Bicara Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focusing on the development of dual-action biologics for cancer treatment, has successfully completed an oversubscribed Series B financing round, raising $108 million. The funding will be used to advance Bicara’s lead program, BCA101, and its pipeline of investigational candidates targeting solid tumor cancers.
The financing round was co-led by Red Tree Venture Capital and RA Capital Management, with participation from existing investors such as F-Prime Capital, Eight Roads Ventures, Invus, Piper Heartland Healthcare Capital, and Premji Invest. New investors joining the round include Omega Funds, Bioqube Ventures, Acorn Bioventures, and Janus Henderson Investors.
Bicara Therapeutics is focused on developing dual-action biologics that can elicit a potent and durable anti-tumor response. The lead program, BCA101, is a bifunctional antibody designed to inhibit EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) and disable TGF-b (Transforming Growth Factor-beta) directly at the tumor site. This unique approach aims to achieve a superior anti-tumor response with an improved therapeutic window.
BCA101 has shown promising efficacy and safety data in Bicara’s ongoing Phase 1/1b clinical trial. The company intends to present additional data at an upcoming medical conference in 2023. The financing will support the advancement of BCA101 and the progression of Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies for BCA356, a second precision tumor modulator program.
Claire Mazumdar, Ph.D., MBA, CEO of Bicara Therapeutics, expressed gratitude for the support from the investor syndicate. The funds will enable the company to continue its clinical studies in the U.S. and Europe for BCA101, focusing on its potential in treating various solid tumor types, including head and neck cancers.
Bicara aims to deliver innovative treatment options that could elevate the standard of care, especially in areas of high unmet medical need. The additional capital from this financing round positions the company to achieve key data milestones and progress its mission of developing transformative biologics for cancer treatment.
