Laguna

Evolved Therapies
Berkeley

About Laguna

Laguna is an international, clinical-stage biotechnology company driving a paradigm shift in oncology by unlocking the untapped therapeutic power of innate T cells. Operating with an exceptionally capital-efficient, global model, we have developed proprietary platforms including our lead QUAIL platform, and our next-gen cancer-targeting IBIS platform that utilize precisely engineered, highly attenuated pathogens to safely trigger a massive in vivo expansion and activation of γδ T cells. By orchestrating a durable, systems-level immune response directly inside the patient, we overcome the prohibitive costs of ex vivo cell engineering and the terminal exhaustion caused by existing small molecules. Entering the clinic this year to treat high-risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Laguna is positioned to rapidly expand its pipeline into multiple myeloma, sarcomas, and notoriously difficult solid tumors, such as MSS CRC, efficiently weaponizing the innate immune system to cure cancers that have historically evaded modern therapies.

Team

Problem statement

While traditional immunotherapy has saved countless lives, its efficacy is plateauing, leaving aggressive cancers like AML, sarcomas, and many solid tumors such as MSS CRC without viable treatments. The next major leap in oncology lies in harnessing the immense, well-documented power of innate T cells (γδ, MAIT, and NKT cells); however, the industry has historically failed to generate clinically meaningful populations without causing terminal exhaustion via small molecules or incurring the prohibitive costs and complexities of ex vivo expansion. Laguna solves this critical bottleneck through a fundamental paradigm shift: utilizing safely attenuated, precisely engineered pathogens to trigger a massive, natural in vivo expansion and activation of MHC-independent innate T cells. This breakthrough overcomes existing limitations by orchestrating a durable, systems-level response. Laguna does not just represent a new drug candidate; we represent a fundamental paradigm shift in how we safely, efficiently, and durably weaponize the innate immune system against cancer.

Traction information

IND clearance to evaluate QUAIL-100 in AML and a research collaboration with a major pharma partner.

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