Mr. Estigarribia Marc
MSQ Ventures
MDMichael McNeely
GattaCo develops products that enable fast accurate evidence-based decision making to improve healthcare outcomes. We do this by solving the fundamental problems in sample purification, the most challenging component of the diagnostic testing workflow.
Our new Plasm™ Module is a revolutionary, patented, automatic plasma separation and metering module or insert used to provide high-purity, metered plasma to a rapid diagnostic testing platform, such as lateral flow, biosensor, or other Point of Care (POC) device, from finger-stick capillary blood. The initial version of the Plasm Module is optimized for antibody testing and will revolutionize POC diagnostics by improving:
- Sensitivity: Increased number of antibodies compared to the same volume of whole blood.
- Specificity Accuracy: High quality/purity sample with reduced background.
- Repeatability: Plasma is metered to +/- 5%. Quantitation: Precisely metered output, independent of hematocrit.
GATTACO Inc.
Pres/CEOMr. Nate Nate
a16z is defined by respect for the entrepreneur and the entrepreneurial company building process; we know what it’s like to be in the founder’s shoes. The firm is led by general partners, many of whom are former founders/operators, CEOs, or CTOs of successful technology companies, and who have domain expertise ranging from biology to crypto to distributed systems to security to marketplaces to financial services.
We aim to connect entrepreneurs, investors, executives, engineers, academics, industry experts, and others in the technology ecosystem. We have built a network of experts including technical and executive talent; top media and marketing resources; Fortune 500/Global 2000 companies; as well as other technology decision makers, influencers, and key opinion leaders. a16z uses this network as part of our commitment to help our portfolio companies grow their business, so our operating teams provide entrepreneurs with access to expertise and insights across the entire spectrum of company building.
Andreessen Horowitz
PartnerGary Ng
Abveris Inc.
Director of MarketingMr. Bill Niland
NeoProgen
CEOCEO Jonathan Northrup
Summary / Data Stingray Therapeutics: Novel Innate Immunity Target - Ectonucleotide Pyrophosphatase / Phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1). Stingray Therapeutics, a biotechnology company located in the Texas Medical Center (TMC), is developing next-generation innate immune modulators targeting the STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) pathway. Clinical Candidate (SR-8541A) - Potent and Selective Inhibitor of ENPP1 SR-8541A Binds the Catalytic Pocket of ENPP1ENPP1 Inhibitors Activate the STING pathway and Promote Lympocyte Infiltration of Breast Cancer Single-Agent Activity (CT26 - Colon), 57.8% Decrease in Tumor Volume SR-8541A Treatment and Radiation Theapy Demonstrate Synergy and Abscopal Anti-Tumor Response in MC38 Mode Description - STING / ENPP1 The STING pathway is the body’s first level of defense against foreign pathogens (bacteria / viruses) and critical for enabling the adaptive immune system (e.g. T-Cells) to recognize cancer cells and attack. SR-8541A blocks ENPP1’s activity which cancer upregulates to suppress the STING ST imulator of IN terferon G pathway both in cancer cells and in the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME). By downregulating ENPP1, SR-8541A enhances the innate immune response where adaptive immunity (e.g. checkpoint inhibitors) cannot defeat the cancer alone.SR-8541A used in combination with checkpoint inhibitors enables both arms of the immune system (innate / adaptive) to fight cancer providing a dramatic leap forward in immune-oncology treatment in tumors unresponsive to checkpoint inhibition (prostate , colorectal) and aiding response in tumors where checkpoint inhibitors are currently used melanoma, head and neck, triple-negative breast). Other advantages of ENPP1 inhibition include blocking adenosine production, an important immune suppressor, and helping to block cancer’s ability to repair DNA following targeted and / or chemotherapy. While Stingray's primary focus is oncology, it is also known that activation of the STING pathway via ENPP1 inhibition could have a major impact in infectious diseases, including Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and Hepatitis B, through the stimulation of host defense immunity. Timeline: Pre-IND Enabling Studies: 3Q2020 - 1Q2020 GLP Toxicology Single-Agent Pre-Clinical Studies (interferon responsive tumors - CTCL, Myelofibrosis and immune responsive tumors) Combination Studies - checkpoint inhibitors, anti-CD38 in multiple myeloma, PRRT (liquid radiation), PARP inhibitors, chemotherapy, CAR-T / CAR-NK cells File IND - 1Q2020 Financing: Stingray is raising $1.5M of bridge financing (convertible note funding pre-IND studies) leading to a $15M Series A advancing the company’s lead small molecule compound, SR-8541A, through Phase 1 clinical studies. Use of Proceeds $1M: Pre-Clinical (Chemistry, Biology, CMC, Toxicology) $1M: IP, Legal $11M: Two (2) Phase 1 Clinical Studies $2M: Administration