Hillstar Bio, a leading biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation precision immunology therapies for autoimmune diseases, announced the closing of a $67 million Series A funding round. This funding was led by a syndicate of experienced investors and shareholders from the U.S., Europe, and Asia, including Droia Ventures, Frazier Life Sciences, Novo Holdings, LifeArc Ventures, and Hummingbird Bioscience.
Hillstar Bio transforms autoimmune disease treatment through a precision-driven approach that selectively depletes pathogenic cells while preserving healthy ones. And this method promises to provide durable relief and improve patient outcomes compared to traditional immunosuppressive therapies. Additionally, the company’s versatile approach leverages tailored discovery techniques for each therapeutic, free from the constraints of traditional drug development platforms.
The new funding round will advance Hillstar Bio’s lead program, which specifically targets TRBV9+ T cells, into clinical trials in 2026. And initially, the focus will be on treating axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) and potentially other immune and inflammatory conditions associated with HLA-B27.
The funding will also support the expansion of Hillstar Bio’s portfolio, which includes a variety of precision immunology therapies aimed at specific immune cell subsets across a range of autoimmune diseases.
Hillstar Bio features a team with deep expertise in antibody engineering, immunology, and clinical development. And the company’s approach combines scientific knowledge with a risk-mitigating strategy, utilizing validated technologies and disease-specific biomarkers to identify the patient populations most likely to benefit from their treatments.
The company’s leadership includes:
Hillstar Bio Executive Team
1.) Robert Mabry, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, previously Chief Scientific Officer at Orna Therapeutics and Global Head of Biologics at Takeda
2.) Mitchell Keegan, Ph.D., Chief Development Officer, previously SVP of Clinical Development at Boston Pharmaceuticals and VP of Clinical Development at Verastem Oncology
3.) Lauren Mifflin, Ph.D., MBA, Chief Operating Officer, Principal of Company Creation at Frazier Life Sciences, previously on the founding teams of multiple venture-backed biotechs, including Ypsilon Therapeutics, Nido Biosciences, and Entrada Therapeutics.
Board of Directors
1.) Luc Dochez, Pharm.D., MBA, Executive Chair, Managing Partner, Droia Ventures
2.) Dan Estes, Ph.D., General Partner, Frazier Life Sciences
3.) Kenneth Harrison, Ph.D., Senior Partner, Novo Holdings A/S
4.) Piers Ingram, Ph.D., MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Hummingbird Bioscience
5.) Robert Mabry, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, Hillstar Bio
6.) Matthias Van Woensel, Ph.D., Partner, Droia Ventures
KEY QUOTES:
“The interplay between HLA-B27 and TRBV9+ T cells in autoimmune conditions like AxSpA offers a unique opportunity for our lead program. Our innovative approach aims to deliver longer-lasting, more effective results compared to current treatments, improving patient outcomes and potentially reducing the long-term need for immunosuppressive therapies.”
- Robert Mabry, CEO of Hillstar Bio
“We are excited to collaborate with the Hillstar Bio team in bringing groundbreaking, precision-driven immunotherapies to patients living with autoimmune diseases. Hillstar Bio has the critical elements necessary to transform autoimmune disease treatment, including top-tier antibody engineering capabilities, a deep understanding of immune cell biology, and an exceptional team of scientists, industry leaders, and advisors.”
- Luc Dochez, Executive Chair at Hillstar Bio and Managing Partner at Droia Ventures
