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Mana Therapeutics develops off-the-shelf, allogeneic cell therapies for oncology. Its core approach harnesses the natural immune system, creating broadly accessible, ready-to-use cellular treatments that target multiple tumor-associated antigens. This technology provides a durable and efficient method for immune cell education and cancer elimination, aiming for universal applicability in patient care.
Founded in 2017 by Marc Cohen, Mana Therapeutics emerged from foundational research and clinical trials. These studies, conducted by Dr. Catherine Bollard, M.D., MBChB, and her team, translated academic insights into a scalable platform for novel cellular immunotherapies. This work laid the groundwork for enhancing immune responses against various cancers.
Mana Therapeutics' products are intended for cancer patients seeking effective, readily available treatment options. The company’s vision centers on delivering unique, off-the-shelf cellular therapies that significantly improve clinical outcomes. Through continuous advancement of its immunotherapeutic platform, Mana Therapeutics strives to redefine cancer treatment with innovative solutions.
Mana Therapeutics has raised $35.0M across 1 funding round.
Mana Therapeutics has raised $35.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Mana Therapeutics has raised $35.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $35.0M Series A in January 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2021 | $35M Series A | Cobro Ventures, Drew Dennison | Lifesci Venture Partners | Announced |
Mana Therapeutics has raised $35.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Mana Therapeutics's investors include Cobro Ventures, Drew Dennison, LifeSci Venture Partners.
Mana Therapeutics is a private biotechnology company founded in 2018, specializing in off-the-shelf, allogeneic cell therapies that target multiple tumor-associated surface and intracellular antigens without genetic modification.[1][2][3][6] These therapies aim to treat liquid tumors like acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and solid tumors, making cell-based treatments more effective, safer, and accessible by leveraging the body's natural immune responses via their EDIFY™ platform.[1][3][4][6] Key programs include MANA-312 (clinical-stage autologous donor-derived therapy for relapsed/refractory AML post-HSCT) and MANA-412 (preclinical allogeneic therapy for transplant-ineligible AML and solid tumors).[1][3] The company has raised $49.5M total, including a $35M Series A in 2021 led by Cobro Ventures and Lightchain Capital, funding MANA-312 through Phase I trials.[1][2]
Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, Mana serves cancer patients, particularly those with hematological malignancies and solid tumors, addressing challenges like limited efficacy, safety issues, and accessibility of personalized cell therapies.[2][4][7]
Mana Therapeutics was founded in 2018 by a team focused on revolutionizing cell therapy for cancer.[2][3] The idea emerged from the need to create "off-the-rack" allogeneic therapies that bypass genetic engineering, training T-cells to recognize diverse tumor antigens naturally for safer, reproducible treatments.[1][3][6] Early efforts targeted AML, with pivotal moments including the development of the EDIFY™ platform and advancement of MANA-312 to clinical stage.[1][3] Amid COVID-19 market challenges, Locust Walk orchestrated a dual-track process (investors and partners), culminating in a successful $35M Series A close, enabling Phase I progression for MANA-312.[1] A patent filed in 2021 on methods for allogeneic cell product delivery underscores their IP foundation in immunology and biotech.[2]
Mana rides the cell therapy revolution in oncology, where allogeneic "off-the-shelf" models address scalability bottlenecks of personalized treatments amid rising cancer incidence.[1][3][4] Timing aligns with advances in immunology and T-cell engineering, fueled by market forces like post-COVID investor interest in biotech resilience and demand for accessible therapies—evident in their 2021 raise despite uncertainties.[1][2] By targeting hard-to-treat AML and solid tumors without genetic edits, Mana influences the ecosystem through IP innovation (e.g., 2021 patent) and partnerships, potentially lowering costs and accelerating adoption in a $50B+ cell/gene therapy market.[2][3]
Mana's next milestones include completing Phase I for MANA-312 and advancing MANA-412 toward clinic, with potential expansion via EDIFY™ to more indications.[1][3] Trends like AI-enhanced immunology, combo therapies, and regulatory tailwinds for off-the-shelf platforms will shape their path, amplifying influence as allogeneic adoption grows. Their evolution from AML focus to broader oncology could redefine accessible cell therapies, building on Series A momentum for outsized impact in cancer care.[1][2][3]
