Reverb Therapeutics Raises $12M to Advance Amplify•R™ Platform
Reverb Therapeutics, a biotechnology company pioneering innovative approaches to harness the natural immune system and cytokine signaling for the treatment of life-threatening diseases, has announced the successful closing of a $12 million seed financing round. This round was led by founding investor Amplitude Ventures, with additional participation from a diverse group of investors, including the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation’s venture philanthropy arm, the Myeloma Investment Fund, as well as KdT Ventures, Finchley Healthcare Ventures, InBC Investment Corp. (InBC), and Seido Capital.
The successful completion of this funding round represents a significant milestone for Reverb Therapeutics as it seeks to advance its proprietary Amplify•R™ platform. The platform is designed to overcome long-standing challenges in the development of cytokine-based therapies by utilizing a unique approach that modulates endogenous cytokines rather than relying on exogenous administration.
Addressing Challenges in Cytokine Therapeutics
Cytokines, a class of small proteins essential for immune signaling, have long been recognized for their potential in treating cancer and autoimmune diseases. However, past efforts to harness cytokines for therapeutic applications have faced significant hurdles, including systemic toxicity, immune system overactivation, and complex manufacturing challenges. These limitations have prevented cytokine therapies from reaching their full potential in clinical settings.
Reverb’s Amplify•R™ platform represents a novel approach to overcoming these challenges. By leveraging bispecific antibody engineering alongside advanced data-driven modeling, the platform enables the precise redirection of endogenous cytokines to specific tissues of interest. This innovative strategy avoids the toxicities and immune-related complications that have hindered prior attempts at cytokine therapy, offering a promising new avenue for treating a range of diseases.
The Science Behind Amplify•R™
At the core of Reverb’s technology is its ability to harness the body’s natural cytokine signaling mechanisms while avoiding the pitfalls associated with systemic cytokine administration. Traditional cytokine therapies often require high doses of externally delivered cytokines, leading to widespread immune activation that can cause severe side effects. In contrast, the Amplify•R™ platform enhances and directs the action of naturally occurring cytokines, ensuring a more targeted and controlled immune response.
The platform employs bispecific antibodies engineered to bind both a cytokine and a specific immune checkpoint or cellular target. This approach allows for the localized delivery of cytokine activity to desired sites, such as tumors or inflamed tissues, without causing widespread immune activation. By modulating the actions of endogenous cytokines, Reverb aims to create safer and more effective treatments for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and other immune-related disorders.
Preclinical Success and Future Prospects
Reverb’s research has demonstrated the potential of the Amplify•R™ platform through a series of in vivo preclinical studies. These studies have provided proof-of-concept for the platform’s ability to redirect endogenous cytokines effectively, leading to significant tumor shrinkage in animal models. The data further support a growing body of evidence that bispecific antibodies can play a crucial role in guiding cytokines to PD-1-positive cells, an approach that may offer improved therapeutic outcomes compared to traditional cytokine therapies.
A key focus of Reverb’s current research is its lead program, AMP01, which is designed to block PD-1 while simultaneously delivering endogenous IL-15. IL-15 is a critical cytokine involved in the activation and expansion of cytotoxic T cells, which are essential for the immune system’s ability to target and eliminate cancer cells. By directing IL-15 activity specifically to PD-1-positive cells, AMP01 aims to enhance immune responses against tumors while minimizing off-target effects and toxicity.
Strategic Vision and Investor Confidence
The $12 million seed funding will enable Reverb Therapeutics to advance its lead IL-15 bispecific program to the candidate selection stage. Additionally, the company plans to expand its pipeline by developing bispecific programs targeting other cytokines and immune-modulating pathways.
Dr. David de Graaf, CEO of Reverb Therapeutics, expressed enthusiasm about the company’s progress and the strong support from investors:
“We are excited to have the backing of this standout group of investors as we advance the Amplify•R platform. The potential applications of this technology extend far beyond our lead IL-15 program, and with this funding, we will accelerate our efforts to develop novel bispecific antibody therapeutics targeting a range of cytokines and cellular pathways.”
Investors have also voiced their confidence in Reverb’s innovative approach and the promise of its technology. Dr. Bharat Srinivasa, Principal at Amplitude Ventures, highlighted the transformative potential of the Amplify•R platform:
“Since its launch, Reverb has made significant progress in demonstrating the superiority of the Amplify•R platform. The preclinical data generated to date are extremely exciting, and we believe that this approach will enable Reverb to succeed where many attempts using exogenous cytokines have encountered insurmountable obstacles.”
Expansion and Leadership Growth
In addition to securing funding, Reverb Therapeutics is expanding its leadership team with the appointment of two new board members who bring extensive experience in biotechnology and pharmaceutical development.
- Dr. Maude Tessier, a seasoned biopharma executive, has served as Chief Business Officer in multiple companies and has a proven track record in company building and strategic partnerships.
- Dr. Stephan Kontos, a biotech entrepreneur, currently chairs the scientific advisory board at Anokion and has a strong background in immunotherapy and biopharmaceutical innovation.
Their expertise will be instrumental in guiding Reverb’s strategic direction and ensuring the successful advancement of its technology and therapeutic pipeline.
The Future of Cytokine-Based Therapies
Reverb Therapeutics’ groundbreaking approach has the potential to revolutionize the field of cytokine therapeutics. By leveraging the body’s natural immune mechanisms and employing precision-targeted antibody engineering, the company aims to develop safer, more effective treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases. The Amplify•R platform’s ability to overcome the limitations of traditional cytokine therapies represents a major step forward in immunotherapy, offering new hope to patients with conditions that have been historically difficult to treat.
As Reverb progresses toward clinical development, the successful completion of this funding round provides the necessary resources to accelerate its research and bring innovative therapies closer to patients. With strong scientific validation, a robust pipeline, and an experienced leadership team, Reverb Therapeutics is well-positioned to make a meaningful impact in the biopharmaceutical industry and advance the future of precision immunotherapy.
