Another local biotech company is starting 2026 with fresh cash. 

Cantai Therapeutics — which operates on a virtual model, but lists its headquarters in University City — raised $3 million, according to an SEC filing. 

The company’s local ties include investors and team members, an executive told Technical.ly. But key investor 82VS is connected to Cambridge-based Alloy Therapeutics, which partners with other biotech companies to help with drug discovery. 

Cantai’s local ties include investors and team members, an executive told Technical.ly.

The startup did not confirm the raise, specify which types of autoimmune diseases it’s targeting or answer Technical.ly’s questions about what the funding will be used for, but it did confirm its funders.  

“Cantai Therapeutics is cofounded and seeded by Agent Capital, 82VS and Tellus Bio to advance high-value bispecific molecules to address unmet patient needs in autoimmune diseases,” an executive at the company told Technical.ly.

Cantai launched in 2023 with a $3 million seed round. The company has raised $6.55 million to date at an undisclosed valuation, according to PitchBook. It develops drug candidates with special antibodies that can attach to two different targets at once to treat autoimmune diseases. 

“It requires a team effort to drive meaningful drug development for patients who are suffering with high unmet diseases,” board chair Geeta Vermuri said when the company launched. 

Virtual biotechs have operations and stakeholders based all over, including research, investors and team members. The concept isn’t new, but it is generally a more cost-efficient approach to drug development. 

As Philly races to bring in more biotech prestige, its biggest East Coast competitor is Boston, widely regarded as the industry’s hub. Cantai’s split presence in both cities could signal that therapeutics companies are increasingly seeing the value of operating across markets.

Rebound for Philly life sciences

This raise contributes to Philly life sciences’ strong start to the year, especially after Alveus Therapeutics emerged from stealth with its $160 million raise earlier this month. Alveus is also a portfolio company of Agent Capital. 

This follows a mixed year in 2025. The region received interest from major players like Eli Lilly and Thermo Fisher Scientific, but also saw major layoffs and local companies shutting down. While the region touts its success in research and workforce development, local companies still say they struggle to bring in cash. 

However, revised data from PitchBook and the National Venture Capital Association showed that 2025 was a solid year for venture capital in Philly, despite uncertainty in the first two quarters. 

Local biotech executives are also feeling positive about the current momentum in the biotech industry, especially in Pennsylvania. Both the state government and local investment funds seem to be engaged with the local life sciences ecosystem, Eric Heil, CEO of Ladder Bio, told Technical.ly. 

“I’m really optimistic,” Heil said. “That folks recognize the opportunity that we have here in the state.”