Laigo Bio, a precision medicine company developing novel therapies through its proprietary SureTAC™ membrane protein degradation platform, secured €11.5M in seed funding to advance oncology programs toward clinical readiness and accelerate three immunology candidates for autoimmune, inflammatory, and graft-rejection indications. The company, founded by the Oncode Institute, the Oncode Bridge Fund, and Argobio Studio, applies a targeted degradation approach to disease-driving membrane proteins long considered “undruggable.”
Laigo Bio appointed Dr. Matthew Baker as Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Baker brings over 20 years of leadership in oncology and inflammatory drug development, with experience across NeoPhore, Oxford Genetics, Abzena, Antitope, and Fusion Antibodies. “This seed funding is a strong endorsement of both the scientific foundation and the unique potential of our approach enabling selective degradation of membrane-bound targets involved in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases,” said Dr Matthew Baker. “With these resources, we are well positioned to initiate discovery efforts in auto-immunity and to advance our oncology programs through preclinical development. Our team remains focused on achieving key preclinical milestones and progressing our first-in-class lead programs toward early clinical evaluation, to deliver transformative therapies for patients.”
Surface Removal Targeting Chimeras (SureTAC™), originating from Prof. Madelon Maurice’s lab at UMC Utrecht and the Oncode Institute, function as bispecific antibody molecules that bring membrane proteins into proximity with a surface E3 ligase, enabling selective degradation and strong pathway inhibition in diseased tissue. Preclinical work in PD-L1, VEGF, and a Wnt-pathway receptor demonstrates robust in vivo and in vitro activity, high selectivity, and improved safety profiles. Oncology assets are planned to progress through preclinical development in-house before partnering for clinical advancement.
The financing was co-led by Kurma Partners and Curie Capital, with participation from Argobio Studio, Angelini Ventures, Eurazeo, the Oncode Bridge Fund, ROM Utrecht Region, and Cancer Research Horizons. “Kurma is excited to support a company with such a promising technology platform targeting disease pathways that have long been deemed undruggable,” said Thierry Laugel. “Curie Capital is proud to support development of Laigo Bio’s SureTAC™ unique platform technology because of its promise in addressing very specific therapeutic targets in diseases with high unmet medical need,” added Mariëtte Roesink.