Bitterroot Bio, Inc.

Feb. 26, 2024 -- Bitterroot Bio, a leader in innovative treatments for cardiovascular diseases, and Biotheus, a pioneer in monoclonal and multi-specific antibody design, today announced a multi-year research collaboration agreement. This partnership will explore innovative approaches to modulate the immune system and regulate inflammatory responses, which play key roles in the progression of a wide range of cardiovascular diseases. This collaboration combines Bitterroot Bio's expertise in cardiovascular medicine and biology with Biotheus' advanced capabilities in designing novel protein therapeutics. Together, the companies will focus on discovering and developing medicines that may offer new hope for patients suffering from atherosclerosis and other life-threatening cardiovascular conditions. Pavan Cheruvu, MD, CEO of Bitterroot Bio, stated, "We are thrilled to partner with Biotheus to leverage their cutting-edge antibody design technology. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in our quest to develop innovative treatments that can fundamentally change the way cardiovascular diseases are treated." Xiaolin Liu, PhD, CEO of Biotheus, added, "Joining forces with Bitterroot Bio is an exciting opportunity for Biotheus to apply our expertise in bispecific and multi-specific antibody development towards addressing critical needs in cardiovascular medicine. We are confident that this collaboration will lead to breakthroughs that benefit patients worldwide." Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will engage in joint research and development with a goal of nominating product candidates for further development in preclinical and clinical studies. Bitterroot Bio is a pioneer in the emerging field of cardio-immunology, which investigates the interplay between the immune system and cardiovascular health. Bitterroot Bio’s research discoveries have uncovered critical roles that immune cells and modulators of inflammation play in the initiation and progression of cardiovascular disease. Our ultimate goal is to provide new hope to those suffering from cardiovascular diseases by transforming the way these diseases are treated. Biotheus is a clinical-stage biotech company dedicated to the discovery, development, and delivery of novel antibodies to address the unmet medical needs of patients with oncology and inflammatory diseases worldwide. Since its inception, Biotheus has established several innovative platforms for antibody discovery. With an experienced R&D team, Biotheus has built a differentiated product pipeline with programs at various stages. The content above comes from the network. if any infringement, please contact us to modify.

PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitterroot Bio, a biotechnology company focused on developing novel immunotherapies in cardiovascular disease, has been selected to present research at the upcoming American Heart Association Scientific Sessions conference, which will take place from November 11-13, 2023 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA. The abstract, titled "Blockade of CD47 Using a Novel Anti-CD47 Molecule, BRB-002, Attenuates Atherosclerosis in an ApoE Mouse Model," has been scheduled for a moderated oral presentation at 9:30 AM ET on Saturday, November 11th, 2023. Dr. Craig Basson, Chief Medical Officer at Bitterroot Bio, commented on the presentation, saying, "We are honored to have the opportunity to present our research at the American Heart Association conference. Our team at Bitterroot Bio is dedicated to advancing cardiovascular science, and we believe that BRB-002 has potential to improve the lives of many patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We look forward to sharing our results with the scientific community." About Bitterroot Bio Bitterroot Bio is committed to pioneering the emerging field of cardio-immunology, which investigates the interplay between the immune system and cardiovascular health. Bitterroot Bio’s research has uncovered the critical roles that immune cells and modulators of inflammation play in the initiation and progression of cardiovascular disease. The company’s lead candidate, BRB-002, targets the CD47/SIRPα pathway to address the underlying causes of atherosclerosis and vascular inflammation. Our ultimate goal is to provide new hope to those suffering from cardiovascular disease and transform the way these diseases are treated. For more information, please visit http://www.brbio.com Contact: Lori Clerkin, Bitterroot Bio, Inc., lori.clerkin@brbio.com, (650) 407-2004

Pictured: Jar of money / Adobe Stock, juliasudnitskaya Wednesday, California start-up Bitterroot Bio launched from stealth and closed a $145 million Series A funding round to develop innovative immunotherapies for cardiovascular diseases. Founded in 2021, Bitterroot is built on the research of its cofounders and directors, Irving Weissman and Nicholas Leeper, both from the Stanford University School of Medicine. Their work has focused on the emerging field of cardio-immunology, which seeks to understand the connections and interplay between the immune system and cardiovascular health. In a 2016 study published in Nature, Leeper and Weissman detailed the role of CD47, a surface protein that protects cells from macrophages, in atherosclerosis. CD47 appears to be present in high amounts in atherosclerotic plaques, which weakens phagocytosis in the vicinity and impairs the clearance of these plaques. The 2016 study also demonstrated that delivering antibodies that block CD47 could restore the function of macrophages in mice and facilitate the clearance of plaques and reversal of atherosclerosis. Bitterroot is leveraging Leeper’s and Weissman’s CD47 scholarship to develop novel therapies for heart conditions. The start-up’s lead program, BRB-002, is designed to target the CD47/SIRPα pathway and the underlying causes of vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. The anti-CD47 approach to cardiovascular pathology has yet to be tested in humans. Joining Leeper and Weissman at Bitterroot is Pavan Cheruvu, who will serve as its president and CEO. Most recently, Cheruvu was an executive team member at Roivant Sciences and had been the chief executive of Sio Gene Therapies prior to that. Cheruvu’s experience spans both the private and public sectors and across various areas such as oncology, neurology, cardiology and infectious diseases. Serving as Bitterroot’s chief medical officer is Crag Basson, who had previously spent 10 years at Novartis, where he worked as the company’s global head of translational medicine for the cardiovascular and metabolic therapeutic areas. Basson was also previously chief medical officer of Boston Pharmaceuticals. Aside from its experienced leadership, Bitterroot is supported by a strong syndicate of backers, including ARCH Venture Partners, which co-led the Series A with Deerfield Management, as well as Kock Disruptive Technologies and Alexandria Venture Investments. From Cancer to Cardio Beyond cardiovascular disease, CD47 is also a known player in cancer and its over-expression has been shown to help tumor cells evade not only the cancer-killing action of macrophages but also the body’s immune surveillance mechanisms. In 2016, Weissman co-founded Forty Seven Inc., an immuno-oncology company focused on developing anti-CD47 therapies. Its lead candidate, magrolimab, is an IgG4 monoclonal antibody being trialed in several solid and hematologic cancers alone or in combination with other antibodies or T-cell checkpoint inhibitors. Gilead gained access to magrolimab in March 2020, when it acquired Forty Seven for $4.9 billion. The CD47 cancer program has since hit several roadblocks. In January 2022, the FDA placed a partial clinical hold on all studies of magrolimab combined with azacitidine due to safety issues. This was followed by even more clinical holds in February and April 2022. Tristan Manalac is an independent science writer based in metro Manila, Philippines. He can be reached at tristan@tristanmanalac.com or tristan.manalac@biospace.com.