Abcuro Secures $200M Series C to Advance Inclusion Body Myositis Drug
Abcuro, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapies to treat autoimmune diseases and cancer by precisely modulating cytotoxic T cells, has successfully closed a $200 million Series C financing round. The investment was led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and saw participation from several prominent investors, including Foresite Capital, 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 Inc., funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, Eurofarma Ventures, and Soleus Capital.
This latest funding round serves as a strong endorsement of Abcuro’s scientific vision and the potential impact of its lead therapeutic candidate, ulviprubart (ABC008), a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that targets killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1). Ulviprubart is being investigated for its ability to treat progressive and debilitating diseases driven by highly cytotoxic T cells, particularly inclusion body myositis (IBM).
Advancing Ulviprubart Through Clinical Trials
With the proceeds from the Series C financing, Abcuro intends to advance its registrational Phase 2/3 MUSCLE clinical trial evaluating ulviprubart for the treatment of IBM. Inclusion body myositis is a rare and progressive muscle-wasting disorder that significantly impacts mobility and quality of life. Currently, there are no FDA-approved treatments available for IBM, making ulviprubart a potentially groundbreaking therapeutic option for patients suffering from this disease.
Assuming positive results from the MUSCLE trial, Abcuro plans to submit a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Additionally, a portion of the funds from this financing round will be allocated toward commercial launch preparation. The company is also looking to expand its manufacturing capabilities and invest in other pre-commercial activities to ensure readiness for potential market entry.
Alex Martin, Chief Executive Officer of Abcuro, expressed confidence in the company’s trajectory, stating, “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.”
Strategic Significance of Ulviprubart’s Mechanism of Action
Ulviprubart’s mechanism of action is uniquely designed to selectively target and deplete highly cytotoxic T cells by inhibiting KLRG1, a key inhibitory receptor. This targeted approach could significantly alter the treatment landscape for autoimmune diseases where excessive cytotoxic T cell activity leads to disease progression. IBM is one such condition in which pathogenic T cells contribute to chronic inflammation and muscle degeneration, making KLRG1 inhibition a promising therapeutic strategy.
Encouraging clinical and preclinical data have already demonstrated the potential of ulviprubart, reinforcing investor confidence and positioning the therapy as a frontrunner in the development of targeted autoimmune disease treatments.
Michele Park, PhD, Partner at NEA, highlighted the potential of ulviprubart, stating, “Abcuro represents an exciting opportunity with its lead candidate, ulviprubart, a potential first-in-class therapy that could make a big impact on 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.”
The Growing Need for Effective IBM Treatments
Inclusion body myositis is a progressive, debilitating muscle disease that primarily affects older adults. It leads to muscle weakness, loss of function, and difficulty with basic activities such as walking and swallowing. Despite extensive research efforts, no approved treatments currently exist, leaving patients with limited options to manage symptoms and slow disease progression.
Abcuro’s commitment to addressing this unmet need aligns with a broader industry trend toward precision immunotherapy—leveraging the immune system’s own mechanisms to selectively target disease-driving cells while minimizing collateral damage to healthy tissues. This approach has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of not only IBM but also other autoimmune conditions and cancer.
A Strong Investor Backing for Future Growth
The successful Series C financing round underscores the high level of confidence that investors have in Abcuro’s innovative approach to drug development. The participation of leading venture capital and investment firms such as NEA, Foresite Capital, and RA Capital Management speaks to the potential commercial viability of ulviprubart and Abcuro’s overall pipeline.
The strong financial backing will enable Abcuro to further accelerate its research and development efforts, enhance manufacturing capabilities, and ensure smooth regulatory and commercial transition once ulviprubart achieves the necessary clinical milestones.
About Ulviprubart
Ulviprubart (ABC008) is a first-in-class anti-KLRG1 antibody product candidate capable of selectively depleting highly cytotoxic T cells, while sparing naïve, regulatory and central memory T cells. Ulviprubart is designed to treat diseases mediated by highly cytotoxic T cells, including the autoimmune muscle disease inclusion body myositis (IBM) and T cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL). The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have each granted orphan drug designation to ulviprubart for the treatment of IBM.
About Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM)
IBM is an autoimmune disease in which highly cytotoxic T cells chronically attack muscle tissue leading to progressive weakness and limb muscle atrophy. Patients progressively lose muscle function, including loss of grip, dexterity and mobility. There are currently no available disease-modifying treatment options for IBM. Based on published epidemiology literature, it is estimated that there are more than 50,000 people with IBM across the US and Europe.
About Abcuro
Abcuro is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class immunotherapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer through precise modulation of highly cytotoxic T cells. The company’s lead program is ulviprubart (ABC008) and is currently in clinical trials for inclusion body myositis (IBM) and T cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia.
