Inceptor Bio Begins IB-T101 Trial for ccRCC, Secures $21M Series A2 Funding

3 March 2025
Inceptor Bio, a biotechnology firm at the forefront of developing advanced cell therapies, recently achieved a considerable advancement in its clinical endeavors by administering the first dose of IB-T101 in a clinical trial. Headquartered in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, the company focuses on innovating treatment solutions for clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC), a prevalent form of kidney cancer with high unmet medical needs due to scarce treatment alternatives.

IB-T101 is an innovative CAR-T therapy designed to target the CD70 protein, a common antigen found in ccRCC and other cancer types. This therapy is powered by Inceptor Bio's groundbreaking OUTLAST™ platform, which enhances the resilience of T cells in the tumor microenvironment. By conditioning the T cells to withstand TME-like stress, the OUTLAST™ platform aims to cultivate cells that can endure and perform optimally in solid tumor conditions.

The ongoing Investigator-Initiated Trial (IIT) seeks to assess the safety, tolerability, and initial effectiveness of IB-T101 in patients whose cancer has persisted despite previous VEGF-targeted therapies, either alone or in conjunction with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Participants will be enrolled in a dose-escalation phase to determine the optimal dosing for IB-T101. The primary focus of the trial is on evaluating safety and tolerability, while secondary objectives include studying the therapy's impact on tumor reduction and its pharmacokinetics.

Coinciding with the trial's launch, Inceptor Bio successfully closed a $21 million Series A2 financing round, led by Kineticos Life Sciences and other insiders. This funding is intended to support the clinical progress of IB-T101 and foster the growth of the company's pipeline of next-generation cell therapies.

Dr. Matthias Schroff, CEO of Inceptor Bio, expressed enthusiasm over the clinical progress, likening the conditioning of T cells to athletes training in high-altitude conditions to enhance endurance. With robust backing from investors, the company is dedicated to advancing IB-T101 towards becoming a leading therapy intended to transform cancer treatment paradigms.

Shailesh Maingi, Managing Partner of Kineticos Life Sciences, highlighted the significance of dosing the first patient as a critical milestone for any biotech company. He emphasized the potential of the OUTLAST™ platform in overcoming fundamental challenges in CAR-T therapy, expressing confidence in the program's ability to significantly impact the treatment of solid tumors.

Inceptor Bio, founded in 2020, is committed to developing state-of-the-art cell and gene therapies aimed at curing cancer. The company's leading program, IB-T101, focuses on CD70 in ccRCC, aspiring to offer a superior therapeutic option. The OUTLAST™ platform tackles the significant hurdle posed by the hostile tumor microenvironment in solid tumors, reprogramming T cells to survive and thrive under stress, which is pivotal to the success of cell therapies in these conditions. With a proficient leadership team and strategic alliances, Inceptor Bio is poised to advance a portfolio of innovative therapies to enhance global patient outcomes where treatment options are currently limited.

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