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§ Private Profile · 704 Quince Orchard Rd Ste 110, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20878, United States
VLP Therapeutics is a technology company.
VLP Therapeutics develops next-generation vaccine technology, leveraging self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) and virus-like particle (VLP) platforms. It utilizes proprietary methods including Surface Antigen Display and Interior Gene Delivery. These approaches aim to create both prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines, designed to induce robust immune responses against infectious diseases and cancers.
Founded by Dr. Wataru Akahata, Ryuji Ueno, and Sachiko Kuno, VLP Therapeutics emerged from Akahata’s research at the NIH Vaccine Research Center. His insight identified the critical need for novel vaccine generations to treat diseases without effective solutions. Akahata, an experienced infectious disease vaccine developer, established the company to advance targeted immunotherapies.
VLP Therapeutics’ products serve global public health, providing patients crucial protection and treatment for critical illnesses. The company’s vision is to combat 21st-century global health problems using its innovative i-alpha VLP Technology. They are committed to expanding prophylactic and therapeutic immunotherapy, addressing unmet medical needs worldwide.
VLP Therapeutics has raised $37.0M across 2 funding rounds.
VLP Therapeutics has raised $37.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
VLP Therapeutics, Inc. (VLPT) is a Maryland-based biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation vaccines and immunotherapies using proprietary virus-like particle (VLP) technologies to address unmet needs in infectious diseases and cancer.[1][2][3] The company focuses on prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines targeting malaria (VLPM-01 in Phase 2), COVID-19 (self-amplifying RNA vaccine in Phase 3), oral cancer (VLPONC-01 in Phase 1), dengue, and other neoplasms, serving global public health challenges through innovative platforms like i-αVLP for surface antigen display and replicon systems for gene delivery.[1][2][3] Recent momentum includes initiating a Phase 1 cancer trial with Stanford Medicine in August 2025 and securing a $2.8 million grant for AI-driven cancer research with Nygen Analytics in November 2025, signaling advancing clinical pipelines and partnerships.[3]
VLP Therapeutics was co-founded in 2013 by Drs. Wataru Akahata, Ryuji Ueno, and Sachiko Kuno, evolving from VLP Therapeutics LLC established in 2012.[1][2] Dr. Akahata, the CEO, drew from over a decade at the NIH Vaccine Research Center developing vaccines, leaving to commercialize his i-αVLP technology for diseases lacking effective treatments.[2][3][4] The idea emerged from his NIH work on virus-like particles, aiming to revolutionize vaccines for epidemics, pandemics, cancer, and neglected tropical diseases; early traction built through R&D on influenza, malaria, and dengue vaccines.[2][3] Pivotal moments include advancing VLPM-01 to Phase 2 and recent 2025 trial initiations, supported by grants and collaborations.[1][3]
VLP Therapeutics rides the wave of advanced vaccine modalities—mRNA, self-amplifying RNA, and VLPs—spurred by COVID-19, now expanding to oncology and neglected diseases like malaria and dengue amid rising antimicrobial resistance and climate-driven outbreaks.[1][2][3] Timing aligns with post-pandemic investment in platform technologies for rapid pandemic response and immuno-oncology, where VLPs offer safer, more immunogenic alternatives to live viruses or adenovectors.[3][4] Market tailwinds include billions in global vaccine funding, AI integration for precision (e.g., Nygen partnership), and demand for off-the-shelf cancer immunotherapies versus personalized CAR-T.[3] The company influences biotech by validating VLP-replicon hybrids, potentially lowering development costs and broadening access in low-resource settings.[1][2]
VLP Therapeutics is poised for inflection with Phase 2 malaria data, Phase 1 oncology readouts from Stanford, and Phase 3 COVID-19 progress, potentially unlocking partnerships or approvals by 2027.[1][3] AI-driven personalization and replicon expansions could position it as a leader in multifunctional vaccines tackling cancer-infectious disease overlaps, shaped by trends like mRNA-VLP convergence and global health equity pushes.[3] Its influence may grow through tech licensing or acquisitions, transforming "vaccines without borders" from vision to standard in 21st-century public health.[2][3] This builds on its core mission: innovative VLP therapies conquering unmet global threats.[2]
VLP Therapeutics has raised $37.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
VLP Therapeutics's investors include Backstage Capital, Pioneer Fund, QueensBridge Venture Partners, Thirty Five Ventures, Anthony Saleh, Haroon Mokhtarzada, Jason Robins, Jean Pigozzi, Shane Battier, Robert Hisaoka, Miyako Capital, MUFG Bank.
VLP Therapeutics has raised $37.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $21.0M Series A in December 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 1, 2021 | $21M Series A | — | Backstage Capital, Pioneer Fund, Queensbridge Venture Partners, Thirty Five Ventures, Anthony Saleh, Haroon Mokhtarzada, Jason Robins, Jean Pigozzi, Shane Battier, Robert Hisaoka, Miyako Capital, MUFG Bank, Nobelpharma, SK Impact Fund, Sojitz Corporation | Announced |
| Mar 1, 2021 | $16M Series A | — | Backstage Capital, Pioneer Fund, Queensbridge Venture Partners, Thirty Five Ventures, Anthony Saleh, Haroon Mokhtarzada, Jason Robins, Jean Pigozzi, Shane Battier, Robert Hisaoka, Konishiyasu, Hiroyuki Misawa, RJ Fund, SK Impact Fund, Masayoshi Fujimoto | Announced |