Stellanova Therapeutics is advancing cancer therapies that target the tumor microenvironment, specifically carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Its lead program is an anti-DKK3 monoclonal antibody designed to neutralize a factor secreted by CAFs that promotes tumor progression and therapy resistance. In preclinical studies, anti-DKK3 antibody combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors produced sustained tumor eradication in mouse models of pancreatic cancer refractory to current chemo or immune therapies. The company intends to use the Series A proceeds to advance the lead antibody into first-in-human clinical trials, establish its discovery platform, and build its team. Emmanuelle Schuler, Ph.D., MBA, was appointed founding CEO, and Rosa Hwang, M.D., is a co-founder guiding the scientific focus. Stellanova is a resident company at JLABS @ TMC, a Johnson & Johnson biotech incubator in Houston’s Texas Medical Center.

Total raised

$16M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Jun 2021