Pandion Therapeutics (Acquired by Merck)
Biotechnology company that developed targeted immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases using tissue-specific Treg modulators. Acquired by Merck in 2021 for $1.85 billion.
Location
Watertown, Massachusetts, USA
Founded
2016
Investors
1
Categories
biotech, autoimmune, immunotherapy, acquired
Notes
Pandion Therapeutics was a biotechnology company focused on developing targeted immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases. The company's approach used tissue-specific regulatory T cell (Treg) modulators designed to restore immune tolerance in specific organs affected by autoimmune conditions.
In February 2021, Merck acquired Pandion Therapeutics for approximately $1.85 billion, gaining access to its pipeline of tissue-targeted immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases.
Team (at time of acquisition)
- Rahul Kakkar, M.D. - Founder & Chief Executive Officer
- Todd Zion, Ph.D. - Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer
Additional Research Findings
- Founded in 2016 in Watertown, Massachusetts
- Portfolio company of Polaris Partners
- Acquired by Merck in February 2021 for ~$1.85 billion
- Pioneered tissue-targeted Treg modulator approach
- Lead candidate PT-101 for ulcerative colitis (now in Merck pipeline)
- Developed TALON (Tissue-specific, Active, Local Delivery of Immunotherapy) platform
- Programs now advancing under Merck's development
Sources
Investors
| Name | Location | Type | Stages | Portfolio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polaris Partners | US | biotech-focused | - | 33 |