RAbD Biotech
A seed stage startup working to develop a new treatment for ovarian cancer
Monday, February 8, 2016
Embassy Suites, Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania (directions)
|
About
|
RAbD Biotech, a seed stage startup, is working to develop a new treatment for ovarian cancer, a disease characterized by high mortality and the absence of effective therapeutic options. The company was started by three internationally recognized cancer researchers who first collaborated with faculty members at Philadelphia's Fox Chase Cancer Center.
The name "RAbD" is an acronym for Rational Antibody Design, which is the company's principal approach to drug development. Starting with a known drug target, they use computer modeling techniques to create protein sequences that are expected to elicit a therapeutic effect.
The first product candidate designed by RAbD is RAD-003, a potential treatment for ovarian cancer.. The standard-of-care for ovarian cancer has remained virtually unchanged for 30 years, and the need for new treatments is acute. The overall five-year relative survival rate is only about 40% and for those patients diagnosed with advanced disease (60-70% of all diagnoses), the prognosis is significantly worse.
RAD-003 is a hormone-like protein that has been designed to kill ovarian cancer cells by activating the Müllerian Inhibiting Substance Type II Receptor (MISIIR) pathway. MISIIR is differentially expressed on gynecological malignancies including ovarian cancer and activation of the pathway induces cell death. It is a well known and experimentally validated drug target.
3 Major Issues
|
- Our core capability is the rational design of large molecules using computational modeling and this is how our lead molecule was derived. However, we do not have laboratory facilities or resources to synthesize or test our lead molecule and the absence of in vitro proof of concept data has been a deal breaker for funding. What are some creative ways to resolve this Catch-22?
- We have pitched RAbD as both a "product" company (our lead molecule) and a "platform" company (our molecular design capabilities). Given the present early stage investment climate, which approach stands a better chance of gaining traction with investors?
- If proof of concept experiments are successful, our fundraising plan calls for two rounds of funding to support pre-IND studies and Phase I clinical trials, respectively. Under what circumstances would it be preferable/feasible to structure this as a single round.
Program:
|
6:30 - Cocktails & Dinner (Cash bar and special 2-entree buffet menu)
8:00 - Brian Smith, PhD, MBA; CEO, will deliver the Company's "Elevator" Pitch to the Group
8:20 - A Panel will address three major issues crucial to helping the Company reach the next level.
9:00 - Open discussion: members and guests
|
 |
 Slides
None available at this time
 Audio
None available at this time
 Video
None available at this time
 Webcast
RAbD Biotech Webcast - 02/08/16
00:00 CEO Brian Smith Presentation
14:55 Early audience comments
18:22 Panel intro by Bob Michel
19:00 First panelist Chuck Reynolds
25:10 More audience comments
28:37 Second panelist David Hesson
33:33 Third panelist Jim Ballance
37:55 Audience discussion
Drag the playhead to the sections you want to review.
|
|
|
