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Chimera Bioengineering
Chimera solves the challenges of CARs with drug-responsive gene regulators, which allow us to re-program of the immune system
About Chimera Bioengineering
Chimera Bioengineering, Inc. operates as a private biotechnology firm focused on developing advanced cell therapies to treat cancers, particularly solid tumors that have been historically difficult to cure. Founded in 2015 by Ben Wang, Gusti Zeiner, and Christina Smolke, the company emerged from research conducted in Professor Smolke's bioengineering lab at Stanford University. Located in South San Francisco, California, within the Johnson & Johnson Innovation (JLABS) incubator, the company leverages its strategic position in a key biotech hub.
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The company's core business revolves around overcoming the primary obstacles in Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, such as severe toxicity, limited effectiveness against solid tumors, and lack of persistence. Chimera Bioengineering addresses these challenges by engineering what it describes as the "software" of the immune system. Its proprietary GOLD Platform™ utilizes RNA-based gene regulatory systems to precisely control the behavior of engineered CAR-T cells. This technology allows the therapeutic cells to produce anti-cancer proteins, or "payloads," specifically when they encounter tumor cells, thus minimizing harm to healthy tissue and reducing systemic toxicity. The platform aims to enhance the therapy's ability to counteract the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, which is a major barrier to treatment success.
The business model is centered on the research and development of a pipeline of proprietary cell therapies, with the goal of bringing them to clinical trials and eventual commercialization. Chimera's lead product candidate, CBIO-007, is a CAR-T therapy designed for multiple solid tumor indications, including pancreatic, prostate, and breast cancers. The company generates capital through venture funding to advance its product pipeline. It has successfully raised significant funds through multiple rounds, with a total of at least $26 million raised by April 2022 from investors including Kairos Venture Investments, The Angel's Forum, Founders Fund, and the Asian Fund for Cancer Research (AFCR). In May 2024, it was reported that Chimera was acquired by Vaxanix. The company also pursues strategic collaborations, offering its technology platform to optimize partners' programs.
At a glance
- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, United States
- Sector
- Biotech & Life Sciences
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The Angels' Forum
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