Commit, backed by Novo Holdings, launches with $17.2m seed funding

Commit Biologics has recently emerged with a substantial €16 million ($17.2 million) in seed funding aimed at advancing antibody therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. The core of their innovation lies in their proprietary bispecific complement engaging (BiCE) platform. This financial backing was led by Novo Holdings, a prominent investment firm linked to Novo Nordisk, and Bioqube Ventures, a European venture capital firm. The Danish biotechnology company came into existence in 2021 as a spinout from Aarhus University, initially nurtured by the BioInnovation Institute in Denmark, which benefits from financial support from the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Krishna Polu, the CEO of Commit Biologics, detailed the unique capabilities of the BiCE platform, noting its ability to engage the complement system to target and attack specific cells with high precision. Polu emphasized that this platform allows for the use of established antibodies, thereby shortening development times and reducing associated risks. He highlighted the innovative approach of leveraging the immune system to combat cancer and autoimmune diseases, expressing confidence in the platform's significant potential.

The field of antibody therapies, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), has attracted considerable attention and significant financial deals in recent years. For instance, in October 2023, Merck & Co entered into a licensing agreement with Daiichi Sankyo for three ADC therapies, a deal valued at up to $22 billion. Similarly, in November 2023, AbbVie acquired ImmunoGen, a specialist in ADCs, for $10.1 billion. AbbVie continued its investment spree in December 2023 by signing a $375 million agreement with BigHat Biosciences to identify and develop new antibody therapies.

Commit Biologics believes that their BiCE platform could address several traditional challenges associated with antibody therapies. These challenges include potential toxicities, specific target density considerations, and the issue of T-cell exhaustion, particularly relevant in T-cell therapies. The platform's innovative mechanism of engaging the complement system offers a promising pathway to overcoming these hurdles, potentially leading to the development of best-in-class therapeutics.

In December 2023, Novo Holdings continued its investment in Danish startups by funding Hoba Therapeutics. Hoba is developing a non-opioid therapy, a recombinant human meteorin known as HB-086, which is the company's lead candidate. Other promising candidates in Hoba’s pipeline include HP-086 and HP-097, both aimed at treating hearing loss.

Commit Biologics' emergence and its innovative BiCE platform underscore the growing interest and investment in antibody therapies. These advances hold promise for more effective treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases, leveraging the power of the immune system in novel ways. With significant financial backing and a clear technological edge, Commit Biologics appears well-positioned to make substantial contributions to the field of biotechnology.