Participated · Series B · Nov 2022

Zenas BioPharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Waltham, MA, focused on inflammation and immunology-directed (I&I) therapies. Led by CEO Lonnie Moulder, the company operates clinical development capabilities globally and is advancing a portfolio of autoimmune therapeutics. Its lead candidate, obexelimab, is a bifunctional monoclonal antibody designed to bind both CD19 and FcγRIIb to inhibit B cells, plasmablasts, and CD19-expressing plasma cells. Obexelimab is being evaluated across multiple programs, including a Phase 3 registration-directed trial in IgG4-Related Disease, two planned Phase 2 randomized controlled trials in Multiple Sclerosis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, and an ongoing open-label Phase 2 in Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. The company intends to use new funding to advance ongoing mid- to late-stage clinical development programs for obexelimab and its broader I&I portfolio. Zenas BioPharma is a biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing and commercializing immune-based therapies. Led by Lonnie Moulder and based in Waltham, MA, its lead candidate is obexelimab, an investigational phase III‑stage bifunctional antibody that inhibits CD19‑expressing B‑cell lineages without depleting the cells. Zenas acquired exclusive worldwide rights to obexelimab from Xencor. In early‑stage clinical studies obexelimab demonstrated inhibition of B‑cell function and produced an encouraging treatment effect in patients with multiple autoimmune diseases. The company plans to use new funding to initiate a global Phase 3 registration trial in patients with IgG4‑related disease in late 2022 and to progress other global autoimmune disease programs into clinical development in 2023. IgG4‑RD is described in the article as a chronic, serious fibroinflammatory disease that typically affects multiple organs.