Hillstar Bio Secures $67M Series A Funding to Advance Precision Immunology Pipeline

Hillstar Bio, a Boston-based biotech startup, has emerged as a new player in the autoimmune disease space with a substantial $67 million Series A funding round. The company, founded by industry veterans from Takeda and Boston Pharmaceuticals, is set to advance its innovative pipeline focused on precision immunology treatments for autoimmune conditions and arthritis.

Leadership and Funding

Hillstar Bio's executive team brings a wealth of experience to the table. Robert Mabry, former chief scientific officer at Orna Therapeutics and global head of biologics at Takeda, leads the company as CEO. Mitchell Keegan, previously SVP of clinical development at Boston Pharmaceutical, serves as chief development officer, while Lauren Mifflin, principal of company creation at Frazier Life Sciences, takes on the role of chief operating officer.

The $67 million Series A funding round was led by a syndicate of investors, including Frazier Life Sciences, Droia Ventures, and Novo Holdings A/S (the investment arm of Novo Nordisk). LifeArc Ventures and Hummingbird Bioscience also participated in the round.

Innovative Approach to Autoimmune Diseases

Hillstar Bio's core strategy revolves around developing treatments that selectively remove harmful immune cells while preserving healthy ones. The company's lead program, HBS-101, targets TRBV9+ cells, a subset of T cells implicated in various autoimmune conditions.

The initial focus for HBS-101 is axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA), a type of arthritis affecting the chest, spine, and pelvis. Hillstar Bio aims to initiate clinical trials for this asset in 2026.

Robert Mabry emphasized the potential of their approach, stating, "Our innovative approach aims to deliver longer-lasting, more effective results compared to current treatments, improving patient outcomes and potentially reducing the long-term need for immunosuppressive therapies."

Promising Early Results and Future Pipeline

Proof-of-concept studies have shown promising results for Hillstar Bio's targeted approach. In one notable case, selectively deleting specific T cells led to remission lasting years in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis, a form of AxSpA.

Beyond HBS-101, Hillstar Bio plans to expand its portfolio to include other "precision immunology" therapies targeting additional autoimmune conditions associated with specific immune cell types. These programs are currently in the discovery stage.

The substantial Series A funding will support both the advancement of HBS-101 and the expansion of Hillstar Bio's broader pipeline, positioning the company as a potentially significant player in the autoimmune disease treatment landscape.