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Hookipa Pharma is a technology company.
HOOKIPA Pharma Inc. operates as a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel immunotherapies to combat cancer and chronic infectious diseases. The company employs a proprietary arenavirus platform technology, engineering these viruses to deliver specific genes that induce robust and durable antigen-specific T cell responses and pathogen-neutralizing antibodies. This innovative approach aims to effectively reprogram the body’s immune system, leveraging its ability to elicit high levels of T cell activation.
The company was founded in Austria in 2011 by Rolf Zinkernagel, Andreas Bergthaler, Lukas Flatz, and Daniel Pinschewer. The foundational insight stemmed from Daniel Pinschewer's vision to re-engineer arenaviruses, redirecting their potent immune response against specific human diseases. This built directly upon the seminal, Nobel Prize-winning work of co-founder Rolf Zinkernagel, who demonstrated how cytotoxic T cells recognize virus-infected cells through arenavirus-based studies.
HOOKIPA Pharma ultimately serves patients afflicted with cancer and chronic infectious diseases, addressing areas of significant unmet medical need. The company’s vision is to prevent and cure these conditions by advancing a diverse pipeline of therapies derived from its unique arenavirus platform. Their long-term mission is centered on effectively harnessing and directing the body's immune system for therapeutic benefit.
Hookipa Pharma has raised $167.0M across 6 funding rounds.
Hookipa Pharma has raised $167.0M in total across 6 funding rounds.
Hookipa Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops novel immunotherapies using a proprietary arenavirus platform designed to mobilize and amplify targeted CD8+ T cell responses and pathogen-neutralizing antibodies. Its technologies aim to reprogram the immune system to fight infectious diseases and cancers, serving patients with conditions such as HPV16-positive cancers, KRAS-mutated cancers, prostate cancer, and viral infections like HBV and HIV. The company is advancing multiple candidates through clinical trials, including collaborations with Roche and Gilead, demonstrating strong growth momentum in immuno-oncology and infectious disease therapeutics[1][2][4].
Founded by experts in virology and immunology, Hookipa Pharma emerged from the idea of harnessing arenaviruses—engineered to carry virus- or tumor-specific genes—to activate dendritic cells and induce durable immune responses. Early pivotal moments include the development of both replicating and non-replicating arenavirus technologies, which have shown robust CD8+ T cell activation and long-term immunological memory in preclinical and clinical studies. The company’s ability to engineer arenaviruses with enhanced genomic capacity to carry multiple antigens has been a key innovation driving its pipeline and partnerships[2][3].
Hookipa Pharma rides the growing trend of immunotherapy innovation, particularly the shift toward T cell–focused therapies that offer more precise and durable immune responses compared to traditional treatments. The timing is critical as cancer immunotherapy and infectious disease vaccines increasingly rely on advanced vector platforms to overcome limitations of existing modalities. Market forces such as rising cancer incidence, persistent viral infections, and demand for next-generation vaccines favor Hookipa’s platform. By advancing arenavirus-based immunotherapies, Hookipa contributes to expanding the immuno-oncology and infectious disease treatment landscape, influencing both clinical practice and biotech innovation ecosystems[1][2][4].
Looking ahead, Hookipa Pharma is poised to advance its clinical pipeline with key milestones expected from ongoing trials, especially in KRAS-mutated cancers and viral infections. Trends shaping its journey include the increasing adoption of vector-based immunotherapies, personalized cancer vaccines, and combination regimens with checkpoint inhibitors. The company’s influence may grow as it validates arenavirus technology’s versatility and efficacy, potentially setting new standards for T cell immunotherapies. Continued strategic partnerships and successful clinical outcomes will be critical for Hookipa to transition from clinical-stage to commercial success, reinforcing its role as a pioneer in supercharging the immune system to fight disease[1][2][4][6].
Hookipa Pharma has raised $167.0M in total across 6 funding rounds.
Hookipa Pharma's investors include Gilead Sciences, Redmile Group, Invus, Samsara BioCapital, Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, Soffinova Partners, BioMedPartners, Boehringer Ingelheim, Forbion, HBM Partners, Hillhouse Capital, Sirona Capital.
Hookipa Pharma has raised $167.0M across 6 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $21.3M Other Equity in December 2023.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 29, 2023 | $21.3M Other Equity | Gilead Sciences | |
| Feb 26, 2019 | $37.7M Series D | Redmile Group | Invus, Samsara BioCapital |
| Dec 1, 2017 | $60.0M Series C | Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, Soffinova Partners, BioMedPartners, Boehringer Ingelheim, Forbion, Gilead Sciences, HBM Partners, Hillhouse Capital, Sirona Capital, Takeda Ventures | |
| Nov 1, 2016 | $11.0M Series B | Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, Soffinova Partners | |
| Nov 1, 2013 | $27.0M Series B | Soffinova Partners, Forbion | Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, Markus Hosang, Frank Kalkbrenner, Yuji Iizawa |
| Oct 1, 2011 | $10.0M Series A | Soffinova Partners, Forbion |