Grove Biopharma raises US$ 30M to advance synthetic cancer therapies

USA – Grove Biopharma, a Chicago-based biotech startup, has raised US$ 30 million in Series A funding to propel its innovative ‘Bionic Biologics’ platform aimed at tackling hard-to-treat diseases like castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

The round was led by DCVC Bio, with major backing from pharma giant Eli Lilly and other investors like InVivium Capital, Walder Ventures, Gradiant Corporation, Mansueto Investments, and Portal Innovations, where Grove was originally incubated.

The company’s lead program focuses on targeting the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway, a key driver in CRPC.

Grove’s approach involves designing synthetic molecules capable of degrading both the AR and its resistant variant, AR-V7, which are often implicated in therapy resistance.

Grove’s ‘Bionic Biologics’ are fully synthetic biomolecules engineered to penetrate cell membranes and modulate intracellular protein-protein interactions.

This capability allows them to engage with disease targets previously considered ‘undruggable,’ particularly in oncology and neurodegenerative diseases. ​

The design of these biologics is informed by artificial intelligence and machine learning, integrating advances in computational chemistry and protein engineering.

This approach enables rapid development of molecules with tailored properties for specific therapeutic targets. ​

CEO Geoffrey Duyk emphasized the potential of this technology, stating, “We believe our Bionic Biologics platform represents a true paradigm shift for drug development, enabling us to rapidly develop molecules that can selectively inhibit or degrade even the most challenging intracellular drug targets.”

The recent funding will support the advancement of Grove’s lead candidate into clinical studies, marking a significant step toward providing new treatment options for patients with CRPC and potentially other difficult-to-treat conditions.