Reprogram Biosciences, a preclinical oncology biotechnology company developing mRNA-based therapeutics for solid tumors, announced the close of its seed financing round, bringing the company’s total capital raised since its 2025 founding to $6 million. The financing round included participation from investors such as Unshackled Ventures, 1517 Fund, and Narya.
The newly raised capital will be used to support development of Reprogram Biosciences’ lead therapeutic program, expand its artificial intelligence-powered discovery capabilities, and advance chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) activities as the company moves its platform forward.
Founded in 2025 and headquartered in San Carlos, Reprogram Biosciences is developing a new category of cancer therapeutics based on in situ cell reprogramming. The company’s approach utilizes mRNA-encoded gene combinations that are delivered directly into tumors, with the goal of converting tumor cells into immune-activating cells capable of stimulating an antitumor immune response.
Rather than relying on externally supplied immune cells or broadly acting systemic therapies, Reprogram’s technology is designed to transform the tumor itself into a site of immune activation. By inducing antigen-presenting functions within tumor cells, the company aims to convert immunosuppressive tumor environments into locations where the immune system can be primed to recognize and attack cancer throughout the body.
The company also leverages an AI-powered discovery platform called CellRecodeX. The platform integrates multiple biological foundation models and is designed to identify, prioritize, and optimize therapeutic reprogramming candidates. Reprogram believes the technology can accelerate candidate nomination and support expansion of its pipeline into additional oncology indications.
According to the company, many solid tumors continue to present significant treatment challenges despite advances in immunotherapy, creating an opportunity for novel approaches that can improve immune recognition of cancer cells.
KEY QUOTES:
“Many solid tumors remain difficult to treat despite advances in immunotherapy. Our approach is differentiated by its reprogramming of the tumor itself into a site of immune activation, rather than relying on exogenous immune cells or broadly acting systemic agents.”
Rustam Esanov, CEO & Co-founder, Reprogram Biosciences
“This is a first-in-class approach to a problem that kills 10 million people a year, built by founders who moved from concept to in vivo data in six months with unparalleled capital efficiency. That’s the kind of team and science Narya was built to back.”
Colin Greenspon, Co-founder & Partner, Narya
