Enara Bio, an Oxford-based biotech firm, is pioneering advancements in cancer treatment, backed by major investments.
- Founded in 2016, Enara Bio has developed a groundbreaking antigen discovery platform that holds promise in cancer therapy.
- The company secured $32.5m in a Series B funding round, led by Pfizer Ventures and supported by other key investors.
- Enara Bio’s innovative approach targets broad cancer patient populations through its unique EDAPT platform.
- Significant financial growth and strategic partnerships highlight Enara Bio’s emerging role in the biotech landscape.
Founded in 2016, Enara Bio has claimed a significant milestone with its breakthrough in cancer therapies. The Oxford-based biotech firm has developed a unique antigen discovery platform that has garnered attention and substantial investment from industry leaders, including US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and the prestigious research group, the Francis Crick Institute.
The announcement of a $32.5m (£24.7m) Series B funding round underscores the potential of Enara Bio’s platform, which was also supported by other investors such as M Ventures. This development comes at a critical time when cancer treatment remains a priority, with over three million estimated patients in the UK and around 167,000 annual deaths.
Partnering with Pfizer Ventures, Enara Bio seeks to enhance cancer immunotherapy effectiveness. Rana Al-Hallaq, Ph.D., a partner at Pfizer Ventures, remarked, ‘Dark Antigens may unlock the potential of immunotherapy for many additional patients with solid tumors, and we are pleased to support Enara’s development of this cutting-edge platform.’
Enara Bio’s EDAPT platform focuses on discovering cancer antigens from what it describes as ‘genomic dark matter,’ differentiating its approach to immunotherapy. The company’s licensing of its platform to external firms, such as the major German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim, exemplifies its strategic alliances.
CEO Kevin Pojasek highlighted Enara Bio’s progress by noting, ‘The fundraise we are announcing today reflects the quality of our science and further underlines not only the groundbreaking potential of Dark Antigens, but also our internal pipeline of first-in-class immunotherapies.’ The firm’s financial achievements are evident, with a swing to £1m in pre-tax profits in 2023 from a prior £14m loss, alongside a tripling in turnover to £17.4m.
Enara Bio’s advancements and strategic investments position it as a significant player in the future of cancer treatment innovation.
