# MBrace Therapeutics

> MBrace Therapeutics is a clinical-stage oncology company building antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) against hard-to-drug cancer targets. Its proprietary SPARTA platform screens antibodies directly inside living tumors to surface antigens that are cancer-specific, accessible, and internalizing - the traits an ADC needs to deliver its toxic payload where it counts. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in San Diego, the company raised an $85M Series B in 2023 (led by TPG) to advance a pipeline led by MBRC-101, a first-in-class ADC targeting the EphA5 receptor now in Phase 1/2 clinical trials.

- **Founded:** 2020
- **Headquarters:** San Diego, California, United States
- **Founders:** Isan Chen (Co-Founder, President & CEO), Renata Pasqualini (Co-Founder, Scientific Founder), Wadih Arap (Co-Founder, Scientific Founder)
- **Team size:** ~26 employees
- **Products:** SPARTA Discovery Platform, MBRC-101, MBRC-201
- **Notable:** Raised $85M Series B in November 2023 led by TPG, bringing total funding to ~$110M+, Advanced MBRC-101, a first-in-class anti-EphA5 ADC, into Phase 1 clinical trials with patient dosing initiated December 2023, Progressed a second ADC, MBRC-201, into Phase 1/2 clinical development

## Products & services

- **SPARTA Discovery Platform** — A proprietary in-vivo antibody selection technology (originating at Rutgers University) that screens antibodies directly inside living tumors to identify targets that are cancer-specific, accessible in the body, and internalizing upon binding - the properties required for an effective ADC.
- **MBRC-101** — Lead candidate: a first-in-class anti-EphA5 antibody-drug conjugate carrying an MMAE (monomethyl auristatin E) payload, in a multicenter Phase 1/2 study for advanced refractory solid tumors including breast, NSCLC, colorectal, gastric and pancreatic cancers.
- **MBRC-201** — Second clinical ADC program in a Phase 1/2 dose-finding, safety and pharmacokinetic study in advanced refractory solid tumors.

## Achievements

- Raised $85M Series B in November 2023 led by TPG, bringing total funding to ~$110M+
- Advanced MBRC-101, a first-in-class anti-EphA5 ADC, into Phase 1 clinical trials with patient dosing initiated December 2023
- Progressed a second ADC, MBRC-201, into Phase 1/2 clinical development
- Presented preclinical data at the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium and a Trial-in-Progress poster at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting
- Recruited Steve Alley (20+ years at Seagen) as Chief Scientific Officer in 2024

## Latest updates

- **2024-06** — Presented a Trial-in-Progress poster for its lead ADC program (MBRC-101) at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting.
- **2024-02** — Appointed Steve Alley, a 20-year Seagen veteran, as Chief Scientific Officer.
- **2023-12** — Announced initiation of patient dosing in the Phase 1 clinical trial of MBRC-101, an anti-EphA5 ADC.
- **2023-12** — Presented preclinical ADC data at the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
- **2023-11** — Closed an $85M Series B financing led by TPG, bringing total capital raised to ~$110M.

## Links

- Website: https://mbracetrx.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mbrace-therapeutics/

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Last updated: 2026-07-11