What 1st Biotherapeutics does

1st Biotherapeutics (1STBIO) is a clinical-stage Korean biotech founded in 2016 by Jamie Jae Eun Kim, headquartered in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, and operating with 11-50 employees. The company develops a portfolio of small-molecule drug candidates across three therapeutic areas: immuno-oncology, neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ALS), and rare diseases. Its lead clinical asset is FB849, an HPK1 inhibitor in Phase 1/2 for solid tumors being evaluated in combination with MSD's KEYTRUDA. Neurodegenerative candidates include FB-101 (c-Abl inhibitor with BBB-penetrating properties for Parkinson's/ALS), 1ST-103/NLY02 (RIPK2 inhibitor, partnered with D&D Pharmatech), 1ST-104 (LRRK2/c-Abl dual inhibitor), and FB610 (PET tracer). Platform technologies include the 1ST-501 AI Drug Discovery Engine, the 1ST-S novel mechanism-of-action ADC payload platform, and a genomic-based target discovery platform for neurodegenerative biomarkers.

The company generates value primarily through licensing options, milestone-bearing collaborations, and government grants rather than product sales. Monetization vehicles include out-licensing (LigaChemBio R&D and licensing option agreement covering FL-101/FL-102), clinical collaborations with pharma (MSD for FB849 + KEYTRUDA), and national funding (KDDF support for FB849 and FB418). Technology partnerships layer external AI capabilities onto internal discovery: Eli Lilly's TuneLab provides federated access to Lilly's $1B+ research AI models, Naver Cloud supports AI platform R&D, and NVIDIA Inception provides ecosystem support, all while 1STBIO retains pipeline rights and data privacy.

Strategically, the company operates a partnership-driven GTM model, leveraging scientific conferences (AACR), global pharma KOL networks, and strategic media engagement to attract enterprise collaborators. Revenue concentration risk sits in a handful of large-pharma relationships (MSD, Lilly, LigaChemBio), while customer concentration in the traditional sense is low because the company has no commercial product sales. Recent milestones include FDA IND approval and Korean clinical trial approval for FB849 (2022-2023), Series D funding of approximately $22M (January 2026), Lilly TuneLab partnership (May 2026), and Pre-Unicorn designation by Korea's SMB Administration (2024).

Name

1st Biotherapeutics

Legal name

주식회사 퍼스트바이오테라퓨틱스 (1ST Biotherapeutics, Inc.)

Website

https://1stbio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

1st Biotherapeutics is a clinical-stage Korean biotech developing small-molecule drug candidates in immuno-oncology (HPK1 inhibitor FB849), neurodegenerative diseases (c-Abl, RIPK2, LRRK2 inhibitors for Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ALS), and rare diseases, monetizing through licensing options, pharma collaborations, and government grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biopharmaceutical Drug Development

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

AI/ML-Enabled Biologic Discovery Platforms (computational design, in silico screening) (HLAAAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Immunology & Inflammation Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAD), Target Identification & Validation Platforms (omics-driven, chemoproteomics, genetic validation) (HLAAAIAI), Theranostic Radiopharmaceutical Platforms (Paired Dx/Tx) (HLAIAGAC)

Keywords

• Clinical-stage biotechnology
• Immuno-oncology drug development
• Neurodegenerative disease therapeutics
• AI-driven drug discovery
• Small molecule drug pipeline

Headquarters

HQ city

Seongnam

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Licensing and milestone payments: The company generates value through licensing agreements where it retains pipeline rights while providing access to its programs for upfront payments, development milestones, and royalties. The TuneLab agreement exemplifies access to AI discovery tools while retaining proprietary pipeline rights.
2. Co-development and collaboration revenue: Revenue from co-development partnerships including cost-sharing, milestone achievements, and potential future royalties from successful drug candidates developed jointly with partners such as LigaChemBio, Moffitt Cancer Center, and MSD.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

1st Biotherapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech that discovers and develops novel small-molecule therapeutics in three focus areas: neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ALS), immuno-oncology (solid tumors), and rare diseases. The company advances proprietary drug candidates including FB849 (HPK1 inhibitor), FB-101 (c-Abl inhibitor for Parkinson's), and 1ST-103/NLY02 (RIPK2 inhibitor), supported by proprietary AI Drug Discovery and ADC payload platforms, and commercializes through out-licensing deals, milestone payments, and co-development partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies.

Product overview

1ST Biotherapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech developing a portfolio of drug candidates across Neurodegenerative Diseases, Immuno-Oncology, and Rare Diseases. The pipeline includes both proprietary candidates and joint development programs. Core drug candidates include FB849 (HPK1 inhibitor for solid tumors in Phase 1), FB-101 (c-Abl inhibitor for Parkinson's/ALS), and 1ST-103 (RIPK2 inhibitor for Alzheimer's). The technology portfolio includes 1ST-501 AI Drug Discovery Engine (leveraging AI and medicinal chemistry for small-molecule discovery) and 1ST-S (novel ADC payload platform targeting metabolic vulnerabilities). The company also collaborates with LigaChemBio on joint pipeline candidates FL-101/FL-102. Platform technologies focus on genomic-based target discovery for neurodegeneration and biomarker identification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FB849 HPK1 inhibitor in Phase 1 clinical development for solid tumors (immuno-oncology) that reverses active immune suppression and stimulates effector immune cells and dendritic cells in the tumor microenvironment.
• FB520 GCN2/PERK/HRI inhibitor in discovery stage for oncology applications.
• FB-101 c-Abl inhibitor for ALS and Parkinson's disease; targets alpha-synuclein pathogenesis with optimal CNS drug properties, potent neuroprotection activities, and desirable safety profiles; completed Phase 1 for Parkinson's.
• FB610
• 1ST-104
• 1ST-103 (NLY02)
• FL-101 / FL-102 Undisclosed small molecule drug candidates from the 1STBIO-LigaChemBio joint R&D and licensing option agreement.
• 1ST-501 AI Drug Discovery Engine
• 1ST-S ADC Payload Platform
• Genomic-based Target Discovery Platform

Quantifiable outcome

• First Patient Dosed in Phase I/II Study of HPK1 Inhibitor FB849 in December 2023
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and historical.

• Eli Lilly (TuneLab)coreTechnology or Integration · 7 May 2026Eli Lilly’s TuneLab has added 1ST Biotherapeutics to its AI drug-discovery network, providing access to Lilly’s proprietary AI models for early-stage small-molecule drug research. 1STBIO retains full pipeline rights and its data/IP remain private through federated learning. The platform was built from Lilly’s more than $1 billion in research investment. 1STBIO plans to apply the platform to its lead program FB849 (HPK1 inhibitor) and its neurodegenerative disease and cancer programs.
• D&D PharmatechcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2026Partnership with D&D Pharmatech resulted in securing European patent (EPO) for NLY02, a RIPK2 inhibitor candidate for neurodegenerative disease treatment. US patent registered in August 2025. Ongoing collaboration on neurological drug development.
• LigaChemBiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2025Strategic R&D and licensing option agreement for joint development of small molecule drug candidates. Joint pipeline includes FL-101 and FL-102 (undisclosed targets). The partnership leverages both companies’ medicinal chemistry expertise and drug discovery capabilities.
• The Michael J. Fox FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 20251STBIO joined The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s LITE (LRRK2 International Team Endeavor) Program to advance LRRK2-based Parkinson’s disease research. The partnership focuses on developing disease-modifying therapies targeting LRRK2 and c-Abl pathways.
• Moffitt Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2025Strategic alliance with Moffitt Cancer Center, a world-renowned cancer research institution, to develop immuno-oncology treatments. The partnership aims to transform cancer treatment through innovative therapeutic approaches leveraging 1STBIO’s HPK1 inhibitor program and Moffitt’s research expertise.
• LigaChemBio (ADC Collaboration)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 December 2024ADC (Antibody-Drug Conjugate) joint research with LigaChemBio to explore new anticancer treatment possibilities. Combines LigaChemBio’s ADC platform technology with 1STBIO’s oncology programs.
• Naver Cloud (Naver Cloud Corporation)supportingTechnology or Integration · 10 July 2024AI platform joint research and development MOU with Naver Cloud to advance AI-based drug discovery capabilities. Leverages Naver’s cloud infrastructure and AI technology for enhanced drug discovery processes.
• MSD (Merck & Co.)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 September 2023Clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement to evaluate FB849 (HPK1 inhibitor) in combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in patients with advanced solid tumors. MSD provides clinical supply of pembrolizumab under the agreement.
• NeuralyhistoricalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 April 2020Joint research collaboration focused on brain-penetrant c-Abl inhibitors for Parkinson’s disease treatment. Neuraly specializes in neurodegenerative disease therapeutics and partnered with 1STBIO on CNS drug development.
• twoXARhistoricalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 January 2019Co-development collaboration formed in January 2019 to discover and develop treatments for glioblastoma using computational drug discovery approaches. The partnership combined 1STBIO’s biology expertise with twoXAR’s AI-driven drug identification platform.
• NVIDIA (Inception Program)supportingTechnology or IntegrationSelected for NVIDIA Inception program in July 2025, which recognizes and supports AI startups with access to NVIDIA’s technology, expertise, and ecosystem for advancing AI-based drug discovery.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• LigaChemBio: Korean clinical-stage biotech with parallel pipeline in oncology and a focused ADC platform. Has strategic R&D and licensing agreement with 1STBIO on FL-101/FL-102, making it both a direct partner and most comparable peer in stage, geography, and modality mix.
• D&D Pharmatech: Korean biotech developing brain-penetrant therapeutics for neurodegeneration. Co-develops NLY02 (1ST-103) with 1STBIO, sharing RIPK2 inhibitor IP for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Closely comparable in size, geography, and CNS focus.
• Recursion Pharmaceuticals: Clinical-stage AI-driven drug discovery company using computational platforms to advance small molecule pipelines across oncology, neuroscience, and rare disease. Directly comparable in AI-driven small molecule discovery approach and clinical-stage status.
• Exscientia: AI-driven precision medicine company developing small molecule drug candidates through computational drug design. Directly comparable as a clinical-stage AI drug discovery peer with similar GTM model of partnerships with major pharma.
• Cerecin: Clinical-stage biotech focused on neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Comparable therapeutic focus and Korean market exposure (CFO Brian Kim previously led IR-Korea at Cerecin).
• Annovis Bio: Clinical-stage biotech developing disease-modifying treatments for neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, with a focus on alpha-synuclein and tau pathology. Directly comparable in CNS-focused pipeline and disease-modifying approach.

Emerging players

• Arvinas: Clinical-stage biotech developing targeted protein degradation (PROTAC) therapeutics including ARV-102 for Parkinson's disease. SAB member Lawrence Snyder was VP at Arvinas; comparable in clinical-stage neurodegeneration and oncology pipeline focus.
• Insitro: AI-driven drug discovery and development company combining machine learning with high-throughput biology. Comparable as a clinical-stage AI drug discovery peer focused on neuroscience and other therapeutic areas.
• twoXAR (now Anagin): Former partner of 1STBIO (2019 glioblastoma co-development). AI-driven drug identification platform for small molecule discovery. Comparable in AI small molecule discovery approach and partnership-driven business model.
• AbCellera Biologics: Clinical-stage AI-powered antibody discovery company using technology platforms to accelerate therapeutic development. Comparable in AI-driven platform technology approach and clinical-stage biotech structure, though focused on antibodies rather than small molecules.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1stbio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors13 records

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about 1st Biotherapeutics