UNIGE spin-off · Seed round open now
Allosteric small molecules for harder-to-treat
cancers, inflammatory diseases, and beyond
Adoram Therapeutics is building a new class of A2AR modulators designed to stay selective, effective, and commercially relevant where conventional approaches fall short.
A2AR NAMProgram 1 · Oncology · US/EU patents recently granted
A2AR PAMProgram 2 · Lead development · First-in-class potential
CHF 3M+Non-dilutive funding secured
Allosteric discovery platformPipeline expansion engine
Backed by
University of Geneva
Innosuisse
FONGIT / FIF
Venture Kick
Venture Leaders Boston
Our science
Why allosteric modulation
Why allosteric modulation
changes the drug profile
Orthosteric drugs compete at the receptor's primary binding site, where efficacy can fade and off-target liabilities rise. Adoram works allosterically — shaping receptor response from a distinct site to pursue better selectivity, stronger control in disease-relevant settings, and a wider therapeutic window.
A2AR NAM — Program 1
A negative allosteric modulator of the adenosine 2A receptor, engineered to restore anti-tumor immunity in high-adenosine solid tumor microenvironments. Aiming for best-in-class potency versus clinical competitors. Published in J. Med. Chem. (ACS, Jan 2025) — the first efficacious A2AR NAMs reported.
Pre-IND · Developmental candidate stage
A2AR PAM — Program 2
A positive allosteric modulator licensed exclusively from UNIGE in 2022. Four distinct hit series in active lead optimization, backed by Innosuisse non-dilutive funding through developmental candidate nomination in 2027.
Lead optimization · Inflammation
Allosteric screening platform
A proprietary GPCR assay, more sensitive than industry-standard cAMP assays and adaptable to GPCR targets — the largest druggable class in the human genome. A compact yet diverse curated molecule library, paired with in-house know-how in molecular modelling and MD simulation of cryptic allosteric pockets, is ready for rapid hit identification through partner-led collaborations or new investments.
Platform technology · Partnership-ready
Published & patent-protected IP
Exclusive IP license from UNIGE covering the A2AR NAM and PAM hit molecules and the allosteric screening technology. Patents recently granted in the US and EU, giving composition-of-matter protection across key jurisdictions.
US & EU patents granted
Development pipeline
A focused pipeline with near- and
Active stage: Pre-IND
Active stage: Lead optimization
Discovery
A focused pipeline with near- and
mid-term value inflection
Adoram is advancing two A2AR programmes with distinct therapeutic logic and shared allosteric know-how: Program 1, an oncology NAM asset; Program 2, an inflammation PAM asset; a follow-on GPCR programme in discovery; and follow-on GPCR programmes in discussion.
Program 1 · A2AR NAM · Oncology
Adenosine 2A receptor · Solid tumors · Oral · Aiming for best-in-class vs CPI competitors · Exit 2028
✓
Hit ID
✓
Lead opt.
✓
Dev. cand.
▶
Pre-IND
Phase Ib
ComboTx exit
Program 2 · A2AR PAM · Inflammation
Adenosine 2A receptor · Autoimmune & inflammatory indications · Licensed from UNIGE 2022 · DC nomination 2027
✓
Hit ID
▶
Lead opt.
DC nom.
Pre-IND
Phase Ib
Out-license
Undisclosed GPCR programme
First-in-class · Platform-enabled · Multiple options under evaluation · Similar R&D timeline to previous assets
▶
Multiple options & target prioritisation
Lead opt.
DC nom.
Pre-IND
Phase I
Out-license
Why Adoram
Four reasons Adoram stands apart
Adoram is not just pursuing the same target with a new molecule. Its approach changes how the receptor is modulated, where activity is preserved, and how future assets can be built from the same scientific foundation.
01
Platform-enabled pipeline expansion
A proprietary allosteric GPCR screening assay paired with a 6M-compound library enables rapid hit identification for any GPCR target — ready for co-development, in-licensing, and pharma collaboration.
02
Potency in hostile microenvironments
Non-competitive binding holds full efficacy in high-adenosine tumor microenvironments, where orthosteric drugs are outcompeted by natural ligands at high concentrations — the same effect at lower doses.
03
Improved safety & therapeutic window
Allosteric sites are receptor-subtype selective and structurally distinct, avoiding receptor desensitisation and resistance, with lower cardiovascular and CNS off-target liabilities than competitors at clinical stage.
04
Cleaner IP in an uncrowded pocket
Orthosteric A2AR binding sites are crowded and heavily contested. Allosteric pockets are structurally distinct and largely unclaimed, supporting stronger composition-of-matter protection and freedom to operate across the platform.
Funding & traction
Capital in place for the
Capital in place for the
next value-creation steps
Adoram has secured over CHF 3M in non-dilutive grants and pre-seed capital, and is now raising a CHF 3.7M Seed Round with a CHF 7M extension planned for 2027.
Non-dilutive grants
CHF 3M+
5 grants secured, including 3 Innosuisse awards
Complete
Pre-seed
CHF 0.5M+
Deeptech incubator and private investor
Complete
Seed round
CHF 3.7M
First tranche · open now
Open now
Seed extension
CHF 7M
Planned for 2027
Planned
Leadership
Multidisciplinary founding team
Drug discovery scientists with clinical translation experience, backed by a 15-person scientific, clinical, and business advisory network from UNIGE, HUG, NYU Langone, IQVIA, and leading pharma including Novartis, Sanofi, Takeda, Amgen, and Forbion.
David Pejoski, PhD, MBA
Co-founder & CEO
- 20 years in immuno-oncology and vaccine development, including WHO vaccine coordination
- PhD, University of Melbourne — immunomodulators and infectious-disease vaccines
- Led Adoram's asset creation team through pre-clinical development
Hesham Hamed, PhD
Co-founder & CSO
- 18 years across cardiovascular and muscle disease pharmacology
- Advanced two small molecules into clinical trials
- Former consultant to Novartis and Skyhawk Therapeutics
Leonardo Scapozza, Prof.
Co-founder & interim CFO
- Full Professor, UNIGE — leads a 25-person drug discovery laboratory
- 130+ peer-reviewed papers, 8 patents, three Phoenix Prizes
- Lead Scientific Advisor for Adoram's allosteric drug design
Scientific Advisors & Collaborators
Prof. Cem Gabay
Inflammation KOL
Chief of Rheumatology, HUG
Prof. Stéphanie Hugues
Onco-Immunology
UNIGE
Prof. Bruce Cronstein
Adenosine & Inflammation KOL
NYU Langone
Dr. Michael Hennig
Structural Biology
LeadXpro
Dr. Charles-Henry Fabritius
Chemistry & CMC
Multiple biotechs
Dr. Pablo Nieto
Computation / AI
IQVIA · iGeo Investment
Clinical Advisors
Dr. Peter Lichtlen
CMO Consultant
Numab · J&J
Prof. Markus Jörger
I-O A2AR Trial Expert
St. Gallen · SAKK
Dr. Gabriella Galli
Clinical Ops Consultant
T3 Pharma · Covance
Business Advisors
Dr. James Rush
Pharma Drug Development
Novartis · Forbion
Dr. Marco Ruedi
Innosuisse Core Coach
FONGIT · Sanofi
Dr. Angela Ryan
Market Access
Takeda · Amgen
Internal Team — Asset Creation
Aurélie Gouiller, MSc
Cell-Based Assays
Assay development with industry experience
Margot Boujut, PhD
Medicinal Chemistry
Molecular design, synthesis, and analytical method development
Camille Süess, MSc
Functional Biology
High-throughput screening, in vitro and in vivo models
Margaux Héritier, PhD
In Silico Drug Design
Molecular modelling
Sébastien Tardy, PhD
Medicinal Chemistry
Molecular design and synthesis expert
Backed day to day by dedicated legal, accounting, and clinical-operations partners.
News & milestones
Recent achievements
2025
CHF 1M Innosuisse grant — anti-inflammatory program
Non-dilutive Innosuisse funding secured to advance A2AR PAM through developmental candidate nomination and preclinical proof-of-concept.
Read more →
24 Jan 2025
Program 1 asset published in Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
First-ever efficacious A2AR negative allosteric modulators for high-adenosine solid tumors published in ACS J. Med. Chem. — a landmark for the field.
Read more →
2024
Pre-seed investment secured
Funding secured to advance both the oncology and anti-inflammatory programs through key preclinical milestones.
Read more →
2024
Funding from the FONGIT Innovation Fund
Further non-dilutive support secured from the FONGIT Innovation Fund to advance the pipeline.
Read more →
Jun 2024
Top 10 finalist, South Summit
Selected as a top 10 Health Track finalist among 18K+ participants at the SouthSummit international startup competition.
Read more →
2024
Where you saw Adoram Therapeutics in 2024
A year of national and international visibility, with co-CEOs David Pejoski and Hesham Hamed representing Adoram across key industry events.
Read more →
27 Nov 2024
Faculty at Biobusiness executive education, Lugano
Co-CEOs David Pejoski and Hesham Hamed served as faculty for the Executive Education program on Biobusiness in Lugano, Switzerland.
Read more →
Oct 2024
Japan roadshow
One of 5 Swiss startups selected for a full week showcasing the platform to investors and partners in Japan.
Read more →
May 2024
Venture Leaders Boston
One of 10 Swiss startups selected for the Venture Leaders Swiss Biotech roadshow in Boston, USA.
Read more →
Seed round open · CHF 7M extension ahead
Back the next phase of Adoram
The company is financing the next stage of development for Program 1 (A2AR NAM, oncology), Program 2 (A2AR PAM, inflammation), and its broader allosteric GPCR pipeline.
Seed round — open now
CHF 3.7M
First tranche · 2026
Seed extension
CHF 7M
Planned for 2027
Non-dilutive secured
CHF 3M+
5 grants, including 3 Innosuisse awards
IP position
US & EU granted
Exclusive UNIGE license · NAM + PAM + platform