The latest cohort of MassBioDrive, an accelerator program designed to advance breakthrough science while providing opportunities to innovators from all parts of the life sciences ecosystem, was announced today by MassBio and features five emerging biotechs from Massachusetts and Connecticut.
The companies: Beginning this month and running through closing pitches at a Demo Day on November 14, these five biotechs will learn from and connect with MassBio’s global life sciences network. This is who they are …
- D2B3 (Branford, CT) has developed a patented human monoclonal antibody (Mab) that transiently and highly specifically opens the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB), achieving high drug penetration to the brain. The lead asset D2B3-01 has shown exceptional performance in in vivo proof of concept studies delivering a variety of drug classes (small molecules to biologics) across the BBB and unlocking therapeutic efficacy in different rodent CNS-disease models. Initially, D2B3 hopes to extend the reach of generic – off-patent – therapeutic assets to the brain, promising lower regulatory burdens and fast clinical progression, bringing hope to patients living with CNS-diseases.
- HarborSite (Boston, MA), a Harvard/Wyss Institute spinoff, is pioneering a safe and efficient gene insertion technology to provide curative treatments for rare genetic and common disorders. By engineering compact, simple yet potent enzymes — recombinases — HarborSite can efficiently and precisely integrate large DNA cargos into genomic safe harbors for robust and durable therapeutic gene expression, with an initial focus on liver and blood cell editing.
- Lybra Bio (Cambridge, MA) is reshaping the treatment landscape of Autoimmune Skin Diseases. They are developing innovative therapeutics platforms aiming to restore the skin’s immune equilibrium in patients suffering from Autoimmune Skin Diseases. Lybra Bio’s first platform combines clinically validated cytokines loaded into an advanced microneedle patch for superior efficacy and patient compliance while bypassing systemic side effects.
- Modulate Bio (Allston, MA) is advancing a new generation of fine-tuned neuro-medicines to treat a range of neurological disorders. Modulate Bio’s platform enables them to precisely treat neurological disorders like Essential Tremor, epilepsy and anxiety by restoring healthy brain receptor function, without overactivating. Modulate Bio has achieved in vivo proof-of-concept in mice and are close to identifying a development candidate to treat Essential Tremor.
- RedPoint Oncology (Holden, MA) is a targeted precision oncology company, leveraging next-generation antibody-drug conjugates to develop best-in-class therapies for lethal solid tumors with no cure.
What we’re saying: “MassBio recognizes the need to support the early-stage biotech community by reducing non-technical barriers, delivering high-quality business-focused content, and playing matchmaker between entrepreneurs and mentors – and MassBioDrive does just that! I am thrilled to see the quality of this fall’s cohort of startups and hope that their time in the program truly propels their companies and patient-driven science to the next milestone.” – MassBio CEO and President Kendalle Burlin O’Connell
Meet the founders: A networking event is the ecosystem’s first opportunity to engage with these companies and the broader biotech ecosystem. The innovation community is invited to connect with the F24 cohort on October 9, 2024, in the MassBioHub.
The programming: MassBioDrive provides each company with a market-focused launchpad of training, resources, and networks in their growth trajectory to fully realize the potential of their science – at no cost and with no equity taken. During a high impact, eight-week hybrid program, the five startups selected through a rigorous vetting process will:
- Participate in six business-focused curriculum modules taught by seasoned experts from Browne Consulting (Business Fundamentals), KPMG (Regulatory Strategy), Thermo Fisher Scientific (Drug Development), Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (IP and Legal), Xontogeny (Fundraising), and other industry leaders (Demystifying Pharma Partnering Panel)
- Partner with a dedicated group of industry mentors;
- Connect with MassBio’s global life sciences network through ecosystem-wide events and targeted 1:1 partnering opportunities; and
- After presenting at an invite-only Demo Day, receive a stipend award from Bristol Myers Squibb and access to and/or resources from MassBioDrive partners including Evaluate and Google Cloud.
Drive’s history: Launched in 2022, MassBioDrive’s mission is to advance breakthrough science while providing opportunities to innovators from all parts of the life sciences ecosystem. Over its first five cohorts, MassBioDrive accelerated 26 companies.