MPM Capital is a healthcare investment firm that invests in companies developing therapeutic technologies in oncology. The company invests in life sciences companies that seek to cure diseases by translating science into clinical outcomes. The company prefers to invest in the biotechnology, healthcare, and life sciences sectors.

MPM Capital

F2 Ventures is a healthcare investment platform focused on arbitrage opportunities across the biotech sector, targeting innovation at the right stage for maximum impact.

F2 Ventures

Taiho Ventures is a company that specializes in the research and development of pharmaceuticals.

Taiho Ventures

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the discovery, development, licensing, manufacturing, marketing, distribution, and sale of pharmaceuticals and nutritional products.  Bristol Myers Squibb focuses on areas such as oncology, cardiovascular, immunoscience, and fibrosis to develop therapies that address significant unmet medical needs. The company's research and development efforts are centered around discovering new drugs and advancing existing ones to improve patient outcomes. BMS has a diverse portfolio of medicines, including several blockbuster drugs used in the treatment of cancer and other diseases. The company is committed to advancing the science of medicine to help people fight serious diseases and improve their quality of life.

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Astellas Venture Management is a California-based financial organization that targets investments in the biotechnology sector.

Astellas Venture Management

Kite Pharma is a privately held development stage biotechnology company engaged in the design and development of pioneering immune-based targeted therapies to treat different cancer indications. Kite has a portfolio of proprietary product candidates designed to stimulate the patient's own immune system to fight tumor cells. These potential therapies could provide novel strategies for the treatment and management of a wide range of tumor types.

Kite Pharma

Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) is the innovation engine of Novartis

Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research

The Pags Group operates as the family office of Stephen Pagliuca.

The Pags Group

Merck (d.b.a. EMD Millipore in the U.S. and Canada) is a German chemical and pharmaceutical company. Merck, also known as “German Merck” and “Merck Darmstadt”, was founded in Darmstadt, Germany, in 1668, making it the world's oldest operating chemical and pharmaceutical company. The company was privately owned until going public in 1995. However, the Merck family still controls a majority (≈70%) of the company's shares. Following World War I, Merck lost possession of its foreign sites, including the Merck & Co. subsidiary in the United States. Merck & Co., which operates as Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD) outside the U.S. and Canada, is now an independent company. Merck KGaA operates mainly in Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania and Latin America. Since Merck & Co. holds the rights to the Merck name in the U.S. and Canada, the company operated under the umbrella brand EMD Chemicals in North America, and since 2010 as EMD Millipore (after the acquisition of Millipore Corporation), formed from the initials of Emanuel Merck, Darmstadt. Founded in 1668 in Darmstadt, Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany, is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The success of the export business to the United States led in 1887 to the establishment of an office in New York, which gave rise to their subsidiary [Merck & Co.](http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/merck-co-inc) four years later. Owing to World War I, Merck & Co. was expropriated in 1917. The two companies have been separate every since.  Merck KGaA Subsidiaries: - [Merck Consumer Healthcare](http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/merck-consumer-healthcare) - [Merck Performance Materials](http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/merck-performance-materials)

Merck

BioImpact supports the collection of information such as statistical data, and more effective information transmission centered on “research”.  The company is a web production company whose business domain is the research industry. Researchers' results reports are published nationwide on a daily basis, but the impact is difficult to convey to the world and is difficult to reach. BioImpact provides a variety of services to connect companies, researchers, centering on the four businesses of media, production, sales or sales support, and database”.

BioImpact

Orna Therapeutics

Orna Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to designing and delivering a new class of fully engineered circular RNA (oRNA) therapeutics with the potential to change the way they treat disease. The company's proprietary platform combines novel technology to create oRNAs that drive protein expression with validated and unique delivery solutions. Orna Therapeutics was established in 2019 by Alex Wesselhoeft and Raffaella Squilloni in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Orna Therapeutics is a biotechnology company pioneering a new class of fully engineered circular RNA (oRNA) therapies. Founded in 2019 based on groundbreaking research from MIT, Orna's proprietary technology creates circular RNAs from linear RNAs through self-circularization. This circular shape offers several advantages over traditional linear mRNA, including simplified production, increased protein expression, and greater stability in vivo. Orna's oRNA molecules are packaged into custom lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) engineered to target specific tissues in the body.

Orna Therapeutics Raises $221 Million Series B Financing to Advance Circular RNA Platform and Accelerate Programs to the Clinic

Merck and Orna Therapeutics Collaborate to Advance Orna’s Next Generation of RNA Technology

Orna Therapeutics Unveils Progress of Circular RNA Platform and Improvements in Lead Program ORN-101 at PEGS and ASGCT

Orna Therapeutics Announces Strategic Acquisition of ReNAgade Therapeutics to Solidify Leadership in Circular RNA Therapies

Orna Therapeutics Circles Success With $100 Million Launch

Orna, a circular RNA specialist, acquires a buzzy startup

Orna Therapeutics Enhances Circular RNA Capabilities, Acquires ReNAgade Therapeutics

Merck announces $250 million collaboration with circular RNA company Orna Therapeutics

RNA Therapeutics

Orna Therapeutics Announces Data Presentation at the 66th ASH Annual Meeting

A collaboration agreement to discover, develop, and commercialize multiple programs, including vaccines and therapeutics in the areas of infectious disease and oncology.

Orna Therapeutics is a biotechnology company pioneering a new class of fully engineered circular RNA (oRNA) therapies. Founded in 2019 based on groundbreaking research from MIT, Orna's proprietary technology creates circular RNAs from linear RNAs through self-circularization. This circular shape offers several advantages over traditional linear mRNA, including simplified production, increased protein expression, and greater stability in vivo. Orna's oRNA molecules are packaged into custom lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) engineered to target specific tissues in the body.
The company's lead program, ORN-101, is a development-stage in situ CAR therapy designed to modify a patient's immune cells inside their body. preclinical data demonstrated tumor suppression and eradication in animal models at doses 10-20 fold lower than previously reported. In May 2023, Orna presented data showing ORN-101's tumor eradication ability after 2-3 doses in a mouse model. The company is advancing ORN-101 as a potential off-the-shelf, redosable immunotherapy that could overcome barriers of existing autologous CAR-T therapies.
In May 2024, Orna acquired ReNAgade Therapeutics, a company specializing in RNA delivery technologies. This acquisition unified Orna's circular RNA platform with ReNAgade's RNA delivery systems to advance an industry-leading approach combining circular RNA expression technology with LNP-based delivery. The combined company aims to develop panCAR in vivo CAR RNA therapies for oncology and autoimmune diseases, as well as expand gene editing delivery solutions using circular RNA.

<div>
 
 PYC Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing RNA therapies for genetic diseases. The company utilizes a proprietary drug delivery platform based on Cell-Penetrating Peptides (CPPs) to enhance the potency of precision medicines within the RNA therapeutic class. PYC's technology aims to overcome the delivery challenges associated with traditional RNA therapeutics, allowing for more effective treatment of genetic ailments.
 
 
 
 
 PYC's lead drug candidate, VP-001, is designed to treat Retinitis Pigmentosa type 11 (RP11), a blinding eye disease that begins in childhood. VP-001 targets the U4/U6 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (PRPF31) gene and is administered through intravitreal injection. In August 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Fast Track designation to VP-001, potentially expediting its development and review process. In May 2024, PYC reported encouraging first clinical data for VP-001 in RP11 patients.
 
 
 
 
 The company's pipeline includes other preclinical programs for Inherited Retinal Diseases and Central Nervous System disorders. In May 2024, PYC received orphan drug designation from the FDA for PYC-001, a drug candidate targeting autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA). PYC is also developing VP-002 and exploring multiple candidates for eye and CNS indications.
 
 
 
 
 In January 2024, PYC announced plans to collaborate with Google Cloud to develop new precision medicines. This project aims to utilize machine learning models, merging AlphaFold and its successors, to predict ideal peptide sequences and structures for delivering precision medicine cargoes to cells in the human body.
 
 
 
 
 For the half-year ended December 31, 2023, PYC reported revenue of AUD 9.12 million, up from AUD 3.49 million in the previous year. The company's net loss for the period was AUD 15.09 million. As of March 31, 2024, PYC had a pro-forma cash balance of approximately AUD 84 million, providing runway into the second half of 2025 for its ongoing clinical trials.
 
</div>

PYC Therapeutics

Flamingo Therapeutics is a biotechnology company specializing in RNA-targeted therapies for oncology. Founded in 2019, the company focuses on developing treatments for difficult-to-treat cancers using state-of-the-art chemistries and a clinical-stage pipeline targeting undruggable transcription factors and splice variants. Flamingo's lead program is danvatirsen, an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) that selectively targets STAT3 and has shown clinical activity in two Phase II studies. Danvatirsen binds to STAT3 mRNA, inhibiting translation of the transcript, resulting in reduced tumor cell growth and activation of anti-tumor immunity. Flamingo initiated the PEMDA-HN Phase II trial evaluating danvatirsen in combination with pembrolizumab for patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The company is also advancing FTX-001, its most advanced long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) program targeting MALAT-1, through readiness for Phase 1 trials in solid tumors. Flamingo's proprietary discovery engine, FLAME (Flamingo LncRNA Antisense Mining Engine), addresses lncRNAs, a large and untapped class of disease-causing targets within the "dark matter" of the human genome. In March 2023, Flamingo merged with Dynacure to create a leading RNA therapeutics company focused on clinical oncology, combining their pipelines and expertise.
Key customers and partnerships
Flamingo Therapeutics has established strategic alliances and partnerships to advance its RNA-targeted therapies. The company has an expanded alliance with Ionis Pharmaceuticals, a world leader in RNA-targeted antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapeutics. This partnership, announced in September 2021, combines three clinical-stage programs from Ionis with Flamingo's novel lncRNA discovery engine and preclinical lncRNA program. The alliance leverages Flamingo's expertise in oncology and long non-coding RNAs with Ionis' proficiency in RNA-targeted drug discovery and development. Additionally, Flamingo collaborates with academic partners at VIB, KU Leuven, Ghent University, and the University of Michigan, whose pioneering work in non-coding RNA genes in cancer contributed to the company's foundation. In June 2023, Flamingo received a EUR 1.7 million research grant from Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) to advance its RNA-targeting oncology portfolio, further validating its approach in creating a pipeline of programs targeting undruggable transcription factors and non-coding RNA.

Flamingo Therapeutics

Korro Bio is a biotechnology company focused on developing RNA editing therapeutics for both rare and common diseases. Founded in 2018, the company is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Korro's proprietary platform, called OPERA (Oligonucleotide Promoted Editing of RNA), leverages the body's natural ADAR (adenosine deaminase acting on RNA) system to make precise edits to RNA transcripts. This approach allows for the correction of genetic mutations without permanently altering DNA, potentially offering a safer alternative to traditional gene editing techniques.
The company's lead program targets alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), a genetic disorder affecting the lungs and liver. Korro's AATD candidate aims to repair inherited mutations and restore production of normal functional alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) protein in the liver. preclinical studies have demonstrated an increase of normal A1AT protein to 85% of total protein in circulation. Korro plans to submit a regulatory filing to initiate clinical trials for this candidate in the second half of 2024.
Beyond AATD, Korro is developing RNA editing therapies for conditions such as Parkinson's disease, severe alcoholic hepatitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), subsets of pain, and cardiometabolic diseases. The company's initial focus is on liver-targeted therapies, with plans to expand into central nervous system indications and other tissue types.
In July 2023, Korro Bio announced plans to go public through a reverse merger with Frequency Therapeutics. The combined company will operate under the Korro Bio name and trade on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol KRRO. This transaction, along with a concurrent USD 117 million financing, is expected to provide Korro with approximately USD 170 million in cash upon closing, which is anticipated to fund operations into 2026.

Korro Bio

Halo-Bio is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies. The company has a licensing agreement with Tekmira Pharmaceuticals related to certain lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technologies.

Halo-Bio RNAi Therapeutics

Oncotelic Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing RNA therapeutics and small molecule drugs for cancer and infectious diseases. The company's lead drug candidate is OT-101, a first-in-class RNA therapeutic designed to target TGF-β2, a protein that suppresses immune cell response and contributes to tumor growth in cancer tissues. OT-101 has demonstrated notable single-agent activity in clinical trials for relapsed/refractory cancer patients, with overall survival increasing in a dose-dependent manner at levels of 140mg/m2 and higher.
Oncotelic is currently conducting a Phase 2 billion/Phase 3 clinical trial called STOP-PC to evaluate OT-101 in combination with mFOLFIRINOX compared to mFOLFIRINOX alone for patients with advanced and unresectable or metastatic pancreatic cancer. The company believes this trial could deliver a decisive win against pancreatic cancer based on previous data showing improved survival in patients with low TGF-β2 expression treated with irinotecan.
In addition to its oncology pipeline, Oncotelic has explored OT-101's potential against SARS-CoV-2, completing a Phase 2 trial for Covid-19 in November 2021 with positive top line data for safety and efficacy. The company has also acquired AL-101 for intranasal delivery of apomorphine, which it intends to develop for conditions including Parkinson's Disease, erectile dysfunction, and female sexual disorders.

Oncotelic

Companies developing treatments using molecules like antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs). These molecules target specific genes to treat genetic diseases by either silencing or modifying gene expression.

Companies using RNA interference (RNAi) to target and silence specific genes involved in diseases for treating various conditions by blocking harmful gene activity.

Companies involved in altering RNA molecules to modify gene expression or correct genetic defects. This can include substitutions, insertions, or deletions of nucleotides, leading to alterations in the RNA sequence and the regulation of RNA molecules to control gene expression or cellular functions.

Companies focused on other RNA-based therapies using approaches such as tRNA, circRNA, lncRNA, and saRNA to develop treatments targeting specific RNA molecules to regulate gene expression.

RNA-based developments form a foundation for precision medicine.

RNA plays essential roles in gene expression, regulation, and protein synthesis, making it a fundamental focus in genomic research and understanding genetic mechanisms.

Orna Therapeutics

Sources

About EDGE

Contact Us

Resources

Area of Focus

Technology Research Made Effortless