Athernal Bio today announced its official launch alongside £3.5m funding from founding investor Delin Ventures. The company is focused on the development of targeted immunotherapies for high-risk clonal haematopoiesis (CH), a widespread cancer precursor condition which can lead to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and other haematological cancers. This new funding supports key preclinical milestones as Athernal Bio moves rapidly toward clinical trials in high-risk patient populations.
Founded by Nirupa Desai, MD, PhD, and Ieuan Walker, MD, and incubated by Delin, Athernal Bio is developing targeted immunotherapies for high-risk CH, a major driver of blood cancer risk. High-risk CH affects multiple vulnerable patient populations, including patients with inherited blood disorders, many cancer survivors, and the ageing population. CH is estimated to impact approximately 10–20% of people over the age of 65 and is increasingly recognised as a major driver of blood cancer risk.
The funding will enable Athernal Bio to advance its lead immunotherapy programme for patients with rare inherited blood disorders with the most aggressive and highly accelerated forms of CH. The investment will support in vivo proof-of-concept studies for CH treatment in preparation for an IND focused on this underserved patient group. These efforts will form the foundation for expanding into broader high-risk populations and support Athernal Bio’s mission to stop cancer before it starts.
