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Alume Biosciences

Peptide dye that makes nerves glow during surgery

Raised to date

$9M

of $31.5M offered across 6 Form D filings

Still open
$22.5M
Investors
46
Last filed
May 8, 2026

About

Alume Biosciences is a clinical-stage biotechnology company in La Jolla, California developing fluorescent imaging agents that make nerves visible to surgeons in real time during an operation. Its lead candidate, bevonescein (ALM-488), is a peptide-dye conjugate given intravenously about an hour before surgery that binds nerve tissue and fluoresces under specialized imaging, then clears through the kidneys within hours. The company was founded in 2017 by CEO Quyen Nguyen and the late Nobel laureate Roger Tsien, and is running bevonescein in Phase 3 trials with an FDA New Drug Application planned for 2026.

A systemically administered nerve-specific fluorescent agent, rather than a device or dye that highlights tumors or vasculature, giving surgeons direct intraoperative visualization of nerves that are otherwise identified by anatomy and feel alone.

Funding

Oct 2025Apr 2026
Now

$23.5M round, first sold Oct 2025: $6.9M sold, $16.6M still open

  • Security to be acquiredFiled May 8, 2026Form D/A
    $2.2M/ $8M
  • Security to be acquiredFiled Apr 6, 2026Form D
    $110K/ $8M
  • EquityFiled Feb 19, 2026Form D/A
    $6.9M/ $23.5M
  • EquityFiled Jan 30, 2026Form D/A
    $6M/ $23.5M
  • EquityFiled Nov 12, 2025Form D/A
    $3.6M/ $23.5M
  • EquityFiled Oct 31, 2025Form D
    $3.1M/ $23.5M

Product

Bevonescein (ALM-488)

Surgical imaging agent

An investigational peptide-dye conjugate administered intravenously roughly 60 minutes before surgery that causes nerves to fluoresce, letting surgeons see and avoid them intraoperatively. It is in Phase 3 clinical trials, with a planned FDA New Drug Application in 2026.

  • Intravenous dose given approximately 60 minutes before the procedure
  • Peptide targets nerve tissue and makes it fluoresce for intraoperative visualization
  • Clears through the kidneys within hours after surgery

Built for

Surgeons performing nerve-adjacent procedures, initially head-and-neck surgeons and neurosurgeons at academic and hospital surgical centers, with potential expansion into other specialties such as urologic surgery.

People on file