Zenas BioPharma, Inc.

Zenas BioPharma, Inc. is a clinical-stage global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing immunology-based therapies. The company specializes in immunology and inflammation (I&I) and aims to build a biopharmaceutical company in this area, leveraging the evolving understanding of autoimmune disease pathogenesis and promising immunology-based pharmacologic targets. Its business strategy involves acquiring product candidates and utilizing internal expertise and external resources. Zenas BioPharma's executive management team and industry networks are used to identify, acquire, and develop product candidates for patients with autoimmune diseases. The company's lead I&I product candidate is obexelimab, a bifunctional monoclonal antibody. Obexelimab is designed to bind to both CD19 and FcγRIIb, which are present across B cell lineage. This binding aims to inhibit the activity of cells involved in many autoimmune diseases without depleting them. Clinical data generated to date suggest that targeting B cell lineage via CD19 and FcγRIIb can inhibit B cells and has been well-tolerated. Unlike anti-CD20 or other anti-CD19 targeting agents that may deplete B cells in systemic circulation but not fully impact B cells in relevant tissue, obexelimab's mechanism of action and chronic dosing regimen are intended to broadly and effectively address the pathogenic role of B cell lineage in chronic autoimmune disease. Anti-CD20 and other anti-CD19 agents can cause prolonged depletion of circulating B cells for six months or longer, potentially increasing the risk of opportunistic infections and reducing vaccine response.