IsomAb

# IsomAb: High-Level Overview

IsomAb is not a technology company in the traditional sense—it is a biopharmaceutical company developing disease-modifying antibody treatments.[1][2] Founded in March 2022 as a spin-out from the University of Nottingham, IsomAb focuses on creating isoform-specific humanized antibodies to treat cardiovascular diseases where patients currently have limited options.[1]

The company's lead product, ISM-001, targets chronic stable angina and peripheral arterial disease by inhibiting a specific isoform of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A (VEGF-A165b).[4] Rather than blocking blood vessel growth entirely, ISM-001 selectively removes the "brakes" on new vessel formation, enabling the body to create biological bypasses that restore blood flow to oxygen-starved tissues.[4] This approach addresses a massive market: cardiovascular disease affects over 600 million people globally and remains the world's leading cause of death.[4]

IsomAb is at a pre-clinical stage with proof-of-concept data in two animal models and an ambitious timeline to advance its first product into clinical trials by 2026.[1] The company has secured meaningful funding—raising £7.5 million in a Seed round in February 2024 from investors including SCVC, Broadview Ventures, and Mercia Asset Management.[3]

# Origin Story

IsomAb emerged from two decades of cardiovascular research conducted by Professor David Bates at the University of Nottingham's Centre for Cancer Sciences.[3] The company was founded in March 2022 with an exclusive license from the University of Nottingham covering intellectual property and know-how related to VEGF-A antibodies.[3] Early research also involved collaboration with the University of Bristol.[2]

The founding team secured initial pre-seed funding in 2022 from private investors, the University of Nottingham itself, and venture capital firm SCVC.[3] This early backing validated the scientific approach and provided runway to advance the technology toward clinical development. By October 2024, IsomAb had strengthened its position further by entering a strategic collaboration with Catalent, a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), to develop ISM-001 from cell line development through finished clinical trial product supply.[2]

# Core Differentiators

• Isoform-specific targeting: IsomAb's platform identifies and develops antibodies that target specific isoforms of disease-relevant proteins, rather than blocking entire protein families. This precision approach reduces off-target effects and improves therapeutic specificity.[1]

• Novel mechanism in cardiovascular disease: By selectively inhibiting VEGF-A165b while preserving other VEGF-A functions, ISM-001 enables collateral vessel formation—a mechanism distinct from existing cardiovascular therapies.[1][4]

• Bioinformatics-driven discovery: The company combines bioinformatics with knowledge-based approaches to identify therapeutic targets, accelerating the path from concept to preclinical validation.[1]

• Academic foundation with commercial execution: IsomAb retains strong ties to world-class research institutions while building a focused commercial team. The company maintains decision-making autonomy in partnerships, as evidenced by its Catalent collaboration.[2]

# Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

IsomAb operates within the precision medicine and therapeutic antibody development sector, riding several converging trends:

Precision therapeutics: The biotech industry is increasingly moving away from broad-spectrum drugs toward targeted therapies that address specific molecular subtypes of disease. IsomAb's isoform-specific approach aligns with this shift toward personalized and mechanism-driven treatments.

Unmet clinical needs in cardiovascular disease: Despite cardiovascular disease affecting hundreds of millions globally, treatment options remain limited for conditions like chronic stable angina and peripheral arterial disease. IsomAb targets a genuine therapeutic gap with a novel mechanism.

Acceleration of antibody therapeutics: Monoclonal antibodies have become one of the fastest-growing drug classes. IsomAb's humanized IgG1 platform benefits from decades of antibody engineering advances and manufacturing expertise, as reflected in its partnership with Catalent.

University-to-clinic translation: IsomAb exemplifies the modern biotech model where academic discoveries are rapidly translated into clinical-stage companies, supported by specialized funding ecosystems and CDMOs that reduce time-to-clinic.

# Quick Take & Future Outlook

IsomAb stands at an inflection point. With proof-of-concept data in hand, secured funding, and a manufacturing partnership in place, the company is positioned to enter clinical trials in 2026—a critical milestone that will validate whether its isoform-specific approach translates from animal models to human patients.[1][2]

The company's success will depend on three factors: (1) demonstrating clinical efficacy in early-stage trials, (2) navigating the regulatory pathway for a novel mechanism of action, and (3) scaling manufacturing to support commercialization. If ISM-001 succeeds clinically, it could establish isoform-specific antibodies as a new therapeutic modality, potentially opening doors for the platform to address other diseases beyond cardiovascular indications.

The broader significance lies in whether IsomAb can prove that precision targeting of protein isoforms—rather than entire proteins—represents a superior approach to antibody therapeutics. Success would validate the company's founding thesis and potentially influence how the industry approaches antibody discovery and development for decades to come.