/Companies

LEAH Labs

YC W19

Minneapolis, US · Founded 2018 · 4 employees · 5 known investors

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LEAH Labs engineers gene-edited CAR-T cell therapies to treat cancer in pet dogs, with the goal of generating translational insights for human cancer therapy. The company uses proprietary gene editing and protein design to develop therapeutic treatments for companion animal oncology.

Also known as LifEngine Animal Health Laboratories Incorporated · Incorporated · Lifengine Animal Health Laboratories · Lifengine Animal Health Laboratories, Incorporated

Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (W19)

WWWesley Wierson
Wesley WiersonFounderWesley Wierson is a scientist and entrepreneur with expertise in gene editing who founded LEAH Labs to develop cancer therapies using CAR-T technology in veterinary settings, which he identified as a pathway to market with lighter regulatory requirements than human therapeutics.
SC
Stephen C. EkkerScientific Founder & Board Director
SSSaad S. Kenderian
Saad S. KenderianScientific Founder
JPJonathan P. Mochel
Jonathan P. MochelScientific Founder
SSSaad S. Kenderian, MB/ChB
Saad S. Kenderian, MB/ChBScientific Founder
JPJonathan P. Mochel, PhD/DECVPT
Jonathan P. Mochel, PhD/DECVPTScientific Founder
AMAlex M. Abel
Alex M. AbelChief Scientific OfficerAlex M. Abel is Chief Scientific Officer of LEAH Labs, which develops gene-edited CAR-T cell therapies for canine cancer treatment using proprietary gene editing and protein design techniques.
ZW
Zachary WareJoncas

Investors · 5

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Companies working in the same space as LEAH Labs.

Non-dilutive funding · 3 SBIR/STTR awards

Federal grants — no equity taken
AgencyPhaseYearAmount
National Science FoundationPhase II2023$973.9K
National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of HealthPhase I2022$337.4K
National Science FoundationPhase I2020$225K

Source: SBIR.gov award data (U.S. Small Business Administration). SBIR/STTR awards are competitive federal R&D grants and contracts — non-dilutive capital alongside any venture rounds above.

Legal entities · 1

corporate structure
LifEngine Animal Health Laboratories Incorporated

In the news

Frequently asked questions

What does LEAH Labs do?
LEAH Labs engineers gene-edited CAR-T cell therapies to treat cancer in pet dogs, with the goal of generating translational insights for human cancer therapy. The company uses proprietary gene editing and protein design to develop therapeutic treatments for companion animal oncology.
Who founded LEAH Labs?
LEAH Labs was founded by Wesley Wierson, Stephen C. Ekker, Saad S. Kenderian, Jonathan P. Mochel, Saad S. Kenderian, MB/ChB, Jonathan P. Mochel, PhD/DECVPT in 2018.
Who are LEAH Labs's investors?
LEAH Labs's investors include GROOVE CAPITAL, Southeast Minnesota Capital Fund, Y Combinator, Ag Startup Engine Seed, Wefunder.
Where is LEAH Labs headquartered?
LEAH Labs is headquartered in Minneapolis, US.