Liberate Bio is a 2022 spin-out of research from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Minnesota that is building in vivo CAR-M (chimeric antigen receptor–macrophage) therapies. Its platform uses AI to generate more than three million cationic ionizable lipid variants and rapidly screen them with genetic barcoding and RNA-sequencing in non-human primates, enabling selective lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery to immune cells outside the liver. In pre-clinical NHP studies, a single LNP-mRNA dose depleted 90 % of circulating B cells, and a second dose four days later achieved 99 % depletion while less than 1 % of T cells took up the therapy, suggesting reduced risk of cytokine release syndrome. The company verified that 97 % of circulating monocytes and macrophages internalized its lead LNPs. Management plans to advance its first in vivo CAR-M candidate into investigator-initiated clinical trials in late 2026, targeting both autoimmune disorders and solid tumors and is evaluating regions such as China for early studies to save time and cost. Liberate Bio positions its macrophage-focused approach as safer and more tissue-penetrant than conventional CAR-T therapies, aiming to stand out in a field with more than 70 competitors. The $31 million seed financing supplies the resources for continued platform optimization and pre-clinical development.

Total raised

$31M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Seed

Latest activity

Oct 2025