Protuoso Biosciences raises US$9.5 million to advance multifunctional biologics
Protuoso Biosciences, a US-headquartered biotechnology company developing multifunctional biologic therapies, has raised US$9.5 million in an oversubscribed seed financing round led by Taiwanese VC fund companies Taya Venture and Darwin Ventures, with participation from NSG Ventures, SEEDS and other investors. The funding will advance its protein engineering platform and drug development pipeline targeting cardiometabolic, cancer and autoimmune diseases.
The company’s platform centers on Muxbodies, fully recombinant fusion proteins that combine different protein components, including antibodies, cytokines, peptides and signaling modules, into a single therapeutic molecule designed to engage multiple biological mechanisms. Protuoso uses computational protein design, synthetic biology and artificial intelligence-enabled engineering to develop these multifunctional biologics, which can combine activating and inhibiting activities and be tailored to complex diseases involving interconnected biological pathways. Its hub-and-spoke business model uses the core platform to generate multiple drug candidates, which can then be developed independently, partnered with other companies or spun out into separate businesses.
Co-founders Willie Xiang, President and CEO said the platform can target multiple disease mechanisms in one molecule, while Chairman Tim Lu, Chairman cited advances in synthetic biology, AI and protein design that enable scalable development of complex biologics.
In cardiometabolic disease, Protuoso is developing therapies targeting obesity and related damage to organs. Its oncology pipeline includes next-generation immune cell engagers designed to address challenges in solid tumors, including immune exhaustion and limited treatment durability. The company is also expanding its research into autoimmune diseases.
Christopher Shen, General Manager at Taya Venture, said the combination of platform technology, an experienced team and a pathway towards clinical development made Protuoso an attractive early-stage investment. The company plans to use its business model to pursue internal drug development and external partnerships while creating multiple opportunities to advance and commercialize individual programs.
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