Mark Anderson
2020 was an unprecedented year across all industries, not least the Biopharma sector. Startups had to navigate numerous challenges during the global pandemic, but many still managed to put forward groundbreaking innovations and lay the groundwork for a brighter future. This particularly rings true in Cambridge, a flourishing hub of scientific and technological advances in the UK and US. Today, we’ll be spotlighting some of these bold startups operating in this thriving biopharma ecosystem.
Cambridge, renowned for its renowned academic prowess and dynamic tech scene, has seen several startups within the Biopharma industry bloom in recent years. Their work is forging new paths in the complex field of biopharma, an industry at the forefront of some of the world’s most significant health challenges. From curing previously untreatable diseases to developing new approaches to immunology, these startups are helping to shape the future of medicine.
In this roundup, we will introduce you to startups that have been founded in 2020 or later, making strides in this ever-evolving industry. Innovating in areas such as biotechnology, healthcare, life sciences, and therapeutics, these companies are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Let’s dive in!
Be Biopharma
Founded by Aleks Radovic-Moreno, David Rawlings, David Steinberg, and Lea Hachigian, Be Biopharma is pioneering the development of B cells as medicines. Their cutting-edge biotech research processes are focused on exploring innovative therapeutical possibilities. Be Biopharma’s work harnesses the power of B cells—immune cells that play a pivotal role in our body’s defenses against diseases.
Totus Medicines
At Totus Medicines, led by founder Neil Dhawan, a revolutionary chemical biology approach is being used to create life-changing therapies. Their seminal work is aimed at tackling diseases that have remained untreatable thus far, heralding new hope for patients worldwide.
Catamaran Bio
Founded by Branden S. Moriarity, and Kevin Pojasek, Catamaran Bio specializes in the development of allogeneic immune cell therapies. This biotech company aims to meet unmet medical needs by developing off-the-shelf products that leverage the body’s natural defenses.
Bicara Therapeutics
Bicara
Therapeutics, a Boston-based subsidiary of Biocon, utilizes the latest advances in immuno-oncology for their pipeline of bifunctional antibodies. They aim to accelerate the development of cutting-edge therapies for cancer by harnessing the vibrant innovation ecosystem across the U.S.
Cargene
Founded by XiangQian (XQ) Lin, Cargene Biopharma is a preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical company working on innovative oligonucleotide therapeutics for liver fibrosis and ophthalmic disorders. Their proprietary platforms, based on novel biological and chemical insights, aim to create potent nucleic acid-based medicines for a broad range of diseases.
Kojin Therapeutics
Conceived by Stuart Schreiber, Benjamin Cravatt, Stephanie Dougan, and Vasanthi Viswanathan, Kojin Therapeutics is a rapidly advancing drug discovery platform connecting complex cell states to known biochemical processes. This startup is on a mission to develop selective therapies for a broad range of hard-to-treat diseases.
Concerto Biosciences
The innovative team at Concerto Biosciences, founded by Adil Bahalim, Bernardo Cervantes, Cheri Ackerman, and Jared Kehe, is revolutionizing our understanding of microbial communities. They have developed the first-ever ultra-high-throughput platform to measure millions of microbial interactions, paving the way for a new class of products that can shepherd damaged microbial communities back to health.
VRise Therapeutics
Specializing in drug discovery research, VRise Therapeutics offers intelligent solutions to the drug development process, spanning aspects like intellectual property, regulatory sciences, and corporate governance. Their work supports more streamlined, efficient pathways to the delivery of new treatments.
Only Orphans Cote
Only Orphans Cote, led by founder Timothy R. Cote, provides regulatory health consulting services. They facilitate the production of medications for diseases that currently lack effective treatments, driving progress in investment appeal, asset valuation, and exit alternatives.
Auraleaf Innovations Inc.
Founded by Kaveh Nedamat, Auraleaf Innovations is making its mark in the Biopharma landscape, focusing on consumer goods, dental health, and personal health sectors.
Bloomsbury Genetic Therapies
Based in Cambridge, UK, Bloomsbury Genetic Therapies is working to develop curative treatments for rare neurological and metabolic diseases using emerging gene therapy technologies. This company is taking significant strides in the field of genetic therapies, offering hope for those afflicted with rare and currently incurable conditions.
