Ep151: Shelley Force Aldred and Nathan Trinklein on Bispecific Antibodies for Cancer
Dec 26, 2023
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Shelley Force Alderd and Nathan Trinklein talk about developing bispecific antibodies for cancer, discussing their journey from academia to entrepreneurship, the mechanism of action of T-cell engagers, challenges in developing therapies for solid tumors, and the importance of strategic company structuring for new drug candidates.
Bispecific antibodies offer diverse therapeutic avenues in cancer treatment.
Synergistic collaboration and persistence are crucial for entrepreneurial success.
Rondo Therapeutics' focus on developing bi-specific antibodies for solid tumors faces scientific challenges.
Deep dives
Shelley, Nathan, and Their Company Rondo Therapeutics' $67 Million Series A Funding and Mission Statement
Shelley Force, Aldred, and Nathan Trinkline, co-founders of Rondo Therapeutics, raised $67 million in a Series A financing. The company aims to develop bi-specific T-cell engaging antibodies to combat solid tumors.
Shelley and Nathan's Entrepreneurial Journey from Grad School to Company Success
Shelley and Nathan began working together at Stanford University 20 years ago. Their success story includes founding Tenal Bile, a company acquired by Amgen for $900 million. They emphasize the synergistic collaboration and persistence needed for entrepreneurial ventures.
The Emergence of Bi-Specific Antibodies in the Golden Age of Bi-Specifics
The bi-specific antibody field is experiencing a surge of innovation and success, termed the 'golden age' by Nathan. The unique mechanisms of bi-specific antibodies offer diverse therapeutic avenues, leading to increased FDA approvals and novel therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment.
Innovative Science and Challenges in Targeting Solid Tumors
Rondo Therapeutics' focus on developing bi-specific antibodies for solid tumors presents scientific challenges due to the hostile tumor microenvironment, T-cell exhaustion, and antigen density variability. The team navigates the complexities of enhancing immunity against solid tumors while balancing safety and efficacy.
Rondo's Strategic Focus on Bladder Cancer and Anticipated Clinical Development
Rondo's lead program targeting bladder cancer demonstrates potential for single-agent activity and combination therapy. With a strong focus on validated tumor targets and superior functional profiles, the company anticipates entering clinical trials for bladder cancer treatment with promising prospects for patient outcomes.