Prabhat Arya’s Post

Takeda, Astellas Pharma, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation – SMBC Group announced a groundbreaking agreement on April 22, 2024. This agreement solidifies the formation of a new joint venture company aimed at nurturing early drug discovery programs from Japan to pioneer innovative therapies by mid-2024. Under the tripartite agreement, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Astellas Pharma Inc., and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation will jointly establish a new entity focused on fostering early drug discovery initiatives. The joint venture will initially receive approximately 600 million yen, equivalent to around $3.9 million, with Takeda and Astellas each holding 33.4% of its shares and Sumitomo owning the remaining 33.2%. Leading the helm will be pharmaceutical expert Toshio Fujimoto, the original CEO of iPark Institute, a Takeda subsidiary. The venture will be located at Shohan Health Innovation Park, overseeing about 150 firms, including drug startups. This collaborative effort aims to revitalize Japan's drug discovery landscape by leveraging its academic prowess and leading pharmaceutical expertise. Despite Japan's strong position in drug discovery, recent years have seen challenges in translating academic research into practical treatments, leading to a decline in clinical trials and new medicine introductions. Through this joint venture, Takeda, Astellas, and Sumitomo aim to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world therapies, streamlining the drug discovery process and facilitating the formation of startup companies. The joint venture will focus on three primary objectives: >> Advancing innovative drug discovery programs from Japan into the global pharmaceutical market. >> Incubating globally competitive drug discovery technology and fostering entrepreneurship. >> Establishing high-caliber startup companies to unleash the potential of Japan's drug discovery ecosystem. Full article: https://lnkd.in/eBPCE8tv

Latvian startup secures nearly €1 million to revolutionize drug development with organs-on-a-chip technology Cellbox Labs, a biotechnology startup based in Riga, Latvia, has recently secured €935,000 in pre-seed funding to advance its organs-on-a-chip technology for drug development. This investment round, led by Buildit VC and supported by the Latvian Business Angels Network, underscores the growing interest in Cellbox Labs’ innovative approach. Organs-on-a-chip are miniature replicas of human organs that mimic their functions, providing a more accurate model for drug testing. Cellbox Labs aims to revolutionize drug development processes with its technology, potentially leading to advancements in personalized medicine and pharmaceutical research. https://lnkd.in/dqUFTxfa #funding #balticmade #latvia #startups #trending

"B/w 2021 and 2023, two parts of pharma were in contrasting states of health. An index of US big pharma rose 33%, outperforming the broader stockmarket thanks to robust sales of blockbuster drugs. One made up of smaller biotech orgs sank by ~33%, bc of rising interest rates. Unlisted biotech startups have struggled to attract capital ($17B in investments in 2023, down from $37B in 2021). Fewer went public and more went bust. This year the giants are still going strong. On 4/30 Eli Lilly and Company, maker of a popular GLP-1 (Mounjaro), reported elite Q1 results. On 5/02 Novo Nordisk, with its own GLP-1s (Wegovy & Ozempic), did the same. Together they're worth $1.2T, up from $350B in 2021. But biotech’s vitals, too, are improving. In Q1 2024 investors injected $5.1B into biotech startups, the most in 7 Qs. 8 have launched IPOs since Jan, raising a combined $1.5B; 9 others have divested to big pharma for >$1B—the busiest start to a year in a decade. In Feb Novartis said it intended to buy MorphoSys, a cancer specialist, for $2.9B. AstraZeneca acquired 2 biotech firms for >$3B in Mar. IQVIA expects ~$200B in biotech deals in 2024, up from $85B in 2022. One reason for the revival: those with bleak prospects were eliminated—the # of biotech bankruptcies in 2023 was the highest in a decade. Those that remain are sturdier on avg—making them more appealing takeover targets for cash-rich big pharma. 15 of the largest drugmakers have a collective $800B at their disposal for M&A. They're eager to put this money to use, as many of their lucrative patents are about to expire. In 2028 branded drugs with combined annual sales of $100B will lose IP protection, putting this at risk to cheap generics (an avg yr = ~$33B). Meanwhile, finding new cures is getting harder. Analysis of big pharma's R&D budgets and approvals finds that in the 1960s $1B in R&D netted ~10 new drug approvals. Today the same $1B doesn’t get you even one Big pharma is content to stick to marketing & distribution, and outsource much of the innovating to biotech. In 2023, 57% of all new US drugs approved originated at small firms, up from 40% in 2015. Startups are responsible for >75% of new clinical trials in the early stages and 66% of late-stage ones. And recent rapid advances in AI raise hopes that it can make R&D more productive. BCG has identified ~200 firms <10 yrs old that use AI to find promising molecules. In Jan Isomorphic Labs, a Google spin off, signed deals with Eli Lilly and Novartis worth ~$3B to use its platform to discover small-molecule therapies. In April Xaira Therapeutics, an AI-drug-discovery startup, raised $1B, one of the largest funding rounds in biotech history. Insilico Medicine, another hot AI-based startup, says that it identified a new drug target and designed a molecule fit for human trials in only 1.5 yrs and at a cost of $2.7M. That is a pittance compared with the billions big pharma spends these days on a portfolio of drugs, only ~10% of which get approved"

🗝️ Keys To Biotech Startup Success 📐 Measure Twice ✂️ Cut Once Plotting the trajectory of a company from seed-stage to an “exit” is the single-most important task that management teams frequently deprioritize (and understandably so… building technologies is way more interesting than drawing up timelines and gantt charts!). Regardless of the nature of the startup business, the universal end goal is to maximize shareholder value and provide early investors with the opportunity to cash out. A simple concept that becomes infinitely more complex when put into practice. Luckily, pharmaceutical discovery and development follows a linear path through the FDA’s regulatory framework, making it relatively simple to chart the growth of the company and the milestones that “move the valuation needle.” But the Devil is in the details, and a comprehensive drug development, clinical trial management, and M&A / IPO strategy is absolutely crucial to maximizing shareholder value. 🪙 Maximizing Shareholder Value As we approach a significant milestone with the completion of our Phase 1 study in June 2025, we are poised for transformative growth. Success in Phase 1 will pave the way for Phase 2 and 3 trials, and open doors to strategic partnership opportunities, M&A, and public listings. Here are the activities that lie on our path of shareholder value creation: ✅ First-In-Human: After 6 years and $10M spent in drug discovery and preclinical development, our novel therapy for osteoarthritis, CYT-108, is finally ready for primetime… a first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of the drug in patients suffering from mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis. ✅ Strategic Collaborations: Successful Phase 1 trials could attract interest from major industry players. With Johnson & Johnson holding a 12% stake in Cytonics, they are well-positioned as a primary potential acquirer or collaborator for Phase 2 clinical studies. ✅ Future Funding: Positive results from our Phase 1 clinical trials may enable us to pursue a substantial $20M funding round for Phase 2, and serve as a strong predicate for a $100M raise to support the pivotal Phase 2/3 clinical trial. ✅ Phase 2/3: Positive Phase 2 and 3 datasets may offer definitive proof that CYT-108 can restore quality of life and mobility for osteoarthritis patients. Large pharmaceutical companies love to partner or acquire drug assets that have been “de-risked” with Phase 2 data… their risk-reward sweet spot. ✅ New Drug Approval: FDA approval would position CYT-108 as the first and only disease-modifying treatment for osteoarthritis. At this stage, Cytonics would consider an Initial Public Offering (IPO) to provide liquidity for our shareholders and possibly raise funds for future drug development programs. #biotechnology #drugdevelopment #investing #arthritis

Could partnerships between pharma and VCs be the key to discovering the next blockbuster drug? 🤝 Pfizer and Flagship Pioneering are trying a new approach to drug development, creating an "Innovation Supply Chain" where startups and pharma collaborate more closely. By pooling resources and aligning on strategic R&D goals, they aim to accelerate the development of 10 new drug candidates. 💊 What could this mean for the biotech sector? Discover what this new model consists of. ⚙️ Read more here ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/dh_GgaNP   #drugdevelopment #biotechinnovation #healthcareinnovation #biotechnews #startuppharma #pharmainvestments #drugdiscovery ProFound Therapeutics | HBM Partners AG | Sanofi | Johnson & Johnson | Merck | Novo Nordisk | Vivan Therapeutics | GSK | Monica Karpinski

Metagen Therapeutics has been awarded the prestigious "Drug Discovery Venture Ecosystem Enhancement Project" grant by AMED, Japan’s equivalent of the NIH. This grant will cover two-thirds of our drug pipeline development costs, with the remaining one-third funded by AMED-certified venture capitals. The grant, which is non-dilutive, can support pipeline development costs up to 10 billion JPY (approximately 63 million USD). It concludes once the recipient achieves clinical PoC (Phase 2 completion) or a company exit (IPO or M&A). https://lnkd.in/gqv62gBY Our pipeline, MGT-006, is a full-spectrum microbiome-based drug for ulcerative colitis. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Mr. Ishikawa's pioneering use of FMT (Fecal Microbiota Transplantation) for treating ulcerative colitis patients. We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone with significant national support. With three of our current investors being certified VCs, our financial risk is substantially mitigated. Strategically, MGT-006 development program is designed to show new clinical evidence supported by the strong clinical indications of FMT as a medical procedure to reduce inherent clinical risks. Although regulatory and product specification challenges remain, we are progressing steadily and are ready to advance. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that the considerable taxpayer funds entrusted to us are used efficiently and effectively. We are committed to delivering a Japanese fecal-derived drug to patients globally as swiftly as possible. This grant is crucial for supporting drug discovery startups in Japan, enabling us to reach late-stage development, achieve pipeline licensing, or facilitate company M&A. This addresses the historical challenge of many biotechs becoming stagnant due to insufficient funding. We recognize that this grant alone does not guarantee success. Japanese biotechs face numerous challenges, including inefficient clinical development practices, government-controlled drug pricing, capital market issues, and the need for stronger collaboration with the U.S. ecosystem. Despite these challenges, the Japanese government’s strong commitment to supporting domestic biotech startups is evident. As entrepreneurs, we must overcome these obstacles and progress to meet these expectations. Japan must find its unique solutions, rather than simply adopting American approaches. By "doing the right things" instead of just "doing things right," we believe we can pave a new path. The success of MGTx members and the well-being of ulcerative colitis patients are our top priorities. Furthermore, it is our responsibility as members of the Japanese biotech community to transform the startup ecosystem, enabling future researchers and physicians to realize their dreams of saving lives through life sciences and technology. We must strive to ensure that we leave nothing to be ashamed of for future generations.

What if I told you that a new gorilla has emerged in the jungle of New York's pharmaceutical industry, and they're here to transform the entire landscape of biotechnology? Meet StemPoint Capital, the visionary startup that is gearing up to redefine our understanding of pharmaceuticals. StemPoint brilliantly exploits the growing characteristics of the biotech sector and leverages the sturdy attributes of the pharmaceutical industry. This distinctive approach positions them as a potential game changer in the New York's Pharma universe. Interested to know more? We've detailed every bit of this exciting journey and the remarkable potential of this powerhouse in our latest article. Navigate through the world of StemPoint Capital here: https://lnkd.in/e-bS9Z8s The future of New York's pharmaceutical industry may well hinge on biotechnological revolution. And companies like StemPoint Capital are ensuring that this transformation is not only possible, but also vastly beneficial for society. #Biotechnology #Pharmaceuticals #Innovation #StartupConvo #NYCStartups #StemPointCapital

🗝️ Keys To Biotech Startup Success 📐 Measure Twice ✂️ Cut Once Plotting the trajectory of a company from seed-stage to an “exit” is the single-most important task that management teams frequently deprioritize (and understandably so… building technologies is way more interesting than drawing up timelines and gantt charts!). Regardless of the nature of the startup business, the universal end goal is to maximize shareholder value and provide early investors with the opportunity to cash out. A simple concept that becomes infinitely more complex when put into practice. Luckily, pharmaceutical discovery and development follows a linear path through the FDA’s regulatory framework, making it relatively simple to chart the growth of the company and the milestones that “move the valuation needle.” But the Devil is in the details, and a comprehensive drug development, clinical trial management, and M&A / IPO strategy is absolutely crucial to maximizing shareholder value. 🪙 Maximizing Shareholder Value As we approach a significant milestone with the completion of our Phase 1 study in June 2025, we are poised for transformative growth. Success in Phase 1 will pave the way for Phase 2 and 3 trials, and open doors to strategic partnership opportunities, M&A, and public listings. Here are the activities that lie on Cytonics Corporation's path of shareholder value creation: ✅ First-In-Human: After 6 years and $10M spent in drug discovery and preclinical development, our novel therapy for osteoarthritis, CYT-108, is finally ready for primetime… a first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of the drug in patients suffering from mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis. ✅ Strategic Collaborations: Successful Phase 1 trials could attract interest from major industry players. With Johnson & Johnson holding a 12% stake in Cytonics, they are well-positioned as a primary potential acquirer or collaborator for Phase 2 clinical studies. ✅ Future Funding: Positive results from our Phase 1 clinical trials may enable us to pursue a substantial $20M funding round for Phase 2, and serve as a strong predicate for a $100M raise to support the pivotal Phase 2/3 clinical trial. ✅ Phase 2/3: Positive Phase 2 and 3 datasets may offer definitive proof that CYT-108 can restore quality of life and mobility for osteoarthritis patients. Large pharmaceutical companies love to partner or acquire drug assets that have been “de-risked” with Phase 2 data… their risk-reward sweet spot. ✅ New Drug Approval: FDA approval would position CYT-108 as the first and only disease-modifying treatment for osteoarthritis. At this stage, Cytonics would consider an Initial Public Offering (IPO) to provide liquidity for our shareholders and possibly raise funds for future drug development programs. #biotechnology #drugdevelopment #investing #arthritis

Formation Bio raises $372M to boost drug development with AI 💊 Formation Bio, an AI-driven drug development startup backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, raised $372 million in a Series D funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz, totaling over $600 million raised. The funds will support partnerships and R&D. Formation, co-founded by Benjamine Liu and Linhao Zhang in 2016, focuses on clinical trials and drug development, using AI to streamline processes and improve efficiency. The company collaborates with biotech and pharma companies to develop drugs beyond clinical proof-of-concept. Despite the high costs and challenges in drug development, Formation claims to improve trial efficiency using AI for recruitment materials, adverse event reports, and R&D recommendations. A recent collaboration with OpenAI and Sanofi aims to develop AI solutions for drug development. The company has three drug candidates in its pipeline, with the furthest being a phase 3 eczema treatment. The AI-driven drug discovery market is growing, with several startups, including EvolutionaryScale, entering the space. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e75VjQWt

🗝️ Keys To Biotech Startup Success 📐 Measure Twice ✂️ Cut Once Plotting the trajectory of a company from seed-stage to an “exit” is the single-most important task that management teams frequently deprioritize (and understandably so… building technologies is way more interesting than drawing up timelines and gantt charts!). Regardless of the nature of the startup business, the universal end goal is to maximize shareholder value and provide early investors with the opportunity to cash out. A simple concept that becomes infinitely more complex when put into practice. Luckily, pharmaceutical discovery and development follows a linear path through the FDA’s regulatory framework, making it relatively simple to chart the growth of the company and the milestones that “move the valuation needle.” But the Devil is in the details, and a comprehensive drug development, clinical trial management, and M&A / IPO strategy is absolutely crucial to maximizing shareholder value. 🪙 Maximizing Shareholder Value As we approach a significant milestone with the completion of our Phase 1 study in June 2025, we are poised for transformative growth. Success in Phase 1 will pave the way for Phase 2 and 3 trials, and open doors to strategic partnership opportunities, M&A, and public listings. Here are the activities that lie on Cytonics Corporation's path of shareholder value creation: ✅ First-In-Human: After 6 years and $10M spent in drug discovery and preclinical development, our novel therapy for osteoarthritis, CYT-108, is finally ready for primetime… a first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of the drug in patients suffering from mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis. ✅ Strategic Collaborations: Successful Phase 1 trials could attract interest from major industry players. With Johnson & Johnson holding a 12% stake in Cytonics, they are well-positioned as a primary potential acquirer or collaborator for Phase 2 clinical studies. ✅ Future Funding: Positive results from our Phase 1 clinical trials may enable us to pursue a substantial $20M funding round for Phase 2, and serve as a strong predicate for a $100M raise to support the pivotal Phase 2/3 clinical trial. ✅ Phase 2/3: Positive Phase 2 and 3 datasets may offer definitive proof that CYT-108 can restore quality of life and mobility for osteoarthritis patients. Large pharmaceutical companies love to partner or acquire drug assets that have been “de-risked” with Phase 2 data… their risk-reward sweet spot. ✅ New Drug Approval: FDA approval would position CYT-108 as the first and only disease-modifying treatment for osteoarthritis. At this stage, Cytonics would consider an Initial Public Offering (IPO) to provide liquidity for our shareholders and possibly raise funds for future drug development programs. #biotechnology #drugdevelopment #investing #arthritis