Excalipoint Therapeutics, a Shanghai-based biotech newcomer, officially launched with $68.7 million in financing. The company focuses on developing multi-specific antibody therapies designed to enhance “T cell engagers” for treating cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Technical innovations for solid tumors While T cell engagers have seen success in liquid cancers, treating solid tumors remains challenging due to side effects and tumor resistance. Excalipoint aims to overcome these hurdles through two primary strategies:
-
Trispecific antibodies: By targeting three markers instead of the traditional two, the company believes its therapies can help the immune system better recognize “cold tumors” that typically evade immune detection.
-
Masking technology: This allows drugs to remain inactive until they reach the tumor microenvironment, sparing healthy tissues and reducing the risk of overactive immune responses.
Pipeline and strategic outlook The company’s lead program, EXP011, is currently in early human testing for malignancies expressing the DLL3 protein. Another candidate, EXP012, targeting gastrointestinal cancers, is expected to follow later this year. Both assets were licensed from Lepu Biopharma.
Excalipoint’s launch highlights a growing trend of startups leveraging Chinese laboratory discoveries to rapidly reach clinical milestones. Backed by 11 major investors, including Lilly Asia Ventures and Eisai’s venture arm, the company aims to establish itself as a key strategic partner for multinational pharmaceutical corporations.
Source: https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/excalipoint-biotech-startup-china-t-cell-engagers/814829/