Despite significant strides in treating multiple myeloma, many patients continue to relapse or fail to respond to existing therapies. For those unable to tolerate aggressive treatment options, the lack of alternatives has been a persistent issue. UK-U.S. biotech CellCentric aims to change that with inobrodib, a first-in-class oral drug offering new hope to patients with relapsed or resistant disease.
Backed by a new $120 million Series C funding round, CellCentric plans to accelerate late-stage development and global trials for inobrodib. The raise was co-led by RA Capital and newcomer Forbion, with participation from Avego Bioscience Capital and BrightEdge—an investment arm of the American Cancer Society.
This fresh capital puts CellCentric on a fast track toward regulatory milestones and expanded clinical trials, including a pivotal Phase II/III study targeting patients who’ve exhausted current treatment options. A larger Phase III program is also on the roadmap, with a global rollout set for mid-2026.
A New Oral Option with Transformational Potential
Inobrodib is not your typical cancer drug. Taken as an oral capsule, it offers patients the flexibility of at-home treatment—an important benefit for those who are older, frail, or unable to undergo hospital-based infusions. More importantly, the drug targets key drivers of cancer progression, including the transcriptional coactivators p300 and CBP, which regulate oncogenes like MYC and IRF4.
By interrupting these pathways, inobrodib attacks the root mechanisms that allow blood cancers like multiple myeloma to thrive. What sets it apart further is its strong safety profile. Early trials have shown manageable side effects, making it a viable option for patients who may not tolerate harsher therapies.
In recognition of its potential, the FDA granted inobrodib Fast Track and orphan drug designations in 2023. Promising early data shared at the ASH Annual Meeting reinforced optimism around its ability to deliver meaningful clinical benefit.
From Epigenetics to Breakthrough Therapy
CellCentric was born from academic research led by Professor Azim Surani at the University of Cambridge. His groundbreaking work in epigenetics—how genes are turned on and off—formed the foundation of the company’s mission: developing targeted therapies based on how cancer cells control gene expression.
With offices in the UK and a growing presence in the U.S., including a new site in Burlington, Massachusetts, CellCentric is expanding both its team and trial footprint. Its international leadership and scientific expertise are now channeled into one clear goal: bringing a new standard of care to patients battling hard-to-treat blood cancers.
Starting in Q2 2025, the company will initiate additional clinical studies, including trials that combine inobrodib with bi-specific antibodies and test its role as a maintenance therapy. These efforts are designed to extend its use across multiple stages of treatment—from early intervention to relapse management.
Backed by Data, Driven by Mission
CellCentric CEO Will West says this raise marks a turning point: “We are thrilled to have secured the investment needed to fully advance inobrodib. In a tough market, this significant backing is a clear vote of confidence in the science, the team, and the potential commercial impact of this therapy.”
Joining CellCentric’s board is Forbion’s Jasper Bos, who added: “Inobrodib is a groundbreaking oral p300/CBP inhibitor with encouraging clinical signals and a tolerable safety profile. We’re excited to support the team as they move into registration studies that could redefine how multiple myeloma is treated.”
With science on its side, strong investor support, and momentum building across both sides of the Atlantic, CellCentric is entering a critical phase—one that could bring a safer, more accessible cancer treatment to patients who have long needed better options.
