Palleon Pharmaceuticals
Palleon Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company developing first-in-class engineered sialidase therapies that remove immunosuppressive sialoglycans to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases, with two clinical-stage assets (E-602 and E-688/HLX316).
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersWaltham, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Palleon Pharmaceuticals does
Palleon Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company developing first-in-class glyco-immune checkpoint inhibitors to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company's scientific premise is that tumor hypersialylation — the overabundance of immunosuppressive sialic acid sugars on cell surfaces — drives resistance to existing immunotherapies. Palleon's lead asset, E-602 (Efgitasialase alfa), is an engineered human sialidase fusion protein that enzymatically removes these immunosuppressive sialic acids from tumor and immune cell surfaces, restoring anti-tumor immunity; it is currently in a Phase 2 trial in membranous nephropathy and was previously studied in the Phase 1/2 GLIMMER-01 solid tumor study. A second clinical asset, E-688/HLX316, is a B7-H3-targeted sialidase developed using the EAGLE (Enzyme-Antibody Glycan-Ligand Editing) platform and entered Phase 1 in 2026 in China via partner Henlius.
The company operates a platform-based model anchored on three proprietary technologies: EAGLE for designing enzyme-antibody bi-specific therapeutics, CONVERGENCE for integrating glycoscience and immunology discovery, and HYDRA for patient stratification via tumor glyco-code profiling. Palleon is pre-revenue and does not commercialize products; revenue will derive from future drug commercialization and from milestone payments and royalties under the 2022 strategic collaboration with Shanghai Henlius Biotech, which provides Henlius China rights to two bifunctional sialidase programs in exchange for upfront consideration and up to $196.5 million in development and commercial milestones. Its customer base consists of patients enrolled in clinical trials at academic medical centers, and its GTM motion relies on scientific conferences (AACR, SITC, ASN, ACR), FDA/NMPA regulatory engagement, and partnership-led commercialization rather than direct sales.
Palleon was founded in 2015 by Jim Broderick (formerly partner at Morgenthaler Ventures and co-founder of Ra Pharmaceuticals) together with Nobel laureate Carolyn Bertozzi and Siglec biology pioneer Paul Crocker, and is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. The company has raised $147.6 million in venture capital across a $47.6M Series A (2017, SR One-led) and a $100M Series B (2020, Matrix Capital Management-led), with strategic investors including Pfizer Ventures, Takeda Ventures, AbbVie Ventures, Vertex Ventures HC, and Surveyor Capital.
Palleon Pharmaceuticals firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Palleon Pharmaceuticals
- Legal name
- Palleon Pharmaceuticals Inc.
- Website
- https://palleonpharma.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Palleon Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company developing first-in-class engineered sialidase therapies that remove immunosuppressive sialoglycans to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases, with two clinical-stage assets (E-602 and E-688/HLX316).
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Palleon Pharmaceuticals industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Clinical-stage Biopharmaceuticals - Glyco-immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cytokines, Interferons & Immunomodulatory Proteins (HLAAAAAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Personalized Therapeutic Design (neoantigen vaccines, individualized cell/gene therapies) (HLAAANAK), Nephrology & Urology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAH)
Keywords
Where Palleon Pharmaceuticals is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Waltham
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Palleon Pharmaceuticals business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Pharmaceutical Development and Commercialization: Palleon Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company with no current revenue. The company is developing novel therapeutics for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Future revenue would come from commercialized drug products following regulatory approval.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Palleon Pharmaceuticals product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Palleon Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class glyco-immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company uses proprietary engineered human sialidase enzymes (via the EAGLE, CONVERGENCE, and HYDRA platforms) to enzymatically remove immunosuppressive sialic acids from tumor and immune cell surfaces, restoring anti-tumor immunity. Lead clinical assets include E-602 (Phase 2 for membranous nephropathy/autoimmune disease; previously Phase 1/2 for solid tumors) and E-688/HLX316 (Phase 1 for advanced solid tumors in China).
Product overview
Palleon Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering glyco-immunology drug development to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company operates a platform-based approach with three proprietary technology platforms: EAGLE (Enzyme-Antibody Glycan-Editing) for creating enzyme-antibody bifunctional therapeutics, HYDRA for patient selection via tumor glycan profiling, and CONVERGENCE for integrating glycoscience and immunology expertise. The lead clinical programs are E-602 (Efgitasialase alfa), a first-in-class bi-sialidase fusion protein now in Phase 2 for membranous nephropathy/autoimmune disease, and E-688/HLX316, a first-in-class B7-H3-targeted sialidase in Phase 1 for solid tumors. Additional pipeline candidates include bifunctional PD-L1-targeted sialidase and anti-Siglec-9 antibodies. The company's approach targets immunosuppressive sialoglycans on cell surfaces to restore immune responses. Founded in 2015, Palleon was co-founded by Nobel laureate Carolyn Bertozzi.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- E-602 (Efgitasialase alfa) First-in-class engineered human sialidase enzyme fusion protein (bi-sialidase) that degrades immunosuppressive sialoglycans on tumor and immune cell surfaces, restoring both innate and adaptive anti-tumor immunity. Previously known as Sialidase-Fc and Bi-Sialidase. In Phase 2 development for membranous nephropathy and lupus nephritis (autoimmune kidney disease), previously in Phase 1/2 GLIMMER-01 for solid tumors (NCT05259696). Being developed in combination with rituximab biosimilar and with anti-PD-1 antibodies (pembrolizumab/cemiplimab).
- E-688/HLX316 First-in-class B7-H3-targeted sialidase combining human sialidase enzyme with targeting arm directed at B7-H3 tumor antigen. Engineered using the EAGLE Platform for tumor-targeted enzymatic desialylation. In Phase 1 clinical trial for advanced solid tumors (platinum-resistant ovarian cancer) conducted in China via strategic partner Henlius. Demonstrated tumor surface desialylation lasting more than seven days in vivo and outperformed anti-PD-1 as single agent in humanized tumor models.
Quantifiable outcome
- E-602 demonstrated single-agent antitumor activity and wide safety margin in animal models with NOAEL of 100 mg/kg in non-human primates
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Palleon Pharmaceuticals
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Palleon Pharmaceuticals technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Palleon Pharmaceuticals partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Shanghai Henlius BiotechcoreStrategic collaboration to develop and commercialize two bifunctional sialidase programs from Palleon's EAGLE platform, including Bifunctional HER2-Sialidase and a second bifunctional sialidase. Henlius received exclusive license for two products in China (including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan); Palleon retains all other global rights. Palleon received upfront payment and is eligible for up to $196.5 million in milestone payments plus royalties.
- Massachusetts General HospitalminorResearch collaboration using Palleon's HYDRA technology to quantify immunosuppressive sialoglycans in melanoma tumor samples.
- King's College LondoncoreExclusive license agreement for intellectual property developed by Professor Joy Burchell related to glycoimmune checkpoints for treating cancer. Professor Burchelli has been a leader in aberrant glycosylation in breast cancer for over 25 years.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Palleon Pharmaceuticals competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Innate Pharma: Clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing antibody-based therapeutics targeting innate immune cells. Comparable to Palleon in stage, I/O modality innovation, and European/U.S. clinical focus, though Innate targets NK and myeloid checkpoints rather than glyco-immune checkpoints.
- Werewolf Therapeutics: Clinical-stage oncology biotech developing tumor-activated immunotherapies (PREDATOR platform) that conditionally activate within the tumor microenvironment. Comparable to Palleon in its I/O modality innovation approach and clinical-stage development profile.
- Compass Therapeutics: Clinical-stage oncology company developing novel antibodies for I/O, including bispecifics and antibody-drug conjugates. Similar in clinical-stage development, novel checkpoint engagement, and I/O competitive positioning to Palleon's EAGLE platform output.
- Xilio Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biotech developing tumor-activated immunotherapies (including masked cytokines and bispecifics) that are designed to be activated selectively in the tumor microenvironment. Directly comparable clinical-stage I/O peer with similar novel-modality approach.
- Surface Oncology: Clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing antibodies targeting novel immune checkpoints (CD39, CD73, IL-27). Comparable in clinical stage and focus on next-generation checkpoint mechanisms beyond PD-1/L1, though Surface targets the adenosine pathway rather than glycans.
- Anaveon: Clinical-stage biotech developing engineered cytokine therapeutics (selective IL-2 and IL-15 agonists) for cancer immunotherapy. Comparable as a clinical-stage I/O company engineering novel immunomodulatory biologics, with similar size and development profile.
- Pyxis Oncology: Clinical-stage oncology company developing antibody-drug conjugates and immunotherapies. Comparable clinical-stage peer in novel oncology therapeutic modalities, though Pyxis focuses on ADCs rather than enzyme-based glyco-immune approaches.
- Alector: Clinical-stage immunology company developing antibodies targeting the innate immune system for neurodegeneration and oncology. Comparable as a science-driven immunology platform company with deep academic founder involvement, though Alector primarily targets neurodegenerative diseases.
Broad incumbents
- Genmab: Established antibody therapeutics company with approved products (Darzalex, Tepezza) and broad I/O pipeline. Relevant as a broader incumbent in antibody-based I/O modalities that competes for the same BD, talent, and capital pools as Palleon's bifunctional sialidase programs.
Emerging players
- Disc Medicine: Clinical-stage biotech developing therapeutics for hematologic diseases with novel mechanisms. Comparable as a similar-sized, science-led clinical-stage biotech with a focus on hematology-adjacent indications, though Disc targets erythroid biology rather than glyco-immune checkpoints.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Palleon Pharmaceuticals social profiles
Digital presencePalleon Pharmaceuticals financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Palleon Pharmaceuticals leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Palleon Pharmaceuticals funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Palleon Pharmaceuticals M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Palleon Pharmaceuticals
What does Palleon Pharmaceuticals do?
Palleon Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class glyco-immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company uses proprietary engineered human sialidase enzymes (via the EAGLE, CONVERGENCE, and HYDRA platforms) to enzymatically remove immunosuppressive sialic acids from tumor and immune cell surfaces, restoring anti-tumor immunity. Lead clinical assets include E-602 (Phase 2 for membranous nephropathy/autoimmune disease; previously Phase 1/2 for solid tumors) and E-688/HLX316 (Phase 1 for advanced solid tumors in China).
Is Palleon Pharmaceuticals a public or private company?
Palleon Pharmaceuticals is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Palleon Pharmaceuticals founded?
Palleon Pharmaceuticals was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Palleon Pharmaceuticals based?
Palleon Pharmaceuticals is headquartered in Waltham, United States, in the North America region.
How does Palleon Pharmaceuticals make money?
One revenue line is on record: pharmaceutical Development and Commercialization.
Who are Palleon Pharmaceuticals's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Innate Pharma, Werewolf Therapeutics, Compass Therapeutics, Xilio Therapeutics, Surface Oncology, Anaveon, Pyxis Oncology and Alector. Genmab is listed as a broad incumbent. Disc Medicine is listed as an emerging player.
Does Palleon Pharmaceuticals have an API?
No public API is recorded for Palleon Pharmaceuticals.
What industry is Palleon Pharmaceuticals in?
Palleon Pharmaceuticals's product category is Clinical-stage Biopharmaceuticals - Glyco-immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAAAC, Cytokines, Interferons & Immunomodulatory Proteins, with a secondary code of HLAAANAK, Personalized Therapeutic Design (neoantigen vaccines, individualized cell/gene therapies). Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.