Poplar Therapeutics has launched as a clinical-stage immunology company with a $50 million Series A financing to advance PHB-050, a next-generation anti-IgE antibody being developed for food allergy and other atopic conditions such as asthma and atopic dermatitis.
The Series A was led by SR One, Vida Ventures, and Platanus. Formerly known as Phylaxis Bioscience, the company said its strategy is aimed at addressing a major gap in care for patients with elevated IgE levels who are ineligible for or do not respond adequately to existing anti-IgE therapy, including omalizumab (Xolair).
Poplar said PHB-050 is designed with a “triple-action” mechanism intended to (1) block IgE binding to mast cells that trigger allergic reactions, (2) rapidly reduce circulating IgE, and (3) inhibit IgE production. The company’s ongoing Phase 1 trial is expected to generate results in the second half of 2026, with readouts focused on safety, pharmacokinetics, and the therapy’s potential to rapidly drive IgE levels toward zero.
Leadership includes Chip Baird as president and CEO (appointed October 2025), René van der Merwe, M.D., as chief medical officer, and Vicki Eatwell as chief financial officer. Poplar’s board is chaired by Dan Welch and includes Joanne Waldstreicher, M.D., along with investor representatives and company founders/executives. Poplar also said it will present at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on January 15 in San Francisco.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are launching Poplar Therapeutics with the goal of transforming the treatment of atopic diseases. PHB-050 has the potential to be best-in-class and help millions of patients in need of effective treatment options. The ongoing Phase 1 will provide important data on safety, pharmacokinetics and PHB-050’s potential to rapidly drive IgE levels toward zero. We expect to have the results of our Phase 1 study during the second half of 2026.”
Chip Baird, Chief Executive Officer, Poplar Therapeutics
“We have incorporated the last 20 years of learnings from the field into the design of PHB-050. Preclinical data suggest PHB-050 can not only bind and block soluble IgE but can also rapidly drive total IgE toward zero. With PHB-050, our goal is to enable the effective treatment of all patients, including those with highly elevated IgE levels who cannot be treated with existing therapies.”
Tony Yao, M.D., Ph.D., Founder, Poplar Therapeutics
