ICCS 2023 - Presenting Companies
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Massachusetts |
Activate Therapeutics knows that organ transplant patients rely on immunosuppression to prevent transplant rejection which may lead to the development of aggressive and deadly cancers. Current systemic immunotheapies lead to rejection of the transplant and death; leaving patients with no treatment options beyond surgery. Activate is developing novel nanomedicines using its proprietary platform to address these patients’ needs.
Our nanomedicines provide sustained delivery of validated immuno-oncology drugs (e.g., TLR agonists, small molecules, and cytokines) to their targets - shifting the therapeutic window to improve efficacy and reduce toxicity. GLP toxicology studies demonstrate that these nanomedicines are well tolerated and GMP manufacturing processes have been established. We are seeking both finance and R&D partners to advance our programs into first in man studies. Download presentation here |
Company: Activate Therapeutics
Speaker: Mark Moody Title: COO & Co-founder E.: [email protected] www.activatetherapeutics.com |
TransCode Therapeutics is focused on developing and delivering therapies specific to metastatic tumor cells that are oftentimes overlooked by conventional treatments. miRNA-10b is a clinically validated biomarker of metastatic disease in multiple malignancies and a master regulator of the viability of metastatic tumor cells. This allowed us to develop a therapeutic miR-10b inhibitor, named TTX-MC138, which is delivered to metastatic tumor cells and can elicit complete responses and life-long disease remissions in preclinical models of breast and pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
To further de-risk clinical development of TTX-MC138, we have embarked on a Phase 0 clinical trial with Cu64-labeled TTX-MC138. The trial involves microdose injection of radiolabeled TTX-MC138 into cancer patients, followed by positron emission tomography-magnetic resonance imaging. |
Company: Transcode Therapeutics
Speaker: Tania Montgomery Title: Business Development E.: [email protected] https://www.transcodetherapeutics.com/ |
Lytica is a preclinical stage biotechnology company addressing a critical bottleneck in the field of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). These powerful therapeutics have been limited in their clinical use due to low internalization rates of most surface targets into cancer cells, resulting in a restricted number of actionable targets and the need for high levels of expression. Lytica's innovative platform tackles this issue by enhancing ADC internalization efficiency to levels greater than 80% resulting in superior efficacy at high and low target expression levels.
Our platform does not require antibody re-engineering and is a one-step modification that is compatible with current ADC chemistry. With both in vitro and in vivo data validating our approach, Lytica is now seeking partners with ADC programs that could benefit from its groundbreaking technology. |
Company: Lytica Therapeutics
Speaker: Rida Mourtada Title: Chief Scientific Officer E.: [email protected] https://www.lyticatx.com/ |
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Taiwan |
Immunwork is developing "T-E Pharmaceuticals" that use proprietary Multi-Arm Linkers to combine targeting (T) and effector (E) moieties in a single molecule. This approach enhances drug efficacy and safety by precisely delivering the drug to specific tissues, sparing normal tissues from toxicity. Immunwork's technologies are applied to ADCs, ARCs, and therapeutic peptides.
The company has developed a CD38-specific ADC for multiple myeloma, a CA19-9 specific ARC for pancreatic cancer, and a somatostatin analog for neuroendocrine tumors, which have demonstrated strong efficacy and good safety in animal studies. Immunwork is seeking platform and drug product licensing, co-development, R&D collaborations, and equity investment. |
Company: Immunwork, Inc
Speaker: Kun-Po Li Title: Associate Director of External Collaboration and Clinical Development E.: [email protected] https://www.immunwork.com/ |
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The Wistar Institute, USA |
Patients with HER2 expressing tumors continue to have high relapse/recurrence rate and once relapse/recurrence occurs, there are limited options for patients.
Sauvie’s bispecific camelid nanobody (BiKE) engages the NK cells by binding with high affinity and high specificity to CD16a and HER2 tumor antigen to potentiate strong anticancer activity. Sauvie’s BiKE is in the pre-clinical stage. Currently, the in vitro results have been published (Frontiers in Immunology) and Sauvie is preparing to start the inaugural in vivo study in June, 2023. Sauvie is seeking $1.2 million of capital to advance the lead HER2 program as well as research partners to advance the platform Download presentation here |
Cancer is the most common cause of death in individuals under 80. Despite recent advances, the majority of patients with advanced cancer remain incurable. Solid tumors reside in a complex microenvironment that is starved for oxygen, high in reactive oxygen metabolites, and nutrient starved. Meeting the tumor’s energy challenges requires the bioenergetic function of mitochondria. Gladius Therapeutics is developing Gamitrinib, the first inhibitor of TRAP-1, a mitochondrial chaperone. Preclinical studies demonstrate broad anti-cancer activity. A phase I study is mid-way through completion with a good safety profile and evidence of clinical activity. Largely funded through non-dilutive capital, Gladius Therapeutics is now raising a Seed round of $10M to bring the asset to Phase II testing.
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Company: Gladius Therapeutics
Speaker: Michael Seiden MD PhD Title: CEO E.: michael@gladiustherapeutics.com |
Merlin Biotech is developing novel treatments using the clinically proven mRNA platform. Our company is founded on the vision of bringing new therapies to diseases where few exist. Here at Merlin, we view mRNA as the ultimate tool. Our goal is to harness the potential of the mRNA platform to treat a wide range of diseases. Our lead asset, MER-101 is a first-in-class immuno-oncology therapy being developed solely by Merlin. The active ingredient in our lead program MER-101 is our proprietary mRNA encoding the naturally occurring protein USP6. Cancer insidiously avoids detection by the body's immune system and MER-101 is being developed to take the cloak off of cancer by activating multiple immunostimulatory pathways simultaneously. We are developing MER-101 for adult solid cancers as well as the rare childhood cancer known as Ewing sarcoma.
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Biopôle, Switzerland |
Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a central role in the tumor microenvironment where they promote cancer progression and create desmoplasia that diminishes the efficacy of chemo- and immunotherapy.
To date most of the CAF-targeting therapies have failed to reach FDA-approval due to off-target toxicity as most of the targets are not CAF-specific. We have established an innovative platform that allows the identification of cell-state specific long non-coding RNAs, the 'dark genome' regulatory features that dictate cellular phenotypes. We have applied our platform to CAFs and identified and validated in vitro 2 high priority targets, whose Inhibition allows us to selectively abolish and revert a specific CAF phenotype in squamous cell carcinomas. Currently we are commencing in vivo studies and looking for experienced partners to co-develop these assets. Download presentation here |
Company: HAYA Therapeutics
Speaker: Dmitry Kopelyanskiy Title: BD & Corporate Project Manager E.: [email protected] www.hayatx.com |
Identifying cancer therapies that induce remission is a major challenge for drug discovery and therapy guidance. PreComb has developed the 3DTwin® technology to create a clinical drug testing network to do just that. The network is being explored in two ways: first, to provide pharmaceutical companies with a unified global platform to test drugs directly on patient tumors for ex vivo clinical trials, and second, to use the results to create a scalable database of patient-specific drug responses. By bridging the gap between the pharmaceutical industry and the patient, we believe that we can create significant synergies between the two stakeholders to support the pharmaceutical and therapeutic decision making process. We seek investors and pharmaceutical partners who share our passion for developing technologies that streamline cancer drug discovery, increasing therapeutic value for cancer patients.
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CAR-T cell have great potential to eradicate hard-to-treat tumor yet in many cases these genetically engineered cell fail to clear the cancer completely.
At MPC Therapeutics, we have screened and optimized inhibitors of the Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier (MPCi) that trigger cell reprogramming. CAR-T manufactured in the presence of our MPCi show increased persistence and superior anti-tumor activity. We have gathered significant data with human patient derived cells in mouse models. We are now partnering with diverse companies and research groups to improve a wide range of T-cell therapies. We are seeking VC funding for 2024 and also welcome to meet organizations developing preclinical or clinical T-cell therapies. Download presentation here |
Company: MPC Therapeutics
Speaker: Augustin de Bettignies Title: CCO E.: [email protected] www.mpc-therapeutics.com |
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MatWin, France |
Step Pharma is focused on the development of inhibitors of CTPS1 (cytidine triphosphate synthase 1), the rate limiting step in pyrimidine synthesis. Originally founded based upon the genetic observation that humans with CTPS1 deficiency have an impaired capacity to proliferate T and B cells with no other phenotype. Our lead program STP938 is a first in class, potent, selective, oral inhibitor of CTPS1 which recently entered clinical development for the treatment of T-cell and B-cell lymphoma.
Our pre-clinical data also indicates that, beyond lymphoproliferative diseases, all human cancers develop an addiction to CTPS1 which can be exploited utilising synthetic lethal strategies. Based upon this we are planning a PoC study in biomarker selected ovarian cancer patients. We are seeking partners and investors to support the development of multiple programs in oncology. Download presentation here |
Apmonia Tx is a French biotech company developing a portfolio of proprietary first-in-class drug candidates targeting the tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules to disrupt tumor microenvironment.
The most advanced candidate and POC of the platform is TAX2 (AP-01), a small cyclic peptide that blocks the interaction between Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) and CD47 receptors, which will enter a Phase 1/2a trial early 2024. Apmonia Therapeutics secured >€8.2m to reach IND and is aiming to raise an additional €20m in Series A from Venture capital / Corporate venture to support the first clinical phases as well as lifecycle management activities and R&D activities on new products/new targets (AP-02 to AP-05). Download presentation here |
Company: Apmonia Therapeutics
Speaker: Albin Jeanne Title: CEO E.: [email protected] www.apmonia-therapeutics.com |
With a scientific foundation developed from three world renown research institutes (Gustave Roussy, Institute Curie and University of Strasbourg) together with technology licensed from Pierre Fabre, Ribonexus is developing novel, best in class small molecule therapies to overcome drug resistance in cancer cells.
The Company is developing small molecule inhibitors targeting protein synthesis at eukaryotic translation initiation (eIF), the eIF4F complex, the activity of which links oncogenic signalling to oncogenic protein synthesis. The lead oncology programme has shown synergistic effects when RBX compounds are administered in combination with EGFR-, KRAS- or checkpoint inhibitors and the lead candidate has now entered preclinical development. RBX would like to meet pharmaceutical partners developing and/or marketing inhibitors of oncogenic signalling pathways who are interested to collaborate to overcome tumour resistance. Download presentation here . |
Company: Ribonexus
Speaker: Steven Powell Title: President E.: [email protected] www.ribonexus-project.com |
Syndivia, a biotechnology company with a strong track record in the ADC field, focuses on addressing the unmet need for effective treatments for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Our unique solution is a low-drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that offers enhanced efficacy and tumor penetration.
Currently, we have selected novel anti-PSMA antibodies, and our lead ADC candidate selection and preclinical evaluation are ongoing. Our approach is supported by promising data from our R&D activities. Syndivia is actively seeking funding to advance our innovative platform (€5m) and for the clinical validation of our ADC for mCRPC (€25m). We are open to partnerships and collaborations that will help us reach our goals and deliver transformative treatments to patients in need. Download presentation here |
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Oslo Cancer Cluster, Norway
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Hemispherian is a preclinical pharmaceutical company based in Oslo that is focused on developing a new class of cancer therapeutics designed to treat aggressive cancers, including glioblastoma and ovarian cancers.
These drugs are not only highly effective at targeting cancer cells, but also demonstrate exceptional tolerability with minimal side effects. Hemispherian's innovative drugs exploit a novel mechanism of action by targeting the DNA damage response pathway, in a way that is unique to cancer cells. We are in the middle of raising a $30 million Series A round that will see Hemispherian’s two lead assets through independent phase I clinical trials. Download presentation here |
Company: Hemispherian
Speaker: Adam Robertson Title: Chief Scientific Officer E.: [email protected] www.hemispherian.com |
One-Carbon Therapeutics is developing first in class, nM potent small molecule inhibitors against MTHFD1/2 proteins that target the disease specific one-carbon metabolism pathway, representing a novel way of attacking the DNA damage response (DDR).
The first clinical candidate TH9619 is in the IND enabling phase with in vivo proof of concept published in Nature Cancer 2022 and Nature Metabolism 2023. We are preparing for FIH trial end of 2024 in colorectal and lung cancer, including KRAS mutated cancers. We are looking for a partner for further clinical development, out licensing/series A funding. Download presentation here |
Company: One-Carbon Therapeutics AB
Speaker: Ana Slipicevic Title: CEO E.: [email protected] www.one-carbon.com |
NaDeNo a spin-off company from SINTEF (est. in 2022) focused on unleashing the potential of hard-to-deliver hydrophobic small molecule drugs within indications of high unmet medical need. Our lead candidate PACAB-002 is a proprietary nano formulation of the effective cancer chemotherapy cabazitaxel for the treatment of peritoneal metastasis where survival rates are poor, and standard treatment is lacking. Preclinical PoC data have been generated in collaboration with the Norwegian Radiumhospital.
In Aug 2022 the program was accepted to enter the NCL assay cascade program at the NCI, USA. NaDeNo aims to initiate its first clinical study in 2025. We are currently seeking funding to complete the preclinical phase of our lead candidate. Furthermore, we are looking for clinical development partners as well as for partners with hydrophobic small molecules in need of novel drug delivery technologies. Download presentation here |
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UK "Golden Triangle" |
Redirecting the immune system, particularly T cells, to treat cancer is showing great promise in the clinic, but development of good T Cell Receptors (TCRs) remains challenging. Etcembly, a UK TechBio SME, is aiming to transform TCR therapeutics discovery and development by delivering safe and powerful TCR-based immunotherapies using Etcembly’s unique Generative AI platform, EMLyTM. Etcembly has demonstrated their capabilities for TCR discovery and engineering, both for TCR-T cell therapy and bispecific T cell engager approaches, and is building a growing pipeline of TCR candidates to take to the clinic. Etcembly is currently looking for investment and is open to partnerships with large pharma. Download presentation here |
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Québec |
Cura Therapeutics is a preclinical (POC) stage biotech company developing first-in-class multi-functional immunotherapies to treat a wide range of solid malignancies and infectious diseases.
Cura's lead immunotherapy (CT101) targets and synchronizes several immune system mechanisms to destroy cancer cells. 1. Induces robust immune cell activation and migration in the tumor site. 2. Reduces the suppressive tumor microenvironment. 3. Disrupts the tumor's blood supply, which prevents tumor growth and spread. Our data has been extensively characterized in vitro and in vivo in mouse models of colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, melanoma, MTD, Pk/Pd, and biomarker studies. We are raising 14M to fund IND-enabling studies to advance our lead assets to the clinic. We are also seeking partnership opportunities, co-development, and out-licensing agreements. Download presentation here |
Company: Cura Therapeutics
Speaker: Collin Horner Title: Chief Business Officer E.: [email protected] www.curatherapeutics.com |
Jenthera is a preclinical biotech developing a novel targeted protein delivery platform solving the greatest unmet need in gene editing: cellular delivery and advancing groundbreaking therapeutics in oncology.
Currently, viruses, liposomes or nanoparticles shuttle the nuclease to cells with limited systemic targeting, off-target/immune responses and complex manufacturing. Our platform directly delivers the ribonucleoprotein with exquisite tailoring for a large spectrum of targets, unprecedented corrective performance and safety profile. Our B-cell lymphoma program uses our high frequencies of homology-directed repair to deliver in-vivo CAR insertions, while our NSCLC program targeting KRAS is the first systemic ribonucleoprotein CRISPR system to achieve targeted delivery to a solid tumor. We presently seek partners and investors for our Series A raise. Download presentation here |
Company: Jenthera Therapeutics
Speaker: Laurent Ziri Title: Chief Operating Officer E.: laurent.ziri@jenthera.com www.jenthera.com |