Stellular Bio, a Watertown, Massachusetts-based biotechnology company focused on developing platelet-derived regenerative biologic (PRB) therapeutics for ocular surface diseases, announced the completion of a Series 1 financing round. Funding will support clinical development of lead pipeline candidate STLR-201 as a potential treatment for Sjogren’s disease-related dry eye, as well as broader development of its PRB platform across ocular surface and related indications. The Series 1 round was led by Ziff Capital Partners and included participation from Cockrell Interests and other investors.
Stellular Bio’s lead program, STLR-201, is derived from progenitor cell–derived platelet regenerative biology and is designed to engage multiple cell and tissue types implicated in chronic ocular surface disorders. The drug is currently on course for initial proof-of-concept trials in patients with Sjogren’s disease dry eye.
The company’s PRB platform builds on research demonstrating the regenerative activity of platelet-rich plasma in ocular conditions but seeks to overcome limitations of bespoke, patient-specific manufacture by creating a well-characterized, reproducible product that is independent of donor plasma. Stellular Bio was co-founded by Dr. Joseph Italiano, who currently holds academic positions at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and has carried out research into mechanisms of blood platelet formation central to the PRB platform.