Missouri Technology Corporation is an American venture capital firm that promotes entrepreneurship and the growth of high-tech companies. Promoting entrepreneurship and fostering the growth of emerging, high-tech companies in Missouri

Missouri Technology Corporation

The Billiken Angels Network (BAN) was part of the Entrepreneurship Program of the John Cook School of Business at Saint Louis University. Announced in 2007, it started operating in September 2008 with twenty angels ready to fund suitable opportunities, and a $1,000,000 sidecar co-investment fund made available by the University from its endowment. It closed in September 2017, having made 34 investments in 20 companies.  The Billiken Angels’ tag line was “…the deals that make a difference”  and that is the goal of the BAN - to identify and invest funds and expertise in those businesses that can make a difference in the economy of the St. Louis region, and in the lives of the people living in the region and elsewhere. The BAN considered businesses at any stage (seed, start-up, existing, growing, etc.) and in any industry (retail, wholesale, manufacturing, service, financial, internet, high-tech, etc.). BAN invested in firms in the St. Louis region, and only considered firms outside of the region when the firm has SLU DNA (firms owned by current or former SLU students, current or retired SLU faculty and staff, or firms using intellectual property licensed from SLU).  Membership was open to accredited investors only.  All BAN members had a strong commitment to help develop entrepreneurship through education at Saint Louis University in addition to investment.

Billiken Angels Network

Arch Grants is a nonprofit organization that accelerates economic development and community revitalization by providing $50,000 equity-free grants and pro bono support services to entrepreneurs who  locate their early-stage businesses in St. Louis. Through its rigorously competitive Global Startup Competition, Arch Grants retains and attracts the most innovative entrepreneurs to the St. Louis region. This program is an aggressive effort to inspire the next generation of employers, civic leaders, and philanthropists for St. Louis.   The industry-agnostic Global Startup Competition is year-round, with grants awarded once in the spring and again in the fall.  Arch Grants funds innovative technologies, products, and services wrapped within scalable business models that have the potential to make a national or international impact.

Arch Grants

Dorm Room Fund is the strongest community of entrepreneurial students in the nation. Built by students and powered by First Round, we provide founders with a strong network of investors, world-class mentors, and a $20,000 check.

Dorm Room Fund

Cultivation Capital is a venture capital firm that manages a family of funds focused on early-stage investing. Most of our initial investments are during a startup’s Seed or Series A phase, and our initial checks range from $500k – $3.5M. Our industries of focus include life sciences and health tech, software and IT, agriculture tech, and geospatial tech.

Cultivation Capital

Lightchain is a non-profit organization that specializes in Information technology software & the internet.

Lightchain

NT Investments

The BioGenerator, the non-profit venture development organization of BioSTL, facilitates the formation of successful, sustainable bioscience companies in the St. Louis region. It provides start-up bioscience companies with pre-seed and seed investment funds, shared lab space with specialized equipment, and in-depth management support.

BioGenerator

Labcorp specializes in providing physicians with laboratory tests.  They develop new tests that provide enhanced accuracy and additional clinical information.  Their customers include physicians and their patients, hospitals and managed care plans, private employers, military and law enforcement agencies, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

LabCorp

Innovatus Capital Partners, they focus on both real and financial assets. Their firm's investment in strategies that identifies distressed, disruptive, and growth opportunities.

Innovatus Capital Partners

Morningside Venture Investments is an investment group that provides industry investments and social responsibility. It was founded in 1986 and is based in Shanghai, China.

Morningside Venture Investments

Geneoscopy

Geneoscopy is a non-invasive colorectal cancer diagnostic powered by advanced research in computational biology. The company is determined to replace every patient’s least favorite screen: the colonoscopy. Currently, there is no test with high enough specificity and sensitivity to allow patients an alternative to the unpleasant, invasive colonoscopy. Geneoscopy is changing that. It has developed a novel methodology to reliably and consistently extract human RNA transcripts from stool samples and detect changes in gene expression. This provides Geneoscopy a platform to harness the power of RNA to detect, prevent, and guide treatment for gastrointestinal disease. Geneoscopy is currently developing a diagnostic test for the prevention of colorectal cancer and is conducting research on other applications of its technology for tangential indications.

<div>Geneoscopy is a life sciences company focused on developing non-invasive diagnostic tests for gastrointestinal health. Geneoscopy's foundational technology is based on studying human RNA biomarkers in stool samples. The company&rsquo;s primary product, ColoSense, is a non-invasive colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test​ powered by its multi-target stool RNA (mt-sRNA) biomarker panel. After demonstrating results from its CRC-PREVENT trial, this product was FDA classified as a Breakthrough Device. As of May 2024, Geneoscopy was working toward the commercial launch of the product by 2025.</div>

Leveraging personal data for custom-fit diagnosis and treatment

Precision Medicine

Geneoscopy Gets Lab Permit From New York State Department of Health

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 Geneoscopy is a life sciences company focused on developing non-invasive diagnostic tests for gastrointestinal health. Geneoscopy's foundational technology is based on studying human RNA biomarkers in stool samples. The company&rsquo;s primary product, ColoSense, is a non-invasive colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test​ powered by its multi-target stool RNA (mt-sRNA) biomarker panel. After demonstrating results from its CRC-PREVENT trial, this product was FDA classified as a Breakthrough Device. As of May 2024, Geneoscopy was working toward the commercial launch of the product by 2025.
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 In November 2023, Geneoscopy entered a partnership with Labcorp for the distribution of Geneoscopy&rsquo;s noninvasive colorectal cancer screening tests in multiple communities. The company's tests cater primarily to the healthcare industry, aiming for early detection and monitoring of gastrointestinal diseases.
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 In a series B funding round in 2021, the company secured USD 105 million in funding, led by Lightchain and NT Investments, to advance its diagnostic technologies. The funds were expected to support the further development and distribution of its non-invasive CRC screening tests. 
 
 
 
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 Praxis Precision Medicines is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops precision medicine for central nervous system disorders based on neuronal imbalance caused by genetic mutations.
 
 
 The company has four clinical-stage product candidates in its pipeline for treating disorders such as depression, epilepsy, movement disorders, and pain syndromes. The company&rsquo;s drug candidates include 1) PRAX-944, which is an inhibitor for essential tremor disorder linked to Parkinson&rsquo;s disease and is set to begin Phase 3 in mid-2023, 2) PRAX-222 in Phase 2 of clinical trials targets the SCN2A gene most commonly associated with early-onset epilepsy, 3) PRAX-562 was designed to block persistent sodium for patients suffering from rare diseases such as headache disorders and severe seizures and completed Phase 1 of clinical trials, and 4) PRAX-628 in Phase 2 clinical trials for treating focal epilepsy that originates in one side or area of the brain and affects one side of the body. Additionally, the firm has six pre-clinical drug candidates.
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 The company went public in October 2020, trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol &ldquo;PRAX&rdquo;. 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19453">
 In June 2023 
 </a>
 , the company announced an underwritten public offering of its common shares and pre-funded warrants, to raise approximately USD 59.1 million. The capital raised was used to support the company&rsquo;s ongoing operations and strategic initiatives, furthering the development of its pipeline and potential future endeavors.
 
 
 For the year 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/16211">
 2022
 </a>
 , net losses increased by 28% YoY to USD 214 million arising from a significant increase in R&amp;D expense (up by 29% YoY). For the six months ended June 2023, the company is yet to generate revenue from drugs, however received collaboration revenue of USD 1.5 million. Further, it reported a decline in net loss by 43.0% YoY to USD 34.3 million. Its cash and cash equivalent as of June 2023 was at USD 124.3 million, compared to USD 61.6 million in December 2022, which the company believes will be adequate to fund operations till Q1 2025. 
 
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Praxis Precision Medicines

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 Mirati Therapeutics is a commercial-stage biotechnology company developing oncology-targeted therapies to address KRAS mutations present in 25% of tumors, including lung, colorectal and pancreatic cancers. Mirati&rsquo;s lead product KRAZATI (adagrasib/ MRTX849) is an oral&nbsp; KRASG12C inhibitor approved in 2022 for certain non-small cell lung cancers.The company also has sitravatinib, a multi-kinase inhibitor, in Phase 3 trials for non-small cell lung cancer in combination with a Bristol-Myers Squibb checkpoint inhibitor.
 
 
 
 
 Additionally, Mirati is advancing multiple early-stage programs including KRAS G12D inhibitor MRTX1133 for pancreatic and colorectal cancers, which entered Phase 1 in 2023, as well as a synthetic lethal inhibitor MRTX1719. In December 2022, the company submitted an IND application for MRTX1133, a potent and selective KRAS G12D inhibitor, which was cleared by the FDA in January 2023. 
 
 
 Key partnerships and customers
 
 
 
 
 Mirati has multiple partnerships with leading biopharma companies to advance its pipeline, including discovery collaborations with Pfizer and clinical collaborations with Novartis, Boehringer Ingelheim, and 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/14345">
 Incyte
 </a>
 . The company also has licensing agreements with BeiGene for sitravatinib and Zai Lab for MRTX849 in certain Asian markets.
 
 
 
 
 
 Funding and Financials
 
 
 
 
 The company went public in June 2013 to trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol &ldquo;MRTX&rdquo;. In August 2023, the company closed an 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/20988">
 underwritten public offering
 </a>
 at USD 345 million. The new funds were used towards drug development and leadership expansion.&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/16725">
 For the year 2022 
 </a>
 , the firm's net losses increased to USD 740.9 million from USD 581.8 million. Net product revenue for the full year amounted to USD 0.7 million arising from the sale of KRAZATI, which received FDA approval for its commercial launch in December 2022. 
 
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Mirati Therapeutics

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 Tvardi Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing precision medicine for different cancers, chronic inflammatory diseases, and fibrotic diseases. The company&rsquo;s pipeline focuses on the development of small-molecule inhibitors of STAT3, a regulatory protein that allows cancer cells to evade the immune system and survive.
 
 
 The company&rsquo;s orally administered monotherapy and lead product, TTI-101, is in Phase 1 clinical trials for patients with advanced solid tumors who have failed all other lines of therapy. Additionally, the drug is in preclinical trials for treating fibrosis and inflammation. The company is also developing TTI-102, a next-generation STAT3 inhibitor that is structurally similar but chemically different from TTI-101.&nbsp;
 
 
 Founded in 2017, the Texas-based company closed a Series B funding round in June 2021, which brought total funding to USD 81 million and the proceeds will be used to advance Tvardi&rsquo;s drug candidates through its clinical data readouts in mid-stage trials for cancer and fibrosis.
 
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Tvardi Therapeutics

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 Tango Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech company developing precision oncology therapies targeting synthetic lethality in cancer which leads to cell death. Its discovery platform identifies novel targets to develop drugs focused on: 1) countering tumor suppressor gene loss to help the immune system recognize and kill cancer cells, and 2) reversing cancer cell evasion of the immune system.
 
 
 
 
 Tango has five pipeline programs, including lead candidate TNG908, an inhibitor for multiple cancer indicators. The FDA approved TNG908's IND in January 2022 and granted it Orphan Drug Designation. TNG908 is in Phase I/II trials, with preliminary efficacy data expected in H1 2023. Tango also plans to file INDs for TNG260 (STK11 mutant cancers) and TNG348 (BRCA1/2-mutant cancers). In 
 <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/01/25/2595034/0/en/Tango-Therapeutics-Announces-FDA-Clearance-of-Investigational-New-Drug-Application-for-TNG462-Provides-Additional-Business-Updates.html">
 January 2023
 </a>
 , the FDA cleared the IND for TNG462, a next-gen PRMT5 inhibitor for cancers with MTAP deletion.
 
 
 
 
 Key partnerships and customers
 
 
 
 
 
 Outside its pipeline, the company also entered into a collaborative partnership with big pharma Gilead Sciences Inc., in October 2018 which was later expanded for two years in August 2020 to identify new immune evasion targets.
 
 
 
 
 Funding and financials&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 
 Tango went public in August 2021 via a SPAC deal, trading on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol &ldquo;TNGX&rdquo;, and the company received gross proceeds of USD 353 million. In August 2023, the company raised USD 80 million via a 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/20955">
 private placement
 </a>
 , which was led by Nextech. The new funds were used toward expanding its TNG908 and TNG462 PRMT5 programs to various other indications.
 
 
 
 
 Tango has not yet generated any drug sales and does not expect to do so for several years. However, for the full-year the company reported collaboration revenue of USD 24.9 million (down 4.42% YoY) and a net loss of USD 108.2 million (up 85.9% YoY).
 
 
 
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Tango Therapeutics

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 IDEAYA Biosciences is a clinical-stage biotech developing precision cancer therapies based on synthetic lethality - when specific gene mutations pair to cause cell death. The company also studies combining synthetic lethality with immunotherapies and DNA damage to enhance treatment efficacy. While current drugs target limited mutations like BRCA1/2, IDEAYA aims to treat broader genetic subpopulations.&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 Its pipeline includes synthetic lethality-driven precision medicines across four potential first-in-class clinical-stage product candidates. Of these, the company owns/controls commercial rights of the three most-advanced of these product candidates: darovasertib, IDE397, and IDE161. As of May 2024, the company was also advancing Werner Helicase program for which a development candidate has been selected in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline, and, subject to investigational new drug-, or IND-, enabling studies, are targeting an IND in 2024. In addition. the company also works on multiple earlier-stage preclinical programs. 
 
 
 By targeting specific genetic drivers, IDEAYA advances precision oncology using synthetic lethality approaches. The company is focused on developing novel targeted therapies for patient populations with high unmet need and limited treatment options.&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
 
 In December 2023, IDEAYA Biosciences teamed up with Gilead Sciences to test the combination of IDE397 and Trodelvy in a Phase I clinical trial for MTAP-deletion bladder cancer.
 
 
 
 
 Key partnerships and customers
 
 
 
 
 The company collaborates with pharmaceutical partners to advance its pipeline, including a strategic partnership with GSK in June 2020. The collaboration with GSK covers co-development and commercialization of two synthetic lethality programs. IDEAYA received USD 100 million upfront and USD 20 million in a direct private placement through the GSK deal. In June 2022, IDEAYA announced it would co-develop its Pol Theta candidate with GSK, with a Phase 1 trial starting in the first half of 2023.&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 IDEAYA also holds an exclusive license from Novartis for LXS196 (IDE196), a PKC inhibitor for metastatic uveal melanoma. Additionally, the company is exploring IDE196 combinations with Pfizer and its potential in other rare skin diseases. In July 2022, IDEAYA signed an agreement with Amgen to evaluate IDE397 with Amgen's AMG 193 in solid tumors. Strategic pharma partnerships help advance and expand IDEAYA's pipeline of synthetic lethality precision oncology programs.
 
 
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 
 
 
 The company was listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol &ldquo;IDYA&rdquo; in May 2019, raising USD 50 million via an initial public offering. In September 2022, the company raised USD 92 million.&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 For 2022, the company reported a net loss of USD 58.7 million (up 17.9% YoY) while collaboration revenue was USD 50.9 million (up 82.3% YoY). 
 
 
 On October 24, 2023, IDEAYA Biosciences priced an underwritten public offering of 5 million shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants to purchase 319,150 shares of common stock. The common stock offered was priced at USD 23.50 per share, while the exercise price of a pre-funded warrant was USD 0.0001. The offering was expected to bring in approximately USD 125 million in gross proceeds.
 
 
 
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IDEAYA Biosciences

Companies providing genetic tests to identify individuals with high risk or at-risk of having hereditary disease, aid physicians with a diagnosis, and support clinical decision making.

Secure cloud-based platforms and data sharing networks that collect, index, store, and analyze large amounts of health data and patient population data sets from sources including genomic, clinical, wearables, imaging, and population data.

Biopharma and biotechnology companies that develop precision medicine drugs based on novel disease biomarkers present in multi-omic patient population data and genetic insights.

Companies that study intergenomic variations in genes associated with drug response and metabolism to match patients with the appropriate drug and dosage.

Companies that develop an in-vitro medical device or imaging tools and tests that identify genetic mutations for both diagnostic (nature of the disease) and prognostic (likely course of the disease) purposes, allowing providers to match a patient to a specific drug or therapy.

Software analytics platforms that integrate multiple omics datasets (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) to gain insights and support target discovery, drug development, clinical trials, and diagnostics.

Some companies leverage AI/ML to develop tailored medication

Considers individual variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle for each person

Genomics is used across all the segments of precision medicine from diagnostic solutions to treatments

AI/ML analyzes genomic data to find drug targets, predict disease progression, and treatment response

<div>
 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially approved a noninvasive colorectal cancer screening test called ColoSense developed by Geneoscopy, a healthcare company specializing in non-invasive diagnostic tests for gastrointestinal health. This innovative diagnostic tool has been designated as a Breakthrough Device by the FDA. The plan is to release ColoSense commercially by 2025, and Geneoscopy is actively working towards this goal in collaboration with Labcorp.
 By utilising RNA biomarkers, ColoSense can identify not only colorectal cancer but also advanced adenomas. Data from Geneoscopy's CRC-PREVENT trial, involving participants who were 45 years old and above from different demographics, revealed that ColoSense exhibited a 93% sensitivity for colorectal cancer detection and succeeded in identifying 100% of stage 1 cancers. It also managed to detect 45% of advanced adenomas in the same trial. Moreover, it offers a dynamic and real-time view of disease activity. For ease of use and patient comfort, ColoSense is administered through a personalized kit designed to streamline the entire process.
 Geneoscopy’s mission is to improve gastrointestinal health through the development of non-invasive diagnostic methods, primarily focusing on colorectal cancer. Its patented biomarker platform harnesses stool-derived eukaryotic RNA (seRNA) to facilitate the early detection and effective monitoring of various gastrointestinal diseases.
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Geneoscopy

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