On April 30, 2026 Ascendo Biotechnology reported the completion of its Series A funding round , which was highly supported by institutional investors and oversubscribed. Participating investors included TaiAx Life Science Fund, LP (a fund under Taiwania Capital Management Corporation) , Yuanta Venture Capital Co., Ltd., Maxpro Investment Co. , Ltd. , Chenghan Investment Co., Ltd., Darly2 Venture, Inc., TECO Capital Investment Co. , Ltd. , Industrial Technology Investment Corporation (ITIC), Beiley Biofund Inc. , Chang Hwa Bank Venture Capital Co., Ltd. , and First Venture Capital Co. , Ltd. , demonstrating the capital market’s high confidence in the company’s innovative platform and clinical progress.
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Prophet Biotech is a clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing innovative therapies based on "innate immune checkpoints." By regulating the immune response upstream of the innate immune system, it aims to overcome the current bottleneck of limited response rates in immunotherapy. Last year, the company also won the Best Investment Award at the 22nd National Innovation Award and the Best Investment Award at the NBRP Demo Day Pitch Competition, further affirming its technological innovation and market potential.
Founded by Dr. Lu Yanda, whose clinical background comes from the Mackay Memorial Hospital system, the company’s core technologies originate from clinical and translational medicine research in Taiwan. Based on its independent research and development, it has established an innovative immune regulation platform to promote the clinical translation and application of innate immune checkpoint therapy strategies.
The company’s current product line includes two core assets:
ASD141 is a monoclonal antibody targeting innate immune checkpoints, which reshapes the tumor microenvironment by activating upstream immune pathways, thereby enhancing anti-tumor immune responses and is applied to the treatment of advanced solid tumors ;
ASD001 is an antibody drug that regulates innate immune imbalance, aiming to restore immune balance , with development focused on autoimmune diseases .
The funds raised will be primarily used to advance the Phase I clinical trial of the core product ASD141 to key clinical readouts and initiate the subsequent Phase II clinical trial; at the same time, to promote IND enabling studies for ASD001, build the next stage of clinical assets, and strengthen the product pipeline value and long-term growth momentum.
The clinical trials of ASD141 are progressing smoothly, with pharmacological signals of immune cell activation observed in both low- and medium-dose groups, and many patients exhibiting a stable disease response . As the dosage continues to increase, its clinical efficacy is expected to be further validated, and it holds promise as a significant new therapy that breaks through the limitations of existing immune checkpoint therapies.
The company expects to complete the Phase I clinical trial of ASD141 by the end of this year and advance to Phase II clinical development next year. As key clinical data gradually accumulates, Prophet Biotech will simultaneously promote global strategic collaborations and licensing negotiations, actively expand international market opportunities, and maximize the commercial value of its products.
Dr. Lu Yanda, founder of Prophet Biotech, stated , "The successful completion of this fundraising further strengthens the company’s ability to advance key clinical milestones. Building on the positive signals shown by the preliminary clinical data of ASD141, the company will continue to advance dose escalation and clinical validation, and actively engage in global collaborations and licensing discussions to accelerate product development and unlock long-term value."
(Press release, Ascendo Biotechnology, APR 30, 2026, View Source [SID1234665044])