Partnology

Check out this weeks Partnology Q&A with Rajesh Krishnan, Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Technical Officer of Oncternal Therapeutics and a prominent leader in the #CMC cell therapy space. We sat down with Rajesh to discuss how different #modalities of #therapeutics affect the CMC landscape: #biotech #biotechnology #biopharma #clinicaldevelopment #drugdevelopment #biotechleader #celltherapy #oncology #antibodies

Hats off to Courtney Young and her entire female-led team at MyoGene Bio! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with Courtney to learn more about MyoGene's potentially game-changing technology and why this mission is so close to her heart. We're rooting for you over at Partnology!???

Recent Funding: Mithradote Bio (San Diego) has secured $1 million in an oversubscribed seed round, co-led by Taho Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Vickers Venture Partners. The funding will support the development of M-101, a sublingual antidote targeting a range of "date-rape" drugs. This innovative solution addresses the global issue of drug-facilitated sexual assault, providing a self-administered option for those who suspect they have ingested harmful substances. Recent Layoffs: Turnstone Biologics (San Diego) is restructuring, cutting its workforce by 60% and focusing on its Phase 1 TIDAL-01 program, a Selected Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) therapy for solid tumors. The restructuring aims to extend the company’s cash runway into Q2 2026 as Turnstone pivots resources toward advancing TIDAL-01 in trials for colorectal #cancer, head and neck cancer, and uveal #melanoma. M&A, Deals, Partnerships: Lundbeck has announced plans to acquire Longboard Pharmaceuticals (San Diego) for $2.6 billion, gaining access to its lead asset, bexicaserin, a promising treatment for rare #epilepsies such as Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes. The acquisition aligns with Lundbeck's strategy to strengthen its #neuro-rare disease portfolio, with bexicaserin entering a global Phase III trial. Expected to launch by 2028, bexicaserin holds blockbuster potential with estimated peak sales between $1.5 to $2 billion. IPOs: Upstream Bio (MA) raised $255 million through its #IPO to advance its lead drug, verekitug, which targets TSLP, a protein driving #inflammatory responses in #respiratory diseases. The drug is in Phase 2 trials for chronic rhinosinusitis and #asthma, and Upstream expects results by 2025. This IPO success reflects investor enthusiasm for immune drug research, with #immunology-focused biotechs seeing the most IPOs outside #oncology this year. FDA Approvals: Pfizer’s Hympavzi, a once-weekly injectable treatment for #hemophilia A and B, has been approved by the #FDA. Unlike traditional factor replacement therapies, Hympavzi reduces an anticoagulatory protein (TFPI), helping prevent bleeding. This expands Pfizer’s hemophilia portfolio, which now includes three treatment classes: anti-TFPI, gene therapy, and recombinant factor therapies. Other Interesting News: Gritstone bio (SF) has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to restructure and seek strategic alternatives. The biotech, which develops next-generation vaccines and #immunotherapies, aims to secure a stalking horse bidder and continue advancing key programs like its neoantigen immunotherapy GRANITE. The restructuring will allow Gritstone to maintain operations, minimize disruptions, and focus on its mission to deliver innovative treatments for #oncology and #infectious diseases. Denali Therapeutics' (SF) disclosed that Sanofi has discontinued the Phase 2 study of oditrasertib (SAR443820/DNL788) for multiple sclerosis. The decision came after the drug failed to meet its primary and key secondary endpoints.

In this weeks Biotech Leader Spotlight Series we are recognizing Keting Chu, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Bluejay Therapeutics! Check out her interview detailing her outstanding biotech career. Dr. Keting Chu is the Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Bluejay Therapeutics. Prior to founding Bluejay, Keting was a Venture Partner and Partner at ATP (Apple Tree Partners) and LYFE Capital briefly. Before joining Apple Tree Partners, Keting spent five years as VP, Research TAP at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Prior to LLS, Keting was the CEO of Mission Therapeutics and the Co-Founder, President and CEO of DigitAB, Inc. and BioCubed Corporation. For her first startup company, Five Prime Therapeutics, Keting was Vice President of Biology and Head of R&D where she built the R&D strategy and team, established the technology platform and generated a product pipeline. Prior to Five Prime, Keting was the Head of #Immunotherapy and #Antibody Therapeutics Division at Chiron Corporation, where she engaged in #preclinical and #clinical developments of protein, #DNA-based, and small molecule therapeutics for #cancer and #inflammatory diseases. Keting received her MD in Sun Yat-Sen Medical University where she specialized in #infectious diseases in China, and PhD in Microbiology and Immunology at University of California, San Francisco. She also conducted her postdoctoral training at #Cardiovascular Research Institute at UCSF. #biotechleader #biotechexecutive #biotech #biotechnology #biopharma #womeninbio #femaleleaders #pharmaceuticals #therapeutics

To mark the start of the final quarter of 2024, Partnology is diving deeper into the state of today’s funding market. This article will highlight key insights from the latest market reports from PitchBook and Stifel Financial Corp., including key biopharma statistics, recent innovation spotlights, and predictions for the Q4 investing season. Continue reading for highlights from this year’s biotech funding landscape! #biotechfunding #biotechinvestment #venturecapital #biotech #biotechnology #biopharma #pharmaceuticals #therapeutics #clinicaldevelopment #drugdevelopment #biotechresearch

Recent Funding: Frazier Life Sciences has raised an additional $630 million for its fund, now totaling $1.7 billion. This fund targets small and mid-cap public #biotech companies, with flexibility to invest in later-stage private firms. Recent Layoffs: ImmunityBio, Inc. is laying off 31 employees in California, with 15 set to leave by Nov. 25 and 16 more later in October. Most cuts are in El Segundo, with others in Culver City and San Diego. M&A, Deals, Partnerships: Bristol Myers Squibb has committed $110 million upfront to Prime Medicine, Inc. to develop reagents for ex vivo T-cell therapies, potentially totaling $3.5 billion in milestones. Prime will design optimized reagents using its PASSIGE gene editing technology, aiming to enhance cell therapy applications in #immunology and #oncology. The collaboration also addresses Prime's cash runway concerns, supporting ongoing programs in #hematology and chronic #granulomatous disease. CAMP4 Therapeutics has entered a collaboration with BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. to develop #RNA-targeting antisense oligonucleotides, starting with a $1 million upfront payment and potential future earnings of up to $370 million. This partnership allows BioMarin to explore new technology as CAMP4 prepares for its upcoming IPO. The startup, currently in Phase 1 trials for a drug targeting urea cycle disorders, aims to re-establish its focus on regulatory RNAs. Genentech has agreed to pay $850 million for Regor Pharmaceuticals' portfolio of CDK inhibitors, including the breast cancer candidate RGT-419B, which has shown promise in patients with advanced stages of the disease. This acquisition will enable Genentech to develop and commercialize the candidate while Regor shifts focus to other oncology and #metabolic disease assets. IPOs: Septerna (SF), a biotech focused on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), is preparing for an IPO to fund the development of its lead drug, SEP-786, an oral small molecule for #hypoparathyroidism. Despite lacking human data, SEP-786 has shown potential in preclinical trials to offer an oral alternative to injectable therapies. With $155.7 million in cash and plans to use IPO funds for Phase 2 studies, Septerna’s success will hinge on investors backing early-stage science. Other Interesting News: IGM Biosciences, Inc. (SF) has pivoted its focus to #autoimmune diseases, prioritizing the development of T cell engaging IgM #antibodies. The company’s lead candidates, including imvotamab, target autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and #lupus. Gritstone bio (SF) revealed encouraging interim data from its Phase 2 trial of GRANITE, an individualized neoantigen-targeting #immunotherapy, in metastatic microsatellite stable colorectal #cancer. The trial showed a 21% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death, with greater benefits seen in patients with lower disease burden (38% reduction).

In this weeks Biotech Leader Spotlight Series we are recognizing Jian Zuo, Cofounder and CEO of Ting Therapeutics - check out his interview to learn more about their innovative hearing loss solutions! Jian Zuo is Co-founder and CEO of Ting Therapeutics, a biotech startup developing therapeutics to prevent and treat #hearing loss. Previously, Jian Zuo was Professor and Chair of #Biomedical Sciences at Creighton University School of Medicine. He received his Bachelor’s degree in #Bioengineering from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China; and a PhD in Physiology from the University of California, San Francisco. He joined the faculty at the Department of Developmental #Neurobiology at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in 1998. His primary research interests included mouse #genetics and mouse models that illustrate mechanisms of hair cell regeneration to restore hearing, and screening compound derivatives to preserve or restore hearing in #preclinical models. He has been a member of the ARO since 1998 and has received the Bellucci Prize in Hearing Research in 2004. #biotech #biotechnology #biopharma #pharmaceuticals #hearingloss #genetherapy #therapeutics #biotechleader #biotechexecutive

Recent Funding: ARCH Venture Partners has raised over $3 billion for its 13th #biotech fund, continuing to back high-risk, innovative science, including #AI-driven biotech companies. Despite a challenging biotech investment climate, Arch remains one of the most active investors, having supported more than a dozen startups in 2024 alone. The firm emphasizes pairing cutting-edge science with strong executive leadership. 858 Therapeutics (San Diego) has announced a $50 million Series B funding round led by Avidity Partners, with participation from Insight Partners, Mirae Asset Capital Life Science, and Alexandria Venture Investments. This financing highlights the company’s progress and the strength of its management team, with plans to advance its pipeline of small molecule #therapeutics. Monal Mehta, PhD, Managing Director at Avidity Partners, will join the company’s Board of Directors. IPOs: BioAge Labs (SF) raised $198 million in its initial public offering, marking the company’s shift from focusing on age-related diseases to #obesity treatment. BioAge is developing a drug called Azelaprag to be used alongside GLP-1 agonists like Zepbound and Wegovy, addressing muscle mass loss associated with rapid weight loss. This #IPO follows a $170 million crossover round earlier in the year, positioning BioAge to compete in the growing obesity drug market. FDA Approvals: Bristol Myers Squibb has secured #FDA approval for Cobenfy, an #antipsychotic developed by Karuna Therapeutics to treat #schizophrenia. Unlike existing drugs, Cobenfy activates muscarinic receptors, reducing schizophrenia symptoms without causing significant weight gain or movement disorders. Priced at $22,500 annually, Bristol Myers is engaging Medicaid and Medicare for coverage, as most schizophrenia patients rely on these programs. Analysts expect Cobenfy to generate $3 billion in sales by 2030. The FDA has approved Dupixent, a #biologic drug developed by Regeneron and Sanofi, as an add-on treatment for a specific type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (#COPD). This approval makes Dupixent the first biologic available in the U.S. for COPD, potentially benefiting 300,000 patients. Dupixent’s approval is expected to boost its already strong sales, which reached nearly $12 billion in 2023, despite the emergence of competition from GSK, Roche, and AstraZeneca. Other Interesting News: Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (San Diego) brings Bristol Myers Squibb vet on board as CEO. As the biotech approaches $1 billion in sales, Acadia CEO Steve Davis is stepping down and being succeeded by Catherine Owen Adams. Owen Adams most recently led a $20 billion business as SVP and GM, U.S., at Bristol Myers Squibb.

In this weeks Biotech Leader Spotlight Series we're recognizing Courtney Young, Cofounder and CEO of MyoGene Bio. Check out her interview to learn more about her all-female founded company! Courtney Young is the CEO and Co-founder of MyoGene Bio, a biotech company developing a gene editing therapy, MyoDys45-55, for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (#DMD), a devastating muscle wasting disease. Dr. Young developed the gene editing approach that is the basis of MyoDys45-55 during her Ph.D. and postdoc in the Spencer and Pyle labs at UCLA. Her experience in muscle biology and diseases has spanned both academia and industry across the world. She has worked extensively in muscular dystrophy, stem cell therapy, and gene editing. Dr. Young graduated with a B.S. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from The Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Research in Biomedicine from University College London, and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from UCLA. #womeninbio #womeninscience #femalefounders #biotechleaders #biotechstartup #biotech #biotechnology #biopharma #therapeutics #drugdevelopment #musculardystrophy #pharmaceuticals

Partnology had a great day meeting with biotech founders at Connect's Innovation Day at PETCO Park! This event truly highlights San Diego's supportive biotech community. In keeping with that spirit we want to highlight some of the companies we found most exciting. Check out their pages below: Venquis Therapeutics f5 Therapeutics Incorporated iNFixion Bioscience, Inc. Abterra Biosciences Palm Therapeutics Papillon Therapeutics #biotech #biotechnology #therapeutics #biotechstartups #IDSD24 #connect #biopharma #pharmaceuticals #innovation