// startup autopsy

Amplimmune

Checkpoint pioneer absorbed before it could fly solo

acquisition gone wrongAcqui-hire

Fatal mistake: Amplimmune could not sustain independent clinical development on $20M and became an acquisition target before proving commercial viability.

Founded	2006
Closed	2013
Country	USA
Sector	Biotech

50%

Key Events Timeline

2006-01-01

FOUNDING

Amplimmune founded in the USA to develop immunology checkpoint inhibitor therapies.

2006-06-01

FUNDING

Raised $20M in venture funding to advance PD-L2 and B7 protein research programs.

2012-01-01

PRODUCT LAUNCH

Amplimmune advanced its checkpoint inhibitor candidates into preclinical and early clinical evaluation.

2013-06-01

ACQUISITION ATTEMPT

AstraZeneca initiates acquisition discussions valuing Amplimmune at $225M for its immuno-oncology assets.

2013-09-01

SHUTDOWN

Amplimmune absorbed into AstraZeneca for $225M, ending its existence as an independent biotech.

Full Analysis

Analyst plan

Documented cause

Amplimmune developed immunology checkpoint inhibitor therapies focused on PD-L2 and B7 protein research. The company was acquired by AstraZeneca in 2013 for $225 million. While the acquisition price reflected t...

he value of its pipeline and research, this represents an acqui-hire outcome—the company was purchased primarily for its technology and talent rather than achieving commercial independence or successf

Verified lesson

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€36M

Peak valuation

HypeCycle · MoatType · ResearchTags

Amplimmune raised €20M before amplimmune could not sustain independent clinical development on $20m and became an acquisition target before proving commercial viability. ended it. See the documented cause, verified lesson and all failure signals.

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