Annate Bitherapeutics

University of Georgia Hajduk Lab Awarded IMS and Riney Foundation Translational Research Grant

Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The University of Georgia’s Hajduk Lab has been awarded a $250,000 International Myeloma Society (IMS) and Paula and Rodger Riney Foundation Translational Research Grant supporting translational research in multiple myeloma connected to Annate Bitherapeutics’ platform.

The award will support work in the Hajduk Lab at the University of Georgia for the continued translational development of a targeted biologic platform for multiple myeloma. According to Annate co-founder and CEO Eric DeJesus, PhD, the supported studies will focus on efficacy, mechanism, and combination strategies relevant to relapsed and refractory disease.

The IMS and Paula and Rodger Riney Foundation Translational Research Award supports investigator-initiated translational research in plasma cell disorders, including multiple myeloma. IMS describes the program as supporting research intended to advance prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of plasma cell disorders.

Dr. DeJesus noted that the support from IMS and the Paula and Rodger Riney Foundation represents an important step in building the translational data package needed to further de-risk and advance the platform.

Annate is grateful to IMS, the Paula and Rodger Riney Foundation, and the collaborators and advisors supporting this multiple myeloma research, including Drs. Ajay Nooka and Vikas Gupta, advisor Dr. Gregory Lesinski, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, and the University of Georgia Innovation District.

Learn more about the grant program: IMS and Paula and Rodger Riney Foundation Translational Research Award

Eric DeJesus Joins Georgia Life Sciences in Washington for CSBA Fly-In

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Annate Bitherapeutics is proud to share that Eric DeJesus, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Annate Bitherapeutics, joined Georgia Life Sciences in Washington, DC for the Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) Fly-In.

Georgia Life Sciences CEO Maria Thacker Goethe represented Georgia alongside Evan Scullin, MD, founder of LumeniSci, and Eric DeJesus, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Annate Bitherapeutics.

During the visit, the group met with the offices of Rep. Rick Allen, Rep. Buddy Carter, Rep. Mike Collins, Rep. Richard McCormick, Rep. Lucy McBath, Sen. Jon Ossoff, and Sen. Raphael Warnock to discuss the importance of biotechnology to Georgia’s economy, patients, and future.

According to Georgia Life Sciences, the delegation thanked Congress for reauthorizing SBIR/STTR and emphasized the importance of strong NIH funding, timely grantmaking, predictable policy, a modernized FDA, continued U.S. leadership in biotech, support for the Congressional Biotech Caucus, and biotechnology’s growing importance to national security.

Reflecting on the experience, Dr. DeJesus said, “I learned so many wonderful lessons and left feeling significantly more confident about the direction our state is headed for the future of biotech!”

Annate is grateful to Georgia Life Sciences for its leadership in advocating for the life sciences community and for the opportunity to help represent Georgia’s biotech sector in these important conversations.

UGA Research Profiles Annate Bitherapeutics’ Mission to Help Future Cancer Patients

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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 Hajduk, whose personal experience with the loss of his wife, Ann Steadman, to multiple myeloma, became a powerful catalyst for Annate’s efforts.

The feature elaborates on Stephen and Ann’s shared life, academic pursuits at UGA, and their journey together, emphasizing how Ann’s battle with multiple myeloma profoundly shaped Stephen’s dedication to developing new therapeutic approaches. Annate Bitherapeutics is a UGA startup focused on harnessing the body’s innate immune system to target and destroy cancer cells, aiming to bring hope to future cancer patients.

Read the full story: Love, loss, and a mission of hope for future cancer patients - UGA Research News

UGA Research News Highlights Annate Bitherapeutics in Feature on Cancer Innovation

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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 the innate human immune system. The feature spotlights the company’s leadership team—Eric DeJesus, PhD, Stephen Hajduk, PhD, and Michael Cipriano, PhD—and Annate’s mission to translate academic discovery into treatments with real impact for patients.

The article describes how Annate’s platform builds on foundational work at the University of Georgia to redirect a naturally occurring human defense mechanism toward cancer cells using bispecific antibodies. It also traces the personal and scientific motivations behind the company, including the experiences that shaped its focus on delivering more effective options for patients facing cancers such as multiple myeloma and other hard-to-treat diseases.

UGA Research News also highlights the realities of building a science-driven startup: generating strong data, refining the company’s message for investors and partners, and continuing to pursue the funding and collaborations needed to move the platform forward. Together, the story underscores Annate Bitherapeutics’ commitment to advancing innovative oncology therapies grounded in rigorous research and patient-centered purpose.

Read the full feature from UGA Research News: ‘A chance to ring the bell’: How a UGA startup is changing the fight against cancer

Annate Bitherapeutics Wins Top Award at UGA Field to Fund: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

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 District and Innovation Gateway. The competition brought together leading entrepreneurs and researchers from UGA and the University of Kentucky to present cutting-edge technologies addressing major scientific and medical challenges.

Dr. DeJesus’s pitch showcased Annate’s novel bispecific antibody platform that harnesses the human innate immune system for the treatment of multiple myeloma. By redirecting a naturally occurring component of the immune complex, Annate’s therapeutic approach targets and eliminates malignant cells with precision, opening new possibilities for treating resistant cancers.

The event featured dynamic discussions led by Jay Bailey (President & CEO, Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs) and Keith Marshall (Co-CEO, The Players’ Lounge), followed by pitches from four high-impact startups. Judges included distinguished alumni Michael Bowling, Stacy A. Chick, Robert Orr, and Anath Qualls.

Annate Bitherapeutics was awarded the evening’s top prize, sponsored by Hutchison PLLC, which also provided each team with a complimentary hour of legal consultation.

“Events like Field to Fund show what’s possible when universities, investors, and innovators come together to celebrate entrepreneurship and push science forward,” said Dr. Eric DeJesus.

The evening highlighted the power of collaboration between academia and industry, reinforcing Annate’s role in translating academic innovation into transformative cancer treatments.

Read the full story at the University of Georgia’s Innovation site:
Inspiration and Innovation in Action: UGA Hosts Field to Fund

CEO Eric DeJesus Wins 2025 UGA Quick Pitch Event

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

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 provides a platform for researchers and startups to showcase their ideas in a fast-paced pitch format.

Dr. DeJesus’s winning presentation emphasized Annate’s pioneering work harnessing the innate immune system to develop new therapies for multiple myeloma and pancreatic cancer.

Winning the Quick Pitch Event not only recognizes the strength of our science and business vision but also connects Annate to expanded mentorship, networking, and visibility within the UGA innovation community.

We are honored to be acknowledged by UGA and remain committed to advancing transformative cancer therapeutics from the lab to the clinic.

For more information about the Quick Pitch program, visit:
UGA Quick Pitch

Annate Bitherapeutics Technology Entered into UGA InPart Portal

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Annate Bitherapeutics is proud to announce that our technology has been officially listed on the University of Georgia’s InPart portal, a digital platform designed to connect groundbreaking research and innovations with potential industry partners.

The InPart portal showcases UGA-developed technologies to foster collaboration, licensing, and translational impact. By featuring Annate’s approach to next-generation cancer therapeutics, this listing increases visibility with pharmaceutical, biotech, and investment communities actively seeking new opportunities.

This milestone represents another step forward in our mission to translate academic research into clinically meaningful therapies. We look forward to the collaborations and partnerships this exposure may generate as we continue to advance our platform.

Learn more on the UGA InPart portal:
Annate Bitherapeutics on UGA InPart

Annate Bitherapeutics Wins Pitch Competition at Georgia Life Sciences Summit

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

At the 2025 Georgia Life Sciences Summit Startup Showcase, Annate Bitherapeutics was honored to be named the pitch competition winner. This recognition underscores the strength of our innovative science and the promise of our mission to deliver next-generation cancer therapeutics.

As part of the award, Annate earned exclusive one-on-one time with the BioTech Execs Network, providing invaluable opportunities to refine our strategy, connect with seasoned industry leaders, and accelerate our path toward clinical and commercial impact.

The Georgia Life Sciences Summit continues to be the premier gathering for the state’s bioscience and medtech community, spotlighting groundbreaking research and emerging companies. Winning the Startup Showcase represents a major milestone for Annate Bitherapeutics, and we are deeply grateful to Georgia Bio and the wider life sciences community for this opportunity to share our vision.

For more information about the Summit and the Startup Showcase, visit:
Georgia Life Sciences Summit

Annate Bitherapeutics to Present at Georgia Life Sciences Summit 2025

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We are honored to announce that Annate Bitherapeutics has been chosen to participate in the Startup Showcase at the 2025 Georgia Life Sciences Summit, taking place August 26–27 at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center in Atlanta.

This opportunity places Annate alongside Georgia’s most promising life sciences ventures, providing exposure to a distinguished audience of industry leaders, investors, scientists, and policymakers. The Startup Showcase is a central feature of the Summit, designed to elevate emerging technologies and foster critical industry connections.

The Georgia Life Sciences Summit is the state’s premier gathering for the bioscience and medtech community. It brings together professionals from industry, academia, and government to explore major trends in scientific research, commercialization, financing, and policy.

We’re thrilled to represent Annate Bitherapeutics at this important event—and we look forward to amplifying our impact through these meaningful conversations and collaborations.

Eric DeJesus Featured by ARCS Foundation and ARCS Forward

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The ARCS Foundation recently spotlighted Eric DeJesus, PhD, Founder & CEO of Annate Bitherapeutics, for his groundbreaking work in cancer immunotherapy. As an ARCS Scholar Alum, Dr. DeJesus has built on his academic foundation to launch Annate’s therapeutic platform, which leverages innate immunity to fight multiple myeloma and pancreatic cancer.

🎥 Watch the Talk

Dr. DeJesus presented at the June 2025 ARCS Forward event, delivering a talk titled Reducing the Impact of Cancer. In this presentation, he outlines the scientific basis of Annate’s therapies and the company’s vision for addressing unmet needs in oncology.

(Click image to watch the video on YouTube)

📖 Read the Feature

Alongside the event, ARCS published a feature article on Dr. DeJesus, highlighting his journey from ARCS Scholar to biotech entrepreneur:
ARCS Scholar Alum Eric DeJesus Pushes Boundaries in Cancer Treatment

Together, the feature article and the ARCS Forward talk showcase how Annate Bitherapeutics is translating innovative research into a new generation of cancer treatments.