Tidal Therapeutics

Tidal Therapeutics was a privately held, preclinical-stage biotechnology company based at LabCentral in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It developed an mRNA-based approach for in vivo reprogramming of immune cells, using proprietary nanoparticles that deliver mRNA cargos selectively to designated cell types in the body, with initial applications directed at specific types of immune cells.

The approach was designed to achieve efficacy comparable to ex vivo cell-engineering methods such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, in which immune cells are removed and genetically modified outside the body, while offering the potential for improved safety, outpatient dosing and repeat dosing. At the time of its acquisition, the company had ongoing preclinical programs including in vivo reprogramming of T cells and other immune cell types for cancer indications, with additional potential applications in immune and inflammatory diseases.

The company was started in the spring of 2019 by Ulrik Nielsen, who served as founder, president and chief executive officer. On April 9, 2021, Sanofi acquired Tidal Therapeutics, stating that the platform would expand its research capabilities in immuno-oncology and inflammatory diseases.

Founding story

According to founder and CEO Ulrik Nielsen, Tidal was started in the spring of 2019 around the idea of reprogramming the human immune system and developing next-generation mRNA immunotherapies. The company set up in LabCentral 700 in Kendall Square, Cambridge, where Nielsen had previously been a resident with another company, Torque Therapeutics (later Repertoire); the shared lab suite and equipment allowed the team to begin running experiments within its second week of operations.

Traction

Remained at the preclinical stage through its acquisition, with ongoing programs in in vivo reprogramming of T cells and other immune cells for cancer indications. The company assembled an investor syndicate including Mission BioCapital, RA Capital, New Enterprise Associates, the Myeloma Investment Fund, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation's venture philanthropy, MRL Ventures and AbbVie Ventures, and was acquired within roughly two years of its 2019 start.

Latest developments

Sanofi acquired Tidal Therapeutics on April 9, 2021 for $160 million upfront plus up to $310 million in milestone payments, folding the mRNA in vivo reprogramming platform into its research organization for immuno-oncology and inflammatory diseases. CEO Ulrik Nielsen said the combination would allow faster development and broader application of the platform. Sanofi separately completed its acquisition of Kymab Group around the same date.