Aduro BioTech

Aduro BioTech, Inc. was a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on immunotherapy to treat cancer and other diseases. Initially incorporated in California as Oncologic, Inc. in 2000, it merged with Triton BioSystems, Inc. in 2008 and was renamed Aduro BioTech in 2009. Stephen T. Isaacs, a seasoned biotech entrepreneur who previously founded and led Cerus Corporation, served as Chairman, President, and CEO of Aduro from 2008 until its merger in 2020. His background includes extensive research at UC Berkeley and founding multiple biotechnology companies.

The company's business model was centered on discovering and developing proprietary technology platforms designed to harness the body's immune system. Revenue generation relied on strategic collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies and advancing its product candidates through clinical trials to achieve developmental and commercial milestones. A significant milestone was its initial public offering on April 15, 2015, which raised approximately $119 million. Aduro also secured major partnerships, including a collaboration with Janssen Biotech for prostate cancer therapies, a multi-year alliance with Novartis focused on the STING pathway that included a $200 million upfront payment, and a research agreement with Eli Lilly to develop inhibitors for autoimmune diseases.

Aduro developed three distinct technology platforms. The LADD (Live, Attenuated, Double-Deleted) Listeria monocytogenes platform used engineered bacteria to deliver tumor antigens and stimulate a targeted immune response against cancers like pancreatic, mesothelioma, and ovarian. Its STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) Pathway Activator platform utilized small molecules to activate the STING receptor, provoking a potent innate immune response against tumors. The first compound from this platform to enter clinical trials was ADU-S100. The company also developed a B-select monoclonal antibody platform, which included assets like BION-1301 for treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. After facing clinical setbacks, Aduro conducted a strategic review and entered into a definitive merger agreement with Chinook Therapeutics in June 2020. The merger was completed in October 2020, with the combined entity renamed Chinook Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: KDNY), focusing on precision medicines for kidney diseases. Aduro's stockholders received shares in the new company and contingent value rights for potential proceeds from its non-renal assets.

Keywords: Aduro BioTech, immunotherapy, immuno-oncology, Chinook Therapeutics, Stephen T. Isaacs, LADD platform, STING pathway activator, B-select monoclonal antibody, CRS-207, ADU-S100, cancer therapy, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical, Novartis collaboration, Janssen collaboration, Eli Lilly collaboration, IPO, pancreatic cancer, mesothelioma, autoimmune disease, kidney disease, BION-1301