Conformation-X Therapeutics Bolts out of Stealth, Securing Over $13.5M in Funding to Propel Its Innovative Immune-Oncology Pipeline
3.4.2024 13:55:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
Conformation-X Therapeutics, LLC, an immune-oncology focused drug development company, announced today that it has closed an oversubscribed funding tranche of $3.65M, bringing the total raised since inception to over $13.5M. The company unveiled its lead assets by disclosing successful ex vivo and in vivo proof-of-concept studies for its HHLA2 and IL18BP programs, marking critical milestones in the cancer drug development process.
Drawing inspiration from the fundamental role of protein conformations in disease biology and drug efficacy, Conformation-X applies unparalleled precision to developing novel immune checkpoint inhibitors. The company is creating a comprehensive portfolio of differentiated therapeutics addressing cancer mechanisms that have eluded existing treatments.
“The limitations of current checkpoint therapies are evident, as they don’t fully target the diverse spectrum of mechanisms associated with non-responsiveness and treatment resistance,” said Dr. Ali H. Munawar, CEO of Conformation-X Therapeutics.
Despite the pivotal role of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in cancer immunotherapy, several peer-reviewed clinical studies have shown that the overall response rate across various cancers remains at or below 20%. Patients facing resistance to conventional checkpoint therapies encounter a range of challenges. This includes tumors that inherently possess low immunogenicity, are less likely to trigger an immune response, and immune exclusion, which restricts immune cells from the tumor microenvironment (TME). Moreover, complex genetic landscapes featuring oncogenic drivers and epigenetic modifications further contribute to immune evasion and influence treatment outcomes.
Dr. Munawar added, “We are committed to pioneering alternative therapeutic options for these patients by targeting novel biology and molecular pathways. The successive rounds of funding are a testament to our investors’ confidence in the innovation and rigor behind our efforts.”
The recent capital infusion accelerates the company towards translational studies of its lead asset and facilitates the expansion of its pipeline. The company's pipeline encompasses diverse drug target classes, extending beyond the current landscape of immune checkpoints to include novel soluble and epigenetic checkpoints while continuing to innovate within the B7-family of receptors.
“Achieving selective therapeutic targeting of HHLA2 demonstrates our team’s profound understanding of its intricate structure-function relationship and the critical role that HHLA2 plays in tumor immune evasion. Our work highlights the strength of Conformation-X’s drug discovery platform,” said Dr. Stephen Weeks, Sr. Director of Structural Biology and Biophysics.
About Conformation-X Therapeutics
Conformation-X utilizes a proprietary discovery platform enriched by structural insights to pioneer therapeutics with innovative mechanisms of action. The company is developing a diverse portfolio of immunotherapies that activate both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. The company’s premier preclinical asset includes a potent HHLA2-inhibitor that selectively restores its immune-suppressing effect with application in PD1/PDL1-negative cancers. To learn more visit www.conformationx.com.
Conformation-X Therapeutics is an independent, privately held research & development (R&D) company affiliated with the Pledge Therapeutics discovery platform.
About Pledge Therapeutics
Pledge Therapeutics is headquartered in Greater Boston with a second R&D branch in Leuven, Belgium. Pledge harnesses a state-of-the-art platform that merges structure-based drug design with biophysics, facilitating breakthroughs in the design of treatments for challenging therapeutic targets.
Pledge is grounded in a collaborative ethos, drawing on a network of experienced life sciences entrepreneurs, clinicians, and discovery scientists. Under its management umbrella, Pledge unites two independent biotech ventures: Orthogon Therapeutics, which specializes in antiviral treatments, and Conformation-X, dedicated to advancements in immune-oncology. This integrated model reinforces Pledge’s mission to revolutionize patient care across diverse therapeutic areas. More info on www.pledge-tx.com.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240403623298/en/
Contact information
Media
Ali H. Munawar, Ph.D.
amunawar@conformationx.com
1-339-502-8643
Maria Martin
mmartin@pledge-tx.com
1-339-502-8630
Krishna Kandala
kkandala@pledge-tx.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
IAMPHENOM Europe 2026 Registration Opens: HR’s Leading Conference for Agentic AI Learning Returns20.5.2026 14:00:00 EEST | Press release
Phenom, the leader in applied AI with an infrastructure built specifically to redesign work operations, today announced registration is open for IAMPHENOM Europe 2026, taking place 4-5 November in Paris, France. The only applied AI event dedicated to human resources on the continent, IAMPHENOM Europe gives HR and HRIT leaders the agentic AI strategies, instruction and proof points they need to build their AI-augmented workforce to address their biggest hiring, development and retention challenges. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260520683492/en/ Phenom today announced registration is open for IAMPHENOM Europe 2026. The only applied AI event dedicated to human resources on the continent is taking place 4-5 November in Paris, France. European organisations face pressure from every direction, including widening skills shortages, tightening EU AI Act compliance and competitors moving faster with AI than HR teams c
BeOne Medicines Launches One Save Changes Everything, a Global Cancer Care Awareness Campaign with Soccer Legend Tim Howard20.5.2026 13:00:00 EEST | Press release
BeOne Medicines Ltd. (“BeOne”) (Nasdaq: ONC; HKEX: 06160; SSE: 688235), a global oncology company, today launched One Save Changes Everything, a campaign that uses soccer as a lens to recognize the scientific, clinical, and human moments that matter in cancer care. The campaign launches with goalkeeping legends, including former U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Tim Howard. The initiative is backed by a $300,000 community commitment for the installation of soccer mini-pitches near cancer treatment centers with the U.S. Soccer Foundation, and BeOne colleague‑driven charitable support across the world. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260520118614/en/ BeOne Medicines' One Save Changes Everything campaign uses soccer as a lens to recognize the scientific, clinical, and human moments that matter in cancer care. John V. Oyler, Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO, BeOne Medicines, said: “Just like soccer is defined by sa
Chiesi Group Announces New Chair and Vice Chair20.5.2026 12:00:00 EEST | Press release
Chiesi today announced a planned leadership change in its Board of Directors: Maria Paola Chiesi has been appointed Chair of the Board, succeeding Alessandro Chiesi, who is completing his tenure after nearly three years in the role, and will now continue to serve as Vice Chair. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260520447292/en/ Maria Paola Chiesi is appointed Chair of Chiesi Board of Directors, the first woman in this role; aims to reinforce sustainability as an integral and enduring pillar of the Group’s strategy During his mandate, Alessandro Chiesi oversaw the Group through a phase of continued international development and governance strengthening, thereby further consolidating Chiesi’s long-term strategy as a research focused biopharmaceutical company and certified B Corp. “It has been my privilege to serve as Chair during a period of evolution for Chiesi,” said Alessandro Chiesi. “What has remained unchang
Insurance Investment Outsourcing Surpasses $5.5 Trillion as Private Markets and Global Expansion Reshape the Industry20.5.2026 10:00:00 EEST | Press release
Clearwater Analytics (NYSE: CWAN) today released the 2026 Insurance Investment Outsourcing Report (IIOR), produced in partnership with DCS Financial Consulting. The report captures $5.5 trillion in third-party general account insurance assets under management across 96 asset managers, a 23% increase year-over-year and a 65% increase since 2021, alongside $1.8 trillion in assets under advisement across 12 investment consultants. The findings point to an outsourcing market that has become larger, more global, and materially more complex. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260520780028/en/ The 2026 IIOR reveals defining trends reshaping insurance investment management: Private Markets Cross a Threshold. Third-party private insurance AUM has more than doubled since 2021, reaching $947 billion and approaching one-third of outsourced insurance allocations alongside public assets. Insurers have moved steadily beyond tra
Factbird Adds Quality & Compliance and Reports to its Manufacturing Intelligence Platform20.5.2026 09:00:00 EEST | Press release
Today, Factbird is announcing two major additions to its manufacturing intelligence platform: Quality & Compliance and Factbird Reports. Both address a problem that compounds as manufacturers grow. More sites mean more variation in how work gets done. More regulation means more documentation pressure on frontline teams. And more data, when fragmented across systems, often slows decisions rather than speeding them up. Solving this has traditionally meant large IT projects and months of deployment. “Enterprise manufacturers shouldn’t have to choose between capability and simplicity,” said Mogens Arne Hansen, Chief Technology and Product Officerat Factbird. “With Quality & Compliance and Reports, you can have standardized, audit-ready operations and automated performance reporting across every site, deployed in days, used by the people on the floor.” Quality & Compliance: standardized, compliant operations across every site Regulated manufacturers in food and beverage, pharma, and medical
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom