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§ Private Profile · Boston, MA, USA
biotechnology company developing precision medicines for cancer & serious diseases using first-in-class small molecule therapeutics.
Antares Therapeutics is a Boston, Massachusetts-based biotechnology company developing precision medicines and small molecule therapeutics targeting previously undruggable cancer and disease targets. The venture-backed firm launched with $177 million in Series A financing co-led by Omega Funds, Atlas Venture, and Lightspeed Venture Partners, alongside participation from BVF Partners and Cormorant Asset Management. The enterprise was established as a spinout from Scorpion Therapeutics following the sale of Scorpion's lead PI3Kα inhibitor program to Eli Lilly for up to $2.5 billion in March 2025. Leveraging computational chemistry and predictive technologies, Antares focuses on first-in-class drug candidates designed to address validated targets, with its most advanced program expected to enter clinical trials in 2026. The parent company previously raised $420 million across its five-year lifespan before initiating this strategic transition. Antares Therapeutics was founded in 2025 by Adam Friedman.
Antares Therapeutics has raised $180.0M across 1 funding round.
Antares Therapeutics has raised $180.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Antares Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing first-in-class precision medicines targeting validated, undruggable targets in oncology and other serious diseases with high unmet needs.[1][2][3][4] It serves patients with advanced cancers by advancing a preclinical pipeline accelerated by acquired capabilities from Scorpion Therapeutics, with its lead program slated for clinical entry in 2026 and $177 million raised in a Series A round.[1][2][4] The company solves the challenge of drugging previously inaccessible targets through innovative chemistry and biology, aiming to transform patient outcomes via rapid development and commercialization.[3][4]
Antares Therapeutics was established in 2025, emerging from the March 2025 acquisition of Scorpion Therapeutics by Eli Lilly, which enabled Antares to acquire Scorpion's discovery platform, validated pipeline, and key talent.[1][3][4] Founded and led by Adam Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., a physician-scientist with deep oncology experience and former CEO of Scorpion, the company was launched with a $177 million Series A to build on this foundation.[1][2][4] Early traction came from inheriting Scorpion's preclinical assets and expertise, positioning Antares for a "fast-to-clinic" strategy amid momentum in precision oncology.[4]
Antares stands out in biopharma through specialized capabilities in tackling hard-to-drug targets:
Antares rides the wave of precision oncology, capitalizing on advances in genomics and AI-driven drug discovery to address undruggable targets that dominate ~80% of cancer drivers.[3][4] Timing is ideal post-2025 Lilly-Scorpion deal, amid surging demand for targeted therapies as immuno-oncology plateaus and resistance emerges in blockbuster drugs like Keytruda.[1][4] Market tailwinds include $100B+ oncology spend and regulatory pushes for faster approvals, with Antares influencing the ecosystem by reprising high-caliber teams to de-risk biotech investing and accelerate first-in-class assets to patients.[2][4]
Antares is primed for milestone-driven growth, with its lead asset entering clinic in 2026 and preclinical programs expanding into broader diseases, potentially fueling follow-on funding or partnerships.[2][4] Trends like allosteric modulation and multi-omics validation will amplify its edge, evolving its influence from pipeline executor to oncology innovator as it delivers proof-of-concept data. This Scorpion "heart" positions Antares to redefine precision medicine, transforming undruggable challenges into patient breakthroughs.[3][4]
Antares Therapeutics has raised $180.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Antares Therapeutics's investors include Atlas Venture, Shelley Chu, Otello Stampacchia, BVF Partners, Cormorant Asset Management, Frazier Healthcare Partners, Polaris Partners, Vida Ventures, Invus, Tenmile, Vinyanshu Ventures, Willett Advisors.
Antares Therapeutics has raised $180.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $180.0M Series A in May 2025.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2025 | $180M Series A | Atlas Venture, Shelley CHU, Otello Stampacchia, BVF Partners, Cormorant Asset Management | Frazier Healthcare Partners, Polaris Partners, Vida Ventures, Invus, Tenmile, Vinyanshu Ventures, Willett Advisors, Abingworth | Announced |