Fred Hutch spinout Juno Therapeutics is building a biopharmaceutical company focused on re-engaging the body’s immune system to revolutionize the treatment of cancer.
Using human cells as therapeutic entities, Juno is developing cell-based cancer immunotherapies based on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and high-affinity T cell receptor (TCR) technologies to genetically engineer T cells to recognize and eliminate cancer.
Juno’s late-2014 initial public offering was followed by a number of major breakthroughs in 2015 and 2016.
Clinical data showed progress for Juno’s CD19-directed program in a number of cancers, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The company is on track to bring its first product candidate to market in relapsed/refractory adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia and continues to develop product candidates across multiple targets and additional cancers, including solid tumors.
A collaboration with Celgene enhances Juno’s global presence. Acquisitions of AbVitro, X-Body and Stage Cell Therapeutics GmbH and licensing deals with Fate Therapeutics, Editas and AstraZeneca/MedImmune will boost Juno’s research and development capabilities.
MIT Technology Review ranked Juno number eight on its 50 Smartest Companies 2015 list.
WRF Capital’s investment in Juno resulted in one of its largest-ever returns on investment.