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Abata Therapeutics has raised $95.0M across 1 funding round.
Key people at Abata Therapeutics.
Abata Therapeutics has raised $95.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Abata Therapeutics is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based biotechnology company that develops engineered regulatory T cell therapies for severe autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The firm focuses on creating tissue-specific treatments designed to halt disease progression without suppressing the entire immune system, targeting conditions like progressive multiple sclerosis and Type 1 diabetes. In June 2021, the enterprise officially launched with $95 million in Series A financing to advance its proprietary therapeutic pipeline. This initial funding round was led by Third Rock Ventures, with additional participation from prominent institutional investors including ElevateBio, Sanofi Ventures, and Lightspeed Venture Partners. The organization recently received FDA Fast Track designation for its lead candidate, ABA-101, which is currently being evaluated for progressive multiple sclerosis. Abata Therapeutics was founded in 2021 by Third Rock Ventures alongside academic pioneers Diane Mathis, Richard Ransohoff, Christophe Benoist, and Sasha Rudensky.
Abata Therapeutics has raised $95.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $95.0M Series A in June 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2021 | $95M Series A | Third Rock Ventures | ElevateBio, Invus, JDRF, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Samsara BioCapital | Announced |
Key people at Abata Therapeutics.
Abata Therapeutics has raised $95.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Abata Therapeutics's investors include Third Rock Ventures, ElevateBio, Invus, JDRF, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Samsara BioCapital.
Abata Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing targeted, autologous regulatory T cell (Treg) therapies for severe autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as progressive multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes, where current treatments are inadequate.[1][2][3] Its lead candidate, ABA-101, targets myelin basic protein (MBP) modulators for multiple sclerosis in Phase 1 trials, while ABA-201 addresses protein phosphatase inhibitor (PPI) modulators for type 1 diabetes at the IND stage, serving patients in healthcare and biotech sectors with therapies aimed at halting immune destruction, restoring homeostasis, and promoting tissue repair.[1][3] The small organization (under 50 employees) demonstrates growth momentum through clinical advancements, a strong leadership team, and recognition for its workplace culture.[2][5]
Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts, Abata Therapeutics emerged from advances in Treg biology to address unmet needs in autoimmune diseases.[1][2] Key leaders include CEO and President Samantha Singer, Chief Scientific Officer Ellen Cahir-McFarland, Chief Medical Officer Leonard Dragone, and a board featuring experts like Abbie Celniker, Mitch Finer, and Nagesh Mahanthappa, reflecting deep biotech pedigrees in cell therapy and immunology.[5] Early traction built on translating Treg research into pipeline assets like ABA-101, with a pivotal moment in September 2024 when its discovery-stage myositis program advanced, alongside Phase 1 initiation for multiple sclerosis.[3]
Abata rides the wave of cell therapy innovation in autoimmune diseases, where Tregs address root immune dysregulation amid a booming pipeline of MS therapies like tolebrutinib and fenebrutinib, yet few offer reparative potential.[1][3] Timing aligns with surging demand for precision immunology, fueled by market forces like aging populations driving nervous and immune system disease prevalence, plus regulatory tailwinds for INDs and Phase 1 trials.[3] It influences the ecosystem by advancing Treg platforms, potentially setting benchmarks for tissue-targeted autologous therapies and complementing digital health/biotech peers like Benchling and Cityblock Health in integrated care models.[5]
Abata's near-term catalysts include ABA-101 Phase 1 data readouts and ABA-201 IND clearance, positioning it for partnerships or Series B funding in a hot cell therapy market.[3][5] Trends like AI-driven drug discovery (echoed in peers like insitro) and expanded autoimmune indications will shape its path, potentially evolving its influence toward multi-disease Treg dominance if clinical momentum sustains.[1][5] This Treg pioneer could redefine autoimmune treatment, returning to its core mission of transformational medicines where options fall short.[2]
