Abcuro: $200 Million (Series C) Raised For Advancing Medicine In Development For Inclusion Body Myositis

By Amit Chowdhry • Feb 19, 2025

Abcuro – a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer through precise modulation of cytotoxic T cells – announced the closing of a $200 million Series C financing led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA) with Foresite Capital joining the round and participation of existing investors including RA Capital Management, Bain Capital Life Sciences, Redmile Group, Samsara BioCapital, Sanofi Ventures, Pontifax, Mass General Brigham Ventures, New Leaf Ventures, funds managed by abrdn, funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, Eurofarma Ventures, and Soleus Capital.

The proceeds from the Series C funding will be used to complete the registrational Phase 2/3 MUSCLE clinical trial evaluating ulviprubart (ABC008), a first-in-class monoclonal antibody targeting killer cell lectin like receptor G1 (KLRG1), for the treatment of inclusion body myositis (IBM). Assuming positive results from the MUSCLE clinical trial, Abcuro plans to file a BLA and will use some proceeds to support commercial launch preparation.

KEY QUOTES:

“Continued support from all of our investors in this latest financing round validates our vision for the potential that ulviprubart may have as a novel treatment for progressive and devastating diseases mediated by highly cytotoxic T cells, including Inclusion Body Myositis. We are in a strong position to execute on our clinical development plan, including completing our ongoing, registrational Phase 2/3 MUSCLE clinical trial of ulviprubart in IBM, and expect to report initial data in the first half of 2026. We will also look to fund the expansion of manufacturing capabilities and other pre-commercial activities this year.”

  • Alex Martin, Chief Executive Officer of Abcuro

“Abcuro represents an exciting opportunity with its lead candidate, ulviprubart, a potential first-in-class therapy that could make a big impact to the treatment paradigm of IBM, an indication with a significant unmet clinical need. Ulviprubart targets a unique mechanism that can selectively deplete cytotoxic T cells, backed by encouraging clinical and preclinical data that have been presented to date.”

  • Michele Park, PhD, Partner at NEA