Apellis Pharmaceuticals was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA. The company is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in developing innovative therapies for serious diseases of the immune system and the eyes. The company's focus is on developing therapies for rare and difficult-to-treat diseases. Apellis relies on a cellular science platform based on the discovery of new biological mechanisms. In the field of ophthalmology, Apellis is developing therapies for rare retinal diseases such as geographic atrophy, a progressive disease that can lead to blindness. The company has developed a new drug called APL-2, which is currently being tested in clinical trials. APL-2 inhibits the complement system, an important component of the immune system that plays a crucial role in retinal diseases. In the field of immunology, Apellis is working on developing therapies for autoimmune diseases, where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues. One such disease is paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), which can lead to destruction of red blood cells. Apellis has developed a drug called APL-2, which inhibits the complement system and stops the breakdown of red blood cells. APL-2 is also being investigated for other autoimmune diseases such as the rare blood disorder syndrome, thrombotic microangiopathy syndrome. Apellis is also developing a therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which can cause survival problems in advanced stages. The research focus is on identifying targets in the complement system and developing therapeutics to inhibit these targets. Apellis' business model is based on a collaborative approach, working closely with patient support groups to better understand patient needs and develop a deep physiological understanding of disease mechanisms to explore more effective therapy approaches. Apellis also collaborates with biotechnology partners and suppliers to accelerate the development of its drugs and reduce costs. Apellis has a strong financing base and has conducted several successful investment rounds in recent years. In 2017, the company raised $150 million in a Series E investment round. In 2019, Apellis received a $250 million investment from Swiss Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, for a 10% stake in the company. This investment provides Apellis with the financial stability necessary for accelerated drug development. In 2020, Apellis obtained approval for APL-2 for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) in the EU. In the same year, the company also obtained accelerated approval for APL-2 for the treatment of synergenic constipation syndrome. In summary, Apellis Pharmaceuticals is an innovative biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of therapies for rare and difficult-to-treat diseases of the immune system and the eyes. With a strong financing base and a wide range of products, the company is well positioned to fully leverage the potential of its cellular science platform and provide innovative treatment options for patients.