Cambridge-based Oblenio Bio has closed an oversubscribed $62 million Series B led by Pfizer Ventures, with participation from Deep Track Capital, GV, and founding investor Aditum Bio. The funding will advance LBL-051, a tri-specific T-cell engager designed to achieve a broad immune system reset for patients with refractory autoimmune diseases, into first-in-human clinical trials this year.
Autoimmune diseases disproportionately affect women, who account for approximately 80% of autoimmune patients. Conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and Sjögren’s syndrome are far more prevalent in women, often emerging during reproductive years and intersecting with hormonal health in ways that remain poorly understood.
LBL-051 targets BCMA, CD19, and CD3 simultaneously – engineered specifically for autoimmune patients rather than adapted from oncology. Preclinical data presented at EULAR 2026 showed complete depletion of B-cells and plasma cells followed by emergence of immature, non-memory B cells upon recovery, consistent with the changes seen in patients achieving long-lasting drug-free remissions. Notably, the treatment did not cause cytokine release syndrome, a significant safety concern with similar approaches.
“LBL-051 has the potential to transform the treatment of autoimmune disease,” said CEO Samantha Truex. “This financing will accelerate LBL-051’s clinical development, including the initiation of our first-in-human proof-of-concept study this year.”
The goal of long-term drug-free remission – rather than ongoing symptom management – would represent a fundamental shift for the millions of women living with chronic autoimmune conditions.
