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DBV Technologies (DBV) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering safe and effective treatments for patients with food allergies and other unmet medical needs. DBV has developed a proprietary technology platform called Viaskin®, which is based on epicutaneous immunotherapy, or EPIT®, DBV`s method of delivering biologically active compounds to the immune system. This novel mechanism of action accesses the immune system through intact skin without allowing passage of the antigen into the bloodstream. The company is also exploring Viaskin® in other areas of unmet need including vaccines, inflammatory conditions and autoimmune diseases. DBV was founded in 2002 by Dr. Pierre-Henri Benhamou, Chairman and CEO, Dr. Christophe Dupont, Chairman of DBV`s Scientific Advisory Board, and Mr. Bertrand Dupont, Chief Technology Officer.
Compass Therapeutics is an antibody discovery and development company focused on comprehensively drugging the tumor-immune synapse with combinations of human monoclonal antibodies, multiclonals, and engineered protein constructs. Compass is industrializing antibody discovery and decentralizing biologic validation through a partnership-first mentality that leverages best-in-class technologies and top-tier academic laboratories around the world. Novel scientific insights are validated and explored deeply inside our labs before Compass pursues the best proprietary combinations of therapeutics into human clinical trials.
At LAVA, we are focused on applying our expertise in gamma-delta T-cell engagers (TCEs) to transform cancer therapy. We refer to our compounds as gamma-delta bispecific T-cell engagers, or gamma-delta bsTCEs. Our platform generates therapeutics that specifically activate a unique and relatively abundant effector gamma-delta T-cell subset called Vγ9Vδ2 (Vgamma9-Vdelta2) T-cells that have the ability to trigger activity of immune cells of both the innate and adaptive immune system. Our gamma-delta bsTCEs have demonstrated superior efficacy and safety profiles compared to other bsTCE approaches in preclinical studies and show preferential activity against tumor cells thereby potentially limiting toxicity in healthy tissue. To date, we are the only company developing bispecific gamma-delta T-cell engaging antibodies for the treatment of cancer. We are building a pipeline of gamma-delta bsTCEs that have applications in both solid and hematologic malignancies. Our lead program, LAVA-051, targets the tumor specific antigen CD1d, which can be overexpressed in multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), among other tumor types. LAVA-051 will enter a Phase I/IIa study in 1Q21.
Catamaran Bio is developing novel, off-the-shelf CAR-NK cell therapies designed to treat a broad range of cancers, including solid tumors. Our proprietary capabilities enable us to harness the natural cancer-fighting properties of NK cells and enhance and tailor their effectiveness with the power of synthetic biology and innovative non-viral cell engineering. We are using our TAILWINDTM Platform, an integrated suite of technologies, to specifically address the end-to-end methods of engineering, processing and manufacturing NK cells and rapidly advance our pipeline of CAR-NK cell therapy programs. Our team combines experienced biopharmaceutical leadership with founding scientists who are pioneers in NK cell biology, engineering, manufacturing and clinical application. Catamaran is backed by leading financial and corporate investors, including SV Health Investors, Sofinnova Partners, Lightstone Ventures, Takeda Ventures and Astellas Venture Management.
Zucara Therapeutics, a CDRD and MaRS Innovation portfolio company, is developing the first drug therapy to prevent hypoglycemia in people with diabetes. Our first-in-class therapeutic is focused on improving glucagon counterregulation by inhibiting somatostatin which is dysregulated in Type 1 diabetes.