OncoResponse
OncoResponse is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology biotech that uses a proprietary I-STAR Elite Responder B-cell discovery platform to develop fully human monoclonal antibodies, including OR502 and OR2805, targeting tumor microenvironment immunosuppression in cancer patients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What OncoResponse does
OncoResponse is a privately held, clinical-stage immuno-oncology biotech founded in October 2015 and headquartered in Houston, TX, with research operations in Seattle, WA. The company's core product is its Elite Responder B-cell Discovery Platform, built on the proprietary I-STAR immune repertoire screening technology licensed from Theraclone Sciences at founding, which interrogates the immune systems of cancer patients who achieved exceptional responses to checkpoint inhibitor therapy to discover fully human antibodies targeting the tumor microenvironment. Its lead clinical assets are OR502, an anti-LILRB2 antibody in Phase 1/2 as monotherapy and in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy, and OR2805, a fully human anti-CD163 antibody in Phase 1, with the preclinical candidate OR641 (dual LILRB1/LILRB2 antagonist) also in development.
The company monetizes through a partnership- and licensing-oriented business model: revenue is not generated from product sales but is anticipated from future co-development deals, licensing arrangements, and royalties with pharmaceutical partners, supported by clinical supply agreements such as the Regeneron/Libtayo combination study and development/manufacturing work with Just–Evotec Biologics. Discovery activity is enabled by a long-standing strategic alliance with MD Anderson Cancer Center, which provides patient samples from Elite Responders, renewed in August 2022 to include pre- and post-treatment tissue collection. The company is venture-backed, having raised approximately $130.5M in equity across multiple rounds since inception plus a $50M credit facility from Oxford Finance, with investors including ARCH Venture Partners, Canaan Partners, RiverVest Venture Partners, Redmile Group, Magnetar Group, Takeda Ventures, and Qatar Investment Authority, among others. As of November 2024, OncoResponse reported Phase 1 OR502 monotherapy results showing a 65% disease control rate and a clean safety profile, and announced plans for Phase 1b efficacy confirmatory studies in melanoma and NSCLC.
OncoResponse firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OncoResponse
- Legal name
- OncoResponse, Inc.
- Website
- https://oncoresponse.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- OncoResponse is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology biotech that uses a proprietary I-STAR Elite Responder B-cell discovery platform to develop fully human monoclonal antibodies, including OR502 and OR2805, targeting tumor microenvironment immunosuppression in cancer patients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OncoResponse industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cancer Immunotherapy
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Immuno-Oncology & Immune Monitoring Biomarkers (TMB, MSI, MRD, immune profiling) (HLAAAMAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- In Vivo Discovery & Translational Models Platforms (humanized models, PK/PD, efficacy) (HLAAAIAK)
Keywords
Where OncoResponse is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
OncoResponse business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Drug Development and Licensing: Pre-revenue clinical stage company. Future revenue anticipated through licensing agreements with pharmaceutical partners, co-development partnerships, and eventual product sales upon regulatory approval of drug candidates.
- Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations: Revenue generation through research collaborations, development agreements, and strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical companies for co-development and commercialization of pipeline candidates.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
OncoResponse product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OncoResponse is a clinical-stage biotech that discovers and develops fully human monoclonal antibody immunotherapies for cancer using its proprietary Elite Responder B-cell discovery platform. The platform interrogates the immune systems of cancer patients who responded exceptionally well to checkpoint inhibitor therapy to identify antibodies that reprogram tumor-associated macrophages and relieve immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. Lead clinical-stage candidates include OR502 (anti-LILRB2) in Phase 1/2 and OR2805 (anti-CD163) in Phase 1, with OR641 (dual LILRB1/2 antagonist) in preclinical development.
Product overview
OncoResponse is a clinical-stage biotech company developing a pipeline of monoclonal antibody immunotherapies for cancer derived from the immune systems of Elite Cancer Responders. The company's core technology platform interrogates the adaptive immune system of patients who responded exceptionally well to checkpoint inhibitor therapy to discover antibodies targeting the tumor microenvironment. The lead clinical candidates are OR502 (anti-LILRB2, Phase 1/2) and OR2805 (anti-CD163, Phase 1), with OR641 (dual LILRB1/2 antagonist) in preclinical development. The platform enables discovery of fully human antibodies that modulate immunosuppressive myeloid cells to make 'cold' tumors 'hot' and enhance responses to immunotherapy.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- OR502 A best-in-class humanized anti-LILRB2 (ILT4) monoclonal antibody that blocks LILRB2 interactions with both HLA-G and MHC Class I molecules to rescue innate and adaptive immune responses. It uses an IgG1 isotype enabling FcgR co-engagement for superior myeloid reprogramming. Currently in Phase 1/2 clinical trials in advanced solid tumors as monotherapy and in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy.
- OR2805 A fully human anti-CD163 monoclonal antibody discovered from an Elite Responder to checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Designed to reverse immunosuppression of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and improve anti-tumor T-cell responses, evaluated in monotherapy and combination with checkpoint inhibitor therapy (including Libtayo/cemiplimab via Regeneron supply agreement).
- OR641 A novel humanized dual antagonist antibody targeting both LILRB1 and LILRB2 inhibitory receptors that promotes a Th1-like immune response. In preclinical development.
- Elite Responder B-cell Discovery Platform A proprietary human antibody discovery platform that mines the memory B-cell repertoire of Elite Responders (cancer patients who responded exceptionally well to checkpoint inhibitor therapy) to identify therapeutically relevant antibodies against novel immuno-oncology targets associated with immunosuppressive myeloid biology. The platform rapidly screens tens of thousands of antibodies to identify immuno-modulatory antibodies to high-value targets.
Quantifiable outcome
- Phase 1 OR502 monotherapy achieved 65% Disease Control Rate (2 PR + 9 SD in 17 patients)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use OncoResponse
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
OncoResponse technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
OncoResponse partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Regeneron PharmaceuticalscoreClinical supply agreement for Libtayo (cemiplimab) to evaluate OR2805 in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy in patients with advanced cancer. The combination aims to improve responses to checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CentercoreAdditional drug discovery collaboration announced August 2022 to advance Elite Responder-derived cancer immunotherapies. Provides tissue sample collection from Elite Responders before, during and after cancer immunotherapy treatment.
- Just – Evotec BiologicscoreProduct development and manufacturing agreement for OR2805. Just – Evotec Biologics applies its integrated technology platform J.DESIGN to provide cell line development, process development, and Phase I/II cGMP clinical manufacturing.
- Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)minorCollaboration with OHSU Knight Cancer Institute to identify antibodies against novel targets in elite responders in prostate cancer and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Provides access to patient samples for immune repertoire screening.
- MD Anderson Cancer CentercoreBroad strategic alliance formed at company founding in October 2015. MD Anderson provides access to patient samples, physiologic, prognostic and genotypic data from patients who responded well to cancer immunotherapies, along with oncology and translational medicine expertise. This alliance enables the Elite Responder discovery platform.
- Theraclone SciencescoreAt founding in October 2015, OncoResponse licensed Theraclone's proven immune repertoire screening technology (I-STAR) for identification of therapeutic antibodies against novel targets from immuno-oncology treated patients. The technology rapidly identifies antibodies with exceptional reactivity to targets on myeloid cells.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
OncoResponse competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Immuneering: Clinical-stage oncology company using computational biology to develop cancer therapies, including immuno-oncology candidates — adjacent discovery methodology and oncology focus.
Direct peers
- Compugen: Clinical-stage immuno-oncology biotech that uses a computational discovery platform to identify novel immune checkpoints and antibody targets — directly comparable to OncoResponse's antibody discovery approach for immuno-oncology.
- Surface Oncology: Clinical-stage I-O biotech developing antibodies that target the tumor microenvironment to overcome immunosuppression — closely aligned mechanism with OncoResponse's myeloid-reprogramming strategy.
- Bolt Biotherapeutics: Clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing myeloid-engaging antibody therapeutics (ISAC platform) that activate anti-tumor innate immunity — directly comparable TME/myeloid-targeting strategy to OncoResponse.
- Pyxis Oncology: Clinical-stage oncology biotech developing antibody-drug conjugates and immunotherapies targeting the tumor microenvironment — similar stage, modality, and therapeutic focus to OncoResponse.
- Jounce Therapeutics: Clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing antibody-based therapeutics to activate the immune system against cancer — directly comparable development stage and I-O focus.
- Apexigen: Clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing antibody therapeutics targeting the tumor microenvironment — comparable clinical stage and myeloid-reprogramming therapeutic strategy.
- Werewolf Therapeutics: Clinical-stage oncology biotech developing conditionally activated immunotherapies designed to act within the tumor microenvironment — comparable stage and TME-focused therapeutic approach.
- NextCure: Clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing novel immunomedicines that target novel immunoregulatory pathways within the tumor microenvironment — closely aligned discovery-to-development approach.
Broad incumbents
- MacroGenics: Established clinical-stage biotech with a broad portfolio of antibody-based oncology therapeutics, including programs targeting immune checkpoints and the tumor microenvironment — overlapping modality and target space.
Market position
Strengths2 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
OncoResponse social profiles
Digital presenceOncoResponse financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OncoResponse leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
OncoResponse funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds7 records
Investors19 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OncoResponse M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about OncoResponse
What does OncoResponse do?
OncoResponse is a clinical-stage biotech that discovers and develops fully human monoclonal antibody immunotherapies for cancer using its proprietary Elite Responder B-cell discovery platform. The platform interrogates the immune systems of cancer patients who responded exceptionally well to checkpoint inhibitor therapy to identify antibodies that reprogram tumor-associated macrophages and relieve immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. Lead clinical-stage candidates include OR502 (anti-LILRB2) in Phase 1/2 and OR2805 (anti-CD163) in Phase 1, with OR641 (dual LILRB1/2 antagonist) in preclinical development.
Is OncoResponse a public or private company?
OncoResponse is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was OncoResponse founded?
OncoResponse was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is OncoResponse based?
OncoResponse is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does OncoResponse make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Drug Development and Licensing is the primary driver. The others are strategic Partnerships and Collaborations.
Who are OncoResponse's main competitors?
Immuneering is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Compugen, Surface Oncology, Bolt Biotherapeutics, Pyxis Oncology, Jounce Therapeutics, Apexigen, Werewolf Therapeutics and NextCure. MacroGenics is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does OncoResponse have an API?
No public API is recorded for OncoResponse.
What industry is OncoResponse in?
OncoResponse's product category is Cancer Immunotherapy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAMAK, Immuno-Oncology & Immune Monitoring Biomarkers (TMB, MSI, MRD, immune profiling), with a secondary code of HLAAAIAK, In Vivo Discovery & Translational Models Platforms (humanized models, PK/PD, efficacy). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 2836.