TrueLab Biopharmaceutical

What TrueLab Biopharmaceutical does

TrueLab Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a Shanghai-based, privately held clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2023 that develops antibody-based therapeutics for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Its pipeline of nine disclosed programs plus more than 10 additional discovery-stage assets targets indications including inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus nephritis, IgA nephropathy, and prurigo nodularis. Lead candidates TL-001 (anti-TL1A extended half-life monoclonal antibody) and TL-003 (TL1A × IL-23p19 bispecific antibody) are in Phase 1 trials in Australia, with additional bispecific and trispecific programs at earlier stages.

The company's core technology is TrueForge, a proprietary AI-enabled R&D platform that integrates translational science, antibody engineering, and generative AI with multi-omic data synthesis to prioritize targets and design antibody modalities. The platform is intended to optimize binding affinity and pharmacokinetic profiles across mono-, bi-, and trispecific antibody formats. TrueLab's business model is asset-light: the company advances candidates through Phase 1, then out-licenses ex-Greater China rights to pharmaceutical partners for late-stage development and commercialization while retaining rights in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Revenue is generated through upfront payments, development, regulatory, and commercial milestones, tiered royalties on net sales, and equity stakes in partner companies. The June 2026 Bionyra Pharma license for TL-001 and TL-003, valued at up to $985 million, exemplifies this model. To date, the company has raised $53 million in equity from a syndicate including Han Kang Capital, Bayland Capital, Legend Capital, Huagai Capital, Loyal Valley Capital, Tencent Investment, Xiamen C&D Group, and HongPei Capital.

Name

TrueLab Biopharmaceutical

Legal name

TrueLab Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Website

https://truelab-bio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Short description

TrueLab Biopharmaceutical is a Shanghai-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that uses its proprietary TrueForge AI platform to discover and develop antibody therapeutics for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, advancing candidates through Phase 1 in Australia and licensing worldwide rights to partners while retaining Greater China.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biopharmaceutical Antibody Therapeutics

NAICS

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

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics (mAbs) (HLAAAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Antibody Discovery & Engineering Platforms (display tech, bispecifics, Fc engineering) (HLAAAIAB), AI/ML-Enabled Biologic Discovery Platforms (computational design, in silico screening) (HLAAAIAE), Bispecific & Multispecific Antibodies (HLAAAAAF), Fusion Proteins & Fc-Engineered Biologics (HLAAAAAD), Immunology & Autoimmune Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAB)

Keywords

• Antibody drug discovery
• Inflammatory disease therapies
• AI-powered biologics
• Immune-mediated disease treatment
• Biopharmaceutical pipeline development

Headquarters

HQ city

Shanghai

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Licensing and Milestone Payments: TrueLab generates revenue through exclusive license agreements for its drug candidates, receiving upfront payments, development milestones, regulatory milestones, and commercial milestones. The Bionyra deal is valued up to $985 million including all potential payments.
2. Royalty on Net Sales: Tiered royalties on future net sales of licensed products commercialized by partners.
3. Equity Stake: TrueLab receives equity stakes in partner companies (e.g., single-digit equity in Bionyra Pharma) as part of licensing arrangements.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

TrueLab Biopharmaceutical discovers and develops next-generation antibody-based therapies—including monoclonal, bispecific, and trispecific antibodies—targeting validated inflammatory pathways such as TL1A, IL-23, α4β7, TACI, IFNAR1, TNFα, and OSMR for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. The company leverages its proprietary TrueForge AI-powered R&D platform to identify novel targets and engineer antibody candidates, advancing lead assets (TL-001 and TL-003) through Phase 1 clinical trials in Australia. TrueLab generates revenue primarily by licensing ex-Greater China rights to pharmaceutical partners for further development and commercialization, while retaining full rights within Greater China.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TrueForge™: TrueLab's proprietary AI-powered R&D discovery platform that integrates translational science, advanced antibody engineering, and generative AI to discover and develop next-generation monoclonal, bispecific, and multispecific antibodies for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Products and services

• TL-001 (Anti-TL1A HLE Monoclonal Antibody) TL-001 is TrueLab's lead clinical-stage anti-TL1A extended half-life monoclonal antibody targeting ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's disease (CD), and other TL1A-relevant inflammatory indications. It is being evaluated in Phase 1 clinical trials in Australia, with worldwide rights (excluding Greater China) licensed to Bionyra Pharma in a deal valued up to $985 million.
• TL-003 (TL1A × IL-23p19 HLE Bispecific Antibody) TL-003 is a TL1A × IL-23p19 extended half-life bispecific antibody designed to simultaneously engage TL1A and IL-23 pathways for the treatment of UC, CD, and other inflammatory indications. It entered Phase 1 dosing in Australia in April 2026, with worldwide ex-Greater China rights licensed to Bionyra Pharma.
• TL-021 (TL1A × α4β7 HLE Bispecific Antibody) TL-021 is a TL1A × α4β7 extended half-life bispecific antibody candidate in pre-clinical/discovery-stage development, targeting UC, CD, and other TL1A-relevant indications. It is part of TrueLab's discovery pipeline and has not yet entered clinical trials.
• TL-007 (TL1A × IL-23p19 × α4β7 HLE Trispecific Antibody) TL-007 is a TL1A × IL-23p19 × α4β7 extended half-life trispecific antibody candidate for the treatment of UC, CD, and related indications. It is at the discovery stage of TrueLab's pipeline and has not yet entered clinical trials.
• TL-009 (TACI × IFNAR1 HLE Bispecific Antibody) TL-009 is a TACI × IFNAR1 extended half-life bispecific antibody candidate targeting systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), lupus nephritis (LN), and related autoimmune indications. It is at the discovery stage and has not yet entered clinical trials.
• TL-023 (TACI HLE Fusion Protein) TL-023 is a TACI extended half-life fusion protein candidate for IgA nephropathy (IgAN), SLE, lupus nephritis, and related indications. It is at the discovery stage and has not yet entered clinical trials.
• TL-008 (IL-23p19 × α4β7 × TNFα HLE Trispecific Antibody) TL-008 is an IL-23p19 × α4β7 × TNFα extended half-life trispecific antibody candidate for UC, CD, and related inflammatory indications. It is at the discovery stage and has not yet entered clinical trials.
• TL-002 (OSMR HLE Monoclonal Antibody) TL-002 is an OSMR extended half-life monoclonal antibody candidate targeting prurigo nodularis, pruritus, and related dermatological indications. It is at the discovery stage and has not yet entered clinical trials.
• TrueForge AI-Powered Discovery Engine TrueForge is TrueLab's proprietary integrated R&D discovery platform converging translational science, advanced antibody engineering, and generative AI to discover and design next-generation monoclonal, bispecific, and trispecific antibodies for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. The platform synthesizes multi-omic biological data and uses machine learning to identify novel therapeutic targets and optimize antibody candidates for binding affinity and pharmacokinetic performance.
• Bionyra Pharma Exclusive License Agreement (TL-001 & TL-003) In June 2026, TrueLab granted Bionyra Pharma exclusive worldwide rights (excluding Greater China) to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize TL-001 and TL-003, with TrueLab eligible for upfront, development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments up to $985 million plus tiered royalties on net sales and a single-digit equity stake in Bionyra.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to $985 million potential deal value from Bionyra Pharma licensing agreement
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Bionyra PharmacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026Exclusive license agreement for TL-001 (anti-TL1A mAb) and TL-003 (TL1A x IL-23p19 bispecific antibody). Bionyra granted exclusive worldwide rights (excluding Greater China) to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize. TrueLab eligible for up to $985 million in total consideration including milestones and tiered royalties. TrueLab receives single-digit equity stake in Bionyra.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Morphic Holding: Acquired by Eli Lilly in 2024, Morphic developed oral integrin inhibitors for IBD (α4β7 and other targets). Direct competitor in the IBD/IBD-related immunology space, particularly via the α4β7 target that TrueLab also targets in bispecifics.
• Roivant Sciences: Through Telavant/Roivant Immunology, Roivant developed anti-TL1A and IL-23 programs (Rinucumab) partnered with Pfizer for IBD. Directly competes in the same TL1A x IL-23 biology and is the most analogous asset-portfolio competitor to TrueLab.
• Akeso, Inc. China-based biopharma with leading bispecific antibody capabilities (e.g., cadonilimab, ivonescimab). Direct competitor in the bispecific/multi-specific antibody modality space targeting oncology and immunology, with comparable Chinese biotech profile.
• AnaptysBio: Clinical-stage antibody discovery company developing antibodies for inflammatory and immunology indications, with a proprietary antibody platform and multiple partnered programs. Comparable business model of platform-driven antibody discovery for immune-mediated diseases.
• Prometheus Biosciences: Acquired by Merck in 2023 for ~$11B, Prometheus developed PRA023 (anti-TL1A mAb) for IBD. Direct therapeutic-area and target competitor to TrueLab's TL-001 and TL-003, validating the TL1A space but also setting a high competitive bar.
• I-Mab Biopharma: China-incorporated clinical-stage biopharma developing antibody-based therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Comparable geographic origin, therapeutic focus, and platform-based antibody pipeline structure to TrueLab.

Emerging players

• AbCellera Biologics: AI-enabled antibody discovery platform partnering with pharma on therapeutic antibody programs. Comparable platform-company model with technology-driven antibody discovery, though serves as a partner/competitor to in-house platforms like TrueForge.
• Generate Biomedicines: Generative AI biology company designing de novo therapeutic antibodies and proteins. Shares the generative-AI-for-biologics value proposition with TrueForge and represents the next generation of AI-native antibody discovery competitors.

Broad incumbents

• Merck & Co. Through the Prometheus acquisition, Merck is the lead anti-TL1A player globally with tulisokibart in Phase 3 for UC. Sets the dominant competitive standard for TL1A-targeting antibodies and could influence TrueLab's ability to license remaining assets.
• Genentech (Roche): Major biopharma incumbent with broad immunology portfolio including Actemra, Ocrevus, and marketed IBD assets (e.g., Xolair). Sets competitive benchmarks and represents a potential licensing partner/acquirer for TrueLab's pipeline.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 TrueLab Biopharmaceutical