Targeting the Tumor Ecosystem
to address cancer drug resistance
and improve patients' lives.
Cancers are dynamic ecosystems - it's time we
start treating them as such.
Cancer is not a single
mutation problem. It's
an ecological problem
Most cancer drug therapies are developed to exploit a unique feature, such as a mutation or a specific protein interaction. In reality a tumor consists of a network of cells which compete for nutrients and co-evolve with its microenvironment. Precision oncology aims to match patients with drugs that target specific mutations in their tumors. With the exception of a few super responders, this approach only benefits ~1.5% of patients with relapsed and refractory solid tumors.
studying the interactions
between players in the
tumor ecosystem
Multiple factors ranging from stroma stiffness (mechanical
stress), inflammatory crosstalk (molecular signals), tumor
pH (biochemical status), and metabolic shifts in various
cell types in the tumor microenvironment collectively
trigger individual cancer cells to compete with each other
for resources, suppress immune activation, and promote
oncogenic evolution. Our research platform allows us to
find molecules that are able to impact a broad range of cells
to collapse tumor ecosystems.
We integrate
biology, biophysics,
computational
chemistry & clinical
input to drive
new therapeutic innovation.
Tumor ecosystem
disruptors
Our lead compounds disrupt the metabolic and
inflammatory triggers in both cancer and quasi-cancerous
cells in the microenvironment. By impacting multiple cell
types, we are enabling effective, lasting cancer treatment
We integrate
biology, biophysics,
computational
chemistry & clinical
input to drive
new therapeutic innovation.
New modalites to treat
complex, chronic diseases
Derived from the intersections of cancer, aging, and
immunity, our therapeutic portfolio consists of programs
at various stages of preclinical development addressing
multiple age-related diseases
Solid tumors
Neurodegeneration
Immune dysregulation
Our team
With a team of experienced and passionately
dedicated scientists, clinicians and drug developers,
we believe we can succeed in transforming medicine
and improve the lives of patients and their families.
Ken Nakamura, MD, Ph.D
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Olof Mollstedt
Helen Chen, Ph.D.
Arlene Sharpe, MD, Ph.D.
+ Bio
Marcia Haigis, Ph.D.
+ Bio
Jean Nakamura, MD, Ph.D.
+ Bio
Ken Nakamura, MD, Ph.D
+ Bio
Olof Mollstedt
Helen Chen, Ph.D.
Arlene Sharpe, MD, Ph.D.
+ Bio
Marcia Haigis, Ph.D.
+ Bio
Jean Nakamura, MD, Ph.D.
+ Bio
Ken Nakamura, MD, Ph.D
+ Bio
Olof Mollstedt
Helen Chen, Ph.D.
Arlene Sharpe, MD, Ph.D.
+ Bio
Marcia Haigis, Ph.D.
+ Bio