ONK Therapeutics
ONK Therapeutics is a pre-clinical Irish biotech developing off-the-shelf, dual-targeted engineered NK cell therapies for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, with five pipeline programs and revenue from pharma licensing and milestone payments rather than approved products.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersBarna, Ireland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ONK Therapeutics does
ONK Therapeutics is a pre-clinical stage biotechnology company developing off-the-shelf, optimally engineered natural killer (NK) cell therapies for hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Founded in 2015 by Prof. Michael O'Dwyer at NUI Galway and headquartered in Galway, Ireland with a US subsidiary at JLABS @ San Diego, the company's core platform combines dual targeting via chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) and proprietary TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand variants (TRAILv) that engage death receptor pathways (DR4/DR5), enhanced by a suite of proprietary CRISPR/Cas9 gene edits including CISH knockout, CD38 knockout, TGFβR2 knockout, and deletion of inhibitory checkpoints (CD96, TIGIT, Siglec-7, PD-1). The pipeline comprises five named programs: ONKT102 (lead, CD38 CAR-NK for multiple myeloma), ONKT104 (CLL-1 CAR-NK for AML), ONKT103 (TA-MUC1 CAR-NK for solid tumors), ONKT105 (CISH KO cord-derived NK), and ONKT106 (CISH KO iPSC-derived NK).
The company's business model is pre-commercial and partnership-driven. Revenue mechanics consist of upfront payments, development and commercial milestones, and royalties earned through licensing and co-development agreements with pharmaceutical and biotech partners, supplemented by non-dilutive grant funding from Irish government programs (Enterprise Ireland Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, Innovation Partnership Programme). Notable transactions include a collaboration with Intellia Therapeutics covering up to five CRISPR-edited NK cell therapies with potential value up to approximately $920 million ($184M per product in milestones plus royalties), an exclusive global patent license from WEHI for CISH knockout technology, and a license to Avectas granting worldwide development and commercialization rights for one B-cell malignancy program. GMP manufacturing capability is sourced through partnerships with the Centre for Cell Manufacturing Ireland at University of Galway, Bio-Techne, and the NIH-licensed EBV-LCL feeder cell line enabling up to 1,000-fold NK expansion.
ONK serves two primary customer segments: pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies seeking NK cell therapy programs for partnership or in-licensing, and ultimately (post-approval) patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, acute myeloid leukemia, and solid tumors including pancreatic, ovarian, triple-negative breast cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer. The company's intellectual property foundation rests on USPTO Patent No. 11104735 and the EPO foundational patent for CISH knockout in NK cells, complemented by granted TRAIL variant patents and option licenses for CCR7, CLEC12A, and TA-MUC1 targeting binders. Total equity raised to date is approximately $36.1 million across rounds in 2020 and 2022; the company has not yet disclosed product pricing or commercial revenue.
ONK Therapeutics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ONK Therapeutics
- Legal name
- ONK Therapeutics Limited
- Website
- https://onktherapeutics.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ONK Therapeutics is a pre-clinical Irish biotech developing off-the-shelf, dual-targeted engineered NK cell therapies for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, with five pipeline programs and revenue from pharma licensing and milestone payments rather than approved products.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ONK Therapeutics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cancer Cell Therapy
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- NK Cell Therapies (HLAAABAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- CAR-T & TCR-T Therapies (HLAAABAC), Oncology & Hematology Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAC)
Keywords
Where ONK Therapeutics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Barna
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
ONK Therapeutics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Partnership and Licensing Revenue: The company generates revenue through research collaborations, licensing agreements, and partnership deals with pharmaceutical companies. Financial terms include upfront fees, development and commercial milestones, and royalties on future product sales.
- Equity Financing: Series A and other equity financing rounds from venture capital and investment firms to fund R&D and clinical development.
- Future Product Sales: Revenue anticipated from eventual commercialization of NK cell therapy products, following regulatory approval.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
ONK Therapeutics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ONK Therapeutics develops next-generation off-the-shelf, optimally engineered dual-targeted natural killer (NK) cell therapies targeting hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Its proprietary platform combines chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting with TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand variant (TRAILv) technology targeting death receptors (DR4/DR5), enhanced by gene edits including CISH knockout, CD38 knockout, TGFβR2 knockout, and checkpoint receptor deletions to improve persistence, cytotoxicity, and overcome tumor microenvironment suppression. The company operates in pre-clinical development with a pipeline of NK cell therapy programs intended for partnership, licensing, and future commercialization.
Product overview
ONK Therapeutics is a cell therapy company developing a portfolio of off-the-shelf, optimally engineered dual-targeted NK cell therapies targeting hematological malignancies and solid tumors. The core platform combines chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting with TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand variants (TRAILv) targeting death receptors (DR4/DR5), enhanced by proprietary gene edits including CISH knockout, CD38 knockout, and TGFβR2 knockout. The pipeline comprises multiple programs: lead program ONKT102 (CD38 CAR for multiple myeloma), ONKT104 (CLL-1 CAR for AML), ONKT103 (MUC1 CAR for solid tumors), ONKT105 (CISH KO cord-derived NK cells), and ONKT106 (CISH KO iPSC-derived NK cells). The company offers GMP manufacturing capabilities and NK cell sourcing services through strategic partnerships, and licenses its CISH knockout technology to partners.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ONKT102 Dual-targeted NK cell therapy combining an optimized affinity CD38 CAR with TRAILv targeting DR5, with CD38 KO and CISH KO modifications; intended for treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Lead program in ONK's pipeline.
- ONKT103 Dual-targeted NK cell therapy combining a TA-MUC1 CAR with TRAILv targeting DR5, with CISH KO and optional scIL-15 modifications; intended for treatment of solid tumors including pancreatic, ovarian, and triple-negative breast cancer.
- ONKT104 Dual-targeted NK cell therapy combining a CLL-1 (CLEC12A) CAR with TRAILv targeting DR4, with CISH KO and scIL-15 modifications; intended for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
- ONKT105 Non-CAR construct utilizing CISH KO and optional TGFβR2 KO with scIL-15, designed as a highly functional edited cord-derived NK cell therapy for combination approaches with monoclonal antibodies or NK cell engagers, targeting various hematological and solid tumors.
- ONKT106 Early-stage program exploring highly functional CISH KO iPSC-derived NK cells for potential therapeutic applications.
- CISH Knockout Technology Proprietary gene edit technology licensed globally from WEHI that removes the CISH gene from NK cells, improving metabolic profile, proliferation, cytotoxicity, and persistence. Foundational patent granted by USPTO (US Patent No. 11104735) and European Patent Office.
- GMP Manufacturing Services Access to GMP manufacturing capabilities through partnership with Centre for Cell Manufacturing Ireland at University of Galway, providing a 250 m2 cleanroom facility for NK cell manufacturing R&D and clinical trial supply.
- Cord Blood and NK Cell Sourcing Ethically-sourced umbilical cord blood and cord-derived NK cells supplied through collaboration with Anthony Nolan Cell & Gene Therapy Services for research and process development.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 1,000-fold NK cell expansion over 2-3 weeks demonstrated with EBV-LCL feeder layer technology
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ONK Therapeutics
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
ONK Therapeutics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
ONK Therapeutics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- NAYA BiosciencescoreResearch partnership to advance combination therapy of ONK's optimally engineered off-the-shelf NK cell therapies and NAYA's FLEX-NK bispecific antibodies.
- Intellia TherapeuticscoreLicensing and collaboration agreement providing ONK non-exclusive rights to Intellia's ex vivo CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing platform and LNP delivery technologies, plus exclusive rights to certain guide RNAs for up to five allogeneic CRISPR-edited NK cell therapies. Intellia has co-development and co-commercialization options for up to two products with lead US commercialization rights. Potential value up to $184M per product in milestones plus royalties.
- Trinity College DublinmajorEnterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership Programme grant (€373,295 over two years) with Dr. David Finlay's group to explore metabolic reprogramming of NK cells for improved cancer therapy. ONK has exclusive option to license resulting IP.
- WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)coreExclusive global patent license agreement for CISH knockout in NK cells for treatment of cancer. CISH KO improves metabolic profile, proliferation, cytotoxicity, and persistence of NK cells.
- NUI Galway (National University of Ireland, Galway)majorResearch agreement with Dr. Eva Szegezdi to explore CLL-1 targeting strategies in preclinical models of AML, supporting ONKT104 optimization.
- NIH (National Institutes of Health)coreLicense for clinically-validated GMP-grade EBV-LCL feeder cell line enabling robust NK cell expansion (up to 1,000-fold over 2-3 weeks) for clinical trial manufacturing.
- Anthony Nolan Cell & Gene Therapy ServicescoreCollaboration for consistent supply of ethically-sourced umbilical cord blood and cord-derived NK cells as starting material for research and process development.
- Amsterdam UMCmajorResearch collaboration with Dr. Tuna Mutis to develop optimized affinity CD38 CAR-NK and DR5 TRAILv in multiple myeloma.
- Cellerant TherapeuticsmajorExclusive option license for humanized CLEC12A scFv binder for ONKT104 AML program.
- Glycotope GmbHmajorLicense for humanized tumor-specific MUC1 glycopeptide antibody to strengthen ONKT103 for solid tumors.
- AvectascoreAvectas licensed ONK's CAR NK cell therapy incorporating DR5 TRAIL variant for B-cell malignancies. Using Solupore non-viral cell engineering platform. Avectas responsible for development to Phase 1. Avectas holds worldwide development and commercialization rights.
- Bio-TechnecorePartnership spanning process development, optimization of manufacturing, through to scaled-up GMP manufacturing for initial clinical trials.
- HiTechHealthmajorPartnership focused on optimizing engineered NK cell cryopreservation, media selection and thawing processes for off-the-shelf approach.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ONK Therapeutics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ONK Therapeutics social profiles
Digital presenceONK Therapeutics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ONK Therapeutics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
ONK Therapeutics subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
ONK Therapeutics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ONK Therapeutics 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 ONK Therapeutics
What does ONK Therapeutics do?
ONK Therapeutics develops next-generation off-the-shelf, optimally engineered dual-targeted natural killer (NK) cell therapies targeting hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Its proprietary platform combines chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting with TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand variant (TRAILv) technology targeting death receptors (DR4/DR5), enhanced by gene edits including CISH knockout, CD38 knockout, TGFβR2 knockout, and checkpoint receptor deletions to improve persistence, cytotoxicity, and overcome tumor microenvironment suppression. The company operates in pre-clinical development with a pipeline of NK cell therapy programs intended for partnership, licensing, and future commercialization.
Is ONK Therapeutics a public or private company?
ONK Therapeutics is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was ONK Therapeutics founded?
ONK Therapeutics was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ONK Therapeutics based?
ONK Therapeutics is headquartered in Barna, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does ONK Therapeutics make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Partnership and Licensing Revenue is the primary driver. The others are equity Financing and future Product Sales.
Does ONK Therapeutics have an API?
No public API is recorded for ONK Therapeutics.
What industry is ONK Therapeutics in?
ONK Therapeutics's product category is Cancer Cell Therapy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAABAD, NK Cell Therapies, with a secondary code of HLAAABAC, CAR-T & TCR-T Therapies. Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.