Cue Biopharma
Cue Biopharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops Immuno-STAT® biologics for cancer, autoimmune, and allergic diseases, monetizing its pipeline through pharmaceutical licensing and milestone-based collaborations with partners including Boehringer Ingelheim, ImmunoScape, and Ascendant Health Sciences.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersCambridge, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Cue Biopharma does
Cue Biopharma, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts (relocated from Cambridge), that designs biologics targeting disease-specific T cells for cancer, autoimmune disorders, and allergic disease. Its core technology is the proprietary Immuno-STAT® platform, which uses engineered IL-2 molecules with reduced alpha/beta subunit binding to selectively activate cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in vivo without broad immune modulation. The pipeline comprises CUE-221 (a dual-mechanism anti-IgE monoclonal antibody in Phase 2 development for chronic spontaneous urticaria and food allergy, in-licensed from Ascendant Health Sciences), CUE-401 (a bifunctional IL-2/TGF-B program for autoimmune and inflammatory disease advancing toward Phase 1), CUE-501 (B cell depletion molecules co-developed with Boehringer Ingelheim), and CUE-101 (a biologic for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and other WT1-expressing tumors).
The company generates revenue almost exclusively through collaboration and licensing agreements with pharmaceutical partners, monetizing its platform via upfront payments, development and preclinical milestones (e.g., a $7.5M Boehringer Ingelheim preclinical milestone, a $15M upfront plus 40% equity stake from ImmunoScape, and up to $676.5M in potential milestones from the Ascendant deal) plus potential future royalties. Because Cue has no approved products, recurring capital is supplemented by repeated equity issuances, including a $30M PIPE in November 2022, a $10M public offering in December 2025, and a $30M private placement in May 2026. The company employs 11-50 staff, is led by President and CEO Shao-Lee Lin (appointed April 2026), and trades on Nasdaq under the ticker CUE.
Cue Biopharma firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cue Biopharma
- Legal name
- Cue Biopharma, Inc.
- Website
- https://cuebiopharma.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cue Biopharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops Immuno-STAT® biologics for cancer, autoimmune, and allergic diseases, monetizing its pipeline through pharmaceutical licensing and milestone-based collaborations with partners including Boehringer Ingelheim, ImmunoScape, and Ascendant Health Sciences.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cue Biopharma industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Clinical-Stage Biopharmaceutical Therapeutics
- 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 primary industry
- Immunology & Autoimmune Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Immunology & Inflammation Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAD), Biologic API/Drug Substance Manufacturing Services (HLAAAKAA)
Keywords
Where Cue Biopharma is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Cue Biopharma business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Collaboration and Licensing Revenue: Revenue generated from strategic collaborations with pharmaceutical partners including upfront payments, milestone payments, and potential royalties on future product sales. Recent deals include ImmunoScape collaboration ($15M upfront + 40% equity stake) and Boehringer Ingelheim milestone payments ($7.5M preclinical milestone).
- Public Equity Offerings: Capital raised through public offerings of common stock and warrants to fund clinical development and operations.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Cue Biopharma product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cue Biopharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops precision immuno-engineered biologic therapeutics using its proprietary Immuno-STAT® platform. Its pipeline includes CUE-221 (Phase 2 anti-IgE antibody for allergic diseases), CUE-401 (bifunctional IL-2/TGF-B for autoimmune disease), CUE-501 (B cell depletion molecules for autoimmune disease via Boehringer Ingelheim), and CUE-101 (oncology biologic for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma). Revenue is generated through collaboration agreements, licensing deals, and milestone payments from pharmaceutical partners.
Product overview
Cue Biopharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of therapeutic candidates. The company's lead products include CUE-221 (Phase 2 anti-IgE antibody for allergic diseases) and CUE-401 (Phase 1 bifunctional IL-2/TGF-B program for autoimmune diseases). These are supported by the Immuno-STAT® platform technology for targeted T cell modulation. Additional pipeline candidates include CUE-501 (B cell depletion molecules for autoimmune diseases, via Boehringer Ingelheim collaboration) and CUE-101 (biologic for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and other cancers).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Immuno-STAT: Platform technology that selectively targets disease-specific T cells in vivo without broad immune modulation.
Products and services
- CUE-221 A novel anti-IgE monoclonal antibody with a dual-mechanism of action for IgE-mediated allergic diseases, currently in Phase 2 development for chronic spontaneous urticaria and food allergy. Acquired via exclusive global license from Ascendant Health Sciences Ltd. (excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan).
- CUE-401 A bifunctional IL-2 and TGF-B program designed to regulate inflammation and drive regulatory T cell-mediated tolerance for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, advancing towards Phase 1 development.
- CUE-501 B cell depletion molecules developed in collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim, targeting autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Currently in lead optimization under the collaboration, which may include additional R&D opportunities beyond the initial agreement.
- CUE-101 A clinical-stage biologic therapy designed to selectively modulate disease-specific T cells, targeting cancers such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and cancers that over-express Wilms' Tumor 1 (WT1) antigen. Developed on the Immuno-STAT® platform for targeted immunotherapy in oncology.
- Immuno-STAT® Platform Cue Biopharma's proprietary immuno-engineering platform technology that selectively targets disease-specific T cells in vivo without broad immune modulation. Built around engineered IL-2 molecules with modifications to reduce binding to alpha and beta subunits of the IL-2 receptor, enabling targeted activation of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and supporting multiple pipeline candidates across oncology, autoimmune, and allergic disease.
Quantifiable outcome
- Phase 2 results for Ascendant-221 in chronic spontaneous urticaria expected in H2 2026
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Cue Biopharma
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Cue Biopharma technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Cue Biopharma partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Boehringer IngelheimcoreCollaboration on B cell depletion molecules including CUE-501 product targeting autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Cue Biopharma received a $7.5 million preclinical milestone payment following approval of first compound for lead optimization. The collaboration includes potential for additional research and development opportunities expanding upon the initial agreement.
- ImmunoScapecoreStrategic collaboration and license agreement to develop next-generation T cell therapy approach targeting solid tumors. The partnership combines Cue's Immuno-STAT platform with ImmunoScape's TCR technology, with IND submission targeted for 2027. Cue received $15 million upfront payment and 40% equity stake in the collaboration.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Cue Biopharma competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Janux Therapeutics: Clinical-stage company developing T cell engagers for cancer using a proprietary tumor-activated T cell engager (TRACTr) platform, directly comparable as a small-cap immunology/oncology biologic developer with platform technology and partnered programs.
- Adagene: Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing antibody-based therapeutics for cancer using a proprietary POWERbody and SAFEbody discovery platform, with a similar pipeline breadth and licensing-driven business model to Cue Biopharma.
- Compugen: Clinical-stage cancer immunotherapy company using a computational platform to identify novel drug targets and develop antibody-based therapeutics; comparable in its use of platform-based discovery to generate pipeline assets and its focus on selective immune modulation.
- Inhibrx Biosciences: Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing biologic therapeutics for cancer and autoimmune diseases, with a similarly small cap, multi-asset pipeline, and platform-based discovery approach comparable to Cue Biopharma's Immuno-STAT strategy.
- Werewolf Therapeutics: Clinical-stage oncology company developing PREDATOR platform-based conditionally activated immunotherapies for cancer; comparable in scale, therapeutic focus on immune-mediated oncology, and partnership-driven development model.
Emerging players
- AbCellera Biologics: Clinical-stage antibody discovery platform company partnering with pharma to develop antibody therapeutics across multiple indications, including immunology; directly comparable in its platform-as-a-licensing engine and partnered pipeline structure.
- Pyxis Oncology: Clinical-stage company developing antibody-drug conjugates and immuno-oncology therapeutics with a focus on tumor-microenvironment biology; comparable as a small-cap developer of selective biologic immunotherapies and a recent leadership transition.
- Bolt Biotherapeutics: Clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing immune-stimulating antibody conjugates (ISACs) that selectively activate tumors; relevant as a fellow small-cap developer of immune-targeted biologics with a partnered Phase 1/2 pipeline.
Broad incumbents
- Arcus Biosciences: Mid-cap clinical-stage immuno-oncology company with multiple programs targeting the adenosine pathway and T cell checkpoints, partnered with Gilead; directly comparable as an immuno-oncology focused developer, but with a larger pipeline and deeper capital base.
- Vir Biotechnology: Clinical-stage immunology company developing therapeutics for infectious diseases and serious immunologic conditions, with multiple partnered programs and a platform-driven approach; broader and more capitalized than Cue but a relevant benchmark for immunology-focused biotechs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cue Biopharma social profiles
Digital presenceCue Biopharma financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cue Biopharma leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Cue Biopharma funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds9 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cue Biopharma 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 Cue Biopharma
What does Cue Biopharma do?
Cue Biopharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops precision immuno-engineered biologic therapeutics using its proprietary Immuno-STAT® platform. Its pipeline includes CUE-221 (Phase 2 anti-IgE antibody for allergic diseases), CUE-401 (bifunctional IL-2/TGF-B for autoimmune disease), CUE-501 (B cell depletion molecules for autoimmune disease via Boehringer Ingelheim), and CUE-101 (oncology biologic for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma). Revenue is generated through collaboration agreements, licensing deals, and milestone payments from pharmaceutical partners.
Is Cue Biopharma a public or private company?
Cue Biopharma is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Cue Biopharma founded?
Cue Biopharma was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cue Biopharma based?
Cue Biopharma is headquartered in Cambridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does Cue Biopharma make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Collaboration and Licensing Revenue is the primary driver. The others are public Equity Offerings.
Who are Cue Biopharma's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Janux Therapeutics, Adagene, Compugen, Inhibrx Biosciences and Werewolf Therapeutics. Emerging players are AbCellera Biologics, Pyxis Oncology and Bolt Biotherapeutics. Broad incumbents are Arcus Biosciences and Vir Biotechnology.
Does Cue Biopharma have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cue Biopharma.
What industry is Cue Biopharma in?
Cue Biopharma's product category is Clinical-Stage Biopharmaceutical Therapeutics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIACAB, Immunology & Autoimmune Specialty Pharmaceuticals, with a secondary code of HLAIAAAD, Immunology & Inflammation Pharmaceuticals. Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.