Obsidian Therapeutics, Inc. (OBX)

Obsidian Therapeutics, Inc. (OBX) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that develops engineered cell therapies for cancer.

The company's approach centers on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), immune cells taken from a patient's own tumor and expanded for reinfusion. Obsidian engineers these cells to produce membrane-bound interleukin-15 in a regulated way, using its proprietary cytoDRiVE technology, which controls protein activity with an approved small-molecule drug. The goal is to improve the persistence and activity of the cells without the need for high-dose interleukin-2, which can be difficult for patients to tolerate.

Its lead candidate, OBX-115, is being studied in solid tumors such as advanced melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer, and the company's platform can also be applied to other cell therapy programs.