Apellis Pharmaceuticals

At Apellis, we combine courageous science and compassion to develop life-changing medicines for some of the most challenging diseases patients face. Our goal is to transform treatment for a broad range of debilitating diseases by controlling a part of the immune system known as the complement cascade. We ushered in the first new class of complement medicine in 15 years, and now have two approved medicines targeting C3, the central protein in the cascade. These include the first-ever therapy for geographic atrophy, a leading cause of blindness around the world. With nearly a dozen clinical and pre-clinical programs underway, we believe we have only begun to unlock the potential of targeting C3 across many serious diseases.

More than a decade ago in a university lab in Kentucky, a small group of post-doc scientists, including our CEO and CSO, started a biotech company with a scientific approach that challenged conventional thinking. At the time, targeting C3 was viewed as scientifically difficult, if not impossible by many, but the significant unmet needs of patients inspired our founders’ efforts to follow the science and continue to drive us forward today. Our team consists of individuals who care about the greater good of society, strive for high scientific integrity, and pursue revolutionary science that offers transformative medicines to patients while minimizing environmental impact.