TL;DR:
- Seismic Therapeutic, known as “Seismonauts,” secures $121 million in Series B financing to advance immunology research.
- The company combines machine learning with structural biology, protein engineering, and translational immunology via its IMPACT platform.
- Seismic focuses on modulating the adaptive immune system, with lead programs addressing humoral and cell-mediated immunity in IND-enabling studies.
- Notable lead programs include a pan immunoglobulin G protease sculpting (Sc) enzyme candidate and a PD-1 agonist: Fc gamma receptor IIb selective Dual-cell Bidirectional (DcB) antibody candidate.
- These programs aim to control autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Seismic plans to use the funding for Phase I proof-of-mechanism trials and to expand its pipeline in IgSc and DcB candidates.
- The company is also exploring FcRn treatments following the success of Vyvgart®.
- Other companies like Immunovant and Johnson & Johnson are actively involved in FcRn inhibitor development.
- Seismic’s innovative approach leverages machine learning to enhance drug development, particularly in the Ig sculpting enzyme program.
- Jo Viney, the CEO of Seismic, has a profound commitment to autoimmune disease research and drug development.
- Seismic’s name reflects its ambition to revolutionize protein and therapeutic development in immunology.
Main AI News:
In the realm of scientific exploration, where boundaries are ever-expanding, “Seismonauts” have emerged as trailblazers. These pioneers are none other than the dedicated researchers and professionals at Seismic Therapeutic, a company at the forefront of immunology advancements, seamlessly blending machine learning (ML) with structural biology, protein engineering, and translational immunology through its IMPACT platform.
Seismic Therapeutic’s journey delves into uncharted territories, akin to a cosmic voyage through the undiscovered realms of science. Jo Viney, PhD, the founder, president, and CEO of Seismic, encapsulates their mission succinctly, stating, “We go into new frontiers, exploring the galaxy of previously undiscovered and unknown areas of science,” during an exclusive conversation with GEN Edge.
Recently, Seismic received a significant boost in the form of a $121-million Series B financing round. When combined with their previous Series A funding of $101 million, this marks an impressive total of $222 million raised since the company’s inception in 2021.
Over this period, Seismic has built a robust pipeline with a focus on two lead programs designed to modulate the adaptive immune system’s two arms: humoral immunity and cell-mediated immunity. Both programs are currently undergoing IND-enabling studies.
One of the key programs is centered around a pan immunoglobulin (Ig) G protease sculpting (Sc) enzyme candidate, S-1117. Seismic’s ingenious approach involves engineering novel pan-IgG proteases that reduce B cell and T cell immunogenicity and chemical liabilities while preserving enzyme activity and stability. This breakthrough has given birth to a protease therapeutic capable of addressing multiple pathogenic mechanisms in the treatment of acute and chronic autoantibody-mediated diseases.
The second lead program revolves around a PD-1 agonist: Fc gamma receptor IIb selective Dual-cell Bidirectional (DcB) antibody candidate, known as S-4321. Seismic’s DcB approach aims to restore homeostasis by effectively engaging T cells through PD-1 agonism and antigen-presenting cells such as B cells via the inhibitory Fc gamma receptor. The potential application of these pathways extends to the control of various autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Jo Viney emphasizes, “Our two programs target different mechanisms in different patient cohorts. Both of them are very exciting for us.” Seismic intends to utilize the Series B funding to advance both lead programs into Phase I proof-of-mechanism trials, with a goal of entering clinical phases in the coming years.
Furthermore, Seismic is actively expanding its pipeline beyond the lead programs for both IgSc and DcB candidates. The company also has ambitious plans to enhance the IMPACT platform by developing additional methods for improving biologics drug discovery in immunology.
Seismic’s dedication to making a difference in immunology extends to diseases involving FcRn treatments. Jo Viney acknowledges the success of Vyvgart®, a neonatal fragment crystallizable receptor (FcRn) blocker developed by argenx, which has made significant strides in treating generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) and is on its way to achieving “blockbuster” status with impressive sales figures.
Notably, Seismic is exploring ways to enhance treatments for patients who respond inadequately to existing therapies by leveraging FcRns, following the successful model of Vyvgart.
Seismic is also not alone in its pursuit of FcRn treatments. Immunovant and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) are actively engaged in this arena. J&J recently announced positive results for its selective FcRn inhibitor monoclonal antibody nipocalimab in the Phase IIa IRIS-RA trial for adults with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Immunovant has its lead candidate, batoclimab, advancing through clinical trials, with promising data expected in various indications, including generalized myasthenia gravis, thyroid eye disease, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and Graves’ disease.
Seismic’s DcB pipeline is equally promising, featuring four additional programs with undisclosed targets. These programs are aimed at inhibiting receptors on T cells, thus modulating immune cell activation. Seismic aims to address diseases involving both T cells and B cells, such as inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, and lupus, which represent chronic autoimmune diseases affecting a substantial patient population.
At the core of Seismic’s innovation lies the IMPACT platform, designed to revolutionize the generation of drug molecules for autoimmune diseases. This platform simultaneously optimizes various interdisciplinary drug discovery properties, including opening new protein sequence space, removing B and T cell epitopes, and expediting design and testing cycles.
Machine learning has played a pivotal role in Seismic’s success. For instance, in the development of their Ig sculpting enzyme program, Seismic employed ML models to enhance the stability and drug-like properties of proteases, a feat that traditionally required extensive human intervention. This innovative approach has not only accelerated drug development but also expanded the horizons of what is achievable.
Jo Viney’s career trajectory has been shaped by a profound commitment to autoimmune disease research and drug development. Her journey began during an internship at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, where she worked in an inflammatory bowel disease research lab. That transformative experience ignited her lifelong passion for bringing new medicines to patients grappling with autoimmunity.
Throughout her career, Viney has held key positions at renowned companies like Immunex, Amgen, and Biogen, where she served as Senior VP of the drug discovery organization. In 2017, she co-founded Pandion Therapeutics, a biotech company specializing in Treg-targeting treatments for autoimmune disorders. Four years later, Merck & Co. acquired Pandion for $1.85 billion, a testament to the company’s potential.
Seismic’s genesis was marked by visionary ideas rather than licensing assets or technology. The company was founded with a focus on cultivating homegrown innovations.
The name “Seismic” itself reflects the company’s ambition to create a seismic shift in the approach to developing new proteins and therapeutics, an ambition they have undoubtedly lived up to.
Seismic’s recent Series B financing was led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with participation from other new investors, including Amgen Ventures, Codon Capital, Alexandria Venture Investments, Gaingels, and GC&H. Andrew Hedin, MBA, a biotech and healthcare partner with Bessemer, will join Seismic’s board of directors.
Existing investors, including Lightspeed Venture Partners, Polaris Partners, Boxer Capital, GV, and Samsara BioCapital, also participated in the Series B round.
Based in Cambridge, MA, Seismic has been on an impressive growth trajectory, with its headcount expanding from 14 to 47 since the end of 2021. The company anticipates adding approximately a dozen more members to its team over the next year or two as it progresses closer to clinical trials.
Conclusion:
Seismic Therapeutic’s significant funding and cutting-edge immunology advancements position the company as a formidable player in the autoimmune disease treatment market. Their innovative approach, combining machine learning with traditional drug development, has the potential to disrupt the industry and bring transformative therapies to patients in need. Additionally, their exploration of FcRn treatments aligns with the growing demand for innovative solutions in the autoimmune disease space, making Seismic a company to watch in the coming years.
