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Kezar co-founder Christopher Kirk, Ph.D. began his work on the unique function of the immunoproteasome at Proteolix in 2005, while working on the compound that would become the successful multiple myeloma drug KYPROLIS™ (carfilzomib). As VP of Research at Onyx Pharmaceuticals, which acquired Proteolix in 2009, Christopher led the efforts to develop the first selective inhibitors of the immunoproteasome and designed multiple studies demonstrating their profound immunomodulatory effects. In parallel with this work, Christopher and Kezar co-founder Jack Taunton, Ph.D. collaborated on several research projects involving protein secretion. This collaboration inspired a belief in the strong synergies between protein degradation and protein secretion, two fertile areas for drug discovery with platform potential. In 2014, Christopher and Kezar co-founder John Fowler began developing the business plan for Kezar, acting on a longstanding desire to work together and build a world-class company. In 2015, John and Christopher raised $23M and negotiated a worldwide, exclusive license agreement with Amgen for the Onyx immunoproteasome inhibitor patent estate. Now underway, John and Christopher are excited to leverage their complementary skill sets to build Kezar into a leader in small molecule drug development.
Bioworld is a Dublin, OH-based company in the Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, and Biotech sector.
Cardeas BPU™ (Biosignal Processing Unit) is a biocompatible semiconductor capable of translating real-time streams of multiomics signals to digital information
HealthSource Solutions is a Hopkins, MN-based company in the Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, and Biotech sector.
Paragon Biosciences invests in and launches biopharmaceutical companies to develop novel therapies for severe medical conditions which do not yet have adequate treatments. Our mission is to help people live longer, healthier lives. Paragon advances that mission through its contribution of Bioscience Innovation Capital(TM): For rare and complex diseases, Paragon analyzes the viability of potential therapies, invests in new biopharmaceutical companies to further develop promising treatments, catalyzes the progress of its portfolio companies through early-incubation services, and provides clinical and regulatory guidance by a team with a near-perfect track record of first-cycle novel drug approvals.