Biotechnology company Karyopharm Therapeutics has raised $48.2 million in a series B round for an innovative group of molecules to combat cancer, according to a company statement.
Karyopharm’s approach, in phase 1 development, targets a group of proteins associated with cancer. These proteins, referred to as Exportin 1, thwart tumor suppressor proteins from doing their job by “escorting” them from the cell’s nucleus into the cytoplasm.
If tumor suppressor proteins remain in the cell’s nucleus they can program the cancer cells to self-destruct.
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
Karyopharm’s selective inhibitors of nuclear export will treat advanced hematologic and solid tumors.
The financing round included Delphi Ventures, which will get a seat on Karyopharm’s board in return for its investment. Deepa R. Pakianathan will represent Delphi on the board.
In a CEOCFO interview earlier this year, CEO Dr. Michael Kauffman said the company’s plan is to take the drug through to the approval stage in the U.S. and Europe “largely on [its] own,” though it would look for a partner for Asia.
It is presenting data from its phase 1 trial at the upcoming American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in Chicago next week.
A Personalized Approach to Medication Nonadherence
At the Abarca Forward conference earlier this year, George Van Antwerp, managing director at Deloitte, discussed how social determinants of health and a personalized member experience can improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
UPDATE: In a phone interview with MedCity News, Sharon Shacham, Karyopharm’s chief scientific officer, said its fundraising has been helped by “robust preclinical validation” as well as by the clinical data it has collected so far. Although the mechanics of cancer cells have been known for years, a previous effort to develop a treatment proved too toxic for noncancer cells. Among the indications it is evaluating for its therapeutics are hematological indications — acute myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia — as well as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and myeloma. Although it currently employs 23, it expects to grow its staff to under 30 in the next two years, mainly with lower- and middle-management roles.
