At Asher Biotherapeutics, we are pioneering a new approach with our cis‑targeted immunotherapies. Our immunotherapies selectively activate only the immune cell types that drive the desired therapeutic response. With this innovation, we address an inherent shortcoming of conventional immunotherapies, which indiscriminately act on multiple cell types, resulting in suboptimal efficacy and side effects.
Cis-targeting: Achieving the next level of selectivity for immunotherapies
What is cis-targeting?
Cis-targeted immunotherapies engage two molecules on the same immune cell: an immunomodulatory receptor and a specific target that directs the therapy to the desired immune cell type.
Why is our immunotherapy approach unique?
By only activating the immunomodulatory receptor when the targeted antigen is present on the same cell, our cis-targeted immunotherapies offer a new level of selectivity, with optimized efficacy and minimized toxicity.
Separating the curves with IL-2, a powerful
mediator of the immune system
The lead molecule in our pipeline, etakafusp alfa (formerly known as AB248), a cis-targeted IL-2 that specifically activates CD8+ effector T cells, has shown initial evidence of compelling anti-tumor activity with a well-tolerated safety profile in the ongoing Phase 1a/1b clinical trial.
Our experienced team is focused on what matters most: patients
Captured in our mission, our name, and our guiding principles is the belief that our medicines can have significant impact, along with the need for urgency to make rapid progress for patients.
Join us to light up a new path for immunotherapy
Find a career at Asher Bio that’s right for you. Be part of a team that is rising above conventional approaches to make a big impact for patients.
January 8, 2025
Asher Bio Announces Clinical Trial Collaboration and Supply Agreement on Etakafusp Alfa (AB248) in Combination with Bispecific T-cell Engager in Patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer
January 7, 2025
Asher Bio Announces Clinical Supply Agreement to Enable Evaluation of Etakafusp Alfa (AB248) in Combination with Rilvegostomig in a Global Phase 1b/2 Study in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)