Cloverleaf Bio
United States · Biotech
Cloverleaf Bio is developing engineered transfer RNA therapies that use a modified tRNA payload to inhibit cancer cells' RNA-modifying enzymes. Its lead program targets liver cancer and is advancing toward clinical testing; a second antibody-tRNA program for colorectal cancer remains preclinical.
Targeting a cancer cell's RNA machinery
Cloverleaf engineers transfer RNA molecules to carry inhibitory payloads against tRNA-modifying enzymes—components of the cellular translation machinery that some cancers depend on. The approach is designed to inhibit multiple enzymes with a single tRNA-based payload, rather than target only one pathway.
The company's lead program, CLB-001, is being advanced for hepatocellular carcinoma toward early clinical testing. Cloverleaf is also developing an antibody-tRNA conjugate for colorectal cancer, currently in preclinical development. Yale Ventures reported that preclinical work found greater potency and selectivity for cancer cells than healthy tissue; these are investigational medicines, not available treatments.
Funding history
1 round · 1 with disclosed amounts| Announced | Round | Amount | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seed | $33M | 4BIO Capital — LeadAbbVie Ventures — ParticipantAmerican Cancer Society BrightEdge — ParticipantBoehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund — ParticipantDraper Associates — ParticipantEli Lilly and Company — ParticipantMission BioCapital — Participant |