AltruBio

About AltruBio

AltruBio Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for immunological and inflammatory diseases. Founded in 2000 as AbGenomics Holdings by Ron Rh Lin and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, the company underwent a strategic transformation in 2020. This pivot involved a name change, a new leadership team, and a shift in focus from oncology to immunology, a move that proved successful in attracting significant investment.

The company's business model revolves around the research, clinical development, and eventual commercialization of proprietary biologic treatments. Its strategy centers on a deep understanding of the PSGL-1 protein as an immune checkpoint regulator, which forms the basis of its therapeutic platform for T-cell mediated diseases. AltruBio's President and CEO, Dr. Judy Chou, brings extensive experience from leadership roles at major pharmaceutical companies like Bayer, Pfizer, and Genentech. Her leadership was instrumental in the company's strategic shift and subsequent fundraising successes, including a $63 million Series A in 2021 and an oversubscribed $225 million Series B in 2024, led by investors like BVF Partners, aMoon, and RA Capital Management.

AltruBio’s lead product candidate is ALTB-268, a next-generation immune checkpoint enhancer (ICE). It is a more potent, tetravalent version of the company's first-generation molecule, neihulizumab (ALTB-168), designed for more convenient subcutaneous administration. The core mechanism of action involves targeting PSGL-1 to downregulate chronically activated T-cells, which are implicated in various autoimmune disorders. This approach aims to restore immune system balance without causing broad immunosuppression. ALTB-268 is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials for treating ulcerative colitis (UC), with data from a study in biologic-refractory patients expected in the first half of 2025, and results from a larger global Phase 2b trial anticipated in the second half of 2026. The company sees its PSGL-1 agonist platform as a "pipeline-in-a-product," with potential applications across multiple T-cell mediated inflammatory diseases.