What makes a great biotech startup?
Every year, the Endpoints 11 awards try to answer that question. We’ve spent the last several months examining dozens of finalists, talking to investors and biotech veterans to get their opinions, and debating who was worthy of inclusion.
What we’ve come up with for this year’s class is a representation of the biggest bets, most interesting science and technology, and strongest leadership teams in the industry. We have three AI startups flush with cash, with very different philosophies. A Chinese ADC company that has defied the current geopolitical trends. And intriguing work in immunology, obesity, RNA editing and more.
We received hundreds of nominations, and many great companies didn’t make the cut. Some that did make our list won’t be successful. But we’ve got a pretty good track record. Of the 55 companies we’ve selected over the years, 12 have gone public, seven have been bought, and four have brought drugs to market. Only a few have closed down, and many are still moving their work forward.
You can read about this year’s winners below. And we’ll be following them closely in the years to come. — Drew Armstrong, Executive Editor
The 2024 Endpoints 11
- Lifordi Immunotherapeutics — Delivering potent steroids directly to immune cells
- Mirador Therapeutics — Applying precision medicine to immune disease
- Formation Bio — A Silicon Valley-fueled AI unicorn
- Xaira Therapeutics — Biotech’s largest AI bet with A-list backers
- MediLink Therapeutics — China startup helps power the ADC renaissance
- Iambic Therapeutics — The ‘show-me’ era for AI
- Ascidian Therapeutics — Search-and-replace tech comes to RNA
- Capstan Therapeutics — Trying to win the in vivo CAR-T race
- Seaport Therapeutics — The Karuna team is back with another big neuroscience bet
- Metsera — Clive Meanwell wagers on obesity after Medicines Company success
- Cardurion Pharmaceuticals — A shot at one of heart disease’s ‘undruggable’ targets