Checkmate Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

SAN FRANCISCO--( BUSINESS WIRE )--venBio today announced the closing of venBio Global Strategic Fund V (“venBio Fund V”), its fifth life sciences venture capital fund, exceeding its target and closing on approximately $528 million in capital commitments in an oversubscribed fundraise. The firm initiated the fundraise for Fund V in mid-April. Limited partners of Fund V include a broad range of institutional investors comprising sovereign wealth funds, corporate pensions, financial institutions, university endowments, medical institutions, foundations, family offices and funds-of-funds. Under the fund leadership of Managing Partners Richard Gaster, M.D., Ph.D., Corey Goodman, Ph.D., and Aaron Royston, M.D., venBio Fund V will maintain its focus on life science companies that are developing biopharmaceuticals to address unmet medical needs. The venBio team takes an active role with each portfolio company, providing strategic guidance on a range of research, clinical, and business activities. venBio seeks opportunities spanning all stages of clinical development, with a focus on those providing meaningful clinical data and value inflection within three to five years. “With a highly concentrated portfolio and active involvement in each company, we are proud to have helped build companies that have achieved nine FDA drug approvals over the past six years, with many more generating promising clinical efficacy and safety data,” said Dr. Royston. “This cohort of companies has generated significant value for venBio, and it’s motivating to recognize that by turning science into impactful medicine, our firm and our partners have been rewarded.” Dr. Goodman commented, “Our portfolio is directly impacting patient lives, and we could not have achieved this without the ongoing commitment from our limited partners. Fund V is structured to enable us to continue our proven approach of being highly selective in company building, while doubling down on winners around key inflection points, including in crossover rounds and at IPO.” Dr. Gaster added, “We are also delighted to announce that with the closing of Fund V, our colleague Dr. Yvonne Yamanaka has been promoted to Partner. In structuring Fund V, our primary goal was to maintain consistency in our strategy, core team and investment discipline, and we look forward to her continued contributions to the firm.” About venBio Partners Since inception in 2011, venBio has raised roughly $2B billion in capital commitments and led investment rounds in 40+ companies, including Labrys Biologics (acquired by Teva), Aragon Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Johnson & Johnson), Seragon Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Roche), Aurinia Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AUPH), Apellis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: APLS), Checkmate Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: CMPI, acquired by Regeneron), Turning Point Therapeutics (NASDAQ: TPTX, acquired by BMS), Akero Therapeutics (NASDAQ: AKRO), Harmony Biosciences (NASDAQ: HRMY), Pharvaris (NASDAQ: PHVS), CinCor Pharma (NASDAQ: CINC, acquired by Astra Zeneca), RayzeBio (NASDAQ: RYZB, acquired by BMS), and many others. For more information, visit the venBio website at www.venbio.com and follow on LinkedIn .

The potential of oncolytic viruses as a novel approach to cancer treatment is exciting and offers a targeted approach that holds promise for overcoming treatment resistance and achieving durable responses in a range of malignancies. LAS VEGAS, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Oncolytic viruses are either RNA or DNA viruses. RNA viruses such as reoviruses, paramyxoviruses, and picornaviruses, which encode only a few genes, often undergo rapid proliferation and lysis of tumor cells. On the other hand, oncolytic DNA viruses such as herpes viruses, adenoviruses, or poxviruses allow for the insertion of multiple foreign genes but are slower in replication and amplification. Among the selected cancers, bladder cancer accounted for the maximum cases as compared to other selected indications in 2023 among the 7MM. As per the DelveInsight assessment, in 2023, the total incident cases of melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, pancreatic cancer, renal cell carcinoma, prostate cancer, brain cancer, bladder cancer, and ovarian cancer combined in the United States were 1.1 million. Currently, only two oncolytic virus therapies are approved, namely, IMLYGIC (Talimogene laherparepvec/T-VEC; Amgen) and DELYTACT (teserpaturev/G47∆; Daiichi Sankyo). Learn more about the FDA-approved oncolytic viruses @ Oncolytic Viruses Cancer Treatment IMLYGIC (T-VEC), developed by Amgen, became the first oncolytic virus to receive approval from the FDA in 2015. It is indicated for the local treatment of unresectable cutaneous, subcutaneous, and nodal lesions in patients with recurrent melanoma following initial surgery. Subsequently, in December 2015, the European Commission (EC) also approved for its use in treating adults with unresectable melanoma that has regionally or distantly metastasized (Stage IIIB, IIIC, and IVM1a), excluding bone, brain, lung, or other visceral diseases. This genetically modified herpes simplex virus type 1 is engineered to replicate within tumors and express an immune-stimulating protein known as granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). DELYTACT (G47Δ) is a modified form of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) with three mutations, designed to selectively replicate within cancer cells. In 2021, it received provisional approval from the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for hospital-based commercialization, specifically for treating malignant glioma patients over 7 years. This approval followed a Phase II trial demonstrating improved one-year survival rates among patients with recurrent glioblastoma, previously treated with radiotherapy and temozolomide chemotherapy. DELYTACT marks the world's first oncolytic virus therapy for brain cancer and only the third globally available oncolytic virus treatment. To learn more about oncolytic viruses cancer treatment options, visit @ Oncolytic Virus Cancer Therapy The field of oncolytic virus therapy is still developing. Further research is needed to determine their long-term efficacy and potential challenges. Still, early results seem encouraging, suggesting that oncolytic viruses may become a powerful tool for the treatment of patients with cancer. Presently, oncolytic virus therapy is only approved for melanoma and malignant glioma (in Japan). However, the pipeline suggests its emergence as a potential treatment for various cancers, including ovarian cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and others. The pipeline for oncolytic viruses is robust, with major pharmaceutical companies such as Replimune (RP1), Genelux (Olvi-Vec), Candel Therapeutics (CAN-2409), Imugene (CF33-HNIS), EpicentRx (AdAPT-001), and others actively engaged in research to enhance cancer treatment options. Discover which therapies are expected to grab major oncolytic virus therapy market share @ Oncolytic Virus Therapy Market Report Olvi-Vec is a proprietary oncolytic vaccinia virus engineered to enhance safety, tumor selectivity, and therapeutic potential. Originally a non-human pathogen used in the smallpox vaccine, the vaccinia virus induces immunogenic cell death and activates the immune system for long-term cancer immunotherapy. According to Genelux's recent corporate presentation, topline results for the Phase III OnPrime/GOG-3076 study are expected in the second half of 2025. In November 2023, Genelux announced that the US FDA granted Fast Track Designation for Olvi-Vec (olvimulogene nanivacirepvec) in treating patients with platinum-resistant/refractory ovarian cancer. The drug is currently in Phase III clinical development, with the study anticipated to be completed by 2026. RP1 is Replimune's leading product candidate, developed from a proprietary new strain of herpes simplex virus. It has been genetically modified and enhanced with a fusogenic protein (GALV-GP R-) and GM-CSF to enhance tumor-killing potency, improve the immunogenicity of tumor cell death, and stimulate a systemic anti-tumor immune response. In April 2024, Replimune presented interim results from ARTACUS, a Phase I/II clinical trial testing RP1 monotherapy for skin cancers in patients who have undergone solid organ or hematopoietic cell transplants. Currently, RP1 is in the Phase II IGNYTE study, a multi-cohort clinical trial combining RP1 with OPDIVO. AdAPT-001 is an experimental immunotherapy featuring a TGF-β receptor-immunoglobulin Fc fusion trap. It is designed to neutralize isoforms 1 and 3 of the profibrotic, proangiogenic, prohypoxic, and immunosuppressive cytokine, TGF-β, and make resistant tumors more responsive to checkpoint blockade. In the ongoing Phase I/II BETA PRIME trial, AdAPT-001 is being administered alone and in combination with checkpoint inhibitors to patients with treatment-resistant tumors. Notably, AdAPT-001 combined with checkpoint inhibitors has shown improved toxicity and adverse event profiles compared to the typical results seen with checkpoint inhibitors alone. Discover more about oncolytic viruses in development @ Oncolytic Viruses Cancer Therapy Clinical Trials The anticipated launch of these emerging therapies are poised to transform the market landscape in the coming years. As these cutting-edge therapies continue to mature and gain regulatory approval, they are expected to reshape the oncolytic virus cancer therapy market landscape, offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth. DelveInsight estimates that the market size for oncolytic virus therapy is expected to grow with a significant CAGR by 2034. As per DelveInsight, the United States accounts for the largest oncolytic virus market size accounting for more than 70% of the total market, in comparison to EU4 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France), the United Kingdom, and Japan. Among all the emerging oncolytic virus therapies, RP1 is the most promising therapy accounting for ~40% of the oncolytic virus market in the coming decade due to its high efficacy. DelveInsight's latest published market report titled as Oncolytic Virus Market Size, Target Population, Competitive Landscape & Market Forecast – 2034 will help you to discover which market leader is going to capture the largest market share. The report provides comprehensive insights into the oncolytic virus country-specific treatment guidelines, patient pool analysis, and epidemiology forecast to help understand the key opportunities and assess the market's underlying potential. The oncolytic virus market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 2020–2034 in the 7MM segmented into: Total Incident Cases of Selected Cancer Types Target Patient Pool of Oncolytic Virus Cancer Therapy by Cancer Types Total Treated Cases by Line of Therapies The report provides an edge while developing business strategies by understanding trends shaping and driving the 7MM oncolytic virus market. Highlights include: 11-year Forecast 7MM Analysis Epidemiology-based Market Forecasting Historical and Forecasted Market Analysis upto 2034 Emerging Drug Market Uptake Peak Sales Analysis Key Cross Competition Analysis Industry Expert's Opinion Access and Reimbursement Download this oncolytic virus market report to assess the epidemiology forecasts, understand the patient journeys, know KOLs' opinions about the upcoming treatment paradigms, and determine the factors contributing to the shift in the oncolytic virus market. Also, stay abreast of the mitigating factors to improve your market position in the oncolytic virus therapeutic space. Related Reports Oncolytic Virus Competitive Landscape Oncolytic Virus Competitive Landscape – 2024 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key oncolytic virus companies, including Genelux Corporation, Candel Therapeutics, CG Oncology, DNAtrix, SillaJen Biotherapeutics, Oncolytics Biotech, Wuhan Binhui Biotechnology, Oryx GmbH, Jiangsu Sinorda Biomedicine Co., Ltd, Virogin Biotech, Replimune, Viralytics, Oncolys Biopharma, Istari Oncology, Immvira Pharma, Seneca Therapeutics, Treovir, LLC, Targovax, Lokon Pharma, ORCA Therapeutics, Beijing SyngenTech, ViruCure, Tasly Pharmaceuticals, Turnstone Biologics, BioInvent, Transgene, Elicera Therapeutics, Orgenesis, Virttu Biologics, Imugene, Astellas Pharma, Wuhan Binhui Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Mustang Bio, Virogin Biotech, Vaxiion Therapeutics, ImmVirX, Memgen, Replimune, Immvira Pharma, ViroCure, GeneMedicine, PsiOxus Therapeutics, VCN Biosciences, Candel therapeutics, Sorrento Therapeutics, Imugene Limited, Calidi Biotherapeutics, Replimune, TILT Biotherapeutics, Guangzhou Virotech Pharmaceutical, DNAtrix, Oncorus, BioEclipse Therapeutics, among others. Oncology Drugs Market Oncology Drugs Market Insight, Competitive Landscape, and Market Forecast – 2030 report delivers an in-depth understanding of market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key oncology drugs companies, including GlaxoSmithKline, Eli Lilly & Company, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, AbbVie Inc., Amgen Inc, Sanofi, Merck & Co., Inc, Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb., Gilead Sciences, Inc., Janssen Global Services, LLC, BAYER AG., Celldex Therapeutics Inc., Alaunos Therapeutics, Inc., Astellas Pharma Inc., Genentech, Inc., Sandoz International GmbH, BeiGene, among others. Melanoma Market Melanoma Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast – 2032 report deliver an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key melanoma companies including IO Biotech, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Eisai, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Highlight Therapeutics, Linnaeus Therapeutics, Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals, Taiga Biotechnologies, Inc., Aivita Biomedical, Inc., Genentech, Inc., Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc, Amgen, Checkmate Pharmaceuticals, Astellas Pharma Inc, Galectin Therapeutics Inc., Eucure (Beijing) Biopharma Co., Ltd, Mologen AG, Ultimovacs ASA, Seagen Inc., MedImmune LLC, OnKure, Inc., Syntrix Biosystems, Inc., Anaveon AG, iOx Therapeutics, Portage Biotech, ModernaTX, Inc., Nektar Therapeutics, BioNTech SE, Sapience Therapeutics, HUYABIO International, LLC., Provectus Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., Cantargia AB, Turnstone Biologics, Corp., Aura Biosciences, F-star Therapeutics, Inc., Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., Kinnate Biopharma, Xencor, Inc., HiFiBiO Therapeutics, among others. Pancreatic Cancer Market Pancreatic Cancer Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast – 2034 report deliver an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key pancreatic cancer companies including FibroGen, OSE Immunotherapeutics, Lokon Pharma, Oncotelic Inc., Tesaro, Inc., Helix BioPharma Corporation, Theradex, Tvardi Therapeutics, Incorporated, AIM ImmunoTech Inc., BioNTech SE, Prestige Biopharma Limited, HCW Biologics, Cantex Pharmaceuticals, XBiotech, Inc., Lumicell, Inc., CARsgen Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Panbela Therapeutics, Inc. , among others. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve . Contact Us Shruti Thakur [email protected] +14699457679 Logo: SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP

Pictured: Photo illustration of hundred dollar bill and graph/iStock, Darren415 Life sciences investment firm Decheng Capital on Monday unveiled plans for its fifth fund with a target raise of $700 million, according to an SEC filing. Decheng has not yet disclosed the investment priorities for its fifth fund, including therapeutic areas, platform technologies or target companies, nor has it provided a specific timeline for when it expects to close its fundraising. The investment firm—which is based in Shanghai, New York and Silicon Valley—is focused on supporting “early-stage life science companies” working on “revolutionary technologies,” according to its website. Decheng also backs “growth stage healthcare companies with strong market presence.” Since its founding in 2012, the firm has raised over $2 billion in capital and has helped fund some of the promising start-ups across the industry. Decheng’s portfolio includes Acelyrin, Arcus Biosciences and CG Oncology, which all have successfully gone public in recent years. The firm has also backed ARMO Biosciences which was acquired by Eli Lilly, Checkmate Pharmaceuticals which was bought by Regeneron, and GeneWeave which was purchased by Roche. Many of Decheng’s other portfolio companies are also in the process of being absorbed by or partnering with large pharma players. In April 2024, Mammoth Biosciences inked a research, development and commercialization contract with Regeneron, leveraging its in vivo CRISPR-based gene editing platform. That same month, Bristol Myers Squibb signed a $380 million deal with Cellares to use the biotech’s Cell Shuttle technology, an end-to-end and fully automated platform for manufacturing CAR-T cell therapies. A few weeks earlier, Decheng-backed Alpine Immune Sciences agreed to be bought by Vertex Pharmaceuticals for $65 per share or approximately $4.9 billion in cash. The deal, which has been approved by both companies’ boards of directors, is expected to close later this year. Another Decheng company, Anheart Therapeutics, was bought by Nuvation Bio in March 2024 in an all-stock transaction. Decheng’s announcement on Monday comes after two other life science investment firms closed major funds last week. With $900 million in capital commitments, Foresite Capital on Wednesday announced its goal of supporting innovative projects at the intersection of biotechnology and technology. Foresite is looking to back growth-oriented biotechs working in precision therapeutics, life science infrastructure and healthcare delivery. Also last week, J.P. Morgan Private Capital unveiled its $500 million fund. Secured from various backers, the fund will largely be agnostic in terms of stage, modality, geography and therapeutic area, though J.P. Morgan will focus primarily on private biotechs specializing in cardiometabolic diseases, immunology, oncology and genetic medicines. Tristan Manalac is an independent science writer based in Metro Manila, Philippines. Reach out to him on LinkedIn or email him at tristan@tristanmanalac.com or tristan.manalac@biospace.com.