Two biotechnology companies from the Boston area, Bicara Therapeutics and Zenas BioPharma, successfully held initial public offerings (IPOs) on Friday, raising a combined total of $540 million. Bicara Therapeutics, which focuses on developing treatments for head and neck cancers, secured $315 million by selling 17.5 million shares at $18 each, while Zenas BioPharma raised over $225 million with 13.24 million shares priced at $17 each. These IPOs mark a significant increase in Massachusetts biotech listings for 2024, bringing the total to four so far this year. The capital raised by Bicara will support pivotal studies for its lead therapy targeting recurrent head and neck cancer. This activity indicates a potential resurgence in biotech IPOs, despite a downtrend in 2022, as the market shows signs of recovery. The successful fundraising reflects a broader trend toward increased investor confidence in the biotech sector.