Arsanis is a leader in the discovery and development of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the targeted immunotherapy of serious infections. Monoclonal antibodies have transformed the treatment of a wide range of diseases from cancer to immune system disorders. In infectious diseases, mAbs can target directly specific pathogens or their virulence mechanisms to avoid pathogenic processes in the infected individual, including resistant strains that give rise to serious infections. Unlike traditional antimicrobials that often target both pathogenic and non-pathogenic organisms in a non-specific way (e.g., broadly killing all Gram-positive bacteria), Arsanis` monoclonal antibodies selectively focus on specific pathogens and pathogenic processes. These targeted immunotherapies address critical infections while minimizing the collateral damage from antimicrobial overuse, resistance, and microbiome disruption. We believe that the ability to selectively and safely target causative pathogens provides a new way of preventing and treating infections in high-risk patients, and can generate both clinical and health economic benefits to patients and providers, ushering in a new era in infection prevention and management.
AGTC is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that uses its proprietary gene therapy platform to develop products designed to transform the lives of patients with severe diseases, with an initial focus in ophthalmology. AGTC`s lead product candidates are designed to treat inherited orphan diseases of the eye, caused by mutations in single genes that significantly affect visual function and currently lack effective medical treatments. AGTC`s product pipeline includes six named ophthalmology development programs across five targets (X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS), X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP), achromatopsia, wet age-related macular degeneration and blue cone monochromacy), two non-ophthalmology programs (alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and adrenoleukodystrophy) and AGTC is continuing to develop early research studies in additional indications. The company is also exploring genetic defects in cells in the inner ear that lead to deafness and expects to advance several product candidates into development within the next few years. AGTC employs a highly targeted approach to selecting and designing its product candidates, choosing to develop therapies for indications having high unmet medical need, clinical feasibility and commercial potential. AGTC has a significant intellectual property portfolio and extensive expertise in the design of gene therapy products including capsids, promoters and expression cassettes, as well as, expertise in the formulation, manufacture and physical delivery of gene therapy products
Chiasma improves the lives of patients by transforming injectable drugs into oral medications. The company`s proprietary, clinically validated Transient Permeability Enhancer (TPE®) technology enables intestinal absorption of molecules that previously had limited intestinal bioavailability. Chiasma focuses on peptide drugs, which serve a large market that is currently served only by injectables. Oral formulations offer numerous advantages, including consistent dosing and the elimination of administration site reactions. Chiasma’s lead investigational candidate, octreotide capsules, is being developed for the treatment of acromegaly.
Allena Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to developing and commercializing first-in-class, oral enzyme therapeutics to treat patients with rare and severe metabolic disorders that affect the kidney. The company is focused on metabolic disorders that result in excess accumulation of certain metabolites, such as oxalate and urate, that can cause kidney stones, damage the kidney, and potentially lead to chronic kidney disease, or CKD, and end-stage renal disease. Allena`s proprietary technological approach enables the design, formulation and delivery of non-absorbed and stable enzymes orally and in sufficient doses for activity in the GI tract. This approach utilizes the GI tract to degrade metabolites, such as oxalate and urate, reducing plasma and urine levels, and in turn, reducing their disease burden on the kidney over time.
K Biosciences is a Beverly, MA-based company in the Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, and Biotech sector.