and identify biomarkers to match therapies to patients. Under a strategic collaboration with Celgene, Jounce plans to advance multiple early-stage programs and share development and commercialization responsibilities post opt-in. Financially the deal provides immediate capital and longer-term commercial incentives, including an upfront payment, an equity investment, milestone payments and royalties. Jounce retains U.S. commercial leadership for JTX-2011 and one additional program after opt-in and will share profits and development costs with Celgene according to agreed splits. Founded in 2013 with initial funding from Third Rock Ventures, the company is based in Cambridge, Mass. Jounce Therapeutics focuses on the discovery and development of novel cancer immunotherapies coupled to translational patient selection strategies. Its lead program is an ICOS-directed agonist monoclonal antibody planned to enter clinical testing, and a second program is being advanced through IND-enabling studies. Proceeds from the recent financing will also support expanded discovery of therapies targeting tumors less likely to respond to T cell checkpoint monotherapy, including agents against innate immune and stromal cells. Jounce leverages a translational science platform designed to match appropriate patients with new immunotherapies to guide early development and accelerate proof of concept. The company was launched in 2013 with initial funding from Third Rock Ventures and is led by a team with experience in tumor immunology, cancer biology and translational medicine. Jounce is based in Cambridge, Mass. Jounce Therapeutics discovers and develops first-in-class cancer immunotherapies designed to harness patients’ immune systems to seek out and attack cancerous cells and tumors. Its proprietary product engine enables exploration of multiple mechanisms of action and a broad spectrum of targets. The company’s capabilities include tumor immunobiology, antibody discovery and optimization, integrated translational science, and novel in vivo tumor model systems. Jounce is building a pipeline of biologic product candidates with the goal of advancing lead programs to the clinic. The company was launched in 2013 by world leaders in immunobiology, cancer biology, and clinical and translational medicine and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Series A financing is intended to enable construction of the product engine and rapid clinical advancement of lead programs.

Total raised

$139M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Jul 2016