Celsius Therapeutics

Celsius Therapeutics. It is a biotechnology company focused on discovering novel therapeutic targets and developing precision medicines for patients with autoimmune diseases and cancer. Founded in 2018, the company leverages single-cell genomics and machine learning to analyze patient tissue at an unprecedented resolution. Its mission is to decode the cellular mechanisms of disease to identify new avenues for treatment.

History

The company was launched in 2018 by co-founders Christoph Lengauer, Toby Bloom, and Levi Garraway, with foundational intellectual property originating from research at the Broad Institute and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Initial seed funding was provided by Third Rock Ventures, a venture capital firm known for launching life sciences companies. The company established its research operations in the biotechnology hub of Cambridge, Massachusetts, aligning itself with a dense network of academic and commercial innovation. Early work focused on building its computational platform and initiating large-scale profiling of tissues from patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Technology and platform

The core technology integrates high-resolution single-cell RNA sequencing with advanced computational methods, including proprietary machine learning algorithms. This platform enables the systematic analysis of complex human tissues, cell by cell, to map disease-associated cell states and interactions. A key component is the creation of detailed cellular atlases for conditions like ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis, comparing diseased tissue to healthy samples. The computational engine, developed in collaboration with experts from the Broad Institute, identifies novel cell types, biomarkers, and potential drug targets that are invisible to conventional bulk sequencing approaches.

Research and development

Primary research efforts are directed toward autoimmune diseases, with a significant program in inflammatory bowel disease, including both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The company has published findings in journals like Cell, detailing the discovery of previously unknown fibroblast and immune cell populations linked to disease pathology. A parallel oncology pipeline seeks to apply the same single-cell genomics approach to solid tumors, aiming to uncover mechanisms of therapy resistance and identify new immuno-oncology targets. The translational research strategy involves validating targets through functional studies in relevant preclinical models.

Collaborations and partnerships

A foundational multi-year collaboration was established with the Broad Institute to further develop the computational and experimental frameworks for single-cell analysis. The company is also a member of the Human Cell Atlas consortium, contributing data to this global biological mapping effort. In 2020, it entered into a strategic partnership with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, to discover and develop novel therapeutics for autoimmune diseases, leveraging its platform for target discovery. These alliances provide access to complementary expertise, additional patient cohorts, and resources for advancing programs toward the clinical trial stage.

Leadership and funding

The company is led by Chief Executive Officer Tariq Kassum, formerly of Third Rock Ventures. Its scientific co-founders, including Christoph Lengauer, have held leadership roles in prominent organizations like Blueprint Medicines and Relay Therapeutics. To date, it has secured significant venture capital financing, with Series A and B rounds led by Third Rock Ventures, GV, and Casdin Capital. These funds support the expansion of its therapeutic pipelines, platform development, and growth of its team in Cambridge. The board of directors includes representatives from its major investors and seasoned executives from the biopharmaceutical industry.

Category:Biotechnology companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Cambridge, Massachusetts Category:American companies established in 2018