About
Anthony Rullo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at McMaster University's Faculty of Health Sciences. His research bridges chemical biology and immunology with a focus on developing novel therapeutic approaches for cancer and lung diseases. With over 30 publications spanning from 2006 to 2025, Dr. Rullo has established himself as an innovative researcher in covalent chemistry applications for immune modulation.
Dr. Rullo's research interests center on immunotherapy, particularly antibody recruitment strategies, covalent chemistry for immune proximity induction, and therapeutic approaches for lung fibrosis. His work combines chemical biology principles with immunological applications to create novel therapeutic platforms that enhance immune recognition of cancer targets and viral pathogens. Recent work has focused on covalent stabilization of antibody recruitment, molecular glues, and strategies for targeting pro-fibrotic macrophages in lung diseases.
His publication record shows a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated approaches to immune modulation, with significant recent output in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, ACS Central Science, and Angewandte Chemie. The research demonstrates a progression from fundamental chemical biology investigations toward translational applications, with several patented technologies and startup companies emerging from his work.
- Patented COVID-19 immunotherapy treatment developed at McMaster
- Co-founder of BiCova Therapeutics (received $750,000 from McMaster Seed Fund)
- Co-founder of PROVA Innovations (received $750,000 from McMaster Seed Fund)
- Multiple patents referenced across his publication portfolio
Dr. Rullo teaches courses including Inquiry II: Cell Biology (HTHSCI 2K03) and Clinical Biochemistry (BIOCHEM 3H03), demonstrating his commitment to educating the next generation of health scientists. His research has garnered significant attention, with numerous publications referenced in patents and picked up by news outlets, indicating the translational potential of his work.
