KayoThera, Inc. Nominates First-in-Class, Oral Inhibitor of the Retinoid Pathway in Genetically Defined Oncology Indications as a Development Candidate
Unique safety profile positions KAYO-1609 as the first retinoid pathway inhibitor to enter Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies
Company expects to file IND application with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) by the end of 2024
Seattle, WA — September 18, 2023, KayoThera, Inc. (“KayoThera”), an early-stage therapeutics company developing first-in-class, oral, small molecule inhibitors of the retinoid pathway, today announces that it has selected KAYO-1609 as its first drug development candidate. KAYO-1609 has demonstrated a differentiated safety profile across a variety of species with ideal drug-like properties. Preclinical studies in multiple models of cancer support the potential of KAYO-1609 in the treatment of genetically-defined cancers based on the molecule’s mechanism of action. With the nomination of KAYO-1609 as the development candidate, KayoThera is well-positioned for IND-enabling studies, clinical planning, and partnering activities.
Retinoid signaling is known to both inhibit helper CD4 T cells that mediate tumor cell destruction, and cause maturation of regulatory T cells that dampen the immune system’s response to cancer. Retinoid signaling further forces differentiation of monocytes into tumor-associated macrophages that can promote tumor growth and metastasis. Collectively, these activities reduce the immune system’s ability to detect and eliminate malignant cells. Inhibition of the amplified retinoid signaling found in unique tumor types could potentially restore or enhance the anti-tumor immune activity, enabling a unique approach to cancer immunotherapy in patients with few therapeutic options.
“Despite its known roles in blunting the body’s anti-tumor immune defense, previous efforts to develop retinoid signaling antagonists have failed due to unacceptable toxicity in preclinical development,” said Mark Esposito, Ph.D., vice president of R&D, and co-founder of KayoThera. “The discoveries on which KayoThera was founded enable the development of orally available, small molecule inhibitors of this important signaling pathway that have very favorable safety profiles. The preclinical safety and efficacy data generated to date in studies of KAYO-1609 are exceptionally promising, and we intend to move as rapidly as possible toward initiating human clinical trials of this novel molecule in genetically-defined cancers.”
KAYO-1609 has demonstrated excellent safety and tolerability, with no dose-limiting toxicities observed in studies across five different species. Preclinical studies also have identified a dose-responsive biomarker for target engagement that is expected to facilitate the IND-enabling studies. KayoThera expects to initiate IND-enabling studies of KAYO-1609 in the third quarter of 2023 and anticipates filing an IND application with the FDA by the end of 2024. Following acceptance of the IND, the company plans to initiate a human clinical trial of KAYO-1609 in patients with genetically-defined cancers that are most likely to demonstrate clinical benefit based on the mechanism of action of KAYO-1609.
“The selection of KAYO-1609 as our lead oncology development candidate is the most recent demonstration of the significant progress, we have made over the past few months to position KayoThera for success,” said Kendall Mohler Ph.D., chief development officer and board member of KayoThera. “In May we announced the expansion of our pipeline into the cardiometabolic disease space, with a focus on Type 2 diabetes and in July we strengthened our financial position with multiple grants and the expansion of our Series A financing. Taken together, we now have the financial resources to advance exciting and differentiated candidates in cancer and Type 2 diabetes, diseases with significant unmet clinical need that are associated with significant mortality and morbidity. We are committed to developing retinoid signaling pathway inhibitors as novel therapeutic modalities that can improve outcomes for patients living with these and other serious diseases.”
About KayoThera Inc
KayoThera, Inc. is an early-stage therapeutics company focused on the development of first-in-class, oral, small molecule inhibitors of the retinoid pathway. This pathway plays a critical role in a variety of serious diseases, including cardiometabolic diseases and cancer. KayoThera is developing therapies to treat diabetes and late-stage and metastatic cancers including breast, lung, pancreatic, colorectal, brain, and kidney cancers. The company was founded based on discoveries from Dr. Mark Esposito’s post-doctoral research at Princeton University and professor Yibin Kang, PhD. For more information, visit www.kayothera.com.
About Accelerator Life Science Partners
Accelerator Life Science Partners (ALSP) is an early-stage life science accelerator and investment firm that creates and builds next generation biotechnology companies centered on innovative science. ALSP catalyzes the development and commercialization of breakthrough biotechnology innovations by providing a holistic toolkit and leveraging its network and entrepreneurial expertise to accelerate the establishment and operation of early-stage biotechnology companies. ALSP’s portfolio companies are backed by renowned life science investors and are comprised of industry-leading, transformative companies, including KayoThera, Inc., Lodo Therapeutics (acquired by Zymergen, now Ginkgo BioWorks), Petra Pharma (acquired by a global pharmaceutical company), Proniras Corporation, and Rodeo Therapeutics (acquired by Amgen Inc.). For more information, please visit www.acceleratorlsp.com.
Contact
Jessica Burback
Email: jburback@acceleratorlsp.com
Phone: 206-957-7302
KayoThera, Inc. Strengthens Financial Position with $5.2 Million in Grant and Expanded Series A Funding, Bringing Total Financial Support to $14 Million
New funding comprised of grants from the National Institutes of Health, The Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment (CARE) Fund, and additional Equity Funding
Additional funding will support advancement of KayoThera’s development programs in diabetes and oncology
Seattle, WA — July 19, 2023, KayoThera, Inc. (“KayoThera”), an early-stage therapeutics company developing first-in-class, oral, small molecule inhibitors of the retinoid pathway, today announces the strengthening of its financial resources through multiple grant awards and expansion of its previously announced Series A financing. The expanded financing was led by Accelerator Life Science Partners (ALSP), who also provided Series A funding for KayoThera. With the additional $5.2 million in new equity investments, non-dilutive grant funding, and initial seed funding from the New Jersey Health Foundation, KayoThera’s total financial support to date is $14 million.
KayoThera has received grant funding from the National Institutes of Health Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program1,2 and the Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment (CARE) Fund3. In addition, KayoThera secured additional Series A financing in an expansion round led by ALSP that also included participation from BioAdvance, Pier 70 Ventures, and WRF Capital. The additional resources secured by KayoThera will further support the Company’s therapeutic development programs.
“The grant awards are important validation of our development programs, and the expanded Series A financing reflects our investor’s confidence in our ability to innovate oral, small molecule inhibitors of the retinoid pathway,” said Mark Esposito, Ph.D., Vice President, R&D, and Co-Founder of KayoThera. “With the additional financial resources announced today, we are well-positioned to advance our lead diabetes and oncology programs, each of which has first-in-class potential in disease indications with large patient populations and significant unmet medical need.”
“Our belief that KayoThera offers a compelling investment opportunity and has the potential to transform the treatment of serious metabolic diseases and cancer was the key driver for our initial investment in the Company,” said Thong Q. Le, Senior Managing Director of ALSP and CEO of KayoThera. “Since the initial Series A financing in March 2022, KayoThera has made significant progress in advancing its core technology and development programs. The additional funding announced today will allow the Company to continue making exciting advances in innovating small molecule inhibitors of the retinoid pathway and position itself for strategic partnering activity that will further help realize the commercial and clinical value of its science.”
The retinoid pathway is known to play critical roles in several serious diseases. For example, the clinical use of retinoid activators leads to both adverse cardiometabolic events such as hyperlipidemias as well as increased cancer rates and faster cancer progression. KayoThera’s unique approach to drugging this pathway is based on biology discovered at Princeton University and represents the first platform to create drug-like retinoid inhibitors.
References
1 NIH NIDDK (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) R43DK136420. Grant title: Development of first-in-class antagonists of the retinoid pathway as novel oral therapies for Type 2 Diabetes.
2NIH NCI (National Cancer Institute) R43CA278127. Grant title: Development of first-in-class antagonists of the retinoid pathway as novel oral immunotherapies for solid cancers.
3The Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment (CARE) Fund FY23-LS-05. Grant title: Development of a First-in-Class Immunotherapy to Treat Advanced Solid Tumors Through IND-Enabling Safety Studies.
The content in this release is the sole responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views or imply endorsement of the National Institutes of Health.
About KayoThera, Inc
KayoThera, Inc. is an early-stage therapeutics company focused on the development of first-in-class, oral, small molecule inhibitors of the retinoid pathway. This pathway plays a critical role in a variety of serious diseases, including cardiometabolic diseases and cancer. KayoThera is developing therapies to treat diabetes and late-stage and metastatic cancers including breast, lung, pancreatic, colorectal, brain, and kidney cancers. The company was founded based on discoveries from Dr. Mark Esposito’s post-doctoral research at Princeton University and professor Yibin Kang, Ph.D. For more information, visit www.kayothera.com.
About Accelerator Life Science Partners
Accelerator Life Science Partners is an early-stage life science accelerator and investment firm that creates and builds next generation biotechnology companies centered on innovative science. ALSP catalyzes the development and commercialization of breakthrough biotechnology innovations by providing a holistic toolkit and leveraging its network and entrepreneurial expertise to accelerate the establishment and operation of early-stage biotechnology companies. ALSP’s portfolio companies are backed by some of the world’s leading life science investors and are comprised of industry-leading, transformative companies, including Petra Pharma (acquired by a global pharmaceutical company), Rodeo Therapeutics (acquired by Amgen Inc.) and Lodo Therapeutics (acquired by Zymergen). For more information, please visit www.acceleratorlsp.com.
About Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment (CARE) Fund
The Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment (CARE) Fund invests in public and private entities to promote cancer research in Washington. Through research grants and strategic partnerships, the CARE Fund aims to improve health outcomes by advancing transformational research in the prevention and treatment of cancer. The Washington State Legislature created the CARE Fund in 2015 and this public investment in cancer research is maximized by private and nonstate matching funds. For additional information, please visit www.wacarefund.org.
About BioAdvance
BioAdvance is a $85 million early-stage life sciences fund with a focus in the mid-Atlantic region, investing up to $1.5 million initially and up to $5 million over the lifetime of companies that have the potential to improve human health. Since making its first investments in 2003, BioAdvance has committed more than $50 million in funding to approximately 100 organizations developing more than 160 products in the therapeutics, medtech, diagnostics, research tools and digital health sectors. BioAdvance portfolio companies have leveraged $3.7 billion in subsequent capital, including proceeds from acquisitions. Eleven products have received FDA approval. For more information, please visit www.bioadvance.com.
About Pier 70 Ventures
Pier 70 Ventures is a US-based venture capital firm investing in impact-driven innovation. The firm’s debut fund is the Pier 70 INpact Fund. Looking for brilliance beyond the usual places, Pier 70 Ventures finds and funds technologies with the potential to disrupt the future of healthcare. We invest in talented entrepreneurs pushing humanity forward with innovation. We VENTURE BOLDLY by empowering bright, enthusiastic leaders with capital, mentorship, and access to our global networks. For additional information, please visit www.pier70ventures.com.
About WRF and WRF Capital
Washington Research Foundation (WRF) supports research and scholarship in Washington state, with a focus on life sciences and enabling technologies. WRF was founded in 1981 to assist universities and other nonprofit research institutions in Washington with the commercialization and licensing of their technologies. WRF is one of the foremost technology transfer and grant-making organizations in the nation, having earned more than $445 million in licensing revenue for the University of Washington and providing over $145 million in grants to the state’s research institutions to date.
WRF Capital, the investment vehicle for Washington Research Foundation, has backed 122 local startups since 1996. Returns support the Foundation’s investment and grant-making programs. For additional information, please visit www.wrfseattle.org.
Contact
Jessica Burback
Email: jburback@acceleratorlsp.com
Phone: 206-957-7302
KayoThera, Inc. Raises $8 Million in Series A Financing Led by Accelerator Life Science Partners to Develop Novel Cancer Immunotherapeutics
Novel Approach to Treat Late-Stage and Metastatic Cancers
SEATTLE, WA, – March 16, 2022, KayoThera, Inc. (“KayoThera”), an early-stage therapeutics company developing novel cancer immunotherapies, today announces the closing of an $8 million Series A round of financing. The financing was led by Accelerator Life Science Partners (“ALSP”) with participation from BioAdvance and 7G Bioventures. KayoThera will focus its therapeutic development efforts on its lead oncology program to further advance the technology towards a product that will benefit patients with late-stage and metastatic cancers.
“KayoThera is developing a paradigm-shifting cancer immunotherapy that has significant clinical and commercial potential,” said Ken Mohler, PhD, Chief Development Officer at ALSP. “We believe that this Series A investment will provide the financial resources to rapidly advance the company’s development program towards the clinic, which will open the door to an exciting new therapeutic approach.”
KayoThera’s science is based on research conducted by Mark Esposito, PhD and Yibin Kang, PhD at Princeton University. Dr. Kang, a Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis Professor of Molecular Biology, and Dr. Esposito, a postdoctoral research associate in the Kang lab, co-founded KayoThera in 2019 to pursue the development of therapies based on their research.
“KayoThera is founded on a deep understanding of the underlying biology of metastatic cancers. We have identified and validated a family of key enzymes that can be targeted with novel small molecule inhibitors to treat advanced cancers,” described Dr. Kang.
Dr. Esposito will continue at KayoThera as Vice President of Research and Development and Dr. Kang will serve as the Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board. “We are extremely excited about the investment by ALSP, and the opportunity to work with a partner that provides exceptional drug development experience and resources which will be critical to the success of KayoThera,” stated Dr. Esposito, Co-Founder of KayoThera.
About KayoThera Inc
KayoThera, Inc. is an early-stage therapeutics company focused on the development of a new class of cancer immunotherapeutics. KayoThera is developing therapies to treat late-stage and metastatic cancers including breast, lung, pancreatic, colorectal, brain, and kidney cancers. Based on discoveries from Dr. Mark Esposito’s post-doctoral research in Princeton University and professor Yibin Kang, PhD. The company was initially funded by Foundation Venture Capital Group (FVCG). For more information, visit www.kayothera.com.
About Accelerator Life Science Partners
Accelerator Life Science Partners is an early-stage life science accelerator and investment firm that creates and builds next generation biotechnology companies centered on innovative science. ALSP catalyzes the development and commercialization of breakthrough biotechnology innovations by providing a holistic toolkit and leveraging its network and entrepreneurial expertise to accelerate the establishment and operation of early-stage biotechnology companies. ALSP’s portfolio companies are backed by some of the world’s leading life science investors and are comprised of industry-leading, transformative companies, including Petra Pharma (acquired by a global pharmaceutical company), Rodeo Therapeutics (acquired by Amgen Inc.) and Lodo Therapeutics (acquired by Zymergen). For more information, please visit www.acceleratorlsp.com.
About BioAdvance
BioAdvance is a $70 million early-stage life sciences fund with a focus in the mid-Atlantic region, investing up to $1.5 million initially and up to $5 million over the lifetime of companies that have the potential to improve human health. Since making its first investments in 2003, BioAdvance has committed more than $50 million in funding to approximately 100 organizations developing more than 160 products in the therapeutics, medtech, diagnostics, research tools and digital health sectors. BioAdvance portfolio companies have leveraged $3.7 billion in subsequent capital, including proceeds from acquisitions. Eleven products have received FDA approval. For more information, please visit www.bioadvance.com.
About 7G BioVentures
7G BioVentures is a venture fund focusing on first in class life science innovations in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Led by partners with decades of domain expertise and strong track records, we empower top scientists, clinicians, and entrepreneurs to translate breakthrough discoveries into lifesaving products. To our portfolio companies, our long-term commitment of capital and resources usually initiates at seed/startup stage.
Contact
Jessica Burback
Email: jburback@acceleratorlsp.com
Phone: 206-957-7302
ALSP Orchid Acquisition Corporation I Announces the Separate Trading of its Class A Ordinary Shares and Warrants Commencing January 10, 2022
SEATTLE, WA, January 6, 2022 — ALSP Orchid Acquisition Corporation I (Nasdaq: ALORU) (the “Company” or “ALSP Orchid”) announced today that, commencing January 10, 2022, holders of the units sold in the Company’s initial public offering of 172,500,000 units, completed on November 23, 2021, may elect to separately trade the Class A ordinary shares and warrants included in the units. Those units not separated will continue to trade on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “ALORU,” and the Class A ordinary shares and warrants that are separated will trade on the Nasdaq under the symbols “ALOR” and “ALORW,” respectively. Holders of units will need to have their brokers contact Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the Company’s transfer agent, in order to separate the units into Class A ordinary shares and warrants. No fractional warrants will be issued.
The units were initially offered by the Company in an underwritten offering. Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated and Nomura Securities International, Inc. served as joint book-running managers of the offering. A registration statement relating to the units and the underlying securities was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on November 18, 2021.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of the Company, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. The offering was made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus related to the offering may be obtained from: Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Attention: Syndicate, One Montgomery Street, Suite 3700, San Francisco, CA 94104, by telephone at (415) 364-2720 or by email at syndprospectus@stifel.com, or from Nomura Securities International, Inc., Attention: Equity Syndicate Department, Worldwide Plaza, 309 West 49th Street, New York, New York 10019-7316, or by telephone at 212-667-9000, or by email at equitysyndicateamericas@nomura.com.
About ALSP Orchid
ALSP Orchid is a blank check company formed by Accelerator Life Science Partners for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. While the Company may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business, industry, sector or geographical location, it intends to pursue investments in North America and Singapore with an emphasis on life science companies developing assets and next-generation platform technologies with broad applicability. ALSP Orchid is led by CEO Thong Q. Le, CFO Ian A.W. Howes, COO Andras T. Forgacs, CBO Kevin T. Chow, Ph.D., and CDO Kendall M. Mohler, PhD. The Company’s independent board of directors is led by Board Chairman Bruce L.A. Carter, Ph.D. and includes Mark W. Hahn, Sundar R. Kodiyalam, Stephanie Read, and Eugene W. Yeo, Ph.D. The Company’s advisory board includes Philip Yeo Liat Kok, Ph.D. and Randall C. Schatzman, Ph.D.
Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements,” including with respect to the anticipated use of the net proceeds. No assurance can be given that the net proceeds of the offering will be used as indicated. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus for the Company’s offering filed with the SEC. Copies are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.
Company Contact:
Jessica Burback, Director of Investor Relations
IR@acceleratorlsp.com
ALSP Orchid Acquisition Corporation I Announces $172.5 Million Initial Public Offering
SEATTLE, WA — November 23, 2021 — ALSP Orchid Acquisition Corporation I (NASDAQ: ALORU) (the “Company” or “ALSP Orchid”) today announced that it has closed its initial public offering of 17,250,000 units, including 2,250,000 units issued pursuant to the full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option, at a price of $10.00 per unit. The units are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”) and began trading under the ticker symbol “ALORU” on November 19, 2021. Each unit consists of one Class A ordinary share and one-half of one redeemable warrant, with each whole warrant exercisable to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share. After the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the Class A ordinary shares and warrants are expected to be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “ALOR” and “ALORW,” respectively.
ALSP Orchid is a newly organized blank check company formed by Accelerator Life Science Partners for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. While the Company may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business, industry, sector or geographical location, it intends to pursue investments in North America and Singapore with an emphasis on life science companies developing assets and next-generation platform technologies with broad applicability.
ALSP Orchid is led by CEO Thong Q. Le, CFO Ian A.W. Howes, COO Andras T. Forgacs, CBO Kevin T. Chow, Ph.D., and CDO Kendall M. Mohler, PhD. The Company’s independent board of directors is led by Board Chairman Bruce L.A. Carter, Ph.D. and includes Mark W. Hahn, Sundar R. Kodiyalam, Stephanie Read, and Eugene W. Yeo, Ph.D. The Company’s advisory board includes Philip Yeo Liat Kok, Ph.D. and Randall C. Schatzman, Ph.D.
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated and Nomura Securities International, Inc. acted as joint book-running managers of the offering.
A registration statement relating to these securities was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on November 18, 2021. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. When available, copies of the prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Attention: Syndicate, One Montgomery Street, Suite 3700, San Francisco, CA 94104, by telephone at (415) 364-2720 or by email at syndprospectus@stifel.com, or from Nomura Securities International, Inc., Attention: Equity Syndicate Department, Worldwide Plaza, 309 West 49th Street, New York, New York 10019-7316, or by telephone at 212-667-9000, or by email at equitysyndicateamericas@nomura.com.
This press release will not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements,” including with respect to the initial public offering and the anticipated use of the net proceeds. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of ALSP Orchid, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the registration statement and prospectus for ALSP Orchid’s offering filed with the SEC. Copies are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. ALSP Orchid undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.
Company Contact:
Jessica Burback, Director of Investor Relations
IR@acceleratorlsp.com
Accelerator Life Science Partners Mourns the Loss of Senior Advisor and Friend, Tadataka "Tachi" Yamada, M.D.
SEATTLE, WA – August 5, 2021 – Accelerator Life Science Partners (“ALSP”), a leading early-stage life science accelerator and investment firm, today acknowledged the sudden passing of senior advisor and board member, Tadataka (Tachi) Yamada, M.D., who died unexpectedly at home on August 4, 2021.
“We are saddened to share the news of Tachi’s unexpected passing,” said Thong Q. Le, CEO and Senior Managing Director. “I have had the privilege and honor to have known and worked closely with Tachi for many years, and I was grateful to have the benefits of his knowledge, experience and leadership at ALSP. Tachi understood well the many challenges that early-stage biotechnology companies often face when developing disruptive technologies, and always reminded us to consider how the treatments we were developing would affect patients and (more broadly) global health. He is a “giant among giants” when it comes to our life sciences industry, and his impact on patients and global health will be felt for many years to come. The ALSP team and I will miss Tachi dearly, and we send our deepest, most heartfelt sympathies to the Yamada family during this difficult time.”
About Accelerator Life Science Partners
Accelerator Life Science Partners (ALSP) is an investment firm that catalyzes the development and commercialization of breakthrough biotechnology innovations by providing the complete business, scientific, and financial toolkit necessary for accelerating the establishment and operation of early-stage biotechnology companies. ALSP’s portfolio companies are backed by some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies and comprise of industry-leading, transformative companies, including Lodo Therapeutics (acquired by Zymergen), Lydian Neurosciences, Magnolia Neurosciences, Petra Pharma (acquired by a global pharmaceutical company), and Rodeo Therapeutics (acquired by Amgen Inc.). ALSP is a minority-owned firm that seeks to promote diversity and inclusion in the healthcare industry. For more information, please visit www.acceleratorlsp.com.
Accelerator Life Science Partners Expands Executive Team with Appointment of Alice Chen as Executive Vice President
Pioneering Biotech Company Builder Adds Ronald Howell as Senior Advisor
SEATTLE, WA – June 24, 2021 – Accelerator Life Science Partners (“ALSP”), a leading early-stage life science accelerator and investment firm, today announced that it has strengthened its executive leadership team with the promotion of Alice Chen, Ph.D., to executive vice president and the addition of Ronald Howell as Senior Advisor. This expansion enables the firm to better serve a broader, more diverse range of scientific founders and entrepreneurs in the life science community.
Dr. Chen has more than 15 years of research, drug development, and executive management experience. She joined ALSP as a Principal in 2013 to support ALSP portfolio company operations and to provide executive oversight over a broad range of preclinical development activities across the ALSP portfolio.
Mr. Howell most recently served as President and CEO of Washington Research Foundation (WRF), where he led the expansion of WRF from primarily an intellectual property management organization into one of the largest private foundations in the State of Washington. Mr. Howell developed an impressive track record of success supporting and investing in early-stage university innovations.
“We are delighted to announce Alice’s well-deserved promotion and to add Ron, a dear friend with whom I’ve had the honor to work closely with for more than 14 years at WRF Capital as an ALSP senior advisor. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that there is unequal access to therapeutic treatments across underserved communities and a lack of financial commitment to invest in life science technologies and companies developed and led by diverse teams,” says Thong Q. Le, Senior Managing Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Accelerator Life Science Partners. “While record amounts of capital have flowed into biotech-focused investment vehicles, I believe that as an industry we can do a better job of enhancing and incorporating diversity at all levels. ALSP and our portfolio companies will benefit from the professional experiences and diverse perspectives that both Alice and Ron will bring to our company-building activities as we work to develop the next generation of transformative biotechnology companies.”
About Alice Chen, Ph.D.
Dr. Chen is an experienced life sciences operating executive and investment professional. In her role at ALSP, Alice has been actively involved in sourcing and evaluating emerging biotechnology investment opportunities and has played an instrumental role in the formation and oversight of several ALSP’s portfolio companies, including Acylin Therapeutics (asset acquisition by a global pharmaceutical company), Petra Pharma (acquired by a global pharmaceutical company), Nemean Pharma, Rodeo Therapeutics (acquired by Amgen Inc.) and Magnolia Neurosciences. Prior to joining ALSP, Dr. Chen served as a scientific consultant and drug development project leader for several venture-backed biotechnology companies. She also served as Director of Technologies at Qwell Pharmaceuticals, a venture-backed biotechnology company developing novel, small-molecule drugs focused on cancer and inflammation. Dr. Chen received a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University and a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from U.C. Berkeley. She served as an Engineering Fellow at Merck & Company and is a graduate of the Kauffman Fellows Program (Class 19). Dr. Chen currently serves on the board of Life Science Washington, the life science trade association for the State of Washington, and on the governing boards of several technology review committees in the U.S. and abroad.
About Ron Howell
Ron Howell recently retired from the Washington Research Foundation (WRF), a non-profit organization founded in 1981 to support research and scholarship in Washington state, with a focus on life sciences and enabling technologies. Mr. Howell was instrumental in developing a number of innovative grant-making programs to support breakthrough, early-stage research developed within Washington state’s institutions. In 1994, Mr. Howell established the WRF’s venture investment arm, WRF Capital, which has become a critical investment partner for numerous university spinouts in Washington State. Under Mr. Howell’s leadership, WRF earned more than $445 million in licensing revenue for the University of Washington (UW), provided more than $113 million in grants to nonprofit research institutions in Washington State, and invested more than $90 million in 112 technology focused startup companies. WRF Capital continues to be an active investor in supporting early-stage life science investment opportunities in the Pacific Northwest.
About Accelerator Life Science Partners
Accelerator Life Science Partners (ALSP) is an investment firm that catalyzes the development and commercialization of breakthrough biotechnology innovations by providing the complete business, scientific, and financial toolkit necessary for accelerating the establishment and operation of early-stage biotechnology companies. ALSP’s portfolio companies are backed by some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies and comprise of industry-leading, transformative companies, including Lodo Therapeutics (acquired by Zymergen), Lydian Neurosciences, Magnolia Neurosciences, Petra Pharma (acquired by a global pharmaceutical company), and Rodeo Therapeutics (acquired by Amgen Inc.). ALSP is a minority-owned firm that seeks to promote diversity and inclusion in the healthcare industry. For more information, please visit www.acceleratorlsp.com.