Bambusa Therapeutics Secures $90M Series A Funding for Bispecific Antibody Development

Bambusa Therapeutics, a Boston-based startup focusing on immunological and inflammatory disorders, has successfully raised $90 million in a Series A funding round. The investment will propel the development of the company's pipeline of bispecific antibodies targeting various indications.

Leadership and Founding

Founded in early 2024, Bambusa Therapeutics is led by former BioNTech executives. CEO and President Shanshan Xu, previously vice president for external innovations at BioNTech, is at the helm. Co-founder Helmut Jeggle, who sits on BioNTech's board, brings additional industry expertise to the venture.

"We founded Bambusa Therapeutics with a belief that the I&I field is long overdue for innovative approaches and transformative therapeutics," Xu stated in September 2024.

Pipeline and Development Plans

Bambusa's pipeline consists of four molecules, with two lead candidates poised to enter clinical trials:

1. BBT001: A bispecific antibody targeting unspecified dermatological conditions, expected to start clinical trials by the end of Q1 2025.
2. BBT002: Another bispecific with potential applications in respiratory, dermatological, and gastroenterological indications, slated for clinical trials in mid-2025.
3. BBT003 and BBT004: Two additional molecules aimed at inflammatory bowel and rheumatological diseases.

While specific technical details remain undisclosed, the company's focus on bispecific antibodies represents a cutting-edge approach in the immunology and inflammation space.

Investment Details and Market Context

The $90 million Series A round was led by RA Capital Management, with participation from Janus Henderson Investors, Redmile Group, Invus, and ADAR1 Capital Management. This follows Bambusa's initial $15 million seed round closed in September 2024, which included investors such as BVF Partners, KKR, Salvia GmbH, and INCE Capital.

Bambusa's significant funding comes amid a surge of investment in the immunology and inflammation sector. Recent years have seen major pharmaceutical companies entering co-development deals with smaller biotechs, as well as notable mergers and acquisitions. Examples include Eli Lilly's $3.2 billion acquisition of Morphic Holding and Vertex's $4.9 billion purchase of Alpine Immune Sciences, both in 2024.

As Bambusa Therapeutics advances its pipeline toward clinical trials, the substantial Series A funding positions the company as a notable player in the competitive landscape of bispecific antibody development for immunological and inflammatory disorders.