Boulevard Bio launches with $65M to target IgAN and other autoimmune diseases with quarterly‑dosed BAFF/APRIL bispecific against Vera's Trutakna

Boulevard Bio has launched with $65 million in funding from Deerfield Management to advance a precision immunology pipeline focused on B cell–driven autoimmune diseases.

The startup's lead candidate, BLVD-101, is a dual BAFF/APRIL–targeting bispecific antibody for IgA nephropathy (IgAN), with early Phase 1 data supporting quarterly (every 12 weeks) dosing in healthy volunteers.

BLVD-101 was originally discovered and developed inside 3DC and is being positioned against Vera Therapeutics’ Trutakna (atacicept), an FDA-approved dual BAFF/APRIL inhibitor that requires weekly subcutaneous injections.

In addition to BLVD-101, Boulevard has a trispecific T-cell engager, BLVD-201, plus a third undisclosed dual-target program, all in preclinical development against autoimmune conditions linked to aberrant B-cell activity.

Boulevard’s approach mirrors the validated dual BAFF/APRIL strategy of Vera’s IgAN drug but aims to improve patient convenience and treatment burden through less frequent, high‑potency dosing.