TwoStep Therapeutics emerges as a beacon of hope in cancer treatment with the announcement of its official launch and the successful closure of a $6.5 million seed funding round led by NFX. Founded by CEO Caitlyn Miller and distinguished Stanford professors Jennifer Cochran, Ronald Levy, and Nobel Laureate Carolyn Bertozzi, TwoStep is set to revolutionize oncology with its innovative platform targeting solid tumors.
The company’s groundbreaking technology centers around a polyspecific integrin-binding peptide (PIP) that uniquely targets multiple markers highly expressed on solid tumor cells. Unlike conventional therapies limited to specific tumor types, TwoStep’s approach promises broad applicability across diverse cancers, overcoming significant treatment challenges.
Caitlyn Miller, PhD, CEO and co-founder, expressed optimism about the transformative potential of TwoStep’s platform. “Our goal at TwoStep is to expand the reach of precision medicine to encompass the vast landscape of solid tumors,” she stated. “By harnessing our versatile PIP technology, we aim to deliver targeted therapies that can effectively combat a wide spectrum of cancers.”
Investors including NFX, 2048 Ventures, Alexandria Venture Investments, GC&H Investments, and the family office of Arcadia Investment Partners have demonstrated confidence in TwoStep’s vision to redefine cancer treatment paradigms. This funding will propel the development of targeted cytotoxic drug delivery and immunotherapy modalities within TwoStep’s pipeline.
Omri Amirav-Drory, PhD, General Partner at NFX, emphasized the potential impact of TwoStep’s approach in oncology. “Caitlyn embodies the spirit of a scientist-founder, and alongside Stanford luminaries, she is leading a charge to create a transformative technology platform targeting most solid tumors,” he remarked.
The foundation of TwoStep’s technology, the PIP agent, offers precise tumor localization while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue, enhancing treatment efficacy and safety. Developed in the laboratories of Stanford University and nurtured within the Stanford Innovative Medicines Accelerator (IMA), TwoStep marks a significant milestone as the first spinout from the institution’s prestigious program.
Jennifer Cochran, PhD, co-founder and Stanford Professor of Bioengineering, highlighted the unique properties of the PIP molecule. “Its synthetic design and robust tumor-penetrating capabilities make PIP an ideal candidate for broad therapeutic applications,” she explained.
With expertise spanning chemical biology, antibody-drug conjugates, and immuno-oncology, TwoStep’s founders have laid a solid foundation for advancing cancer therapeutics. The company’s commitment to innovation and patient-centric solutions underscores its mission to address critical unmet needs in cancer treatment. twosteptx.com. picture credit: endpointsnews
Editorial:
The fight against cancer continues to evolve, and TwoStep Therapeutics’ emergence brings a promising new weapon to the arsenal. Their $6.5 million seed funding round, led by NFX and a team of distinguished co-founders, signifies the immense potential of their platform targeting solid tumors.
TwoStep’s approach stands out for its versatility. Unlike conventional therapies that target specific tumor types, their technology utilizes a unique peptide to target multiple markers commonly found in solid tumors. This broad applicability across various cancers holds the potential to revolutionize how we treat these aggressive malignancies. Backed by a team of visionary scientists and strong investor confidence, TwoStep is poised to make significant strides in delivering targeted therapies and overcoming current limitations in solid tumor treatment. picture credit: endpointsnews
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