Gritstone bio is a technology company.
Gritstone bio has raised $193.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Gritstone bio has raised $193.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Gritstone bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation cancer immunotherapies and vaccines, initially focused on immuno-oncology and infectious diseases like COVID-19.[1][2][3][4] It targets tumor-specific neoantigens and viral antigens to stimulate immune responses against diseased cells, serving cancer patients with solid tumors such as colorectal, lung, gastric, esophageal, head & neck, and cervical cancers.[2][3][5] The company solves the challenge of generating potent, durable immune responses in patients, including those with weakened immune systems, through technologies like self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) vaccines and multi-specific antibodies recognizing HLA-peptide complexes on tumor cells.[1][2][6] After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2024 due to financial pressures and disappointing trial results, it emerged in April 2025 as a leaner entity backed by investors, now solely focused on R&D for oncological immunotherapies at MBC Biolabs in San Carlos, California.[2][3]
Gritstone bio was founded in August 2015 as Gritstone Oncology, Inc. in Emeryville, California, by a team of experts including Andrew Allen (current CEO with a background in finance and tax at firms like Cardinal Health and PricewaterhouseCoopers), Timothy Chan, Mark Cobbold, Graham Lord, Naiyer Rizvi, and Jean-Charles Soria.[1][2][5] The idea emerged from insights at the intersection of cancer genomics and immunotherapy, leveraging advanced genomic sequencing to identify tumor-specific neoantigens for targeted immune activation.[3][7] Early traction included a $55 million share sale in September 2021, Phase 1 trials for saRNA COVID-19 vaccines like GRT-R910 (in collaboration with NIH and AstraZeneca boosters), and a Phase 1/2 study with Bristol Myers Squibb for metastatic solid tumors.[1] Pivotal moments involved preclinical success in non-human primates for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and interim Phase 2 data for the GRANITE vaccine showing a 21% reduction in disease progression risk in colorectal cancer when combined with checkpoint inhibitors.[1][5]
Gritstone bio rides the wave of precision oncology and mRNA innovation, accelerated by COVID-19 vaccine successes, targeting the limitations of first-generation immunotherapies that fail in "cold" tumors lacking strong immune infiltration.[1][3][4] Timing aligns with surging demand for neoantigen therapies amid rising cancer incidence and post-pandemic mRNA expertise, bolstered by market forces like partnerships (Bristol Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca) and FDA approvals in adjacent spaces (e.g., Roche's Itovebi).[1][5] It influences the ecosystem by advancing T-cell epitope-focused vaccines, potentially broadening immunotherapy access and inspiring AI-driven antigen discovery in biotech incubators like MBC Biolabs.[2][6][7]
Gritstone bio's bankruptcy restructuring positions it for focused execution on promising assets like GRANITE and multi-specific antibodies, with near-term milestones in Phase 2 colorectal data readouts and expansions to lung/head & neck trials.[3][5] Trends like AI-optimized neoantigens, combination therapies with checkpoint inhibitors, and saRNA durability will shape its path, potentially driving acquisitions or partnerships amid biotech M&A waves. Its influence could evolve from broad immuno-oncology pioneer to niche leader in HLA-targeted therapies, reigniting growth if clinical momentum builds on genomics-driven differentiation—echoing its original mission to conquer cancer through immune precision.[2][3]
Gritstone bio has raised $193.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Gritstone bio's investors include Aisling Capital, Avoro Ventures, General Atlantic, GV, OrbiMed, The Column Group, Versant Ventures.
Gritstone bio has raised $193.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $93.0M Series B in September 2017.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2017 | $93.0M Series B | Aisling Capital, Avoro Ventures, General Atlantic, GV, OrbiMed, The Column Group, Versant Ventures | |
| Oct 1, 2015 | $100.0M Series A | Aisling Capital, Avoro Ventures, General Atlantic, OrbiMed, The Column Group, Versant Ventures |