Star Therapeutics

What Star Therapeutics does

Star Therapeutics is a late clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in 2018 and headquartered in South San Francisco that operates a hub-and-spoke model in which a central R&D engine generates first-in-class antibody therapies, each housed in a dedicated subsidiary focused on a specific area of biology. Its lead program, VGA039 (under the Vega Therapeutics subsidiary), is a first-in-class fully human IgG4 monoclonal antibody that targets Protein S to restore hemostasis via dual mechanisms — promoting platelet attachment and enhancing fibrin deposition — and is being advanced as a once-monthly subcutaneous prophylactic therapy for von Willebrand disease (VWD), currently in pivotal Phase 3 (VIVID-6). A second subsidiary, Electra Therapeutics, develops antibody therapies for rare inflammatory diseases, with lead candidate ELA026 in Phase II/III for secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH) and a second candidate ELA822 entering the clinic.

The company's technology platform emphasizes a pipeline-in-a-product strategy, in which each antibody is designed to address multiple diseases from a single biological target, supported by a leadership team that has previously invented four first-in-class antibodies, including ENJAYMO (the first approved drug for cold agglutinin disease). VGA039 has accumulated four FDA designations (Fast Track, Orphan Drug, Rare Pediatric Disease, and Breakthrough Therapy) and has demonstrated 73-100% reductions in annualized bleeding rates in interim Phase 1/2 data with nearly 100% subcutaneous bioavailability and a 25-day half-life.

Star is privately held and pre-revenue, with no products on market. Capital formation has been the primary financing mechanism: more than $300M has been raised across multiple rounds led by top-tier life sciences investors (Sofinnova, Sanofi Ventures, Viking Global, OrbiMed, RA Capital, Westlake Village BioPartners). The company's near-term value realization is anchored by Incyte's June 2026 definitive agreement to acquire Vega Therapeutics for $1.25B upfront plus up to $750M in sales milestones, expected to close in Q3 2026. The intended commercial model upon approval is a specialty-pharmacy-driven, hematology-focused launch targeting the approximately 135,000 diagnosed VWD patients in the U.S.

Name

Star Therapeutics

Legal name

Star OpCo, Inc.

Website

https://star-therapeutics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Star Therapeutics is a South San Francisco-based clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in 2018 that discovers first-in-class antibody therapies for rare diseases through a hub-and-spoke subsidiary model, with lead asset VGA039 in Phase 3 for von Willebrand disease. The company is pre-revenue and pending the $2B Incyte acquisition of its Vega subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biopharmaceuticals

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAAAAAA

Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics (mAbs)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Biotechnology & Biologics/Therapeutic Biologics (mAbs, recombinant proteins, cytokines)

SECONDARYHLAAAIAB

Antibody Discovery & Engineering Platforms (display tech, bispecifics, Fc engineering)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Biotechnology & Biologics/Biologic Drug Discovery Platforms (screening, antibody engineering, synthetic biology)

Keywords

• Antibody therapeutics
• Monoclonal antibody therapy
• Bleeding disorder treatments
• Biopharmaceutical drug discovery
• Rare disease therapies

Headquarters

HQ city

South San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Product Sales: Star Therapeutics is a late clinical-stage biotech company with products in Phase 3 development. Revenue will be generated through commercial sales of approved biologic therapeutics, initially VGA039 for von Willebrand disease if approved. The company has been acquired by Incyte for its Vega Therapeutics subsidiary containing VGA039, indicating a future exit pathway.
2. Subsidiary Exits/Acquisitions: Star Therapeutics operates with a hub-and-spoke model, spinning out subsidiaries focused on specific therapeutic areas. The company has demonstrated success with exits, including contributions to True North Therapeutics acquisition by Bioverativ ($825M) and iPierian acquisition by BMS ($725M). Incyte's acquisition of Vega Therapeutics for up to $2B represents a major exit.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Star Therapeutics is a late clinical-stage biotechnology company that discovers and develops first-in-class antibody therapeutics for rare diseases. Its lead program, VGA039, is a monoclonal antibody targeting Protein S currently in Phase 3 development as a once-monthly subcutaneous prophylactic therapy for von Willebrand disease (VWD). The company operates a hub-and-spoke model, with wholly owned subsidiaries (Vega Therapeutics for bleeding disorders, Electra Therapeutics for inflammatory diseases) developing additional antibody candidates such as ELA026 and ELA822.

Product overview

Star Therapeutics is a late clinical-stage biotechnology company that operates as an innovation engine with a hub-and-spoke model, creating subsidiary companies focused on specific areas of biology. The company's lead product is VGA039 (under the VEGA Program brand), a first-in-class monoclonal antibody targeting Protein S for the treatment of bleeding disorders, starting with von Willebrand disease (VWD). The company also has subsidiary Electra Therapeutics developing therapies (ELA026, ELA822) for rare inflammatory diseases. Star Therapeutics' pipeline includes multiple first-in-class antibody therapeutics, with one approved drug (ENJAYMO for cold agglutinin disease) and others in Phase 3 development. Based in South San Francisco, the company has raised more than $300 million from leading life sciences investors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Electra Therapeutics: Subsidiary company focused on rare inflammatory diseases with lead drug candidate ELA026 for secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH).
• Vega Therapeutics

Products and services

• VGA039 VGA039 is a first-in-class fully human IgG4 monoclonal antibody that targets Protein S to restore hemostasis, with dual actions promoting platelet attachment and enhancing fibrin deposition. It is being developed as a once-monthly subcutaneous prophylactic therapy for von Willebrand disease (VWD) and potentially other bleeding disorders, and is currently in Phase 3 development (VIVID-6 trial) with FDA Fast Track, Orphan Drug, Rare Pediatric Disease, and Breakthrough Therapy designations.
• ELA026 ELA026 is an investigational antibody drug candidate developed by Star Therapeutics' wholly owned subsidiary Electra Therapeutics for the treatment of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH), a rare hyperinflammatory condition. It is in Phase II/III clinical development with regulatory designations supporting its advancement.
• ELA822 ELA822 is a second antibody drug candidate developed by Star Therapeutics' subsidiary Electra Therapeutics that is being advanced into clinical trials for an undisclosed rare inflammatory disease indication, funded by Electra's Series C financing.

Quantifiable outcome

• 73-87% reduction in annualized bleeding rate (ABR) for patients with ABR ≥ 12, no prior IV prophylaxis
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• Incyte CorporationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIncyte announced acquisition of Vega Therapeutics (wholly owned subsidiary of Star) for $1.25 billion upfront plus up to $750 million in sales milestones (total up to $2 billion). Deal expected to close Q3 2026 pending regulatory approval. VGA039 will be added to Incyte's hematology portfolio.
• VWD Connect FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatient advocacy organization partnership for VWD awareness and patient education. Executive Director Jeanette Cesta has publicly supported VGA039 development.
• Electra TherapeuticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst subsidiary of Star Therapeutics, focused on rare inflammatory diseases. Electra completed $183 million Series C financing for ELA026 in secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH). Adam Rosenthal remains Board Director.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Argenx: Argenx is a late-stage immunology biotech developing first-in-class antibody therapeutics (efgartigimod/VYVGART franchise), with a similar antibody-discovery-platform model and focus on rare autoimmune diseases. Comparable in clinical-stage maturity, mAb modality, and rare-disease commercial strategy.
• Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Sobi): Sobi is a global rare-disease company with a dedicated hemophilia and bleeding-disorder franchise (Eloctate, Alprolix). Directly comparable to Star in therapeutic focus (VWD/hemophilia) and biologics commercialization, though Sobi operates as a commercial-stage incumbent.
• BridgeBio Pharma: BridgeBio operates a hub-and-spoke model of subsidiary biotech companies focused on rare genetic diseases, mirroring Star's constellation structure. Comparable in capital structure, late-stage clinical assets, and subsidiary-driven value creation, though BridgeBio has broader therapeutic diversification.
• Genmab: Genmab is a leading antibody discovery and engineering platform company that invents and develops differentiated mAb therapeutics through proprietary technology. Closely comparable to Star's antibody discovery engine and pipeline-in-a-product strategy, though Genmab operates a partnership/licensing model at scale.

Broad incumbents

• BioMarin Pharmaceutical: BioMarin is an established rare-disease biotech with a commercial rare-hematology and specialty biologics portfolio. Overlaps with Star in rare genetic/bleeding disorder focus and biologic modality, though BioMarin operates at a much larger commercial scale.
• Alexion / AstraZeneca Rare Disease: Alexion (acquired by AstraZeneca) is a commercial rare-disease antibody franchise with a focus on complement-mediated and hematologic rare diseases (Soliris, Ultomiris, Strensiq). Closely comparable therapeutic area (rare hematology) and monoclonal antibody modality at commercial scale.
• Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Alnylam is a commercial-stage rare-disease biotech developing RNA interference therapeutics for hematologic and other rare disorders. Comparable in late-stage clinical maturity, rare-disease focus, and orphan-drug commercial strategy, with overlapping treatment-center channels.
• Takeda Pharmaceutical (Rare Bleeding Franchise): Takeda acquired Shire and operates an established hemophilia and rare-bleeding-disorder commercial franchise (Adynovate, Rixubis). Directly competitive in the bleeding-disorder treatment center channel and comparable in target patient population, though Takeda operates at significantly larger commercial scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/STAR_Biotech
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/star-tx

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors19 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Star Therapeutics