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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.
AdPharma is a Arlington Heights, IL-based company in the Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, and Biotech sector.
Liphatech is a Milwaukee, WI-based company in the Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, and Biotech sector.
Advanced Life Sciences is a Woodridge, IL-based company in the Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, and Biotech sector.
Switch Therapeutics is an emerging preclinical stage biotechnology company pioneering a new type of medicine that integrates nucleic acid nanotechnology and RNA interference (RNAi) science with the goal of treating a range of diseases – affecting the central nervous system and systemic indications – with significant unmet needs. Switch`s novel gene knockdown approach is based on technology developed by renowned researchers in the field of RNA from Caltech, Harvard and City of Hope. Based on the scientific discovery of Switch`s co-founders, the company has developed a novel proprietary platform known as CASi (Conditionally Activated siRNAs) that combines advantageous properties of both single and double-stranded RNAs in a single molecule, allowing for cell selective RNAi activity. To date, Switch has raised $52M in funding through Series A, and the company`s South San Francisco based team has continued to grow as its research has advanced.