Harnessing Innate Immunity
Annate Bitherapeutics is unlocking the therapeutic potential of ApoL1 through a next-generation bispecific antibody platform to battle hematologic cancers and solid tumors.
Highlights from our newsroom and community.
The University of Georgia Research News recently published a compelling profile on Annate Bitherapeutics, highlighting the deeply personal mission driving the company’s innovative work in cancer therapy. The article, titled “Love, loss, and a mission of hope for future cancer patients,” delves into the story of co-founder Stephen… Read more →
Annate Bitherapeutics is honored to be featured by UGA Research News in a March 17, 2026 story highlighting the company’s origins, scientific approach, and ongoing work to develop a new class of cancer therapeutics based on… Read more →
Annate Bitherapeutics is proud to announce that CEO Eric DeJesus, PhD, received top recognition and a $2,500 award at the University of Georgia’s Field to Fund: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity event, hosted by the UGA Innovation… Read more →
We are excited to announce that Eric DeJesus, PhD, CEO and Founder of Annate Bitherapeutics, has won the 2025 UGA Quick Pitch Event. This competition, hosted annually by the University of Georgia, highlights innovative entrepreneurs and… Read more →
Using the human innate immune system to fight cancer.
Harnessing the Power of Innate Immunity. Redirecting ApoL1 to Defeat Tumor Resistance Annate Bitherapeutics develops bispecific antibodies that deliver ApoL1—a potent component of the body's innate immune defense—directly into cancer cells. This unique approach enables immune-independent tumor killing that complements and extends today's cancer therapies. Targets cancer cells with precision using the body's own proteins. Bypasses T-cell exhaustion and immune escape. Founders Spotlight Hear how Annate Bitherapeutics is translating innate…
Transforming Treatment Paradigms
At Annate Bitherapeutics, we’re pioneering a new class of ApoL1-based therapeutics designed to tackle some of the hardest-to-treat cancers. By harnessing ApoL1’s unique biology, we’re creating precision therapies that act through a completely new mechanism—offering the potential for safer, more effective treatment options.Our lead programs target multiple myeloma and pancreatic cancer, two diseases that remain among the most challenging in…
Founder & CSO
Extensive scientific track record spanning 47 years with over 100 publications on African Trypanosomes, including pioneering studies on ApoL1 toxicity in these parasites.
Founder & CEO
Conceptualized and initially investigated ApoL1 as a therapeutic against human disease in 2010, with proven scientific track record of publications on ApoL1 toxicity.
Founder & Vice President R&D
Conceptualized targeting ApoL1 with a bispecific antibody guided system, bringing a strong background in cell biology, bioinformatics, research study design, and data analysis.
Strategic Business Advisor
CEO and Co-Founder of Exolvo Biosciences; biotech leader with prior leadership roles at Merck and Schering-Plough, driving early-stage innovation. Veteran biotech operator with multi-billion-dollar leadership experience, deep commercial expertise, and a track record of building high-growth companies.
FDA Pathway Advisor
Built university spinouts into clinical-stage companies, leading two IND submissions, five clinical trials, and securing over $75M in angel and venture financing.
Clinical Trials Advisor, Myeloma
Internationally recognized myeloma clinician-scientist with leadership across all clinical trials at Winship, integrating genomic insights with patient centered therapeutic strategies.
Translational Science Advisor, Oncology
Professor and Vice Chair for Basic Research, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, and Associate Director for Basic Research at Emory's Winship Cancer Institute advancing immune-oncology and translational cancer research.
Clinical and Translational Science Advisor, Oncology
Vikas Gupta, MD, PhD — Assistant Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University; board-certified hematologist-oncologist advancing myeloma and immunotherapy research.
Translational Science Advisor, Animal Models
Expert in GEMM-based preclinical oncology, leading translational in vivo model development at Frederick National Lab.
Annate Bitherapeutics was named in honor of Ann Hajduk, whose life was cut short by multiple myeloma. Ann was the beloved wife of one of our founders, and her journey with cancer continues to inspire our mission every day.
Her story is at the heart of Annate. It reminds us that behind every data point and every clinical milestone is a patient and a family waiting for hope. Ann’s courage and resilience drive us to push beyond the boundaries of existing therapies, to build treatments that not only extend life but improve its quality.
At Annate, we carry Ann’s legacy forward by transforming innovation into impact. Our work on ApoL1-based therapeutics is more than a scientific endeavor — it is a promise to honor Ann’s memory and to fight for the countless patients who, like her, face devastating cancers with too few options.
Ann’s legacy fuels our commitment: to bring forward new therapies with urgency, compassion, and unwavering dedication to patients.
The research behind our technology began in 1989 by SLH and stretched into the early 2000’s, but the additional uses would remain elusive.
ApoL1 identified as a lytic component within the HDL.
First questions proposing ApoL1-containing HDLs as cancer treatments posed.
The first experiments testing ApoL1 ability to kill mammalian cells are completed.
Ann Hajduk, wife to cofounder Steve, battles multiple myeloma and to honor her fight, helps us focus our attention on turning this trypanocidal toxin into a cancer drug.
Building on initial data that ApoL1-HDLs can kill mammalian cells under certain conditions, we developed the bispecific antibody technology to specifically target the HDL towards cancer cells.
In 2021, we founded Annate Bitherapeutics with the goal of using our knowledge and experience of human innate immunity to develop therapeutics which target and kill human cancers. Always in honor to Ann and the Innate immune system: Annate.
Annate receives funding from the Georgia Research Alliance to further develop the targeted treatment of multiple myeloma.
Pioneering precise, accessible cancer therapies for a hopeful future.