Zack Malkin’s Post

🚀 Exciting times in the world of therapeutics! We've published a stunning new article that explores some of the most influential therapeutics startups in the hub of biotech innovation - Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dive in to learn about these groundbreaking startups and the stalwarts who are leading them. 🌍Read it here: https://lnkd.in/eG5Z7Qz6 Featuring: Orna Therapeutics, Remix Therapeutics, Immunitas Therapeutics, founded by Amanda Wagner, Vesigen Therapeutics, Inc., Mediar Therapeutics, founded by Paul Yaworsky Civetta Therapeutics, PineTree Therapeutics Inc Carmine Therapeutics, founded by XiangQian (XQ) Lin InnoVoyce, Vedere Bio II NextPoint Therapeutics, Inc., founded by Gordon Freeman and Xingxing Zang MOMA Therapeutics, Vigil Neuroscience Bicara Therapeutics Cambridge is proving to be a melting pot of scientific innovation, fostered by these promising therapeutics startups and their remarkable founders. Here's moving closer to the day when disease and illness will be things of the past! #Biotech #Startups #Innovation #Therapeutics #CambridgeStartups

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐩 3 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 Rivia Secures EUR 3M Seed Funding to Revolutionise Drug Trial Analytics Rivia, a cloud-based platform, has secured EUR 3 million in seed funding to enhance drug trial analytics for biotech firms. Founded by biopharma experts CTO Tiago Kieliger and CEO Erik Scalfaro, Rivia addresses inefficiencies in data integration and visualisation. The platform uses advanced AI analytics to centralise and optimise clinical trial processes, leading to faster and more effective pathways to market for therapies. Recognised early with a Venture Kick win in 2022, Rivia is poised to transform the biotech industry by streamlining trial data analysis. Asher Biotherapeutics Secures $55M Series C Funding Asher Biotherapeutics has raised $55 million in Series C funding, led by RA Capital Management, with new investors including AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb. The funds will advance their lead program, AB248, a CD8-targeted IL-2 immunotherapy designed to activate CD8+ T cells, crucial for attacking cancer cells while minimising side effects. Early clinical data shows promising results, and the funding will support ongoing trials, including combinations with pembrolizumab. CEO Craig Gibbs highlighted the significance of this investment in recognising Asher Bio's differentiated approach to immunotherapy. STALICLA SA Secures $17.4M in Series B Financing Stalicla SA, a Geneva-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has secured $17.4 million in Series B financing to advance precision medicine for neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders. The funds will support the development of their precision medicine platform for neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Stalicla has also acquired global rights to Novartis’ drug candidate, mavoglurant (STP7), for substance use and neurodevelopmental disorders. CEO Lynn A Durham emphasised the transformative potential of their work in precision psychiatry and neurology. These three biotech companies are making significant strides in their respective fields, from revolutionising drug trial analytics to advancing targeted immunotherapies and precision medicine for complex brain disorders. #AspireLifeSciences #LifeScienceLens #biotech #stalicla #asherbiotherapeutics #rivia

🚀 #Biopharma IPOs in 2024: Key Insights for Investors 🚀 1️⃣ $23B Issuance: Through May 10, 2024, the #biotech sector raised $23 billion across IPOs, secondaries, and other offerings, up from $15 billion in H2 2023. 2️⃣ Monthly Breakdown: IPOs raised $7B in January, $9B in February, $4B in March, and $2B in April—showing a decreasing trend. 3️⃣ 11 IPOs: From January to May, 11 companies launched IPOs, with some notable entries like Alto Neuroscience, ArriVent Biopharma, and CG Oncology. 4️⃣ CG Oncology: Raised $380M (Jan 26-29) surpassing their initial $180M target, focusing on a Phase III cancer therapy. 5️⃣ Kyverna Therapeutics: Pulled in $366.9M (Feb 8-11) for autoimmune disease cell therapies, exceeding their $182M goal. 6️⃣ ArriVent Biopharma: Netted $175M (Jan 26-29), upsizing their IPO initially targeted between $135.7M and $156.7M. 7️⃣ Alto Neuroscience: Closed with $147.9M (Feb 2-6), above their predicted $128.6M, funding psychiatric drug development. 8️⃣ Contineum Therapeutics: IPO reaped $110M (Apr 5-9), slightly below their original target of up to $158.4M. 9️⃣ Boundless Bio: Matched its goal with $100M proceeds (Mar 28-Apr 2) for extrachromosomal DNA cancer therapy development. 🔟 Metagenomi: Achieved $93.75M (Feb 9-13) in gross proceeds for its genome editing tools, despite share price dips. 🔢 Election-Year Pause: Expect a slowdown in #IPOs near November elections, with a potential surge in Q1 2025 post-election. #Biotech #IPO #Investing #Biopharma #InvestmentInsights #MarketTrends

LucidQuest Strategic Insights (lqventures.com) >>> Gene&Cell Therapy >> Ivan Cheung's post-Eisai life takes hold at NextPoint Therapeutics; Sanofi, Takeda announce CFO exits: Ivan Cheung Ivan Cheung, who led Eisai’s US business and was a central figure in the biotech’s Alzheimer’s work, has stepped into the CEO position at a Cambridge, MA startup. He started running immuno-oncology outfit NextPoint Therapeutics last month, having departed Eisai shortly after Eisai secured full FDA approval for its Alzheimer’s treatment Leqembi last summer. The 30-employee upstart has reeled in backing from Big Pharmas like Sanofi and Bayer, as well as VC firms like MPM Capital and Catalio Capital. Cheung spent nearly 20 years across multiple units of Tokyo-based Eisai, including in oncology with the cancer drug Lenvima. But the work on Leqembi, with partner Biogen, attracted the spotlight in recent years as Alzheimer’s sprinted to the fore, becoming one of the next big frontiers in biopharma R&D after years and years of disappointing clinical setbacks. “If you look back at my career, at my previous role, whether it’s Lenvima or Leqembi, it’s really finding that mechanistically unique asset that can really move the needle,” Cheung said in an interview with Endpoints News. “NextPoint, to me, is a very natural progression to do the same thing again. In life, you’re fortunate enough to do it once, maybe twice,” Cheung said. “And I hope three times.” NextPoint is going after a new immunotherapy target with the HHLA2 checkpoint axis, and its work is based on research out of Albert Einstein College of Medicine professor XingXing Zang and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researcher Gordon Freeman. Cheung noted there are a “good number of patients who still don’t benefit from the PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.” The company entered the clinic last August and is in the process of preparing to dose the first patient in a clinical trial of its second cancer therapeutic candidate, Cheung said. An $80 million Series B, disclosed last January, will carry NextPoint through the two Phase I studies, Cheung said. As for further financing, Cheung said he’s “not gonna take money unless I exactly know what I’m going to use that for, but the investor appetite is there for sure.” “I like things efficient. I like things agile. I’m always of the thought that a small, strong team can beat bigger competitors,” Cheung said. NextPoint brought on immuno-oncology pioneer Leena Gandhi as chief medical officer last winter, and its board includes ex-Scorpion Therapeutics CEO Axel Hoos. — Kyle LaHucik Jean-Baptiste Chasseloup de Chatillon → Jean-Baptiste Chasseloup de Chatillon has worked side by side with Paul Hudson as CFO of Sanofi since the chief executive’s arrival in 2019. But de Chatillon is leaving the biopharma world completely by April 1 to replace Nicolas… #lucidquest #genetherapy #celltherapy

#GenerateBiomedicines said it has raised $273 million to fund its pipeline of programs in preclinical and clinical development across oncology, immunology, and infectious disease, including filing multiple Investigational New Drug (#IND) applications with the Food and Drug Administration (#FDA) and initiating multiple clinical trials annually. The Somerville, Massachusetts-based firm, which uses a machine learning-powered generative biology platform for drug generation, said the Series C fundraising attracted new investors, notably NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA)'s venture capital arm NVentures, Amgen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN), MAPS Capital (Mirae Asset Group) and Pictet Alternative Advisors. More at #Proactive #ProactiveInvestors #NASDAQ #NVDA http://ow.ly/O9sI104UhKI

💰 On the heels of a flurry of financings in the lead-up to JPM, the market was tepid last week with ~$393M raised over 7 deals. Look below to find out who was bringing in new funding:👇 🧠 Praxis Precision Medicines, Inc. grossed $150M+ from a public offering of shares and pre-funded warrants. Praxis is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for central nervous system (CNS) disorders related to neuronal excitation-inhibition imbalance.   🧬 Solid Biosciences raised ~$108.9M from a private placement that included Perceptive Advisors, Adage Capital Partners LP, Deerfield Management, The Invus Group, Janus Henderson Investors, and others. Solid is a public life sciences company engaged in developing precision genetic medicines for neuromuscular and cardiac diseases.   🔬Establishment Labs, a global medical technology company, raised ~$50M from a private placement.   🎯 Relay Therapeutics raised $30M through a private placement of 2.5 million shares to Nextech. Relay is a clinical-stage precision medicine company that aims to tackle targets previously deemed intractable using its Dynamo platform and is initially focusing on targeted oncology and genetic disease indications.   💊 Myrobalan Therapeutics, specializing in oral neurorestorative therapies for CNS conditions, raised $24M in a Series A led by Co-Win Ventures, with participation from Guan Zi Equity Investment, 3E Bioventures Capital, and AB Magnitude Ventures Group.   🐾 Gallant Therapeutics, a biotech specializing in stem cell therapies for pets, raised over $15M in a Series A led by BOLD Capital Partners, with Digitalis Ventures and Hill Creek Partners joining. Funds will aid in accelerating FDA approval for their lead therapeutic candidate targeting Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis.   🦠 Atara Biotherapeutics raised $15M through a registered direct offering of pre-funded warrants. Atara leverages their novel allogeneic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) T-cell platform to develop treatments for cancers and autoimmune diseases.

20 healthcare biotech startups attracted almost $3B in Q1 2024 funding, which was a 161% increase from the top 20 healthcare biotech funding announcements in Q1 2023. Alumis, a precision immunology company, raised $529M in total, including $259M in Series C, to develop targeted treatments for autoimmune diseases. Freenome, an early cancer detection biotech, secured $1.35B in total funding, including $254M in Series E. Sionna Therapeutics, focusing on cystic fibrosis treatments, raised $292M, with $182M in Series C. Capstan Therapeutics attracted $175M in Series B funding to advance precision in vivo cell engineering technologies for immunotherapies. BioAge Labs secured $294M, adding $170M in Series D, to research therapies for obesity and metabolic diseases. Other notable funding recipients include Jixing Pharmaceuticals, Obsidian Therapeutics, Clasp Therapeutics, FogPharma, Tubulis GmbH, Alterome Therapeutics, Inc, Diagonal Therapeutics, Neurona Therapeutics, Rakuten Medical, ProfoundBio, Zephyr AI, Cour Pharmaceuticals Development Co., Inc., Alamar Biosciences, Inc., OnCusp Therapeutics, and BlossomHill Therapeutics, Inc. #Biotech #BiotechFunding #PrecisionMedicine

Stories making headlines today in the biopharma industry: BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics is moving forward with a Phase 3b study of their ALS cell treatment, NurOwn, in line with the FDA's Special Protocol Assessment (SPA). This represents a compelling and significant step for the company as it could lead to approval for the therapy. In other biotech news, Nvelop Therapeutics is making waves in the gene-editing space, launching with a commendable $100 million in seed funding. Their goal is to improve the precision delivery of gene-modifying tools, building on tools such as CRISPR/Cas9, base editing, and prime editing. Acrivon, meanwhile, has successfully completed a $130 million Private Investment in Public Equity (PIPE) with key investors like RA Capital and Perceptive Advisors. Unfortunately, this good news was shadowed by Vincerx Pharma’s recent disappointing Phase 1 data on metastatic tumor trials resulting in a 75% stock drop. In venture capital, Define Ventures is enhancing its portfolio by bringing on board Frank Williams, Evolent Health’s CEO, as a venture partner. His experience, especially in guiding Evolent Health through its IPO, will undoubtedly prove vital in their commitment to early-stage digital health startups. Hot on the heels of Bristol Myers Squibb's $14 billion acquisition of Karuna Therapeutics, the Karuna founding team is back with a new startup, SeaPort Therapeutics. Having already entered the clinical phase and secured $100 million in investment, their goal is to improve active drugs. Meanwhile, FDA officials are voicing concerns over the overuse of immunotherapies for early-stage cancer patients. The challenge now lies with pharmaceutical companies to prove immune checkpoint therapy presents greater benefits than surgical procedures. AbbVie continues to dominate the Humira market, controlling 96% share despite facing competition from biosimilars. Pfizer, on the other hand, aims to be the pioneer in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine for adults aged 18 and above, bolstered by Phase 3 data support. Lastly, AstraZeneca is showing promising results with their safe PARP inhibitor, with nearly half of the advanced breast cancer patients showing positive responses. #pharma #biotech #topstories #biodatastudio

We are thrilled to announce the debut of Solu Therapeutics, a precision medicine company aiming to revolutionize the treatment of disease. With an oversubscribed $31 million Seed round, we're backed by blue chip investors including, founding VC, Longwood Fund, co-lead SANTÉ, with additional participation by DCVC Bio, Astellas Venture Management, and Alexandria Venture Investments.   Our proprietary CyTaC (Cytotoxicity Targeting Chimera) platform is designed to unlock antibody-intractable cell surface targets, and we're building next-generation medicines that marry the power of biologics with the vast target binding space of small molecules.   Solu Therapeutics’ mission is to eliminate disease-driving cells while expanding the untapped potentials in antibody therapeutics across multiple disease areas. Our world-class team is working with our novel CyTaC platform to create a new generation of precision medicines.   Follow us on our journey to pioneer disease treatment in oncology, immunology, autoimmunity, and beyond. We are Solu Therapeutics, and we are committed to making a meaningful impact on patients' lives.    Find out more in our official press release: https://bwnews.pr/3QDfkDV   #PrecisionMedicine #Biotech #StartUp #HealthTech #Oncology #Immunology #Autoimmunity