Be Bio secures $82M for B cell therapy in hemophilia B

Be Bio has successfully raised $82 million in a new funding round, as announced on Tuesday. The Cambridge, MA-based biotechnology company intends to utilize these funds to support the development of two of its pioneering drugs. One of these drugs includes the first-ever B cell therapy to undergo human trials for hemophilia B.

Although the new funding is less than the $130 million Series B finance round from 2022, it is strategic for the company's milestones. The primary objective of this funding is to achieve clinical proof-of-concept for its hemophilia B cell therapy and to further develop a second treatment for hypophosphatasia. Hypophosphatasia is a rare genetic disorder that hinders bone and teeth formation.

Joanne Smith-Farrell, CEO of Be Bio, mentioned in an interview with Endpoints News that the $82 million was "what we needed to actually get this program all the way to where we’ve got definitive proof-of-concept." She confirmed that the company aims to present clinical data for hemophilia B next year. Additionally, they plan to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the hypophosphatasia treatment by 2026.

B cell therapies are being explored for their potential to act as long-term protein production centers within the body. These treatments aim to minimize the risks and side effects associated with other cell and gene therapies. If successful, B cell therapies could provide solutions for various diseases caused by the absence of essential proteins.

The $82 million funding round saw participation from several investors, including ARCH, Atlas Venture, and RA Capital, among others.

In a related development, Seattle’s Immusoft recently shared preliminary results from the first patient treated with a B cell therapy. Immusoft's focus is on treating mucopolysaccharidosis type I, a genetic disorder characterized by the lack of an enzyme necessary for sugar breakdown.

Be Bio has initiated enrollment for a Phase 1/2 study of its hemophilia B therapy, BE-101, targeting adults with moderate-to-severe forms of the disease. This experimental treatment aims to produce Factor IX, a critical blood clotting factor, without the need for preconditioning. The expectation is that the therapy will not only be durable but also redosable if required.