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§ Private Profile · 442 Littlefield Ave. South San Francisco, CA 94080
Vicinitas Therapeutics is a technology company.
Vicinitas Therapeutics develops targeted protein stabilizers, Deubiquitinase Targeting Chimeras (DUBTACs). These compounds prevent beneficial proteins from degradation by selectively removing ubiquitin tags that mark them for destruction. This innovative platform offers a distinct therapeutic mechanism to preserve critical proteins, addressing pathologies where protein insufficiency contributes to illness.
The company’s foundation stems from co-founder Daniel Nomura’s research at the University of California, Berkeley. His work uncovered the therapeutic potential of manipulating the ubiquitination pathway. Vicinitas Therapeutics launched in 2022, translating this insight into precision medicines by stabilizing specific proteins to correct disease mechanisms.
Vicinitas focuses on developing transformative treatments for patients with high unmet medical needs, especially in oncology and genetic disorders. Leveraging its protein stabilization technology, the company aims to create precision therapeutics that sustain essential proteins for healthy function. Its vision is to profoundly impact patient lives by addressing intractable diseases.
Vicinitas Therapeutics has raised $65.0M across 1 funding round.
Vicinitas Therapeutics has raised $65.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Vicinitas Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing targeted protein stabilizers called Deubiquituinase Targeting Chimeras (DUBTACs) to create next-generation therapies for previously undruggable proteins.[1][2][3] It addresses critical health challenges in cancer and monogenic diseases (like cystic fibrosis and haploinsufficiency disorders) by stabilizing beneficial proteins marked for degradation via ubiquitin chains, serving patients with genetic and oncogenic conditions.[1][2][3] Launched in 2022 with $65 million in Series A funding co-led by a16z and Deerfield Management, the company has shown strong early momentum through exclusive licensing of its platform from UC Berkeley and Novartis, positioning it as a leader in protein stabilization.[2][3]
Vicinitas Therapeutics emerged from a 2017 academic-industry collaboration between UC Berkeley researchers, led by Dan Nomura, and Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, aimed at tackling "undruggable" proteins.[1][2][3] The core DUBTAC platform was detailed in a February 2022 *Nature Chemical Biology* paper, demonstrating stabilization of proteins like the cystic fibrosis-causing mutant using a recruiter molecule linked to a Vertex drug, which sparked immediate venture interest.[3] Founded in 2022 as a spin-out, Vicinitas exclusively licensed the technology from both institutions and raised $65 million in Series A from a16z, Deerfield, Droia Ventures, The Mark Foundation, Berkeley Catalyst Fund, and GV.[2][3] Key inventors include Nomura, Lydia Boike, and Novartis scientists like Dustin Dovala, with the leadership drawing from academia and industry experts committed to advancing the platform.[1][2]
Vicinitas rides the protein degradation and stabilization wave in biotech, expanding beyond degraders (like PROTACs) to stabilization for loss-of-function diseases, a niche with high unmet need.[2][3] Timing aligns with 2022's post-publication surge in VC interest for "undruggable" targets, fueled by advances in chemically induced proximity and tools like AlphaFold for protein insights.[3] Market forces favor it: rising demand for precision medicines in oncology and rare diseases, plus Big Pharma validation via Novartis origins, amid a biotech funding rebound.[2][3] It influences the ecosystem by validating DUBTACs as a complementary modality, potentially accelerating hybrid degrader-stabilizer platforms and inspiring spin-outs from academic collaborations.[1][2]
Vicinitas is poised to advance its lead programs into clinical trials, prioritizing oncology and cystic fibrosis candidates while expanding DUBTACs to neurodegeneration and other haploinsufficiency diseases.[3] Trends like AI-driven protein design and multi-modal degraders/stabilizers will amplify its platform, with potential Big Pharma partnerships or Series B funding in 2026+ to fuel IND filings.[2][3] Its influence may grow by defining protein stabilization as a pillar of precision medicine, much like its UC Berkeley-Novartis roots launched a new therapeutic class—transforming inaccessible targets into treatable ones.[1][2]
Vicinitas Therapeutics has raised $65.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $65.0M Series A in July 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2022 | $65M Series A | Deerfield Management, Jorge Conde | 5AM Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, Maverick Capital, Northpond Ventures, Vivo Capital, Berkeley Catalyst Fund, George Golumbeski, GV, The Mark Foundation For Cancer Research | Announced |
Vicinitas Therapeutics has raised $65.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Vicinitas Therapeutics's investors include Deerfield Management, Jorge Conde, 5AM Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, Maverick Capital, Northpond Ventures, Vivo Capital, Berkeley Catalyst Fund, George Golumbeski, Google Ventures, The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research.