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Company Background 

Cynvenio is a commercial-stage diagnostics company providing a comprehensive, non-invasive blood test to match cancer patients with the best targeted therapy for their tumor. The company has developed and patented unique technology to detect cancer cells circulating in the bloodstream. These invasive cells are responsible for the spread of disease in patients – or the metastatic process – which is the primary cause of death. Cynvenio’s ability to capture these tumor cells in blood provides doctors the molecular evidence to characterize their patients’ cancers, administer tumor-specific drugs, and to measure response to treatment over time.

Technology Overview

Cynvenio’s LiquidBiopsy® technology provides reliable access to rare populations of cancer cells in whole blood, with the ability to detect mutations in as few as one target cell per mL. LiquidBiopsy is capable of concurrently sampling DNA or RNA from circulating tumor cells as well as cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from a normal blood draw. This technology enables faster, cheaper, and safer molecular analysis than traditional tissue biopsy approaches.

Market Potential

The rapid adoption of personalized medicine protocols is being fueled by the availability of new targeted therapies designed to fight cancer mutations that vary over time and from patient-to-patient. This has created a large unmet need for providing physicians with the patient-and-tumor specific mutational information that forms the underpinning of evidence-based medical decisions. There are 235K new cases of breast cancer every year resulting in over 40K deaths. This presents a target of 3 million breast cancer patients and survivors in the United States. Cynvenio believes this is a $350 million revenue opportunity that will validate the LiquidBiopsy approach and benefit large cohorts of patients.

Competitive Advantage

Cynvenio is the only company that offers a commercial test that allows sequence analysis of tumor cells recovered from blood. Legacy circulating tumor cell tests are all based on enumeration, a read out with prognostic value but no predictive molecular information. Cynvenio’s LiquidBiopsy® and ClearID™ blood tests can be used to complement traditional tissue biopsy analysis, or as standalone tests to find therapies for patients in which tissue biopsy is deemed difficult or too risky to harvest.

Financial Overview

Cynvenio has been privately funded since its inception in 2008. The company has raised $14.5 million in equity capital and has generated approximately $7 million in revenue.

Intellectual Property

Cynvenio has issued patents protecting the core technology. There are being pursued internationally and have been issued in Japan. Cynvenio has also pursued IP development around the platform and enabling consumables.

Commercialization Strategy

Cynvenio is seeking $15 million in equity financing to fund the commercialization of its LiquidBiopsy system and the ClearID blood test for the genomic analysis of breast cancer.

Pipeline Products

Cynvenio’s lead indication for LiquidBiopsy and ClearID is breast cancer because it has well-defined genetic alterations, the availability of multiple targeted drugs, and a large addressable patient population. The company will scale into other solid tumor indications including colorectal, prostate, and lung cancer.

Management Team

• CEO André de Fusco has 28 years of experience in high-tech development and financing as well as domestic and international experience in public companies and venture-backed startups.
• CSO Paul Dempsey, PhD has 25 years of experience in immunology and biomedical research and was an assistant researcher professor at UCLA.
• CFO Maureen Cullum has more than 20 years of financial leadership positions specializing in medical device and pharmaceutical startup companies.
• Vice president of operations and CLIA lab services Andreas Bakker, PhD has over 25 years of experience in laboratory, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology senior leadership positions.
• Vice president of sales and marketing Leila Colgan has over 20 years of sales and marketing leadership positions in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and oncology/diagnostic industries and specializes in strategy development for multichannel regional, national, and global marketing and sales plans.

Company Background

DEKK-TEC, Inc. was founded in 1983 and specializes in the research and development of novel anticancer and hormonal technologies to improve the management of cancer and allied diseases. DEKK-TEC was presented the 2000 National Tibbett’s Award in recognition for its contributions to cancer research development in the SBIR program. The company is located in New Orleans, LA.

Technology Overview

4-Demethyl-4-cholesteryloxycarbonylpenclomedine (DM-CHOC-PEN) is a polychlorinated pyridine cholesteryloxycarbonate, which is being evaluated in Phase II clinical trials in patients with advanced lung, breast, melanoma and primary cancers involving the brain/CNS (IND 68,876).

DM-CHOC-PEN is an active and stable member of a larger series of carbonates and carbamates that has completed a Phase I clinical trial involving 26-patients with advanced cancer. Eleven of the latter patients had cancers involving the CNS, of which six (6) demonstrated objective responses/PFS – 1-breast, 2-melanoma, 1-sarcoma, 1-lung and 1-glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cancers. Four of these patients had responses 1.3-3.5+ years in duration. These observations are supported by objective responses observed in pre-clinical studies with intracranial (IC) implanted human xenografts in mouse models – U251 and D54 GBM and MX-1 breast cancer [% long-term survival >52 days (%LTS) and complete response (%CR): +29/25 and +20/17, respectively, and in B-16 melanoma (%LTS/CR): 100/100%.

The drug is currently in a Phase II clinical trial – “Use of DM-CHOC-PEN as treatment for primary and metastatic cancers (lung, breast, melanoma) involving the CNS”. Objective responses are being verified in patients with lung cancer involving the brain. All trials support DEKK-TEC’s goal to include DM-CHOC-PEN in the treatment of CNS cancers. 

DM-CHOC-PEN’s MOA is via alkylation of DNA at N7- guanine and cellular senescence which means it could be added to O6 - guanine alkylators - BCNU, temozolamide (TMZ), etc. Thus, combination therapy is a possibility.

To date, the product has only demonstrated reversible hepatic toxicity in patients with prior liver disease/metastases. No hematologic, renal toxicities or neuro/psycho-performance abnormalities were noted in Phase I or in animal studies. Complete chemistry (incl. lipid profiles) and hematological lipid profiles are closely monitored. RECIST 1.1 was used to monitor responses.

Market Potential

Primary brain cancer (glioblastoma multiforme, GBM) is a dreaded cancer occurring in ~18,000 new patients annually in the US. In addition, approximately 20% of patients with all types of cancer will develop intracranial metastases. Approximately 150,000 patients will develop CNS metastastatic cancers from primary – lung, breast and melanoma in 2014. The latter are the most common primary cancers responsible for brain metastases and generally correlate with the distribution of the neoplasia in the population.

The survival for advanced GBM remains less than one year. For anaplastic astrocytoma and low-grade glioblastomas, it varies from 18 months to five years. Thus there are a sufficient number of patients available to treat with the drug. For metastatic CNS cancer, survival is 4-6 months. There are just under 200,000 patients annually in the US that are potential candidates for such a drug.

Competitive Advantage

In general, patients are living longer with cancer and have an increased incidence of developing CNS metastases - a 'safe haven' from systemic chemotherapy. Most drugs do not penetrate into the brain tissue. Thus a product to manage primary and metastatic CNS cancers has increasing demand. The prevalence of patients with these types of cancer presentations and the estimated markets make such a product worth developing.

DEKK-TEC’s product delivers across the BBB into CNS cancer sites, potentially reverses hepatic toxicity in patients with hepatic disease, and can be used with other drugs. 

Financial Overview

DEKK-TEC has raised almost $5 million in NIH grants, $2.2 million in licenses & milestone payments, & 1.8 million in Morgan personal funds, and half a million in LA State Tax Credits.

Intellectual Property

To date, DEKK-TEC’s commitment has been issued eight patents in the US; fifteen issued worldwide patents and four worldwide patents pending. The patents cover DEKK-TEC’s interest in penclomedine analogs, hormone delivery, phosphoramide mustards, phenylhydrazones and radiation devices.

Commercialization Strategy

In 2010, DEKK-TEC developed a c-GMP manufacturing facility (DEKK Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) to formulate and prepare unique and difficult delivery systems for Phase I drugs.

DEKK-TEC plans to raise $5 to $7 million to finish the Phase II trial and conduct the orphan drug trial. FDA funds are also a possible source of additional funding, though limited. The NCI Bridge Award is a possibility, but DEKK-TEC strives for a partner or financial associate.

Pipeline Products

DEKK-TEC is also developing 4-hydroperoxyifosfamide (HOOI) (pre-IND 381,783, US Pat 1,805,192) for use in the treatment of CNS cancers. The drug has a definite MOA (O6 –guanine alkylation); also active in pre-clinical studies against IC xenograft brain human tumors; Phase I trial studies are pending.

Management Team

• CEO and Medical Officer Lee Roy Morgan, MD, PhD is the founder who designed and synthesized DM-CHOC-PEN.
• Director of Research Andrew Rodgers, PhD developed the PK program.
• Director of Clinical Research Lisa Stokes, BSRN is a nurse oncologist and has worked with DEKK-TEC since 1986.
• Scientist Edmund Benes, BS works in the area of pharmaceutical and cell technology and has worked with DEKK-TEC since 1983.
• Clinical Pharmacologist Gerard Bastian, PhD collaborated with Dr. Rodgers to develop the PK program.
• Pharmacologist and biochemist David Adams, PhD is a consultant who has worked in collaboration with DEKK-TEC since 2006.

Technology Name:  Ultrasound Tomography for Breast Imaging

Company Background  

Delphinus Medical Technologies, Inc. is a privately held medical technology company headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan and was founded in 2010 as a spin-off of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute (KCI). Delphinus has succeeded in creating an innovative whole breast ultrasound imaging device called SoftVue  that characterizes suspicious lesions for diagnostic applications using a safe (non-ionizing), comfortable (non-compressing), and reliable (operator independent) patented technology.

Technology Overview 

The SoftVue system, designed and manufactured by Delphinus, utilizes ring transducer technology to transmit and receive ultrasound signals, and represents a first-ever innovation in automated whole breast ultrasound.  The unique approach uses a dynamic new design to capture reflection echoes from all directions around the breast and leverages sophisticated algorithms to gather transmitted signals coming through the breast, and image a volumetric map with a single scan…..something no other ultrasound system, currently available, can do. The end result of this approach is enhanced tissue characterization designed to deliver best in class specificity, improved sensitivity and a gentle patient experience.  SoftVue has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for diagnostic ultrasound imaging and is not a replacement for screening mammography.

Market Potential[ND(3] 

Analysis from Frost & Sullivan in February 2013 reported the global breast imaging market is poised to grow at a CAGR of 15.37% from 2012 reaching approximately $5 billion by 2017. The United States breast imaging systems market research finds that the market earned revenues of $1 billion in 2011 and expects it to reach $1.4 billion by 2016 at a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%. Due to growing legislation and advocacy around the issue of dense breasts and the ineffectiveness of mammography, whole breast ultrasound is gaining traction.  SoftVue represents an innovative new technology and compelling alternative to improve women’s health. The Delphinus business model includes SoftVue systems, consumables and service contracts to hospitals and imaging centers throughout the United States and the rest of the world.

Competitive Advantage

Delphinus is committed to creating improved imaging methods that assist medical professionals better define and diagnose breast disease, while establishing a better patient experience that can be available for all women, regardless of age, and without concern of radiation or discomfort.  SoftVue’s innovative transducer design, with its novel ring configuration, allows through transmission imaging of the whole breast which allows tissue characterization over the entire breast. Furthermore, SoftVue scans the breast quickly (in 1 to 2 minutes) with no additional views required, unlike the other whole breast systems which often require multiple positionings and up to 30-40 minutes per exam. Another competitive advantage is SoftVue’s modular design, which allows the product to be configured easily for different markets and cost level and allows it to grow and evolve in performance by incorporating rapidly improving electronics and computing components.

Financial Overview

Delphinus has raised $22.5 million since its inception in 2010 and is launching a process to raise a $35 million series C round to cover the costs of the multi-center clinical trial to support a screening indication, and to support production and commercialization.   Delphinus has no revenue to date.   Potential sources of funding include venture capital firms and/or strategic partners.

Intellectual Property

Delphinus holds or has exclusive license to 14  patents covering broad aspects of its technology. In addition, the company has 12 additional patents pending including narrower aspects of the technology. As a result, Delphinus has broad coverage of the field of use while also covering specific aspects of core technology.

Commercialization Strategy 

The Delphinus business model includes sales of SoftVue systems, consumables and service contracts to hospitals and imaging centers throughout the United States and the rest of the world. The company plans to use a combination of direct and channel sales in the U.S.  For the rest of the world, Delphinus will partner with large distributors and imaging Original Equipment Manufacturers looking for entry into the breast cancer imaging market. Delphinus will produce the devices through subcontracted manufacturing. Final assembly, testing, and quality assurance of the product has been contracted to an FDA and ISO 13485 certified manufacturer located close to the facility in Michigan.

Pipeline Products

Delphinus secured its first 510(k) market clearance from the FDA in December 2013 for Softvue, indicated for use as a B-mode ultrasonic imaging system. The system is not intended to be used as a replacement for screening mammography but it is fully commercially developed for the diagnostic market. The initial clearance established a foundation for future submissions incorporating sound speed and attenuation measurements. Current technical development is aimed at integrating color maps of stiffness tissue with the current imaging capabilities to expand the utility of SoftVue in the diagnostic market.  Plans include additional 510(k) submissions over the next year, initial commercialization outside of the US, and a multi center trial to gain an indication for screening, followed by global commercialization of a system with diagnostic and screening indications.

Management  Team

·         President & CEO, Mark J. Forchette is an accomplished medical technology executive with more than 30 years of demonstrated success driving breakthrough medical technologies to market leadership with companies such as Abbott, OptiMedica, Alcon and Grieshaber.

·         CTO and co-founder, Neb Duric has over 30 years of experience in imaging and is a key inventor of the SoftVue technology.

·         CMO and co-founder, Peter Littrup is a key inventor of the SoftVue technology and a renowned radiologist who has significant experience in breast imaging and has been instrumental in the conduct of ultrasound clinical studies.

·         VP of Engineering, Chris Sanders has over 20 years of global innovation expertise in medical ultrasound and has driven advancements in matrix array transducer design and led collaborative partnerships at companies such as Toshiba and Siemens.

·         VP of Finance, Shawn O’Brien has broad based financial operations experience and has served in senior financial leadership positions at Cyto-Pherex, Kux and Advanced Material Process Corporation.

·         Vice president of Sales and Marketing, Debra Saunders has over 20 years of marketing and sales experience in women’s healthcare with market changing breast cancer detection technologies and has been instrumental in advancing previous medical imaging companies including R2 Technologies, NaviScan, and Lorad.

Diagnostic Photonics (DxP) is a medtech company commercializing a handheld, high-resolution imaging system for cancer surgery. The Foresee (4C) Imaging System provides new, crucial information and insight on the extent of disease at the microscopic level.  Surgeons can act on that information during surgery - no longer waiting days for final pathology - and avoid costly repeat procedures and poor clinical outcomes.  In the company's 50-patient, multi-center trial in breast cancer surgery, 62% of repeated surgeries could have been avoided.  The Foresee system recently received CE-marking and initial FDA 510(k) clearance, and the company established new CPT coding (Cat III) to provide additional reimbursement for surgeons and healthcare facilities.

The company’s initial focus is on breast cancer lumpectomy surgery, where the repeat surgery rate from positive margins exceeds 25%. Lumpectomy surgery is performed on 1.6 million patients each year and represents an opportunity in excess of $1 billion annually. The company has five issued patents and multiple patents pending. The company has established new CPT coding (Cat III) for breast imaging and successfully conducted a 50-patient, multi-center trial with excellent results. The company is working with leading academic medical centers to conduct a 460-patient multi-center pivotal clinical trial. Diagnostic Photonics has raised $6.2 million to date and has a $6 million Series B round pending to conduct the pivotal trial and generate initial commercial sales at leading medical centers in Canada, Europe, and the U.S.

DreamCatcher Ventures:

Dream Catcher Ventures was founded to address the inefficiencies in the marketplace and to align the goals and aspirations of entrepreneurs with investors. It is focused on creating and building disruptive biotech/healthcare companies that are positioned to excel in global markets.

Currently working with BioHealth Innovation to raise a $50M “Gap Fund” to invest in early stage healthcare businesses, primarily in therapeutics, diagnostics, medtech and healthcare IT.

Founder Profile:

Broad and in-depth experience in both science and business: Over fifteen years of experience in the life sciences and over 10 years of venture investing experience in biotech/ life sciences/healthcare and healthcare delivery with Burrill & Company, a $1.5B life sciences fund.

 Previously on Boards of Adlyfe , a CNS diagnostics company, Strand (A bioinformatics/ genomic data analysis company), White Glove Health, healthcare delivery company (Board observer), Bioimagene, a digital pathology company (Board observer, exited via a  $100M sale to Roche) and the Advisory Board (Finance) for Express Pharma. On the Editorial Board of the "Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied & Biomedical Sciences. Also managed India as a region of investment interest for the firm. Sourced, diligenced and led cross-border investment opportunities in both US and India. Strongly networked to venture capitalists, investment banks, pharma and biotech companies both nationally and internationally.

Mentoring entrepreneurs: Course instructor at UCSF "An idea to IPO and beyond". Involved with business plan evaluations and competitions at Berkeley, UC Davis, LARTA and previously WTC

Prof. Suzie Chen and her colleagues at Rutgers University have recently discovered that the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (GRM1, mGluR1) plays a significant role in the development and growth of melanoma tumors.  They found that riluzole, the only drug approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which also blocks glutamate release from GRM1 cells, inhibits melanoma growth and proliferation both in vitro, in mouse xenograft models, and in limited human clinical trials in melanoma patients.  However, the clinical use of riluzole for ALS, and potentially for melanoma, is severely limited by variable CYP1A2-mediated first pass metabolism.  Fox Chase Chemical Diversity Center, Inc. has developed novel and innovative prodrug derivatives of riluzole which avoid CYP1A2 in vitro metabolism and are expected to provide more regular pharmacokinetics and exposure in patients, with a longer half-life, allowing for once daily oral dosing versus the current twice daily dosing that is required, and potentially greater patient compliance.  

The company has filed several PCT provisional U.S. patent applications on riluzole prodrugs, with additional composition of matter patent filings anticipated. Other than riluzole, there are no compounds that target the glutamate pathway for treatment of metastatic melanoma.  The company has raised more than $2.2 million specifically for this program since 2010, and is looking to raise an additional $3 million by the third quarter of 2015, in order to perform the required IND-enabling studies for an IND application and enter Phase I clinical trials at the Cancer Center of New Jersey

Technology Name: Reduction of Chemotherapy­Induced Myelosuppression (“Chemoprotection”)

Company Background

G1 Therapeutics (G1, or the Company) is a clinical-stage oncology company using a small molecule-based approach to attenuate multi-lineage bone marrow suppression due to chemotherapy. G1 was founded by Ned Sharpless, MD (Director, UNC Cancer Center), and Kwok-Kin Wong, MD, PhD (Director, Belfer Institute/DFCI/Harvard), to capitalize on their research into how certain cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) control the production of blood cells by hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in the bone marrow. The Company’s lead program, G1T28-1, is a highly potent and selective CDK4/6 inhibitor that is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials. G1 has assembled a team of accomplished drug discovery and development scientists with extensive experience in bringing innovative oncology drugs to market. The Company has 10 full-time employees and is based in Research Triangle Park, NC.

Technology Overview 

Bone marrow suppression (also known as myelosuppression) is a severe side effect of chemotherapy, resulting in the loss of red blood cells (anemia), white blood cells (neutropenia) and platelets (thrombocytopenia). Patients can experience fatigue due to anemia, infections due to neutropenia and bleeding due to thrombocytopenia. While oncologists expect chemotherapy to remain the standard treatment regimen for many kinds of tumors, the current treatments for myelosuppression have significant liabilities and shortcomings.

G1T28-1 induces a transient, reversible arrest of HSPCs, making them resistant to DNA damaging insults. Preclinical data has demonstrated that protecting the bone marrow from damage results in a quicker recovery of all blood lineages and mitigates bone marrow exhaustion. G1T28-1 has the potential to enhance anti-tumor efficacy by maintaining chemotherapy dose density and schedule, and to improve quality of life and to positively impact pharmacoeconomics by reducing transfusions, preventing hospital admissions due to infection, and attenuating the incidence of secondary hematological malignancies.

Market Potential

G1’s clinical candidate, G1T28-1, will enter the bone marrow supportive care market which includes growth factors (biologics) such as Neulasta, Epogen, Procrit, Neupogen, and Aranesp with combined 2013 sales of $8.4 billion in the United States alone. The Company has a target chemotherapy patient population of up to 300,000 per year in the US alone.

Competitive Advantage

G1's first-in-class chemoprotectant, G1T28-1, is differentiated from current treatments for myelosuppression because it protects all hematopoietic lineages: red cells, platelets, granulocytes and lymphocytes. While growth factors stimulate single-lineage bone marrow progenitor cells that have already been damaged by chemotherapy, G1T28-1 protects all hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) before damage is done, potentially changing the treatment paradigm.

Financial Overview

Since inception, G1 has raised over $5 million from non-dilutive sources and closed a Series A financing of $12.5M in October 2013. The Company is currently seeking a $15M Series B for conducting a Phase 1b/2a trial to demonstrate reduction of chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression in cancer patients.

Intellectual Property

G1 has broad freedom to operate for its novel compounds and their methods of use. G1 has five issued composition-of-matter US patents covering compounds (including G1T28-1) related to the Company’s first proprietary scaffold. Additionally, G1 has multiple pending applications for composition-of-matter and methods-of-use on all three of its novel kinase inhibitor scaffolds.  

Commercialization Strategy

G1 is focused on developing G1T28-1, for chemoprotection. The Company plans to first demonstrate early proof of concept of bone marrow protection in a rapid and straightforward clinical trial in patients with small cell lung cancer.  Following this trial, G1 plans to conduct additional Phase 2 trials to demonstrate efficacy in other cancer types.

Additionally, there has been heightened interest in drugs that target CDK4/6 as antineoplastic agents. The Company is currently in active discussion with several potential partners for G1’s proprietary CDK4/6 inhibitors used as antineoplastics.

Pipeline Products

G1 Therapeutics is advancing a portfolio of proprietary drug candidates for both antineoplastic and chemoprotection indications.  The Company’s lead program, G1T28-1 is currently in Phase 1 clinical testing.  PK/PD data from this trial will inform dose and schedule for Phase 1b/2a trials in cancer patients that are planned for Q2 2015.  In addition, G1 has back-up/follow-on compounds for both chemoprotection (G1T30-1) and antineoplastic use (G1T38-1).

Management Team

·   CEO Mark Velleca MD, PhD was instrumental in founding, building, and leading CGI Pharmaceuticals. He forged a major drug discovery/development collaboration with Genentech and an acquisition of the company by Gilead.

·   CMO Raj Malik MD is an oncologist with more than 20 years of drug development experience in academics (University of Virginia), large pharma (BMS), and small biotech (Agennix).

·   CBO Greg Mossinghoff, MBA has extensive operational, financial, and deal-making experience in small biotech and big pharma. As President of Inspire (from inception through IPO), he established significant corporate partnerships.

·   CSO Jay Strum PhD brings more than 20 years of drug discovery experience to G1. He was a key leader of programs in cancer and metabolic diseases at GSK that led to marketed therapeutics such as Tykerb.

Galen Biotechnologies is an early-stage biotech company developing small molecule drugs to disrupt protein-protein interactions. Using genetically encoded-chemical fragment libraries we are rapidly advancing small molecules targeting Ras and Bcl-2 pathways in oncology. Our platform technology combines the strengths of encoded biologically relevant diversity with chemical evolution of pharmacophore structures to drive drug design with unparalleled efficiency against difficult protein-protein interaction targets.

Galen Biotechnologies was founded in 2013 and is located in the University of California, Santa Cruz QB3 incubator. The privately held company has raised $1M in nondilutive funding from research collaborations and SBIR grants and contracts (NIH-GMS, NCI, and DoD) in support of its platform. We anticipate a Series A fundraising in mid-2015 to accelerate our platform validation with the aim of progressing a lead molecule to full IND-enabling studies as well as exploring new targets in inflammation.

HemoShear is a privately held biotechnology company that is changing the way drugs are discovered and developed, departing from traditional and often misleading scientific methods and animal studies in favor of translational tissue systems that accurately replicate human disease biology.  Its proprietary platform integrates best-in-class human disease systems, a comprehensive biorepository, interdisciplinary molecular and clinical disease expertise, and cutting-edge computational biology, together providing a unique and powerful lens to interpret biological mechanisms and human disease at a level not possible until now.  HemoShear’s drug discovery collaborations uncover new targets, elucidate previously unknown mechanisms, differentiate drug candidates, and predict efficacy and safety of drugs before entering the clinic.  HemoShear is collaborating to discover and develop new drugs with major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, five divisions of NIH and leading academic research institutions across several therapeutic areas, including oncology.

In November 2013, HemoShear announced a collaboration with NCI to initiate work to recreate the human tumor microenvironment in a physiologically relevant context that replicates human disease.  HemoShear has successfully completed the first stage of the NCI contract to create a tumor system that incorporates three essential cell-types, restores molecular signaling pathways and responds to three cancer treatments at human concentrations.  We know of no other systems that can assess drugs at human concentrations.   HemoShear is seeking $10 million from investors and/or pharmaceutical partners to engage in drug discovery collaborations and expand development of a wide range of tumor types and therapeutic approaches.