The World In A Grain Of Sand

KdT Ventures presents The World in a Grain of Sand, where we break down an S1 from a recent biotech IPO and share insights on the science, business models, and financials. In this episode, Cain McClary and Phil Grayeski discuss BioAge, a longevity biotech with a pipeline of therapies for diseases of aging including cardiometabolic disease and neuroinflammation. Please note that this episode was recorded before the clinical readout of BioAge's apelin receptor agonist Azelaprag. We dive into: BioAge's founding by first-time biotech entrepreneur Kristen Fortnoy as a Stanford spinout analyzing aging-related biomarkers Their pivot from platform to asset in-licensing, securing Azelaprog from Amgen after discovering its potential in obesity when combined with GLP-1 drugs Their clinical strategy running combination trials with both Lilly's Zepbound and Novo's Wegovy, supported by a strategic supply agreement giving Lilly first negotiation rights A dramatic survival story of navigating near-death in 2022-2023 through bridge financing

KdT Ventures presents The World in a Grain of Sand, where we break down an S1 from a recent biotech IPO and share insights on the science, business models, and financials. In this episode, Cain McClary and Phil Grayeski discuss CG Oncology, the first biotech IPO of 2024. We dive into: The various subtypes of bladder cancer, and one of the most unique standard of care treatment paradigms in oncology, which utilizes a live attenuated virus to treat the disease Supply chain and manufacturing issues that have limited access to SoC therapy in bladder cancer  CG Oncology’s lead (and only) asset, an oncolytic immunotherapy which has delivered impressive complete response data in bladder cancer Challenges and open questions around complex manufacturing, clinical and commercial adoption, and competition for CG’s lead asset Bull vs bear case for CG Oncology For updates from KdT, ⁠⁠subscribe to our Substack⁠⁠.

KdT Ventures presents The World in a Grain of Sand, where we break down an S1 from a recent biotech IPO and share insights on the science, business models, and financials. In this episode, Ketan Yerneni and Mack Healy discuss Verve Therapeutics, a gene editing biotech tackling one of the most common chronic diseases: cardiovascular disease. We dive into: Base editing, and its advantages over traditional (potentially error-prone) CRISPR. Verve’s pipeline, including their strategy of starting with genetically well-defined diseases like familial hypercholesterolemia and then expanding to the general population of patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Verve’s approach for predicting off-target gene editing, a key challenge for the gene editing field. Verve’s unique licensing strategy with Beam, Acuitas, and the Broad to secure several foundational technologies. The competitive landscape and target product profile tradeoffs for one-and-done gene editing approaches vs other therapeutic modalities. and more. For updates from KdT, ⁠subscribe to our Substack⁠.

KdT Ventures presents The World in a Grain of Sand, where we break down an S1 from a recent biotech IPO and share insights on the science, business models, and financials. In this episode, Patrick Malone and Mack Healy discuss the biopharma software juggernaut, Schrödinger. We dive into: Schrödinger's biophysics-based drug discovery platform, and the distinction from machine learning approaches A dissection of Schrödinger's software business, as well as co-development partnerships and internal therapeutic programs The story of Schrödinger collaboration with Nimbus on a TYK2 program, resulting in a $4B+ acquisition by Takeda and more For updates from KdT, please subscribe to our Substack. Show Notes: Takeda Acquires Nimbus’ Tyk2 Autoimmune Program Discovering Nimbus Selective TYK2 Inhibition: A Story of Vision and Perseverance

KdT Ventures Partners, Mack Healy & Rima Chakrabarti take a deep dive into a specific S-1 filing from a company that has or is hoping to go public within the biology realm. This episode, Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, a neuro biotech founded in a dorm room by two scrappy Brown undergrads. We discuss: the mechanism of action of Amylyx’s lead disease-modifying asset, and competitive positioning relative to other treatments for neurodegeneration such as aducanumab  Amylyx’s capital efficiency, and reaching PhII trials without a single institutional investor Amylyx’s unique engagement of ALS patients from the earliest days of the company, helping ensure a strong commercial launch of their ALS therapy and more For updates from KdT, please subscribe to our Substack.