ISM Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company with a leadership position in the discovery and development of a new class of therapeutic drug based on inositol signaling molecules (ISMs). These molecules play a pivotal role in controlling feedback mechanisms that allow diseased cell functions to return to normal.
Novel Technology
ISM Therapeutic ’s proprietary compounds affect the important signaling pathways linked to many serious diseases, including cancer, inflammation and pulmonary disorders. ISM Therapeutics has a very rapid and practical approach to discovering new biologically relevant drugs based on molecules that the cell itself uses. These unique ISMs can be cost effectively manufactured and formulated and have demonstrated prolonged effects and safety at low doses in animal studies. ISM Therapeutics is a focused company with experienced leadership; established contracts with outside vendors and a strong intellectual property position. ISM Therapeutics has a lead drug for cystic fibrosis and a number of promising ISM-based therapeutics for cancer applications. We are seeking an investment of $5-15 million to advance our pipeline in cancer indications into phase I clinical development and we are seeking licensing/co-development partners for our Cystic Fibrosis lead drug candidate.
Pipeline
- ISM Therapeutics is developing a radioprotective drug based on our ISM technology under a government contract for the DOD.
- ISM Therapeutics has discovered and developed an ISM-based therapeutic for cystic fibrosis: INO-4995 was discovered and developed to treat cystic fibrosis and human clinical trials are targeted to begin in 2007. The cost of developing the CF drug through phase I trials is approximately $12M and will take approximately 2 years.
- In addition, ISM Therapeutics has several compounds in its portfolio with anti-inflammatory activity.
Key Assets
- Active compound collection: ISM Therapeutics has identified, synthesized and tested distinct, patented active compound series that have yielded a number of drug candidates with potential therapeutic applications.
- Scientific expertise. Our founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Alexis Traynor-Kaplan, has over 25 years expertise in the area and identified one of the first ISMs. ISM Therapeutics has a world-renowned SAB with expertise in ISM technologies and chemistry.
- Control of critical patents. ISM Therapeutics co-owns and has an exclusive worldwide license from the University of California, San Diego for 3 issued patents covering key composition of matter and method of use claims. ISM Therapeutics also maintains an extensive portfolio of domestic and international filings on inventions derived from internal research.
Company Funding to date:
- Approximately $5M in non-dilutive investments:
- 2000-2006: $1.9M in Cystic Fibrosis Foundation grants to discover and develop a CF drug, INO-4995
- 1998-2006: $2M in NIH SBIR grants to initiate pipeline programs in CF, cancer and inflammation
- 10/2006- 10/2007: $1.1M DOD non-dilutive government appropriation to develop ISMs as radioprotectants
- $2.5M in an investment series A round (2004) (primarily angels, founders and partners)
