Umoja Biopharma, a clinical-stage company developing •in vivo• cell therapies, secured $100 million in Series C funding. The round was co-led by Double Point Ventures and DCVC Bio, with participation from new and existing investors. This funding will support the clinical development of Umoja’s •in vivo• CAR T cell therapy pipeline, particularly its lead program, UB-VV400, targeting CD22 in oncology and autoimmune diseases.
This investment underscores the growing interest in •in vivo• CAR T cell therapies, a potentially transformative approach to cancer and autoimmune disease treatment. Current •ex vivo• CAR T therapies involve complex and costly processes of extracting, modifying, and reinfusing a patient’s T cells. Umoja’s •in vivo• approach aims to simplify this process by directly modifying T cells within the patient’s body, potentially broadening access to this powerful therapeutic modality. This simplified approach could reduce treatment costs and manufacturing complexity while mitigating risks associated with current •ex vivo• methods like lymphodepleting chemotherapy and supply chain constraints. The successful funding round indicates confidence in Umoja’s ability to deliver on this promise and potentially revolutionize the CAR T cell therapy landscape.
The $100 million investment will primarily fuel the clinical development of Umoja’s pipeline, focusing on advancing UB-VV400 through multiple oncology and autoimmune disease studies. Dr. Campbell Murray from Double Point Ventures joins Umoja’s Board of Directors, bringing valuable expertise. Concurrently, Dr. Phil Low of Purdue University transitioned to Board Observer and Chair of Umoja’s Scientific Advisory Board.
This substantial investment positions Umoja to be a leader in the development of •in vivo• CAR T cell therapies. The upcoming clinical trials for UB-VV400 will be crucial in demonstrating the safety and efficacy of this approach. Positive clinical data could lead to rapid advancements in the field, opening up new treatment avenues for patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases and establishing Umoja as a key player in this emerging therapeutic area.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
