Led · Grant · Nov 2025

CrossBridge Bio pioneers dual-payload ADCs that combine a branched tripeptide EGCit linker with synergistic topoisomerase-1 inhibitor and ATR inhibitor payloads, aiming to deliver deeper, more durable antitumor responses while minimizing toxicity. Its lead candidate, CBB-120, targets TROP-2 and has shown potent, durable activity in preclinical models, including tumors resistant to existing ADC therapies. The program garnered significant scientific interest as the most-attended non-plenary session at the 2025 World ADC Conference. The company plans to complete IND-enabling studies and file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application in 2026, moving CBB-120 into first-in-human trials. A recently awarded $15 million grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) will fund GLP toxicology studies, manufacturing scale-up, and analytical development to reach that milestone. Beyond CBB-120, CrossBridge Bio intends to leverage its proprietary platform for additional dual-payload ADC programs that address cancers with limited treatment options. The $15 million non-dilutive grant represents its current disclosed funding and underscores external validation of its scientific approach.

Led · Seed · Jan 2025

Ypsilon is developing next-generation TCRm antibodies and bispecific T cell engagers that bind tumor-associated pMHC complexes to drive potent T-cell–mediated killing. The company’s lead program is being advanced toward drug candidate nomination and targets difficult-to-treat solid tumors including triple negative breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and gastric cancer. Its discovery work leverages Alloy’s Keyway™ TCR Discovery platform, developed by Dr. Dongxing Zha. Ypsilon is a portfolio company of 82VS, Alloy’s venture studio, and was co-founded and is led by Dr. Dongxing Zha. The company plans to establish operations in Texas as part of the program acceleration. Financially, Ypsilon received a $2.7 million non-dilutive seed grant to support these development and operational plans.

Participated · Series A · Aug 2024

Prana Thoracic develops the Prana System, an image-guided, minimally invasive platform designed to enable precision surgical solutions that conserve healthy tissue and support personalized treatment plans for lung cancer. The company targets earlier interventions for patients and says the system can be applied across a range of conditions including lung cancer. Prana is also exploring use of the technology in other soft tissues and investigating integration with ablation and robotic systems. Its team includes surgeons, engineers, and entrepreneurs and is led by CEO and co-founder Joanna Nathan. Financially, the company has raised $9 million to date—an initial $3M, a $3M non-dilutive grant, and a $3M Series A extension that was oversubscribed by 30%. The new funding will be used to accelerate product development and advance clinical and regulatory plans. Prana Thoracic is developing the ThoraCore System, a minimally invasive, lung-sparing tool designed to target hard-to-reach pulmonary nodules and enable definitive diagnosis earlier in the lung cancer care pathway. The company’s technology was developed on the Texas Medical Center campus in collaboration with Precision Thoracic Corporation and inventor Edward M. Boyle, MD. Prana is led by CEO and co-founder Joanna Nathan. The company announced the closing of a $3.0 million founding Series A financing and previously received a $3.0 million award from the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas. Proceeds from the Series A and the CPRIT award will be used for product development and to support first-in-human clinical studies. Prana positions the ThoraCore System to improve diagnostic access for patients with challenging lung nodules and accelerate earlier intervention. Prana Thoracic is developing a minimally invasive, tissue-sparing lung tissue excision tool intended to provide definitive diagnosis of suspicious pulmonary nodules earlier in the patient journey. The company says the device targets nodules that are challenging to sample, filling a gap between needle biopsy and open chest procedures. Prana Thoracic aims to commercialize the technology through first-in-human studies supported by the award. The company notes that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. and that screening rates are low despite large eligible populations. Prana Thoracic partnered with the Johnson & Johnson MedTech Center for Device Innovation for design and early testing. Joanna Nathan is CEO and founder, and Dr. Edward Boyle is a founder and one of the inventors of the technology.

Led · Grant · Nov 2023

Gradalis develops Vigil, a personalized, triple-function cellular immunotherapy that uses bi-shRNA to reduce furin and increase GM-CSF expression to decloak tumor antigens and stimulate tumor-specific T-cell responses. Vigil is manufactured from a patient’s own tumor tissue and has shown safety and signals of clinical benefit across Phase 1, 2A, and 2B studies, including a randomized Phase 2b (VITAL) trial that demonstrated statistically significant improvements in recurrence-free survival and overall survival in certain molecular subgroups. The company reports no Grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events in studies to date and has observed activity across multiple tumor types and in combination or sequence with checkpoint inhibitors. Gradalis’ manufacturing process takes two days and uses tumor tissue shipped to its manufacturing plant in Dallas, Texas, producing vials for intradermal administration every three to four weeks. The company is preparing a pivotal Phase 2 study in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer patients with homologous recombination proficient (HRP) tumors and intends to pursue accelerated approval if results are positive. Financially, Gradalis was awarded a $9.9 million Product Development Research grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to support the Phase 2 study and external validation of its technology. Gradalis is a Dallas, Texas–based biotechnology company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing drugs, vaccines, tools and diagnostics primarily for cancer. The company operates two primary platforms: a personalized autologous vaccine platform (FANG™) and a bifunctional short hairpin RNA platform delivered via a proprietary lipoplex. Led by David Shanahan (president, CEO and co‑founder), Gradalis is advancing FANG™ through clinical development while also progressing clinical and preclinical work on its shRNA platform. The company plans to use new capital to advance FANG™ into late‑stage clinical trials and to expand manufacturing capabilities to support a potential commercial launch. Financially, Gradalis completed a Series B financing totaling $24M; backers were not disclosed in the article.

Participated · Grant · May 2023

OncoResponse is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company led by CEO Clifford Stocks and based in Seattle, WA. The company develops cancer immunotherapies using clues from the immune systems of Elite Cancer Responders and deploys a proprietary B-cell discovery platform in a broad strategic alliance with MD Anderson Cancer Center. Its lead clinical candidate, OR2805, is a fully human antibody discovered from an Elite Responder and has entered cohort expansion trials in multiple cancer indications. Additional pipeline candidates that modulate suppressive macrophage activity are under development, including OR502, an anti-LILRB2 antibody that rescues innate and adaptive immune responses from LILRB2-mediated suppression. OncoResponse intends to use recent proceeds to support advancement of OR502 toward IND enabling work and clinical studies, with OR502 expected to enter clinical studies in 2023. The company announced both a $14M financing and a separate $13M grant award from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). OncoResponse is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company that uses a proprietary human B-cell discovery platform to identify fully human monoclonal antibodies from the immune systems of elite cancer responders. Its lead candidate, OR2805, is a fully human antibody discovered from an elite responder to checkpoint inhibitor therapy and has entered clinical studies. The company is advancing additional pipeline candidates that modulate suppressive macrophage activity toward the clinic. OncoResponse has a broad strategic alliance with MD Anderson Cancer Center to support target discovery and development. The company is privately held and backed by a syndicate of institutional and strategic investors. Proceeds from recent financing will be used for general working capital and to support ongoing clinical testing of OR2805. OncoResponse uses a proprietary B‑cell screening platform to discover fully human monoclonal antibodies from cancer patients who had exceptional responses to immunotherapy. Its pipeline focuses on antibodies that modulate immunosuppressive myeloid targets in the tumor microenvironment to enhance immune activation and tumor killing in vitro and in vivo. The company is in a broad strategic alliance with MD Anderson Cancer Center to advance discovery and development. Proceeds from the recent financing will advance the lead antibody, OR2805, into clinical development across multiple tumor types and fund preclinical assets to IND. OR2805 was derived from a patient who experienced an exceptional response to anti‑PD‑1 therapy and is designed to relieve macrophage‑mediated immunosuppression to promote T‑cell tumor killing. OncoResponse announced a $40.6 million Series C to fund these near‑term clinical plans. The company is based in Seattle. OncoResponse is an immunotherapy company developing a portfolio of novel antibodies to high-value targets for the treatment of cancer. Its discovery platform mines the immune systems of patients who have responded exceptionally well to cancer immunotherapies to identify therapeutically relevant antibodies. All five of the company’s drug candidates were derived from that patient-derived discovery engine, and several antibodies are directed at modulating immunosuppression of the tumor microenvironment. The company plans to use the new capital to advance those five programs into preclinical and clinical development. OncoResponse is privately held and backed by investors including MD Anderson Cancer Center, RiverVest Venture Partners, Qatar Investment Authority, Redmile Group, ARCH Venture Partners, Canaan Partners, Helsinn Investment Fund, Shire, HT Family Office, Alexandria Venture Investments and William Marsh Rice University. The company was founded in October 2015. OncoResponse uses a clinically validated platform to rapidly screen antibodies produced by the human immune system and identify those with exceptional reactivity to cancer. The company focuses on mining samples from patients who have had elite responses to cancer immunotherapies to discover candidate antibodies and targets across multiple oncology indications. OncoResponse has a strategic alliance with MD Anderson Cancer Center that provides continuous access to patient samples and oncology/translational expertise, including clinical and regulatory input. The company intends to continue developing its research programs to expand the promise of immuno-oncology by identifying therapeutically relevant antibodies. OncoResponse recently closed its Series A financing, which will be used to support these ongoing discovery and development efforts. The company also strengthened its scientific leadership by appointing new members to its Scientific Advisory Board.