Frazier Life Sciences has launched Callio Therapeutics, a cancer therapy startup with headquarters in Seattle and Singapore.
Frazier led a $187 million Series A funding round to support the development of cutting-edge cancer treatments utilizing multi-payload antibody-drug conjugates (ADC).
Innovative Cancer Therapy Approach
Callio holds an exclusive license to develop ADC-based cancer treatments pioneered by Hummingbird Bioscience. These therapies use antibodies to precisely deliver multiple drug payloads to cancer cells, a rapidly growing area of oncology research.
In May, Hummingbird Bioscience scientists presented preclinical data demonstrating that their fourth-generation ADC platform can potentially overcome drug resistance and be fine-tuned for specific tumors.
Focus on HER2-Related Breast Cancer
Callio’s initial focus is on developing an advanced ADC therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer.
“Multi-payload ADCs have the potential to enable the targeted delivery of rational drug combinations to cancer cells and may provide significantly enhanced efficacy,” said Callio CEO Piers Ingram.
Leadership and Investors
Callio’s leadership team includes:
- Piers Ingram – CEO
- Jerome Boyd-Kirkup – Chief Scientific Officer
- Angèle Maki – Chief Business Officer
- Dr. Naomi Hunder – Chief Medical Officer (formerly at ProfoundBio and Silverback Therapeutics)
Frazier Life Sciences, based in Silicon Valley, recently raised $630 million for biotech investments. It also operates a separate healthcare fund, Frazier Healthcare Partners, which recently secured $2.3 billion for its 11th fund.
Callio’s $187M Series A round included backing from Jeito Capital, Novo Holdings A/S, Omega Funds, ClavystBio, Platanus, Norwest, Pureos Bioventures, SEEDS Capital, and EDBI.
With this funding, Callio Therapeutics is positioned to drive the next wave of ADC-based cancer treatments, bringing advanced precision oncology solutions to patients worldwide.