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§ Private Profile · Cambridge, MA, United States and Maryland, US
Developing next-generation T-cell engagers for precision immuno-oncology, targeting specific cancer-driving mutations.
Clasp Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing next-generation T-cell engagers for precision immuno-oncology, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Rockville, Maryland. The company engineers antibody-like therapies that target specific cancer-driving mutations presented by HLA molecules to selectively destroy tumor cells while sparing healthy surrounding tissue. In March 2024, the enterprise publicly launched after securing $150 million in combined seed and Series A financing to advance its clinical pipeline. This funding round was backed by prominent life sciences investors including Catalio Capital Management, Third Rock Ventures, Novo Holdings, and Vivo Capital. The organization is currently led by Chief Executive Officer Robert Ross, who joined the firm in late 2023 to guide its novel therapeutic candidates toward human clinical trials. Clasp Therapeutics was originally founded in 2020 by oncology researchers Bert Vogelstein and Drew Pardoll.
Clasp Therapeutics has raised $150.0M across 1 funding round.
Clasp Therapeutics has raised $150.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Clasp Therapeutics has raised $150.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $150.0M Series A in March 2024.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1, 2024 | $150M Series A | Third Rock Ventures, Raymond Camahort | Catalio Capital, Vivo Capital, RAY Camahort | Announced |
Clasp Therapeutics has raised $150.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Clasp Therapeutics's investors include Third Rock Ventures, Raymond Camahort, Catalio Capital, Vivo Capital, Ray Camahort.
Clasp Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing next-generation T cell engagers (TCEs) that target tumor-specific oncogenic driver mutations for precision immuno-oncology treatments in hard-to-treat solid tumors.[1][2][3] Its pHLAre™ platform creates off-the-shelf bispecific antibody-like molecules that bind T cells to mutant peptides presented on tumors via HLA, enabling selective tumor killing while sparing healthy tissue and addressing cancers unresponsive to standard immunotherapies like those in lung, gynecological, and other solid tumors.[2][3][5] The company serves patients with common driver mutations (e.g., p53, KRAS, PI3K) across tumor types, solving "on-target, off-tumor" toxicity and resistance issues in current TCEs by matching therapies to patient HLA and mutation profiles for broader applicability and higher dosing potential.[1][3][4] Launched with $150 million in Series A financing in 2024, Clasp dosed its first patient in the Phase 1 GUARDIAN-101 trial of lead candidate CLSP-1025 (targeting p53 R175H mutant peptide/HLA-A*02:01) in April 2025, showing preclinical potency and safety for genitourinary, lung, and gynecological cancers, with funding supporting data generation before further raises.[4][5]
Clasp Therapeutics was formed in 2020 based on pioneering research from cancer geneticist Bert Vogelstein and immune-oncologist Drew Pardoll at Johns Hopkins University, focusing on targeting intracellular oncogenic drivers presented as neoantigens via HLA.[3][4] The company emerged from Third Rock Ventures' model, launching publicly in March 2024 with $150 million led by Catalio Capital Management, Third Rock Ventures, and Novo Holdings, backed by a team blending cancer genetics expertise and immuno-oncology experience from clinical-stage companies.[1][2][4] Key leadership includes CEO Robert Ross (ex-Surface Oncology, bluebird bio, joined November 2024), Chief Scientific Officer Andrea Van Elsas, Ph.D. (Third Rock Partner), and SVP Clinical Development Lauren Harshman, M.D..[1][4][5] Early traction came from platform validation targeting common mutations, leading to over 15 employees across Cambridge, MA, and Rockville, MD facilities, and rapid advancement to dosing the first patient in its Phase 1 trial by April 2025.[4][5]
Clasp stands out in immuno-oncology through these key strengths:
Clasp rides the bispecific T cell engager wave in immuno-oncology, evolving from blood cancer approvals (e.g., lymphoma, myeloma) to solid tumors amid demand for off-the-shelf alternatives to CAR-T therapies.[4] Timing aligns with advances in neoantigen targeting and HLA presentation research, fueled by market forces like rising solid tumor unmet needs and investor interest in precision modalities—its $150M launch reflects biotech's push for safer TCEs post-toxicity setbacks in earlier versions.[1][3][4] By focusing on ubiquitous drivers like p53/KRAS, Clasp influences the ecosystem toward mutation-agnostic, HLA-tailored immunotherapies, potentially expanding TCE viability to 20-30% of cancers while enabling combo regimens with checkpoint inhibitors.[2][3]
Clasp's near-term path centers on Phase 1 data from CLSP-1025 (GUARDIAN-101) in 2026, validating pHLAre™ safety/efficacy in p53-mutant solid tumors, with pipeline expansion to more mutations/HLA combos for broader oncology coverage.[5] Trends like AI-driven neoantigen discovery and bispecific manufacturing scale-up will accelerate its modular output, while resistance-busting oncogene focus positions it against evolving tumors. Influence may grow via partnerships or acquisitions as precision IO matures, evolving from stealth pioneer to multi-product leader—ultimately redefining TCEs from toxic limitations to curative potential across immuno-oncology.