Equo

Equo is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company developing a novel class of hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) to address critical gaps in transfusion medicine. Founded by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, the company utilizes advanced computational protein design to engineer recombinant hemoglobins with optimized oxygen-binding properties. These engineered proteins are designed to provide a safe, shelf-stable, and universally compatible alternative to red blood cell transfusions, specifically avoiding the vasoconstrictive side effects seen in earlier generations of HBOCs. Equo’s platform aims to treat a variety of conditions characterized by acute oxygen deprivation, including hemorrhagic shock, surgical blood loss, and ischemic disorders. The company is backed by prominent venture capital firms and is currently advancing its lead candidates through foundational preclinical studies.