What Montis Biosciences does

Montis Biosciences is a Belgian biotechnology company (Montis Biosciences BV) headquartered at the Arenberg Bio-Accelerator in Leuven, developing first-in-class antibody therapeutics that target the dual biology of complement protein C1q. The company's core technology comprises novel anti-C1q antibodies designed to simultaneously inhibit the classical complement cascade and modulate C1q's complement-independent functions, particularly macrophage/microglial activation — a dual mechanism the company distinguishes from existing single-axis complement blockers. Its lead program, MB0109, has demonstrated statistically significant disease-modifying activity in EAN and EAE animal models of demyelinating autoimmune neuropathies, with favorable pharmacokinetics and tolerability in NHP toxicology studies at doses up to 200 mg/kg. Initial clinical targets are Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy, with planned expansion into broader autoimmune, neurodegenerative, and ophthalmic indications.

A second pipeline program targets CD93 in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and is positioned as a partnership-out asset. The company is scientifically co-founded with VIB and KU Leuven by Prof. Peter Carmeliet and Prof. Massimiliano Mazzone, and is led by CEO Gil Beyen (former CEO of ERYTECH Pharma and TiGenix) and Chairman Luc Dochez (former CEO of Tusk Therapeutics, sold to Roche). Its board includes representatives from a Tier-1 biotech investor syndicate: DROIA Ventures, Pfizer Ventures, Polaris Innovation Fund, ALSA Ventures, and VIB.

Montis is pre-clinical and pre-revenue. Total disclosed funding to date is approximately $10.3 million, consisting of a €8.5M Series A in February 2020 and a €1.07M Flemish innovation grant in June 2021. Revenue generation will be governed by traditional pharmaceutical commercialization (licensing, royalties, or direct sales) upon regulatory approval; the first IND-enabling studies are planned for mid-2026 with a Phase 1 trial targeted for mid-2027. There are no paying customers, no commercial distribution channels, and no disclosed pricing — customer engagement is currently limited to scientific conferences, partnering events, and investor relations.

Name

Montis Biosciences

Legal name

Montis Biosciences BV

Website

https://montisbio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Montis Biosciences is a Belgian preclinical biotech developing first-in-class dual-mechanism anti-C1q antibodies that simultaneously target the complement cascade and macrophage/microglial activation to treat neuroinflammatory and autoimmune diseases, initially Guillain-Barré Syndrome and CIDP.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biopharmaceuticals

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Lead Optimization & Preclinical Candidate Selection (HLAIALAB)

Keywords

• Antibody therapeutics
• Complement therapeutics
• Neuroinflammatory diseases
• Immuno-oncology
• Preclinical biotechnology

Headquarters

HQ city

Meise

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Therapeutic Development and Commercialization: Pre-revenue biotech company developing novel antibody therapeutics for neuroinflammatory diseases. Revenue model not yet established as company is in pre-clinical stage with plans for Phase 1 trial by mid-2027.

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Montis Biosciences is a biotechnology company developing next-generation therapeutics that harness the dual biology of complement C1q by simultaneously targeting the complement and myeloid axes. The lead program, MB0109, is a first-in-class dual-action anti-C1q antibody for neuroinflammatory diseases including Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy, with a parallel CD93 inhibitor program for lung squamous cell carcinoma.

Product overview

Montis Biosciences is a biotechnology company developing next-generation therapeutics that harness the dual biology of complement C1q. The company's pipeline includes two lead programs: MB0109, a first-in-class dual-action anti-C1q antibody targeting both complement and myeloid axes for neuroinflammatory diseases, and a CD93 inhibitor program for lung squamous cell carcinoma. The MB0109 program is the lead clinical candidate advancing toward IND-enabling studies in mid-2026 and Phase 1 trials in mid-2027, initially targeting Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MB0109 First-in-class dual-action antibody targeting C1q to simultaneously inhibit the classical complement cascade and C1q-mediated macrophage/microglial activation. Demonstrated strong preclinical efficacy in EAN and EAE animal models of demyelinating autoimmune neuropathies.
• CD93 Inhibitor Program Second program focusing on inhibiting CD93, a novel perivascular target, in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). A potent drug candidate was selected with best-in-class potential. Montis plans to partner this asset.

Quantifiable outcome

• Statistically significant disease-modifying activity demonstrated in EAN and EAE animal models of demyelinating autoimmune diseases
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• KU LeuvencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing scientific expertise and research facilities. Scientific founders Prof. Peter Carmeliet and Prof. Massimiliano Mazzone are affiliated with KU Leuven/VIB.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Argenx: Argenx is a commercial-stage immunology biotech developing antibody therapeutics for severe autoimmune diseases. It is comparable to Montis as a leading antibody-focused autoimmune company, with Montis' BD Advisor having previously worked at Argenx.
• Alexion / AstraZeneca Rare Disease: Alexion is the established leader in complement therapeutics (eculizumab, ravulizumab) and a major player in rare autoimmune neurological diseases including GBS and CIDP. It is comparable as the dominant incumbent in Montis' target indications and complement mechanism class.
• Ra Pharmaceuticals / UCB: Ra Pharmaceuticals (acquired by UCB) developed peptide inhibitors of complement C5 for rare autoimmune diseases including CIDP. It is comparable to Montis as a complement-pathway biotech targeting similar rare neuroinflammatory indications.
• BioMarin Pharmaceutical: BioMarin is a commercial-stage rare disease biopharmaceutical company that acquired Prosensa (where Montis' Chairman previously served as CBO). It is comparable as a rare-disease biotech with overlapping investor/board connections and a similar European biotech origin story.
• Takeda Pharmaceutical (Ventures): Takeda is a global pharmaceutical company with significant rare disease and immunology franchises. It is comparable as a strategic pharma player with a director (former Takeda Ventures CEO) on Montis' board and active interest in the complement/immunology space.

Others

• ERYTECH Pharma: ERYTECH is a biopharmaceutical company where Montis' CEO Gil Beyen previously served as CEO and Director for over 10 years. It is comparable as a precedent European biotech platform whose leadership now drives Montis, providing execution template and investor relationships.

Direct peers

• Prothena Corporation: Prothena is a clinical-stage biotech developing antibody therapeutics for neurodegenerative and rare diseases with misfolded protein targets. It is comparable to Montis as a neuroscience-focused antibody developer pursuing complement/inflammation-driven mechanisms.
• Annexon: Annexon is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapeutics that target C1q to treat classical complement-mediated autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, including GBS. It is the most direct mechanistic peer to Montis Biosciences given its anti-C1q antibody approach and overlapping indication strategy.
• Apellis Pharmaceuticals: Apellis is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company developing complement-targeted therapies (C3 inhibitors). It is highly comparable to Montis as a fellow complement-pathway-focused biotech, with Apellis' Acting CMO advisor having previously worked there, providing direct industry context for Montis' mechanism.

Emerging players

• Tusk Therapeutics: Tusk Therapeutics was an antibody-focused immuno-oncology biotech acquired by Roche in 2018, with Montis' Chairman having served as its CEO. It is comparable as a precedent European antibody biotech with a similar founder profile and successful exit trajectory.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors7 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Montis Biosciences