Scout Bio
Scout Bio is a Philadelphia-based veterinary biotechnology company developing one-time AAV gene therapies and monoclonal antibodies for chronic conditions in companion animals, with a pipeline spanning CKD-anemia, feline diabetes, and chronic pain in cats. Acquired by Ceva Santé Animale in January 2024.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersPhiladelphia, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Scout Bio does
Scout Bio is a Philadelphia-based biotechnology company developing one-time AAV (adeno-associated virus) vector-delivered gene therapies and monoclonal antibodies for chronic conditions in companion animals. The company's core platform uses intramuscular injection of AAV vectors encoding therapeutic proteins — feline erythropoietin, a feline GLP-1 analog, and anti-NGF antibodies — to induce long-term expression of those proteins in pet patients, replacing chronic dosing regimens with a single administration. Its lead product candidates include SB-001 (fEPO gene therapy for CKD-associated anemia in cats), SB-009 (GLP-1 analog gene therapy for feline diabetes), SB-007 (vectorized anti-NGF for chronic arthritis pain), and SB-011 (monthly anti-NGF monoclonal antibody for pain). The technology is enabled by an exclusive animal-health license to next-generation AAV capsid technology from the University of Pennsylvania's Gene Therapy Program, co-founded by Dr. James M. Wilson.
Scout Bio operated pre-revenue, generating no commercial product sales during its independent operating life. Its revenue model, if products had reached market, would have relied on one-time veterinary-channel sales of gene therapy products (and recurring sales for monoclonal antibody SB-011) administered by veterinarians. Distribution would have run through veterinary clinics and academic veterinary centers (including NC State and University of Georgia partnerships), with clinical study recruitment serving as the bottom-of-funnel customer acquisition mechanism. Clinical studies were conducted at no cost to participating pet owners, consistent with an FDA-regulated veterinary clinical trial model. Marketing and awareness-building relied heavily on scientific conference presence (ASGCT, ACVIM Forum, Morgan Stanley Animal Health Summit, BofA Securities, Stifel Jaws & Paws, Chardan Genetic Medicines, Jefferies Gene Therapy Summit) and investor-relations press distributed via Globe Newswire.
In January 2024, Scout Bio was acquired by Ceva Santé Animale, the #5 global animal health company operating in 110 countries, as a strategic move to extend Ceva's biotechnology pipeline into gene therapy and monoclonal antibodies for chronic pet diseases. Former CEO Mark Heffernan joined Ceva as Senior Vice President of Biotherapeutics and CEO of Ceva Biotechnology Campus in Philadelphia, where the Scout Bio pipeline continues to advance. Prior to acquisition, the company raised approximately $62.3 million in venture funding across a 2018 round, a $20 million Series B in April 2019, and a $33 million Series B2 in October 2021, from investors including Digitalis Ventures, RiverVest Venture Partners, Frazier Healthcare Partners, OrbiMed, and Greenspring Associates.
Scout Bio firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Scout Bio
- Legal name
- Scout Bio, Inc.
- Website
- https://scoutbio.co
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Scout Bio is a Philadelphia-based veterinary biotechnology company developing one-time AAV gene therapies and monoclonal antibodies for chronic conditions in companion animals, with a pipeline spanning CKD-anemia, feline diabetes, and chronic pain in cats. Acquired by Ceva Santé Animale in January 2024.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Scout Bio industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Veterinary Biopharmaceuticals
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AAV Vector Gene Therapy Developers (HLAAACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Biologics & Immunotherapies (Non-vaccine) (HLAMAEAK), Vaccine R&D, Clinical/Field Trials & Regulatory Affairs (HLAMAKAM)
Keywords
Where Scout Bio is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Philadelphia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Scout Bio business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Gene Therapy Products: One-time injectable AAV gene therapies for chronic pet health conditions including CKD-associated anemia, feline diabetes, and chronic pain. Revenue would be generated through veterinary product sales following regulatory approval.
- Monoclonal Antibody Products: Both vectorized (via gene therapy) and standalone monoclonal antibody products (such as anti-NGF antibody SB-011 for monthly injection) for chronic pain management in cats and potentially other species.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Scout Bio product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Scout Bio develops a pipeline of one-time Adeno-Associated Viral (AAV) vector gene therapies and monoclonal antibody product candidates for major chronic pet health conditions, including feline CKD-associated anemia (SB-001), feline diabetes (SB-009), and chronic arthritis pain (SB-007, SB-011). Products are designed as single intramuscular injections producing long-term therapeutic protein expression and are intended to be administered by veterinarians following FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine approval.
Product overview
Scout Bio is a biotechnology company developing a pipeline of one-time AAV gene therapies and monoclonal antibodies for major chronic pet health conditions including chronic kidney disease (CKD)-associated anemia, feline diabetes, and chronic arthritis pain. The company's lead product candidates include: SB-001 (AAV gene therapy expressing feline erythropoietin for CKD-anemia), SB-009 (AAV gene therapy expressing GLP-1 analog for feline diabetes), SB-007 (AAV gene therapy expressing anti-NGF antibody for chronic pain), and SB-011 (monoclonal antibody against NGF for monthly pain treatment). All therapies are designed to induce long-term expression of therapeutic proteins using adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector technology delivered via single intramuscular injection, with an R&D collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania's Gene Therapy Program.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SB-001 Single-injection AAV gene therapy expressing feline erythropoietin (fEPO) for treatment of anemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats. Designed to continually produce therapeutic levels of EPO to stimulate red blood cell production, with no observed immune response to fEPO in treated feline patients. FDA CVM confirmed SB-001 eligibility for Expanded Conditional Approval.
- SB-009 AAV gene therapy expressing an engineered feline GLP-1 agonist for treatment of feline diabetes. Designed to stimulate beta-cells to produce more insulin and potentially decrease insulin resistance, offering a one-time injectable alternative to twice-daily insulin injections.
- SB-007 One-time AAV gene therapy for chronic arthritis pain in cats. Triggers consistent long-term production of an antibody that inhibits nerve growth factor (NGF), designed for long-term pain management over months to years from a single intramuscular injection.
- SB-011 Anti-NGF monoclonal antibody for monthly injection treatment of chronic arthritis pain in cats. Targets nerve growth factor to dramatically reduce or eliminate pain, improving quality of life and mobility for cats with chronic arthritis.
Quantifiable outcome
- 87% of cats met success criteria (clinically relevant PCV increase) in CKD-associated anemia pilot study
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Scout Bio
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Scout Bio technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Scout Bio partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Ceva Santé AnimaleflagshipStrategic acquisition of Scout Bio by Ceva (#5 global animal health company, present in 110 countries) in January 2024. Mark Heffernan joined Ceva as Senior Vice President of Biotherapeutics and CEO of Ceva Biotechnology Campus (Philadelphia). Ceva maintains relationship with Penn's Gene Therapy Program to continue and expand biotherapeutic innovation.
- University of Pennsylvania Gene Therapy Program (GTP)coreFoundational R&D collaboration with Penn's Gene Therapy Program led by Dr. James M. Wilson (co-founder of Scout Bio). GTP provides world-leading capabilities in AAV vector design, optimization and early clinical-scale manufacturing for animal health. Partnership expanded in December 2021 to include exclusive rights in animal health to novel viral vector capsid technology with enhanced manufacturability.
- North Carolina State University College of Veterinary MedicineminorAcademic veterinary institution where Dr. Shelly L. Vaden served as lead author and clinical investigator in Scout Bio's CKD-associated anemia clinical study.
- University of Georgia College of Veterinary MedicineminorAcademic institution where Dr. Cynthia R. Ward served as presenter on AAV vector delivery systems at ACVIM Forum alongside Scout Bio's Chief Development Officer.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Scout Bio competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Nexvet Biopharma: Pre-commercial veterinary biopharma developing monoclonal antibody therapeutics for companion animals (notably anti-NGF for canine OA pain). Acquired by Zoetis in 2017 for ~$85M. Highly comparable to Scout Bio in scale, modality (biologics/mAbs for pets), and pre-commercial stage.
- Aratana Therapeutics: Pre-revenue veterinary biopharma focused on novel therapeutics for companion animals, including monoclonal antibodies (e.g., Galliprant for canine OA). Acquired by Elanco in 2019. Comparable to Scout Bio in targeting chronic pet conditions with novel biologics and similar clinical-stage profile.
- Kindred Biosciences: Veterinary biopharmaceutical company developing novel biologics and small molecules for cats, dogs, and horses. Acquired by Elanco for ~$440M in 2021. Directly comparable to Scout Bio in feline-focused biologics pipeline and strategic exit profile.
- PetMedix: UK-based veterinary biopharma developing fully species-specific monoclonal antibodies for companion animals using transgenic technology. Comparable to Scout Bio in leveraging advanced biologics platforms (mAbs) to address unmet needs in pet medicine.
Broad incumbents
- Elanco Animal Health: One of the largest global animal health companies with a deep companion animal therapeutics portfolio including biologic products from the Aratana/KindredBio/Bayer Animal Health acquisitions. Operates in the same market channels as Scout Bio's future products and competes across pet biologics categories.
- Zoetis: World's largest animal health company with broad companion animal biopharmaceutical portfolio including Librela (anti-NGF mAb for canine OA pain) and assets from the Nexvet acquisition. Direct head-to-head competitor in chronic pain and broader pet biologics.
- Virbac: Top-10 global animal health company with a substantial companion animal portfolio spanning vaccines, parasiticides, and specialty therapeutics. Operates in overlapping veterinary channels and competes for veterinary prescribing share.
- Dechra Pharmaceuticals: Specialty animal health company (acquired by Elanco in 2024) focused on companion animal endocrinology, dermatology, and analgesia. Comparable to Scout Bio in targeting chronic feline conditions and competing for prescribing share in CKD, pain, and related indications.
Emerging players
- VetDC: Veterinary biotech developing novel therapeutics for pet cancer and related conditions. Smaller-scale, clinical-stage peer operating at the same intersection of human biotech innovation and companion animal application as Scout Bio.
Others
- Ceva Santé Animale: Parent company and acquirer of Scout Bio. #5 global animal health company with presence in 110 countries. As the strategic acquirer, Ceva is the most direct channel and commercialization counterpart for Scout Bio's pipeline; also serves as adjacent comparator for portfolio strategy.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Scout Bio social profiles
Digital presenceScout Bio financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Scout Bio leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Scout Bio funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Scout Bio 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 Scout Bio
What does Scout Bio do?
Scout Bio develops a pipeline of one-time Adeno-Associated Viral (AAV) vector gene therapies and monoclonal antibody product candidates for major chronic pet health conditions, including feline CKD-associated anemia (SB-001), feline diabetes (SB-009), and chronic arthritis pain (SB-007, SB-011). Products are designed as single intramuscular injections producing long-term therapeutic protein expression and are intended to be administered by veterinarians following FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine approval.
Is Scout Bio a public or private company?
Scout Bio is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Scout Bio founded?
Scout Bio was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Scout Bio based?
Scout Bio is headquartered in Philadelphia, United States, in the North America region.
How does Scout Bio make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Gene Therapy Products are the primary driver. The others are monoclonal Antibody Products.
Who are Scout Bio's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Nexvet Biopharma, Aratana Therapeutics, Kindred Biosciences and PetMedix. Broad incumbents are Elanco Animal Health, Zoetis, Virbac and Dechra Pharmaceuticals. VetDC is listed as an emerging player. Ceva Santé Animale is listed as an others.
Does Scout Bio have an API?
No public API is recorded for Scout Bio.
What industry is Scout Bio in?
Scout Bio's product category is Veterinary Biopharmaceuticals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAACAA, AAV Vector Gene Therapy Developers, with a secondary code of HLAMAEAK, Biologics & Immunotherapies (Non-vaccine). Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.