The Column Group

Neurona Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing cell-based therapies for treating neurological disorders. Founded by neuroscientists at UCSF in 2008, the company focuses on generating therapeutic compositions of specific nerve cells for targeted delivery into the injured nervous system.

Surrozen, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California, focused on developing targeted regenerative antibodies to enhance tissue and organ repair in response to serious diseases. Founded in 2015, the company specializes in modulating the Wnt pathway, a crucial mediator of tissue regeneration, through its innovative antibody platforms that target specific organs and tissues. Notable programs include SZN-043, designed to stimulate liver regeneration in both acute and chronic liver diseases, and SZN-1326, aimed at repairing damaged epithelial tissue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Surrozen's approach extends to multiple organ systems, with potential applications in the intestine, liver, retina, cornea, lung, kidney, cochlea, skin, pancreas, and central nervous system.

Eikon Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company that uses proprietary live-cell imaging platforms to discover and develop therapeutics for chronic and life-threatening diseases. Founded in 2019 and based in Hayward, California, the company applies super-resolution, single-molecule, and real-time molecular-resolution observations to study how compounds interact with individual proteins in living cells. By integrating biology, engineering, and chemistry, Eikon seeks to identify previously intractable targets, accelerate the drug-discovery process, and expand its clinical pipeline through platforms that reveal target biology and compound-protein interactions in their native cellular context.

A2 Biotherapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing innovative cell therapies for tumor cancer treatment. Based in Agoura Hills, California, the company utilizes its proprietary Tmod™ platform to create T cell therapies that accurately differentiate between solid tumors and normal cells. This platform allows for the identification and engineering of binders derived from antibodies or T cell receptors, optimizing precision in targeting cancer cells. A2 Biotherapeutics specifically addresses various cancer types, including head, neck, pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancers, as well as cancer testis antigens. By engineering T cells to recognize genetic material loss in tumors, the company aims to selectively kill tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue. Founded in 2017, A2 Biotherapeutics continues to advance the field of cancer therapy through its innovative approaches.

RAPT Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing orally delivered small-molecule therapies for oncology and inflammatory diseases. It uses a proprietary discovery and development engine to create highly selective compounds that modulate immune responses. The company's lead oncology candidate, FLX475, targets the C-C motif chemokine receptor 4 and is in a Phase 1/2 program as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab. The lead inflammation candidate, RPT193, is designed to selectively inhibit migration of type 2 T helper cells into inflamed tissues. Additional targets such as general control nonderepressible 2 and hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 are in discovery. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in South San Francisco, the company aims to address unmet medical needs in cancer and inflammatory diseases.

Nura Bio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing neuroprotective therapies. Its lead drug candidate, NB-4746, inhibits the SARM1 protein to prevent nerve damage in neurological diseases. The company aims to advance this therapy towards phase 1b/2 trials by 2025.

Circle Pharma, Inc. is an early-stage biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California, founded in 2012 by Matt Jacobson and Scott Lokey. The company specializes in developing cell-permeable macrocyclic peptide therapeutics aimed at critical clinical targets. It employs proprietary computational design algorithms and innovative synthetic chemistry to create first-in-class macrocycle therapies that can be administered through various routes, including oral delivery. Circle Pharma's platform utilizes structure-based rational drug design and an iterative process to generate large virtual libraries of diverse macrocycle scaffolds, which are selected for their permeability. This approach enables the company to address challenging targets, particularly in the context of intracellular protein-protein interactions that play a significant role in cancer, thereby fulfilling unmet clinical needs. The company is led by David J. Earp.

NGM Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing innovative therapeutics for cardio-metabolic, liver, oncologic, and ophthalmic diseases. Incorporated in 2007 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, the company is engaged in creating novel treatments informed by key biological pathways. Its product candidates include Aldafermin, an engineered variant of the FGF19 hormone currently in Phase 2b clinical trials for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and NGM313, an agonistic antibody in Phase 1b trials for type 2 diabetes and NASH. Other candidates in development include NGM395 for metabolic syndrome, NGM120 to address cancer anorexia/cachexia syndrome, NGM217 aimed at improving insulin production in diabetes patients, and NGM621 to target a protein involved in age-related macular degeneration. NGM Biopharmaceuticals collaborates with Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. to advance its research and development efforts in creating impactful medicines that enhance patient health.

Circle Pharma, Inc. is an early-stage biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California, founded in 2012 by Matt Jacobson and Scott Lokey. The company specializes in developing cell-permeable macrocyclic peptide therapeutics aimed at critical clinical targets. It employs proprietary computational design algorithms and innovative synthetic chemistry to create first-in-class macrocycle therapies that can be administered through various routes, including oral delivery. Circle Pharma's platform utilizes structure-based rational drug design and an iterative process to generate large virtual libraries of diverse macrocycle scaffolds, which are selected for their permeability. This approach enables the company to address challenging targets, particularly in the context of intracellular protein-protein interactions that play a significant role in cancer, thereby fulfilling unmet clinical needs. The company is led by David J. Earp.

Surrozen, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California, focused on developing targeted regenerative antibodies to enhance tissue and organ repair in response to serious diseases. Founded in 2015, the company specializes in modulating the Wnt pathway, a crucial mediator of tissue regeneration, through its innovative antibody platforms that target specific organs and tissues. Notable programs include SZN-043, designed to stimulate liver regeneration in both acute and chronic liver diseases, and SZN-1326, aimed at repairing damaged epithelial tissue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Surrozen's approach extends to multiple organ systems, with potential applications in the intestine, liver, retina, cornea, lung, kidney, cochlea, skin, pancreas, and central nervous system.

Kenai Therapeutics specializes in developing innovative therapies for neurodegenerative movement disorders. The company focuses on providing off-the-shelf neuron replacement medicines as effective disease-modifying treatments, enabling doctors to employ new techniques for treating neurological conditions such as Parkinson's.

Tenaya Therapeutics is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for heart disease and heart failure. It operates three product platforms: cellular regeneration, which aims to regenerate heart tissue by reprogramming cardiac fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes via delivery of proprietary transcription factors; gene therapy, which targets cardiac fibroblasts to deliver therapeutic payloads; and precision medicine, which enables personalized approaches to treat heart disease. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, Tenaya seeks to address the underlying cellular pathologies of diseased myocardium with curative therapies that advance from discovery through development.

Neurona Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing cell-based therapies for treating neurological disorders. Founded by neuroscientists at UCSF in 2008, the company focuses on generating therapeutic compositions of specific nerve cells for targeted delivery into the injured nervous system.

Accent Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing small molecule therapies for oncology, utilizing the emerging field of epitranscriptomics. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts, the company explores the post-transcriptional chemical modifications of RNA, which play a crucial role in regulating proteins essential for cellular growth and differentiation. By precisely targeting cancer-associated RNA-modifying proteins, Accent Therapeutics aims to innovate and deliver transformative therapies that can significantly improve patient outcomes in cancer treatment.

Tr1x specializes in developing cellular therapies aimed at treating autoimmune disorders. The company employs its proprietary platform to create innovative cell therapy products designed to reset the immune system and restore balance, thereby promoting long-term tolerance.

Remix Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the research and development of innovative small-molecule therapies aimed at reprogramming ribonucleic acid (RNA) processing to treat various diseases. Founded in 2018 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company utilizes its proprietary biology platform to discover and develop RNA processing modulators that target previously undruggable disease drivers. Through its REMseq platform, Remix Therapeutics validates therapeutic targets and optimizes chemical compounds, facilitating the identification of patterns in RNA processing. This approach allows for the modulation of gene expression, enabling healthcare practitioners to address the underlying causes of diseases by correcting, enhancing, or eliminating gene messages at their source.

Atavistik Bio is a pre-clinical biotechnology company dedicated to discovering and developing novel therapies for metabolic diseases and cancer. The company specializes in identifying metabolite-protein interactions and leveraging nature's allosteric control mechanisms to create innovative drug candidates. By focusing on genetically validated targets, Atavistik Bio aims to pioneer first-in-class treatments that harness these unique biological processes, positioning itself at the forefront of biopharmaceutical advancements.

KimiaTherapeutics is a drug discovery business that uses high throughput precision chemistry in conjunction with genome editing and machine learning to uncover druggable sites at crucial nodes of intervention in human disease.

Judo Bio is a biotechnology company developing precision therapeutics that target specific cell populations to address genetic diseases. Its innovative receptor targeting approach aims to benefit patients with both common and rare diseases.

Carmot Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Berkeley, California, with an additional office in San Francisco. Founded in 2008, it focuses on discovering and developing innovative therapies for patients with metabolic diseases, including obesity and diabetes. Utilizing its proprietary Chemotype Evolution technology, Carmot Therapeutics aims to address the underlying causes of these conditions and accelerate the discovery of effective treatments. The company’s portfolio includes several clinical-stage drug candidates, such as CT-388 and CT-996, which are designed as GLP-1 receptor agonists for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and CT-868, intended for type 1 diabetes patients who are overweight or obese. Through these efforts, Carmot Therapeutics seeks to create life-changing therapeutics that improve the health outcomes of individuals affected by metabolic diseases.

Synthekine Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Menlo Park, California, specializing in the development of engineered cytokine therapies and immunotherapies aimed at treating cancer and autoimmune disorders. Founded in 2018, Synthekine utilizes advanced platform technologies, including engineered partial agonists and orthogonal cell therapies, to enhance the efficacy of cytokines while minimizing their toxic side effects. The company's innovative Synthekine Platform employs surrogate agonists instead of traditional mutant cytokines to create selective immunotherapies. Its product pipeline features candidates such as STK-009, an orthogonal ligand paired with SYNCAR-001, an orthogonal receptor-modified CAR-T therapy targeting CD-19. Additionally, Synthekine is developing STK-012, partial agonists of IL-2, and other novel immunotherapies that integrate cytokine receptors to initiate new signaling pathways without relying on wild-type cytokines.

Cajal Neuroscience is a biotechnology company dedicated to discovering novel targets and therapeutics for neurodegeneration. It integrates human genetics, functional genomics, and advanced microscopy to accelerate drug discovery in this field.

Escient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in San Diego, California, specializing in the development and manufacture of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-targeted drugs aimed at treating neuro-immuno-inflammatory and autoreactive diseases. Founded in 2017, Escient focuses on harnessing the therapeutic potential of specific orphan GPCRs, particularly the Mas-Related G-Protein Receptors (Mrgprs). The company aims to provide innovative therapies for a variety of conditions, including mast cell-mediated disorders and cholestatic pruritus, thereby expanding treatment options for healthcare providers facing these complex diseases.

Casma Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that specializes in developing innovative therapeutic strategies centered on the natural cellular process of autophagy. Founded in 2017, the company aims to enhance autophagy to improve the clearance of unwanted proteins, organelles, and pathogens, thereby addressing significant medical challenges. Casma Therapeutics is advancing preclinical programs targeting various conditions, including muscle disorders, liver disease, inflammatory disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. By harnessing and manipulating the autophagy system, the company seeks to arrest or reverse disease progression, ultimately enabling physicians to meet unmet medical needs and provide effective treatments for patients with serious health issues.

Carmot Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Berkeley, California, with an additional office in San Francisco. Founded in 2008, it focuses on discovering and developing innovative therapies for patients with metabolic diseases, including obesity and diabetes. Utilizing its proprietary Chemotype Evolution technology, Carmot Therapeutics aims to address the underlying causes of these conditions and accelerate the discovery of effective treatments. The company’s portfolio includes several clinical-stage drug candidates, such as CT-388 and CT-996, which are designed as GLP-1 receptor agonists for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and CT-868, intended for type 1 diabetes patients who are overweight or obese. Through these efforts, Carmot Therapeutics seeks to create life-changing therapeutics that improve the health outcomes of individuals affected by metabolic diseases.

Remix Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the research and development of innovative small-molecule therapies aimed at reprogramming ribonucleic acid (RNA) processing to treat various diseases. Founded in 2018 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company utilizes its proprietary biology platform to discover and develop RNA processing modulators that target previously undruggable disease drivers. Through its REMseq platform, Remix Therapeutics validates therapeutic targets and optimizes chemical compounds, facilitating the identification of patterns in RNA processing. This approach allows for the modulation of gene expression, enabling healthcare practitioners to address the underlying causes of diseases by correcting, enhancing, or eliminating gene messages at their source.

Plexium, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in San Diego, California, specializing in the development of targeted protein degradation therapeutics aimed at treating cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Founded in 2017, Plexium focuses on identifying E3 ligase modulating small molecules to create innovative therapies. The company has developed a screening platform known as DELPhe, which utilizes advanced techniques to miniaturize cell-based assays for high-content readouts. This platform enables the modulation of E3 ligases to selectively target various cancers, including small cell lung and breast tumors, while also inducing immune responses. By exploring next-generation drug candidates that extend beyond traditional approaches, Plexium is poised to uncover new therapeutic possibilities across a wide range of medical applications.

Kallyope Inc. is a biotechnology company based in New York City that focuses on understanding the gut-brain axis to develop innovative therapeutics and consumer products aimed at enhancing human health. Established in 2014, Kallyope employs advanced technologies, including sequencing, computational biology, neural imaging, and human genetics, to explore gut-brain biology. The company aims to address significant unmet medical needs, such as diabetes, obesity, gut disorders, inflammatory diseases, migraines, and allergies, by creating effective and user-friendly oral agents. Kallyope's team consists of experienced scientists from leading institutions, working alongside a skilled team with a strong track record in drug discovery and development. Through its research, Kallyope seeks to deliver transformative solutions that improve overall health outcomes.

Eikon Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company that uses proprietary live-cell imaging platforms to discover and develop therapeutics for chronic and life-threatening diseases. Founded in 2019 and based in Hayward, California, the company applies super-resolution, single-molecule, and real-time molecular-resolution observations to study how compounds interact with individual proteins in living cells. By integrating biology, engineering, and chemistry, Eikon seeks to identify previously intractable targets, accelerate the drug-discovery process, and expand its clinical pipeline through platforms that reveal target biology and compound-protein interactions in their native cellular context.

Velia operates a biotechnology platform designed to propel the advancement of targeted therapies. It offers extensive genomic and proteomic data analysis, sophisticated bioinformatics, and customizable research tools, empowering pharmaceutical and biotech companies to expedite drug discovery and development.

Founded in 2015 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Obsidian Therapeutics develops next-generation controllable cell and gene therapies designed to extend adoptive immunotherapy to every cancer patient. Its innovative approach uses pharmacologic operating systems to precisely control protein activity in cells, enabling physicians to improve upon current cell therapies using simple, safe, orally-active marketed drugs.

eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in San Diego, California, that specializes in the development of selective translation regulators for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases. Founded in 2012, the company is pioneering a new class of oncology drugs known as selective translation regulator inhibitors (STRIs). These drug candidates specifically target the eIF4F complex and its associated kinase, MNK 1/2, which play critical roles in protein synthesis and are linked to prominent cancer signaling pathways such as PI3K-AKT and RAS-MEK. eFFECTOR's products aim to inhibit pathways that drive tumor growth, survival, and immune evasion by regulating the expression of oncoproteins and immunosuppressive proteins. The lead candidate, tomivosertib, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2b trial for non-small cell lung cancer in combination with pembrolizumab. Additionally, zotatifin, an inhibitor of eIF4A, is undergoing dose-escalation in a Phase 1/2 trial, with further expansion cohorts anticipated. The company also collaborates with Pfizer to advance inhibitors targeting eIF4E.

Atavistik Bio is a pre-clinical biotechnology company dedicated to discovering and developing novel therapies for metabolic diseases and cancer. The company specializes in identifying metabolite-protein interactions and leveraging nature's allosteric control mechanisms to create innovative drug candidates. By focusing on genetically validated targets, Atavistik Bio aims to pioneer first-in-class treatments that harness these unique biological processes, positioning itself at the forefront of biopharmaceutical advancements.

Surrozen, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California, focused on developing targeted regenerative antibodies to enhance tissue and organ repair in response to serious diseases. Founded in 2015, the company specializes in modulating the Wnt pathway, a crucial mediator of tissue regeneration, through its innovative antibody platforms that target specific organs and tissues. Notable programs include SZN-043, designed to stimulate liver regeneration in both acute and chronic liver diseases, and SZN-1326, aimed at repairing damaged epithelial tissue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Surrozen's approach extends to multiple organ systems, with potential applications in the intestine, liver, retina, cornea, lung, kidney, cochlea, skin, pancreas, and central nervous system.

Neurona Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing cell-based therapies for treating neurological disorders. Founded by neuroscientists at UCSF in 2008, the company focuses on generating therapeutic compositions of specific nerve cells for targeted delivery into the injured nervous system.

Circle Pharma, Inc. is an early-stage biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California, founded in 2012 by Matt Jacobson and Scott Lokey. The company specializes in developing cell-permeable macrocyclic peptide therapeutics aimed at critical clinical targets. It employs proprietary computational design algorithms and innovative synthetic chemistry to create first-in-class macrocycle therapies that can be administered through various routes, including oral delivery. Circle Pharma's platform utilizes structure-based rational drug design and an iterative process to generate large virtual libraries of diverse macrocycle scaffolds, which are selected for their permeability. This approach enables the company to address challenging targets, particularly in the context of intracellular protein-protein interactions that play a significant role in cancer, thereby fulfilling unmet clinical needs. The company is led by David J. Earp.

Ribon Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company founded in 2015 and headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts. The company focuses on developing novel therapeutics that target monoPARP proteins, which are critical regulators of cancer cell survival mechanisms. By leveraging insights from its scientific founders, Ribon is establishing a proprietary drug discovery platform aimed at investigating the molecular actions and biological functions of a specific subset of the PARP protein family. This platform enables Ribon to create a pipeline of innovative small molecule inhibitors designed to disrupt the fundamental survival capabilities of cancer cells under stress. In addition to cancer treatment, the company's research may have implications for addressing other diseases. Ribon is supported by notable life science investors, which enhances its capacity to advance its therapeutic developments.

Synthekine Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Menlo Park, California, specializing in the development of engineered cytokine therapies and immunotherapies aimed at treating cancer and autoimmune disorders. Founded in 2018, Synthekine utilizes advanced platform technologies, including engineered partial agonists and orthogonal cell therapies, to enhance the efficacy of cytokines while minimizing their toxic side effects. The company's innovative Synthekine Platform employs surrogate agonists instead of traditional mutant cytokines to create selective immunotherapies. Its product pipeline features candidates such as STK-009, an orthogonal ligand paired with SYNCAR-001, an orthogonal receptor-modified CAR-T therapy targeting CD-19. Additionally, Synthekine is developing STK-012, partial agonists of IL-2, and other novel immunotherapies that integrate cytokine receptors to initiate new signaling pathways without relying on wild-type cytokines.

Eikon Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company that uses proprietary live-cell imaging platforms to discover and develop therapeutics for chronic and life-threatening diseases. Founded in 2019 and based in Hayward, California, the company applies super-resolution, single-molecule, and real-time molecular-resolution observations to study how compounds interact with individual proteins in living cells. By integrating biology, engineering, and chemistry, Eikon seeks to identify previously intractable targets, accelerate the drug-discovery process, and expand its clinical pipeline through platforms that reveal target biology and compound-protein interactions in their native cellular context.

Tenaya Therapeutics is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for heart disease and heart failure. It operates three product platforms: cellular regeneration, which aims to regenerate heart tissue by reprogramming cardiac fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes via delivery of proprietary transcription factors; gene therapy, which targets cardiac fibroblasts to deliver therapeutic payloads; and precision medicine, which enables personalized approaches to treat heart disease. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, Tenaya seeks to address the underlying cellular pathologies of diseased myocardium with curative therapies that advance from discovery through development.

Plexium, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in San Diego, California, specializing in the development of targeted protein degradation therapeutics aimed at treating cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Founded in 2017, Plexium focuses on identifying E3 ligase modulating small molecules to create innovative therapies. The company has developed a screening platform known as DELPhe, which utilizes advanced techniques to miniaturize cell-based assays for high-content readouts. This platform enables the modulation of E3 ligases to selectively target various cancers, including small cell lung and breast tumors, while also inducing immune responses. By exploring next-generation drug candidates that extend beyond traditional approaches, Plexium is poised to uncover new therapeutic possibilities across a wide range of medical applications.

Remix Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the research and development of innovative small-molecule therapies aimed at reprogramming ribonucleic acid (RNA) processing to treat various diseases. Founded in 2018 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company utilizes its proprietary biology platform to discover and develop RNA processing modulators that target previously undruggable disease drivers. Through its REMseq platform, Remix Therapeutics validates therapeutic targets and optimizes chemical compounds, facilitating the identification of patterns in RNA processing. This approach allows for the modulation of gene expression, enabling healthcare practitioners to address the underlying causes of diseases by correcting, enhancing, or eliminating gene messages at their source.

A2 Biotherapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing innovative cell therapies for tumor cancer treatment. Based in Agoura Hills, California, the company utilizes its proprietary Tmod™ platform to create T cell therapies that accurately differentiate between solid tumors and normal cells. This platform allows for the identification and engineering of binders derived from antibodies or T cell receptors, optimizing precision in targeting cancer cells. A2 Biotherapeutics specifically addresses various cancer types, including head, neck, pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancers, as well as cancer testis antigens. By engineering T cells to recognize genetic material loss in tumors, the company aims to selectively kill tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue. Founded in 2017, A2 Biotherapeutics continues to advance the field of cancer therapy through its innovative approaches.

Carmot Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Berkeley, California, with an additional office in San Francisco. Founded in 2008, it focuses on discovering and developing innovative therapies for patients with metabolic diseases, including obesity and diabetes. Utilizing its proprietary Chemotype Evolution technology, Carmot Therapeutics aims to address the underlying causes of these conditions and accelerate the discovery of effective treatments. The company’s portfolio includes several clinical-stage drug candidates, such as CT-388 and CT-996, which are designed as GLP-1 receptor agonists for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and CT-868, intended for type 1 diabetes patients who are overweight or obese. Through these efforts, Carmot Therapeutics seeks to create life-changing therapeutics that improve the health outcomes of individuals affected by metabolic diseases.

Synthekine Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Menlo Park, California, specializing in the development of engineered cytokine therapies and immunotherapies aimed at treating cancer and autoimmune disorders. Founded in 2018, Synthekine utilizes advanced platform technologies, including engineered partial agonists and orthogonal cell therapies, to enhance the efficacy of cytokines while minimizing their toxic side effects. The company's innovative Synthekine Platform employs surrogate agonists instead of traditional mutant cytokines to create selective immunotherapies. Its product pipeline features candidates such as STK-009, an orthogonal ligand paired with SYNCAR-001, an orthogonal receptor-modified CAR-T therapy targeting CD-19. Additionally, Synthekine is developing STK-012, partial agonists of IL-2, and other novel immunotherapies that integrate cytokine receptors to initiate new signaling pathways without relying on wild-type cytokines.

Escient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in San Diego, California, specializing in the development and manufacture of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-targeted drugs aimed at treating neuro-immuno-inflammatory and autoreactive diseases. Founded in 2017, Escient focuses on harnessing the therapeutic potential of specific orphan GPCRs, particularly the Mas-Related G-Protein Receptors (Mrgprs). The company aims to provide innovative therapies for a variety of conditions, including mast cell-mediated disorders and cholestatic pruritus, thereby expanding treatment options for healthcare providers facing these complex diseases.

Casma Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that specializes in developing innovative therapeutic strategies centered on the natural cellular process of autophagy. Founded in 2017, the company aims to enhance autophagy to improve the clearance of unwanted proteins, organelles, and pathogens, thereby addressing significant medical challenges. Casma Therapeutics is advancing preclinical programs targeting various conditions, including muscle disorders, liver disease, inflammatory disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. By harnessing and manipulating the autophagy system, the company seeks to arrest or reverse disease progression, ultimately enabling physicians to meet unmet medical needs and provide effective treatments for patients with serious health issues.

Nura Bio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing neuroprotective therapies. Its lead drug candidate, NB-4746, inhibits the SARM1 protein to prevent nerve damage in neurological diseases. The company aims to advance this therapy towards phase 1b/2 trials by 2025.

Surrozen, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California, focused on developing targeted regenerative antibodies to enhance tissue and organ repair in response to serious diseases. Founded in 2015, the company specializes in modulating the Wnt pathway, a crucial mediator of tissue regeneration, through its innovative antibody platforms that target specific organs and tissues. Notable programs include SZN-043, designed to stimulate liver regeneration in both acute and chronic liver diseases, and SZN-1326, aimed at repairing damaged epithelial tissue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Surrozen's approach extends to multiple organ systems, with potential applications in the intestine, liver, retina, cornea, lung, kidney, cochlea, skin, pancreas, and central nervous system.

Accent Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing small molecule therapies for oncology, utilizing the emerging field of epitranscriptomics. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts, the company explores the post-transcriptional chemical modifications of RNA, which play a crucial role in regulating proteins essential for cellular growth and differentiation. By precisely targeting cancer-associated RNA-modifying proteins, Accent Therapeutics aims to innovate and deliver transformative therapies that can significantly improve patient outcomes in cancer treatment.

Circle Pharma, Inc. is an early-stage biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California, founded in 2012 by Matt Jacobson and Scott Lokey. The company specializes in developing cell-permeable macrocyclic peptide therapeutics aimed at critical clinical targets. It employs proprietary computational design algorithms and innovative synthetic chemistry to create first-in-class macrocycle therapies that can be administered through various routes, including oral delivery. Circle Pharma's platform utilizes structure-based rational drug design and an iterative process to generate large virtual libraries of diverse macrocycle scaffolds, which are selected for their permeability. This approach enables the company to address challenging targets, particularly in the context of intracellular protein-protein interactions that play a significant role in cancer, thereby fulfilling unmet clinical needs. The company is led by David J. Earp.

Nurix Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing oral small-molecule therapies that modulate cellular protein levels to treat cancer and immune disorders. It operates DELigase, an integrated discovery platform that targets E3 ligases to alter protein abundance within cells. The company's product pipeline includes targeted protein degraders such as NX-2127, an oral Bruton's tyrosine kinase degrader for relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies, and NX-1607, an oral Casitas B-lineage lymphoma proto-oncogene-B inhibitor for immuno-oncology indications; these are in preclinical stages. Nurix also explores inhibitors of CBL-B, an E3 ligase that regulates T cell activation. The company collaborates with major industry partners, including Gilead Sciences and Sanofi, and was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in San Francisco.

Kallyope Inc. is a biotechnology company based in New York City that focuses on understanding the gut-brain axis to develop innovative therapeutics and consumer products aimed at enhancing human health. Established in 2014, Kallyope employs advanced technologies, including sequencing, computational biology, neural imaging, and human genetics, to explore gut-brain biology. The company aims to address significant unmet medical needs, such as diabetes, obesity, gut disorders, inflammatory diseases, migraines, and allergies, by creating effective and user-friendly oral agents. Kallyope's team consists of experienced scientists from leading institutions, working alongside a skilled team with a strong track record in drug discovery and development. Through its research, Kallyope seeks to deliver transformative solutions that improve overall health outcomes.

A2 Biotherapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing innovative cell therapies for tumor cancer treatment. Based in Agoura Hills, California, the company utilizes its proprietary Tmod™ platform to create T cell therapies that accurately differentiate between solid tumors and normal cells. This platform allows for the identification and engineering of binders derived from antibodies or T cell receptors, optimizing precision in targeting cancer cells. A2 Biotherapeutics specifically addresses various cancer types, including head, neck, pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancers, as well as cancer testis antigens. By engineering T cells to recognize genetic material loss in tumors, the company aims to selectively kill tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue. Founded in 2017, A2 Biotherapeutics continues to advance the field of cancer therapy through its innovative approaches.

Plexium, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in San Diego, California, specializing in the development of targeted protein degradation therapeutics aimed at treating cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Founded in 2017, Plexium focuses on identifying E3 ligase modulating small molecules to create innovative therapies. The company has developed a screening platform known as DELPhe, which utilizes advanced techniques to miniaturize cell-based assays for high-content readouts. This platform enables the modulation of E3 ligases to selectively target various cancers, including small cell lung and breast tumors, while also inducing immune responses. By exploring next-generation drug candidates that extend beyond traditional approaches, Plexium is poised to uncover new therapeutic possibilities across a wide range of medical applications.

Tenaya Therapeutics is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for heart disease and heart failure. It operates three product platforms: cellular regeneration, which aims to regenerate heart tissue by reprogramming cardiac fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes via delivery of proprietary transcription factors; gene therapy, which targets cardiac fibroblasts to deliver therapeutic payloads; and precision medicine, which enables personalized approaches to treat heart disease. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, Tenaya seeks to address the underlying cellular pathologies of diseased myocardium with curative therapies that advance from discovery through development.

Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative therapeutics for unmet medical needs in cancer treatment. The company specializes in the field of epigenetics, aiming to address cancers associated with abnormal gene expression and drug resistance. Its lead product candidates include CPI-0610, which is undergoing Phase II clinical trials for myelofibrosis in combination with ruxolitinib, and CPI-1205, currently in Phase Ib/II trials for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in conjunction with androgen receptor signaling inhibitors. Additionally, Constellation is developing CPI-0209, which is in the Phase I dose escalation stage of a Phase I/II trial aimed at treating solid tumors. Founded in 2008, the company was previously known as Epigenetix, Inc. before rebranding to its current name in March 2008.

ORIC Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving patients' lives by developing therapies that overcome resistance in cancer. Its lead product candidate, ORIC-101, targets the glucocorticoid receptor linked to resistance across various solid tumors. ORIC's second product candidate, ORIC-533, inhibits CD73 to address resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The company is also developing precision medicines targeting other cancer resistance mechanisms.

Revolution Medicines is a clinical-stage precision oncology company focused on developing novel targeted therapies to inhibit difficult growth and survival pathways, with an emphasis on RAS and mTOR signaling. Its portfolio includes RMC-4630, a SHP2 inhibitor, and programs addressing RAS-driven signaling via SOS1 and downstream 4EBP1/mTORC1 pathways. The company pursues a chemistry-based approach that assembles simple building blocks into drug-like, natural product-inspired structures, aiming to produce best-in-class candidates. It operates in collaboration with academic partners, including a licensing arrangement with the University of Illinois to extend its transformative synthesis technology, which underpins its drug discovery platform.

RAPT Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing orally delivered small-molecule therapies for oncology and inflammatory diseases. It uses a proprietary discovery and development engine to create highly selective compounds that modulate immune responses. The company's lead oncology candidate, FLX475, targets the C-C motif chemokine receptor 4 and is in a Phase 1/2 program as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab. The lead inflammation candidate, RPT193, is designed to selectively inhibit migration of type 2 T helper cells into inflamed tissues. Additional targets such as general control nonderepressible 2 and hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 are in discovery. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in South San Francisco, the company aims to address unmet medical needs in cancer and inflammatory diseases.

Surrozen, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California, focused on developing targeted regenerative antibodies to enhance tissue and organ repair in response to serious diseases. Founded in 2015, the company specializes in modulating the Wnt pathway, a crucial mediator of tissue regeneration, through its innovative antibody platforms that target specific organs and tissues. Notable programs include SZN-043, designed to stimulate liver regeneration in both acute and chronic liver diseases, and SZN-1326, aimed at repairing damaged epithelial tissue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Surrozen's approach extends to multiple organ systems, with potential applications in the intestine, liver, retina, cornea, lung, kidney, cochlea, skin, pancreas, and central nervous system.

Peloton Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company based in Dallas, Texas, dedicated to developing innovative medicines for patients with cancer and other serious conditions. The company focuses on targeting HIF-2a, a transcription factor previously considered difficult to address with small molecules. Its lead drug candidate, PT2977, is an oral HIF-2a inhibitor currently undergoing Phase 2 clinical trials for advanced or metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma, and it is being evaluated in various settings, including in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease-associated renal cell carcinoma and in combination with cabozantinib. Additionally, Peloton is advancing PT2567, another oral HIF-2a inhibitor in preclinical development for non-oncology indications such as pulmonary arterial hypertension. Founded in 2010 and previously known as Damascus Pharmaceutics, Peloton Therapeutics aims to leverage its scientific expertise and collaborations to become a leading biotech company in the region.

Ribon Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company founded in 2015 and headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts. The company focuses on developing novel therapeutics that target monoPARP proteins, which are critical regulators of cancer cell survival mechanisms. By leveraging insights from its scientific founders, Ribon is establishing a proprietary drug discovery platform aimed at investigating the molecular actions and biological functions of a specific subset of the PARP protein family. This platform enables Ribon to create a pipeline of innovative small molecule inhibitors designed to disrupt the fundamental survival capabilities of cancer cells under stress. In addition to cancer treatment, the company's research may have implications for addressing other diseases. Ribon is supported by notable life science investors, which enhances its capacity to advance its therapeutic developments.

Remix Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the research and development of innovative small-molecule therapies aimed at reprogramming ribonucleic acid (RNA) processing to treat various diseases. Founded in 2018 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company utilizes its proprietary biology platform to discover and develop RNA processing modulators that target previously undruggable disease drivers. Through its REMseq platform, Remix Therapeutics validates therapeutic targets and optimizes chemical compounds, facilitating the identification of patterns in RNA processing. This approach allows for the modulation of gene expression, enabling healthcare practitioners to address the underlying causes of diseases by correcting, enhancing, or eliminating gene messages at their source.

Kallyope Inc. is a biotechnology company based in New York City that focuses on understanding the gut-brain axis to develop innovative therapeutics and consumer products aimed at enhancing human health. Established in 2014, Kallyope employs advanced technologies, including sequencing, computational biology, neural imaging, and human genetics, to explore gut-brain biology. The company aims to address significant unmet medical needs, such as diabetes, obesity, gut disorders, inflammatory diseases, migraines, and allergies, by creating effective and user-friendly oral agents. Kallyope's team consists of experienced scientists from leading institutions, working alongside a skilled team with a strong track record in drug discovery and development. Through its research, Kallyope seeks to deliver transformative solutions that improve overall health outcomes.

Accent Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing small molecule therapies for oncology, utilizing the emerging field of epitranscriptomics. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts, the company explores the post-transcriptional chemical modifications of RNA, which play a crucial role in regulating proteins essential for cellular growth and differentiation. By precisely targeting cancer-associated RNA-modifying proteins, Accent Therapeutics aims to innovate and deliver transformative therapies that can significantly improve patient outcomes in cancer treatment.

Escient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in San Diego, California, specializing in the development and manufacture of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-targeted drugs aimed at treating neuro-immuno-inflammatory and autoreactive diseases. Founded in 2017, Escient focuses on harnessing the therapeutic potential of specific orphan GPCRs, particularly the Mas-Related G-Protein Receptors (Mrgprs). The company aims to provide innovative therapies for a variety of conditions, including mast cell-mediated disorders and cholestatic pruritus, thereby expanding treatment options for healthcare providers facing these complex diseases.

Revolution Medicines is a clinical-stage precision oncology company focused on developing novel targeted therapies to inhibit difficult growth and survival pathways, with an emphasis on RAS and mTOR signaling. Its portfolio includes RMC-4630, a SHP2 inhibitor, and programs addressing RAS-driven signaling via SOS1 and downstream 4EBP1/mTORC1 pathways. The company pursues a chemistry-based approach that assembles simple building blocks into drug-like, natural product-inspired structures, aiming to produce best-in-class candidates. It operates in collaboration with academic partners, including a licensing arrangement with the University of Illinois to extend its transformative synthesis technology, which underpins its drug discovery platform.

Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative therapeutics for unmet medical needs in cancer treatment. The company specializes in the field of epigenetics, aiming to address cancers associated with abnormal gene expression and drug resistance. Its lead product candidates include CPI-0610, which is undergoing Phase II clinical trials for myelofibrosis in combination with ruxolitinib, and CPI-1205, currently in Phase Ib/II trials for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in conjunction with androgen receptor signaling inhibitors. Additionally, Constellation is developing CPI-0209, which is in the Phase I dose escalation stage of a Phase I/II trial aimed at treating solid tumors. Founded in 2008, the company was previously known as Epigenetix, Inc. before rebranding to its current name in March 2008.

Kallyope Inc. is a biotechnology company based in New York City that focuses on understanding the gut-brain axis to develop innovative therapeutics and consumer products aimed at enhancing human health. Established in 2014, Kallyope employs advanced technologies, including sequencing, computational biology, neural imaging, and human genetics, to explore gut-brain biology. The company aims to address significant unmet medical needs, such as diabetes, obesity, gut disorders, inflammatory diseases, migraines, and allergies, by creating effective and user-friendly oral agents. Kallyope's team consists of experienced scientists from leading institutions, working alongside a skilled team with a strong track record in drug discovery and development. Through its research, Kallyope seeks to deliver transformative solutions that improve overall health outcomes.

ORIC Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving patients' lives by developing therapies that overcome resistance in cancer. Its lead product candidate, ORIC-101, targets the glucocorticoid receptor linked to resistance across various solid tumors. ORIC's second product candidate, ORIC-533, inhibits CD73 to address resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The company is also developing precision medicines targeting other cancer resistance mechanisms.

ProNeurotech is a developer of neuroprotective drugs that prevent axon loss after acute injury or chronic degenerative disease. The company's business includes research in biochemistry, genetics, neurology and synthetic chemistry that drive the synthesis of the cardinal metabolite, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, enabling patients with neurodegenerative diseases to have access to treatment of neurologic and ocular diseases.

Carmot Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Berkeley, California, with an additional office in San Francisco. Founded in 2008, it focuses on discovering and developing innovative therapies for patients with metabolic diseases, including obesity and diabetes. Utilizing its proprietary Chemotype Evolution technology, Carmot Therapeutics aims to address the underlying causes of these conditions and accelerate the discovery of effective treatments. The company’s portfolio includes several clinical-stage drug candidates, such as CT-388 and CT-996, which are designed as GLP-1 receptor agonists for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and CT-868, intended for type 1 diabetes patients who are overweight or obese. Through these efforts, Carmot Therapeutics seeks to create life-changing therapeutics that improve the health outcomes of individuals affected by metabolic diseases.

RAPT Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing orally delivered small-molecule therapies for oncology and inflammatory diseases. It uses a proprietary discovery and development engine to create highly selective compounds that modulate immune responses. The company's lead oncology candidate, FLX475, targets the C-C motif chemokine receptor 4 and is in a Phase 1/2 program as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab. The lead inflammation candidate, RPT193, is designed to selectively inhibit migration of type 2 T helper cells into inflamed tissues. Additional targets such as general control nonderepressible 2 and hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 are in discovery. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in South San Francisco, the company aims to address unmet medical needs in cancer and inflammatory diseases.

Exonics Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing gene editing technologies to address severe genetic neuromuscular disorders, particularly Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with an additional office in Dallas, Texas, Exonics employs CRISPR/Cas9 technology to create potential one-time therapies that permanently correct mutations responsible for DMD. The company's innovative approach utilizes adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors to deliver gene editing components that target and correct exon mutations, thereby facilitating the production of dystrophin, a crucial protein that stabilizes and protects muscle fibers. By enabling the restoration of dystrophin production, Exonics aims to significantly improve the quality of life for patients affected by this debilitating condition. The company operates as a subsidiary of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.

Gritstone bio is a biotechnology company focused on developing immunotherapies for cancer and infectious diseases. The company initially concentrated on tumor-specific neoantigens but has expanded its programs to include viral antigens found on the surface of infected cells. Gritstone bio's approach leverages the body's natural immune system recognition of targets on abnormal cells, which is applicable to both anti-tumor and anti-viral immunity. Their pipeline includes several product candidates for treating solid tumors, such as GRANITE, SLATE, and CORAL. The company operates in a field that has seen significant advancements with the development and commercialization of immunotherapy drugs like checkpoint inhibitors, transforming cancer treatment.

eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in San Diego, California, that specializes in the development of selective translation regulators for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases. Founded in 2012, the company is pioneering a new class of oncology drugs known as selective translation regulator inhibitors (STRIs). These drug candidates specifically target the eIF4F complex and its associated kinase, MNK 1/2, which play critical roles in protein synthesis and are linked to prominent cancer signaling pathways such as PI3K-AKT and RAS-MEK. eFFECTOR's products aim to inhibit pathways that drive tumor growth, survival, and immune evasion by regulating the expression of oncoproteins and immunosuppressive proteins. The lead candidate, tomivosertib, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2b trial for non-small cell lung cancer in combination with pembrolizumab. Additionally, zotatifin, an inhibitor of eIF4A, is undergoing dose-escalation in a Phase 1/2 trial, with further expansion cohorts anticipated. The company also collaborates with Pfizer to advance inhibitors targeting eIF4E.

Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative therapeutics for unmet medical needs in cancer treatment. The company specializes in the field of epigenetics, aiming to address cancers associated with abnormal gene expression and drug resistance. Its lead product candidates include CPI-0610, which is undergoing Phase II clinical trials for myelofibrosis in combination with ruxolitinib, and CPI-1205, currently in Phase Ib/II trials for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in conjunction with androgen receptor signaling inhibitors. Additionally, Constellation is developing CPI-0209, which is in the Phase I dose escalation stage of a Phase I/II trial aimed at treating solid tumors. Founded in 2008, the company was previously known as Epigenetix, Inc. before rebranding to its current name in March 2008.

Surrozen, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California, focused on developing targeted regenerative antibodies to enhance tissue and organ repair in response to serious diseases. Founded in 2015, the company specializes in modulating the Wnt pathway, a crucial mediator of tissue regeneration, through its innovative antibody platforms that target specific organs and tissues. Notable programs include SZN-043, designed to stimulate liver regeneration in both acute and chronic liver diseases, and SZN-1326, aimed at repairing damaged epithelial tissue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Surrozen's approach extends to multiple organ systems, with potential applications in the intestine, liver, retina, cornea, lung, kidney, cochlea, skin, pancreas, and central nervous system.

Revolution Medicines is a clinical-stage precision oncology company focused on developing novel targeted therapies to inhibit difficult growth and survival pathways, with an emphasis on RAS and mTOR signaling. Its portfolio includes RMC-4630, a SHP2 inhibitor, and programs addressing RAS-driven signaling via SOS1 and downstream 4EBP1/mTORC1 pathways. The company pursues a chemistry-based approach that assembles simple building blocks into drug-like, natural product-inspired structures, aiming to produce best-in-class candidates. It operates in collaboration with academic partners, including a licensing arrangement with the University of Illinois to extend its transformative synthesis technology, which underpins its drug discovery platform.

Tenaya Therapeutics is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for heart disease and heart failure. It operates three product platforms: cellular regeneration, which aims to regenerate heart tissue by reprogramming cardiac fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes via delivery of proprietary transcription factors; gene therapy, which targets cardiac fibroblasts to deliver therapeutic payloads; and precision medicine, which enables personalized approaches to treat heart disease. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, Tenaya seeks to address the underlying cellular pathologies of diseased myocardium with curative therapies that advance from discovery through development.

Peloton Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company based in Dallas, Texas, dedicated to developing innovative medicines for patients with cancer and other serious conditions. The company focuses on targeting HIF-2a, a transcription factor previously considered difficult to address with small molecules. Its lead drug candidate, PT2977, is an oral HIF-2a inhibitor currently undergoing Phase 2 clinical trials for advanced or metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma, and it is being evaluated in various settings, including in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease-associated renal cell carcinoma and in combination with cabozantinib. Additionally, Peloton is advancing PT2567, another oral HIF-2a inhibitor in preclinical development for non-oncology indications such as pulmonary arterial hypertension. Founded in 2010 and previously known as Damascus Pharmaceutics, Peloton Therapeutics aims to leverage its scientific expertise and collaborations to become a leading biotech company in the region.

RAPT Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing orally delivered small-molecule therapies for oncology and inflammatory diseases. It uses a proprietary discovery and development engine to create highly selective compounds that modulate immune responses. The company's lead oncology candidate, FLX475, targets the C-C motif chemokine receptor 4 and is in a Phase 1/2 program as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab. The lead inflammation candidate, RPT193, is designed to selectively inhibit migration of type 2 T helper cells into inflamed tissues. Additional targets such as general control nonderepressible 2 and hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 are in discovery. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in South San Francisco, the company aims to address unmet medical needs in cancer and inflammatory diseases.

Ribon Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company founded in 2015 and headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts. The company focuses on developing novel therapeutics that target monoPARP proteins, which are critical regulators of cancer cell survival mechanisms. By leveraging insights from its scientific founders, Ribon is establishing a proprietary drug discovery platform aimed at investigating the molecular actions and biological functions of a specific subset of the PARP protein family. This platform enables Ribon to create a pipeline of innovative small molecule inhibitors designed to disrupt the fundamental survival capabilities of cancer cells under stress. In addition to cancer treatment, the company's research may have implications for addressing other diseases. Ribon is supported by notable life science investors, which enhances its capacity to advance its therapeutic developments.

eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in San Diego, California, that specializes in the development of selective translation regulators for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases. Founded in 2012, the company is pioneering a new class of oncology drugs known as selective translation regulator inhibitors (STRIs). These drug candidates specifically target the eIF4F complex and its associated kinase, MNK 1/2, which play critical roles in protein synthesis and are linked to prominent cancer signaling pathways such as PI3K-AKT and RAS-MEK. eFFECTOR's products aim to inhibit pathways that drive tumor growth, survival, and immune evasion by regulating the expression of oncoproteins and immunosuppressive proteins. The lead candidate, tomivosertib, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2b trial for non-small cell lung cancer in combination with pembrolizumab. Additionally, zotatifin, an inhibitor of eIF4A, is undergoing dose-escalation in a Phase 1/2 trial, with further expansion cohorts anticipated. The company also collaborates with Pfizer to advance inhibitors targeting eIF4E.

Ribon Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company founded in 2015 and headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts. The company focuses on developing novel therapeutics that target monoPARP proteins, which are critical regulators of cancer cell survival mechanisms. By leveraging insights from its scientific founders, Ribon is establishing a proprietary drug discovery platform aimed at investigating the molecular actions and biological functions of a specific subset of the PARP protein family. This platform enables Ribon to create a pipeline of innovative small molecule inhibitors designed to disrupt the fundamental survival capabilities of cancer cells under stress. In addition to cancer treatment, the company's research may have implications for addressing other diseases. Ribon is supported by notable life science investors, which enhances its capacity to advance its therapeutic developments.

Kallyope Inc. is a biotechnology company based in New York City that focuses on understanding the gut-brain axis to develop innovative therapeutics and consumer products aimed at enhancing human health. Established in 2014, Kallyope employs advanced technologies, including sequencing, computational biology, neural imaging, and human genetics, to explore gut-brain biology. The company aims to address significant unmet medical needs, such as diabetes, obesity, gut disorders, inflammatory diseases, migraines, and allergies, by creating effective and user-friendly oral agents. Kallyope's team consists of experienced scientists from leading institutions, working alongside a skilled team with a strong track record in drug discovery and development. Through its research, Kallyope seeks to deliver transformative solutions that improve overall health outcomes.

Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative therapeutics for unmet medical needs in cancer treatment. The company specializes in the field of epigenetics, aiming to address cancers associated with abnormal gene expression and drug resistance. Its lead product candidates include CPI-0610, which is undergoing Phase II clinical trials for myelofibrosis in combination with ruxolitinib, and CPI-1205, currently in Phase Ib/II trials for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in conjunction with androgen receptor signaling inhibitors. Additionally, Constellation is developing CPI-0209, which is in the Phase I dose escalation stage of a Phase I/II trial aimed at treating solid tumors. Founded in 2008, the company was previously known as Epigenetix, Inc. before rebranding to its current name in March 2008.

ORIC Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving patients' lives by developing therapies that overcome resistance in cancer. Its lead product candidate, ORIC-101, targets the glucocorticoid receptor linked to resistance across various solid tumors. ORIC's second product candidate, ORIC-533, inhibits CD73 to address resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The company is also developing precision medicines targeting other cancer resistance mechanisms.

Neurona Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing cell-based therapies for treating neurological disorders. Founded by neuroscientists at UCSF in 2008, the company focuses on generating therapeutic compositions of specific nerve cells for targeted delivery into the injured nervous system.

Gritstone bio is a biotechnology company focused on developing immunotherapies for cancer and infectious diseases. The company initially concentrated on tumor-specific neoantigens but has expanded its programs to include viral antigens found on the surface of infected cells. Gritstone bio's approach leverages the body's natural immune system recognition of targets on abnormal cells, which is applicable to both anti-tumor and anti-viral immunity. Their pipeline includes several product candidates for treating solid tumors, such as GRANITE, SLATE, and CORAL. The company operates in a field that has seen significant advancements with the development and commercialization of immunotherapy drugs like checkpoint inhibitors, transforming cancer treatment.

NGM Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing innovative therapeutics for cardio-metabolic, liver, oncologic, and ophthalmic diseases. Incorporated in 2007 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, the company is engaged in creating novel treatments informed by key biological pathways. Its product candidates include Aldafermin, an engineered variant of the FGF19 hormone currently in Phase 2b clinical trials for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and NGM313, an agonistic antibody in Phase 1b trials for type 2 diabetes and NASH. Other candidates in development include NGM395 for metabolic syndrome, NGM120 to address cancer anorexia/cachexia syndrome, NGM217 aimed at improving insulin production in diabetes patients, and NGM621 to target a protein involved in age-related macular degeneration. NGM Biopharmaceuticals collaborates with Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. to advance its research and development efforts in creating impactful medicines that enhance patient health.

Flexus Biosciences, established in 2013 and based in San Carlos, California, is a privately-held biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative small-molecule cancer therapeutics. Its primary focus lies in targeting regulatory T cells, aiming to create novel immunotherapies that enhance the body's immune response against cancer.

ORIC Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving patients' lives by developing therapies that overcome resistance in cancer. Its lead product candidate, ORIC-101, targets the glucocorticoid receptor linked to resistance across various solid tumors. ORIC's second product candidate, ORIC-533, inhibits CD73 to address resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The company is also developing precision medicines targeting other cancer resistance mechanisms.

Nurix Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing oral small-molecule therapies that modulate cellular protein levels to treat cancer and immune disorders. It operates DELigase, an integrated discovery platform that targets E3 ligases to alter protein abundance within cells. The company's product pipeline includes targeted protein degraders such as NX-2127, an oral Bruton's tyrosine kinase degrader for relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies, and NX-1607, an oral Casitas B-lineage lymphoma proto-oncogene-B inhibitor for immuno-oncology indications; these are in preclinical stages. Nurix also explores inhibitors of CBL-B, an E3 ligase that regulates T cell activation. The company collaborates with major industry partners, including Gilead Sciences and Sanofi, and was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in San Francisco.

Igenica, Inc. is a biotherapeutic company based in Burlingame, California, that specializes in the discovery and development of antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for cancer treatment. Founded in 2008, the company focuses on creating innovative immunotherapies and functional antibodies targeting tumors. Its product pipeline includes IGN523, a humanized monoclonal antibody for various hematologic and solid tumors; IGN786, an antibody-drug conjugate; and IGN381, an immune checkpoint target that enhances the tumor microenvironment. Igenica operates with a strategic oncology research agreement with MedImmune and is supported by a leadership team experienced in antibody drug discovery and clinical development. As of 2017, Igenica operates as a subsidiary of Pierre Fabre Medicament SA, positioning it to leverage additional resources and expertise in the biotherapeutics field.

Immune Design Corp., a clinical-stage immunotherapy company based in Seattle, Washington, focuses on enabling the body's immune system to combat diseases, with a primary emphasis on cancer treatment. The company leverages its ZVex and GLAAS discovery platforms to develop innovative therapies. Its lead product candidate is G100, currently in Phase II clinical trials for treating follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma, both as a monotherapy and in combination therapy. Immune Design has collaboration and license agreements with Sanofi Pasteur. The company was founded in 2008 and operates under the umbrella of Merck & Co., Inc.

Seragon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Irvine, California, is a research-focused biopharmaceutical company dedicated to enhancing human and animal health through innovative scientific advancements. The company specializes in the development of orally active selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs), particularly targeting metastatic breast cancer. Its lead drug candidate, ARN-810, is currently under evaluation for the treatment of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. By leveraging cutting-edge research in metabolism, gene therapy, and bioinformatics, Seragon Pharmaceuticals aims to facilitate access to significant medical breakthroughs, encompassing both clinical applications and consumer products.

Nurix Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing oral small-molecule therapies that modulate cellular protein levels to treat cancer and immune disorders. It operates DELigase, an integrated discovery platform that targets E3 ligases to alter protein abundance within cells. The company's product pipeline includes targeted protein degraders such as NX-2127, an oral Bruton's tyrosine kinase degrader for relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies, and NX-1607, an oral Casitas B-lineage lymphoma proto-oncogene-B inhibitor for immuno-oncology indications; these are in preclinical stages. Nurix also explores inhibitors of CBL-B, an E3 ligase that regulates T cell activation. The company collaborates with major industry partners, including Gilead Sciences and Sanofi, and was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in San Francisco.

Aragon Pharmaceuticals is a discovery-stage small molecule company dedicated to developing therapeutics for hormone-resistant cancers, specifically targeting prostate and breast cancer. The company specializes in anti-endocrine therapies that leverage nuclear receptor biology, medicinal chemistry, and drug discovery methodologies. Aragon aims to identify and create selective androgen receptor degraders for prostate cancer and selective estrogen receptor degraders for estrogen-sensitive breast cancer, addressing the need for effective treatments in these challenging areas of oncology.