OverT Bio

OverT Bio is a New York-based biotechnology company developing engineered cell therapies and biologics aimed at solid tumors. Its approach combines massively parallel, genome-scale genetic screening with AI-based models of protein function to identify genetic programs that improve T cell persistence and resistance to tumor immunosuppression, plus a high-throughput receptor and target discovery effort built on data from patient tumors. Discovered receptors are profiled with multimodal single-cell tools to assess both expression and tumor-killing function. The company states that its therapies use gamma delta T cells, which target tumors through innate and adaptive mechanisms and are suited to tissue infiltration, and that it is building a naturally allogeneic, off-the-shelf product intended to shorten time to treatment and lower cost.

The company describes proprietary pooled functional screening and synthetic genomics platforms named OverTarget and OverTCR, alongside massively parallel genetic screening, single-cell multi-omic and synthetic biology capabilities. Its disclosed pipeline includes OVT-101, a CLDN6-directed CAR-T with additional genetic programming for ovarian cancer, with first-in-human study anticipated in the first half of 2027, and OVT-201, a non-MHC T cell engager for solid tumors, with candidate nomination anticipated in the first half of 2027. The founding team has assembled an intellectual property portfolio covering multiple discovery platforms and preclinical assets, and its underlying research has been published in journals including Nature and The New England Journal of Medicine.

OverT Bio is headquartered at 430 E 29th St, New York, NY. It maintains an executive team, board of directors, and a scientific and clinical advisory board, and announced the formation of a clinical advisory board to support development of OVT-101 in March 2026.

Founding story

OverT Bio was founded in 2022 by immunologist and entrepreneur Dr. Mat Legut, who serves as co-founder and CEO, and Dr. Neville Sanjana, a faculty member at the New York Genome Center and NYU known for work in CRISPR and high-throughput functional genomics. Legut was previously a postdoctoral researcher in Sanjana's group. The company was established to pursue one-time, potentially curative cell therapies accessible to all cancer patients, building on the founders' research linking genes to immune cell functions.

Business model

OverT Bio is a preclinical-stage therapeutics developer, funding research and development through venture capital, grants and partnerships, with product candidates intended to reach the clinic beginning in 2027.

Traction

OverT Bio raised $16 million in seed funding disclosed at its May 2024 launch, received a $120,000 G-Rex Grant in November 2023, and formed a strategic collaboration with Nona Biosciences in October 2024. It has two disclosed pipeline programs, OVT-101 and OVT-201, both with milestones targeted for the first half of 2027.

Latest developments

OverT Bio announced the formation of a clinical advisory board in March 2026 to support clinical development of OVT-101 in ovarian cancer and other solid tumors, and in August 2026 reported a nomination for the 2026 Prix Galien USA in the Best Startup category. Its lead program OVT-101 is targeted for first-in-human study in the first half of 2027, with candidate nomination for OVT-201 anticipated in the same period.