Partnology

In this weeks #MeetThePartners video Partnology Cofounder, John McIntyre, details our core values: Stay tuned for more videos as we share stories from our leaders, our philosophy on building impactful partnerships, and how we help #biotech companies navigate complex challenges. 👉 Follow us for updates and join the conversation! #Biotechnology #Biopharma #ExecutiveSearch #BiotechInvestment

Recent Funding: Tenvie Therapeutics launches with $200 million in funding from ARCH Venture Partners, F-Prime Capital, and Mubadala Capital to accelerate its pipeline of small molecules for #neurological, #cardiometabolic, and #ophthalmic diseases. Developing brain-penetrant and peripherally restricted small molecules targeting key disease drivers like #inflammation, #metabolic dysfunction, and lysosomal function. Lead programs include NLRP3 and SARM1 inhibitors, both in IND-enabling stages. Kardigan, a heart health company focused on developing multiple targeted treatments for #cardiovascular diseases using its cutting-edge research platform, raised $300M in Series A funding led by Perceptive Advisors, ARCH Venture Partners, and Sequoia Heritage to advance its portfolio. M&A, Deals, Partnerships: Light Horse Therapeutics enters $1B strategic collaboration with Novartis to identify and develop first-in-class small molecule therapeutics using its genetic screening platform and proprietary chemical libraries. The deal includes a $25M upfront payment, with potential milestone payments totaling $1B, plus royalties on licensed products. Focused on advancing #cancer treatments, the collaboration targets previously undruggable, high-value targets using Light Horse's innovative platform. Gilead Sciences and LEO Pharma have formed a strategic partnership to develop and commercialize small molecule oral STAT6 inhibitors, aimed at treating #inflammatory diseases like atopic #dermatitis, #asthma, and #COPD. Gilead will acquire LEO Pharma’s preclinical STAT6 inhibitors and lead further development of the oral programs, while LEO Pharma will focus on potential topical formulations. The deal includes a $250 million upfront payment, with the potential for LEO Pharma to earn up to $1.7 billion, plus royalties on sales of both oral and topical STAT6 products. IPOs: Maze Therapeutics has filed plans for an initial public offering, potentially becoming the first biotech #IPO of 2025. The company has multiple programs in its pipeline, including MZE829, a small molecule targeting APOL1 kidney disease, which is in Phase 2 trials. Maze claims MZE829 could be more potent than Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ drug, in Phase 3. Maze has raised almost $500M in private funding, with investors including Third Rock Ventures and ARCH Venture Partners, and recently secured $115M in a Series D round. Other Interesting News: Velia Therapeutics is winding down its operations while staying committed to the potential of its #microprotein discovery platform. Despite strong leadership, including former Gilead Sciences R&D head John McHutchison as CEO, and backing from The Column Group and Foresite Capital, the company is discontinuing operations due to strategic reasons, not a lack of scientific progress. Velia had focused on #autoimmunity and #oncology with ambitions to expand, but details on its pipeline remain limited.

In this weeks #MeetThePartners video Partnology Cofounder, John McIntyre, explains what he's most excited for in 2025! Stay tuned for more videos as we share stories from our leaders, our philosophy on building impactful partnerships, and how we help #biotech companies navigate complex challenges. 👉 Follow us for updates and join the conversation! #Biotechnology #Biopharma #ExecutiveSearch #BiotechInvestment

In this weeks #MeetThePartners video Partnology Cofounder, Ellie Laidlaw, discusses our plans for 2025! Stay tuned for more videos as we share stories from our leaders, our philosophy on building impactful partnerships, and how we help #biotech companies navigate complex challenges. 👉 Follow us for updates and join the conversation! #Biotech #Biotechnology #Biopharma #ExecutiveSearch #Partnology

Recent Funding: Aditum Bio, led by former Novartis executives Joe Jimenez and Mark Fishman, has closed its third venture fund at $428M, surpassing its $400M target. The fund aims to form 10 asset-focused companies in areas like #autoimmune diseases, #neuroscience, and #cardiometabolic disorders. Previous successes include Celexor Bio and Versanis, acquired by Eli Lilly and Company in 2023. Alongside its Oakland, CA headquarters, Aditum will open a Cambridge, MA office in 2025 to further its investment reach. M&A, Deals, Partnerships: NGM Biopharmaceuticals has granted KdT Ventures exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize NGM313, a Phase 2-ready FGFR1c/β-Klotho receptor agonist antibody. KdT Ventures has formed a new biotech company (NewCo) to focus on using NGM313 for a rare disease indication, transitioning the candidate from its prior metabolic focus. A Phase 2 proof-of-concept study is slated for 2025. NGM Bio will receive up to $608 million in upfront and milestone payments, tiered royalties on net sales, and equity in NewCo. Ikena Oncology and Inmagene Biopharmaceuticals will merge to form ImageneBio, Inc., focusing on IMG-007, a non-depleting anti-OX40 monoclonal antibody for atopic #dermatitis and other #inflammatory diseases. The new company will trade on NASDAQ under the ticker “IMA”. The transaction includes a $75 million private placement led by Deep Track Capital, Foresite Capital, RTW Investments, LP, and others, contributing to an expected total of $175 million to advance IMG-007 development. IMG-007 offers an extended half-life, silenced ADCC function, and potential best-in-class tolerability for #inflammatory conditions. Phase 2b trials for atopic dermatitis are set to begin in early 2025. RAPT Therapeutics obtains global rights (excluding China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) to JYB1904 (RPT904), a half-life extended anti-IgE monoclonal antibody. Jemincare will receive $35M upfront, up to $672.5M in milestone payments, and tiered royalties on future sales. Jemincare is conducting Phase 2 trials in #asthma and chronic spontaneous #urticaria in China, while RAPT plans a Phase 2b trial in food #allergy in late 2025. Early clinical studies of JYB1904 demonstrated over twice the half-life and enhanced IgE reduction compared to omalizumab (Xolair®), offering a potential best-in-class profile for allergic disorders. Other Interesting News: Velia Therapeutics is shutting down operations two years after raising $55M in a Series A funding led by The Column Group and Foresite Capital. CEO John McHutchison cited the decision as unrelated to the potential of microproteins or scientific progress. The biotech aimed to identify and develop therapeutics from novel microproteins hidden within the human genome. Its leadership included prominent scientists like Alan Saghatelian, Eric Olson, Richard Scheller, and Jonathan Weissman.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🎉 In this weeks #MeetThePartners video Partnology Cofounder, Ellie Laidlaw, reflects back on the highs and lows of 2024. Stay tuned for more videos as we share stories from our leaders, our philosophy on building impactful partnerships, and how we help #biotech companies navigate complex challenges. 👉 Follow us for updates and join the conversation! #Biotech #Biotechnology #Biopharma #ExecutiveSearch #Partnology

In this weeks Biotech Leader Spotlight Series we are recognizing Arthur Suckow, Ph.D., former Chief Executive Officer of DTx Pharma (acquired by Novartis). Check out his interview to learn from his experience as a biotech entrepreneur and advisor! Dr. Arthur Suckow, Ph.D. was the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer & Board Member at DTx Pharma up until their acquisition by Novartis in 2023. He has also previously worked for Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, and Regulus Therapeutics. He currently serves as an advisor for Palm Therapeutics, Actio Biosciences, Inc., Sinopia Biosciences and Transcera. Dr. Suckow's extensive experience in fatty acid pharmacology includes advancing small molecules targeting fatty acids and fatty-acid conjugated peptides into early clinical development. Dr. Suckow has received numerous awards including a Beckman Fellowship, NSF graduate research fellowship, a BIOCOM catalyst award, a CMTRF trailblazer award and many others. Dr. Suckow received his BS from the University of Delaware and his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from UC San Diego. #biotechleader #biotechexecutive #biotech #biotechnology #biopharma #therapeutics #drugdevelopment #pharmaceuticals #clinicaldevelopment

Thank you to all our friends and colleagues who came out for our Partnology Holiday Party last Friday! We celebrated with delicious food, cookie decorating, seasonal drinks, music, and holiday cheer all around. 🎄 🥂 Happy Holidays to our entire Linkedin community! We hope you enjoy time with your loved ones this holiday season and look forward to happy new year.

In this weeks #MeetThePartners video Partnology Cofounder, John McIntyre, explains how we differentiate ourselves from other search firms. Stay tuned for more videos as we share stories from our leaders, our philosophy on building impactful partnerships, and how we help #biotech companies navigate complex challenges. 👉 Follow us for updates and join the conversation! #BiotechLeadership #ExecutiveSearch #Partnology

Recent Funding: Angitia Biopharmaceuticals (LA) announces $120 Million Series C financing led by Bain Capital Life Sciences Fund LP with participation from new and existing investors, supporting the development of treatments for serious #musculoskeletal diseases. Advancing three biologics in the clinic, including AGA2118 and AGA2115 (bispecific antibodies for osteoporosis and osteogenesis imperfecta) and AGA111 (spinal fusion). Norbert Dr. Riedel, a seasoned biopharma executive, joins the Board of Directors, bringing decades of industry expertise. Recent Layoffs: San Diego-based Belharra Therapeutics is cutting 21 employees (40% of its workforce) to extend its cash runway and mitigate pressures from the current funding environment. Belharra’s non-covalent #chemoproteomics platform remains operational, with ongoing early-stage #immunology and #oncology programs supported by collaborations with Genentech and Sanofi. M&A, Deals, Partnerships: Candid Therapeutics has partnered with EpimAb Biotherapeutics, Inc., Nona Biosciences, and Ab Studio to advance its bispecific antibody pipeline for #autoimmune diseases. CEO Ken Song aims to rival existing autoimmune drugs like Humira and Rituxan, with safety data expected by 2025. Other Interesting News: Boundless Bio is discontinuing its clinical-stage candidate BBI-825, an oral RNR inhibitor for colorectal #cancer, after Phase 1/2 trial data showed issues with dose-proportional exposure and rising development complexities in the competitive BRAFV600E and KRASG12C cancer landscape. The company will focus on its CHK1 inhibitor BBI-355, which is in a Phase 1/2 trial for oncogene-amplified solid tumors, with proof-of-concept data expected in the second half of 2025. Preclinical progress on its ecDTx 3 program will lead to a development candidate nomination by mid-2025. Genesis Therapeutics (SF) expands their leadership team and eyes growth in AI-driven drug discovery. Shifeng Pan, Ph.D., joins as Chief Scientific Officer, Alla Ivanova named SVP of Engineering, and Paul A. Friedman, M.D., appointed Chairman of the Board. The new leadership appointments follow Genesis' Series B fundraising and collaboration with Gilead Sciences, fueling growth of its AI-powered GEMS platform for small molecule drug discovery. Xaira Therapeutics (SF) expands their leadership team and relocates to support AI-driven growth. Paulo Fontoura, M.D., Ph.D., appointed Chief Medical Officer (effective early 2025). Hetu Kamisetty, Ph.D., promoted to Chief Technology Officer. Xaira is relocating to Gateway of Pacific III in South San Francisco to accommodate growth and support its mission of AI-enabled drug discovery. Xaira leverages generative #AI and advanced biology to transform drug discovery, building on the pioneering work of David Baker, Xaira co-founder and recent Nobel Prize in Chemistry winner.