Novellus

About Novellus

Novellus Therapeutics Limited was a preclinical-stage biotechnology company founded in 2014 by Matt Angel and Christopher Rohde. The company focused on developing engineered cellular medicines by leveraging its patented technologies, including non-immunogenic mRNA, high-specificity gene editing, and cell reprogramming. These technologies were designed to address genetic diseases and regenerative medicine. Novellus developed several products, including RiboSlice for gene editing via synthetic mRNA, NoveSlice for targeted genome modifications, and RiboCell for creating pluripotent stem cells without using viruses.

The company was headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Throughout its operation, Novellus engaged in significant licensing and partnership activities. In October 2020, it licensed its induced mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) to NoveCite, Inc., a subsidiary of Citius Pharmaceuticals, to develop treatments for acute respiratory conditions like ARDS, which is associated with COVID-19. This deal included a $5 million upfront payment and potential for $51 million in milestones, with Novellus retaining a 25% equity stake in NoveCite.

In July 2021, Brooklyn ImmunoTherapeutics, Inc. acquired Novellus Therapeutics for a total consideration of $125 million, consisting of $23 million in cash and approximately $102 million in Brooklyn's common stock. This acquisition was a strategic move for Brooklyn to evolve into a platform company with a pipeline of next-generation cellular, gene editing, and cytokine programs. Following the acquisition, Novellus's founders, who also founded Factor Bioscience, continued to be involved in the broader field. Subsequently, Brooklyn ImmunoTherapeutics rebranded itself multiple times, first to Eterna Therapeutics in October 2022 and then to Ernexa Therapeutics in March 2025, to reflect its focus on mRNA cell engineering technologies.