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
VDYNE Receives FDA Approval to Initiate the TRIVITA 1 IDE Pivotal Trial of Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement System1.4.2026 16:30:00 EEST | Press release
VDYNE, Inc. (“VDYNE” or “the Company”), a privately held medical device company developing next generation transcatheter valve replacement technologies, today announced that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an investigational device exemption (IDE) for the company’s pivotal clinical trial evaluating its Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement (TTVR) system. The IDE approval enables initiation of a U.S. pivotal study at leading clinical centers to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the VDYNE system in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). “This is a defining milestone for VDYNE and an important step toward bringing a much-needed therapy to patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation,” said Mike Buck, Chief Executive Officer. “Our focus now is on disciplined clinical execution and partnering with leading investigators to generate high-quality data that advances the field and improves patient care.” Significant unmet clinical needs exist in the
NetJets Introduces State-of-the-Art, Exclusive-Use Terminal in Augusta, Georgia1.4.2026 16:05:00 EEST | Press release
NetJets, the global leader in private aviation, is well underway on its development of a new exclusive-use terminal at Augusta Regional Airport (AGS). This state-of-the-art facility represents a significant investment in the region and reinforces NetJets’ commitment to delivering unparalleled experiences for its customers. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260330125414/en/ NetJets to open a new, exclusive-use terminal at Augusta Regional Airport (AGS). Guests arriving this April for golf’s most iconic championship will witness the construction in progress, including the finished ramp and foundational walls of what will soon become a full-service terminal. The private ramp, offering 432,000 square feet of space for aircraft parking, will be completed in time for the 2026 golf tournament. “Augusta is a key destination for NetJets Owners,” said Patrick Gallagher, President, NetJets Aviation. “This new facility refl
Visa Unveils New Services to Modernize Dispute Resolution Process1.4.2026 16:00:00 EEST | Press release
Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, today announced six new dispute resolution tools designed to reduce the billions of dollars lost annually to inefficient, outdated dispute processes. The expanded suite of dispute resolution services is being designed to help merchants and financial institutions cut administrative costs, reduce fraud-related losses and redirect those resources toward growth, innovation and customer experience. Disputes remain one of the most persistent friction points in commerce, driving rising costs for merchants and financial institutions while simultaneously leaving consumers frustrated and confused. In 2025, Visa processed 106 million disputes globally, a 35% increase since 20191. "Dispute management is moving from a back-office function to a strategic priority, driven by rising volumes, regulatory scrutiny, and growing pressure to protect customer experience," says Sam Abadir, Research Director, Risk, Compliance & Financial Crime, IDC Financial
Neuphonic and Rapport Bring Real-Time Digital Humans to Everyday Hardware1.4.2026 16:00:00 EEST | Press release
Neuphonic and Rapport (a division of Speech Graphics) today announced a partnership to deliver what they believe is among the first fully real-time, photorealistic digital human systems running entirely on standard CPU hardware. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260401782320/en/ Rapport and Neuphonic announce a partnership to deliver next-generation conversational AI experiences. The collaboration combines Neuphonic’s ultra-low latency text-to-speech technology with Rapport, an interactive AI avatar role play platform powered by production-proven real-time facial and full-body animation technology from Speech Graphics, used in video games such as Call of Duty, The Last of Us Part II and Hogwarts Legacy. Together, the system generates natural voice, perfectly synchronised lip movement and emotionally responsive facial performance in under 100 milliseconds — enabling digital characters that can speak, react and ex
Rimini Street Announces Debt Reduction and Amendment to its Credit Agreement1.4.2026 16:00:00 EEST | Press release
Rimini Street, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMNI), the Software Support and Agentic AI ERP Company™, and the leading third-party support provider for Oracle, SAP and VMware software, today announced first quarter debt reduction activities and a recent amendment to its credit agreement. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260401160360/en/ Rimini Street Announces Debt Reduction and Amendment to its Credit Agreement Debt reduction activities during the first quarter of 2026 totaled $10.9 million, reducing the Company’s outstanding term loan to $58.4 million as of March 31, 2026. The Company’s credit agreement was amended effective as of March 27, 2026 to increase to $20.0 million the value of Company common stock that could be repurchased per annum, beginning with the Company’s 2026 fiscal year and for each fiscal year thereafter, with a revised total of $50.0 million in permitted stock repurchases from the period beginning January
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