Onchilles Pharma

About Onchilles Pharma

Onchilles Pharma is a private biotechnology company founded in 2017 by Lev Becker, Ph.D., and Court R. Turner, J.D. The company spun out of the University of Chicago based on Becker's research into a novel innate immune system mechanism. Becker, who serves as the Chief Scientific Officer, discovered that the protein neutrophil elastase (ELANE), released by immune cells called neutrophils, can selectively kill cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. This discovery, first published in the journal *Cell*, forms the foundation of the company's therapeutic platform.

The company's primary business is the discovery and development of first-in-class biologic drug candidates that harness the ELANE pathway to induce cancer cell death and activate a systemic immune response. This dual mechanism of action aims to provide both immediate tumor destruction and long-term anti-tumor immunity. The lead drug candidate, N17350, is an injectable biologic designed for direct tumor administration. Preclinical studies have shown N17350 to be effective across more than 30 cancer cell lines and 15 in vivo models, including in tumors resistant to chemotherapy. Onchilles is also developing NEU-002, a version of the therapy designed for intravenous delivery. The company's business model is focused on advancing these candidates through clinical trials to prove their safety and efficacy, with the ultimate goal of commercializing a new class of cytotoxic cancer treatments. The therapies are being investigated for multiple solid tumor types, including breast, skin, lung, and head and neck cancers.

Onchilles Pharma has progressed through several funding rounds to finance its research and clinical development. In June 2021, the company closed a $7 million Series A round. More recently, in November 2025, it secured a $25 million Series A1 financing, bringing its total Series A funding to $40 million. This capital is allocated to advancing the N17350 program through clinical proof-of-concept, which is anticipated by the second half of 2026. A first-in-human trial for N17350 is planned to start in Australia, with U.S. patient enrollment expected in mid-2026.