Caelius Therapeutics

Caelius Therapeutics was a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel immuno-oncology therapies. The company was founded in 2019 by former executives of Tesaro, including Lonnie Moulder and Mary Lynne Hedley, following Tesaro's acquisition by GSK. Caelius specialized in identifying and advancing early-stage assets designed to modulate the immune system to better target and eliminate cancer cells. In July 2019, AstraZeneca acquired the company to bolster its oncology pipeline with Caelius's promising immunotherapy candidates. The acquisition included an upfront payment of $35 million and potential future milestone payments. This strategic move allowed AstraZeneca to integrate next-generation checkpoint inhibitors into its existing portfolio of cancer treatments.