Although small molecule drugs and antibodies continue to be the standard for cancer treatment, a new class of therapeutics — lasso peptides — may prove effective, especially for disease targets that thwart traditional approaches. Combining the power of antibodies and small molecule drugs, the San Diego-based startup Lassogen is developing lasso peptides as a new therapeutic modality. Now, with $4.5 million raised in a seed round, the company moves one step closer to demonstrating the power of lasso peptides for treating human diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders.