Cadenza Bio

Cadenza Bio, Inc. is a preclinical biotechnology company developing a series of novel, non-steroidal, highly selective small-molecule compounds targeting Estrogen Receptor β (ERβ), formulated for oral administration. Its stated aim is to treat demyelinating and inflammatory diseases by halting disease progression, promoting tissue repair, and restoring patient function rather than only managing symptoms.

The company runs two disclosed programs. In multiple sclerosis, its chloroindazole analog compounds are described as dual-acting: reducing inflammation around affected nerves, driving remyelination through oligodendrocyte precursor differentiation and maturation, and promoting functional recovery measured by axon conduction, visual evoked potentials and motor improvement. In endometriosis, preclinical research indicates chloroindazole suppresses ectopic lesion growth and reduces lesion inflammation, vascularization and innervation, with no observed impact on estrous cycling or fertility at effective doses. Company communications also reference work in menopause and other conditions disproportionately affecting women. Lead MS candidates are identified as K102 and K110.

Founding story

The company was established in 2022 to advance non-steroidal, highly selective ERβ compounds arising from academic research. The MS pipeline emerged from a collaboration between Dr. John Katzenellenbogen and Dr. Sung Hoon Kim of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Dr. Seema Tiwari-Woodruff of the University of California, Riverside. The endometriosis pipeline emerged from a collaboration between Dr. John Katzenellenbogen and Dr. Benita Katzenellenbogen of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Business model

Cadenza Bio operates as a preclinical therapeutics developer, advancing patented and patent-pending ERβ-targeting compounds licensed from or developed in collaboration with academic laboratories toward clinical development. No commercial products or revenue-generating operations are described.

Traction

Preclinical stage. Efficacy has been demonstrated in animal models of multiple sclerosis and endometriosis, and results for K102 and K110 in two established mouse MS models were published in Scientific Reports in October 2025. The MS work was supported by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Fast Forward commercial funding program. A $2.44 million seed round was reported in December 2024.

Latest developments

In October 2025 the company announced publication of "Chloroindazole based Estrogen Receptor β ligands with favorable pharmacokinetics promote functional remyelination and visual recovery" in Scientific Reports, co-authored with scientists from UC Riverside, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and The Scripps Research Institute. Leadership stated the intent to advance K102 and K110 into clinical development. In June 2026, COO and co-founder Elaine Hamm was scheduled to moderate a women's health investment panel at the BIO International Convention in San Diego.