Trellis Bioscience is a technology company.
Trellis Bioscience has raised $10.0M across 1 funding round.
Trellis Bioscience has raised $10.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Trellis Bioscience is a biopharmaceutical company developing human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for infectious diseases and cancer using its proprietary CellSpot™ platform, which discovers rare, naturally optimized antibodies from healthy donor blood.[1][2][3] It builds a pipeline targeting drug-resistant bacteria, viruses like RSV, HCMV, and influenza, and oncology targets such as immune checkpoints; its lead product, TRL1068, is in Phase 1 trials for infected prosthetic joints, disrupting bacterial biofilms to enhance antibiotic efficacy.[2][4][6] Trellis serves patients with serious infections and cancers, solving problems of antibiotic resistance and viral threats by providing low-toxicity, de-risked antibodies with demonstrated efficacy in models; backed by NIH grants, CARB-X funding (up to $3.8M), and venture capital, it shows growth through four infectious disease candidates and advancing clinical stages.[1][2][4]
Trellis Bioscience was founded by Dr. Lawrence Kauvar, an entrepreneur-scientist who previously founded and served as Chief Scientific Officer at Telik, an oncology-focused small molecule drug company, and holds 60 US patents including for the CellSpot™ technology.[1] The idea emerged from Kauvar's expertise in drug discovery, leveraging CellSpot—a platform integrating computerized microscopy and nanomaterials—to isolate native human mAbs directly from immune cells, enabling detection of ultra-rare antibodies overlooked by prior methods.[2][4] Early traction included NIH grant funding, venture backing, and partnerships like CARB-X in 2019 for TRL1068 manufacturing toward Phase 1; the ex-pharma leadership team, including serial CEOs and antibody experts, drove pivotal discoveries like pan-influenza cocktails and HCMV-targeting TRL345.[1][4]
Trellis rides the mAb market boom ($185B in 2021, 11% CAGR to 2030), addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR)—a global crisis with drug-resistant infections killing millions—and persistent viral threats like HCMV/RSV amid post-pandemic urgency.[2][4] Timing aligns with regulatory pushes (e.g., CARB-X for antibacterials) and tech advances in single-cell analysis, positioning CellSpot as a high-throughput edge for "naturally optimized" therapies over engineered ones.[1][4] It influences biotech by de-risking human-derived antibodies for faster clinical paths, enabling partners like Relevant Bio in precision oncology, and contributing to ecosystem shifts toward indirect antimicrobials and checkpoint modulators from healthy immunity.[2]
Trellis is poised for milestones like Phase 2 data from Calpurbatug (prosthetic infections) and Phase 1 readouts for TRL1068/TRL345, potentially unlocking partnerships or approvals amid AMR funding surges.[4][6] Trends like AI-enhanced discovery, combo therapies (mAbs + antibiotics), and oncology radio-ligands will amplify CellSpot's value, with clinical trials starting 2024-2025 signaling momentum.[6] Its influence may grow via licensing (e.g., viral/oncology assets) or acquisitions, solidifying Trellis as a pipeline engine for hard-to-treat diseases—echoing its core strength in harnessing human immunity for biotech breakthroughs.[2]
Trellis Bioscience has raised $10.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Trellis Bioscience has raised $10.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $10.0M Series B in February 2007.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2007 | $10.0M Series B |