Home/Pipeline/Oncology Program

Oncology Program

Adrenal cancer, head & neck and other squamous cancers

PreclinicalActive

Key Facts

Indication
Adrenal cancer, head & neck and other squamous cancers
Phase
Preclinical
Status
Active
Companies

About Orphagen Pharmaceuticals

Orphagen Pharmaceuticals, founded in 2001 and based in San Diego, is a private, preclinical-stage biotech focused on drug discovery for orphan nuclear receptors. The company has built a platform for screening ligands to modulate these receptors, leading to a pipeline with programs in oncology (including adrenal and squamous cancers) and inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease). As a pre-revenue entity, Orphagen's strategy involves internal R&D to generate first-in-class drug candidates for subsequent partnership or clinical development.

View full company profile

About cTRL Therapeutics

cTRL Therapeutics is a private, pre-clinical stage biotech developing a next-generation engineered T cell therapy platform for oncology and autoimmunity. The company's technology seeks to improve upon existing cell therapies by enhancing control over T cell activity and durability. While still in early development, its approach targets significant unmet needs in solid tumors and autoimmune disorders. As a private entity, it is likely funded by venture capital and strategic partnerships to advance its pipeline.

View full company profile

About Grace Science

Grace Science is a private, pre-clinical stage biotech leveraging a decade of proprietary research on the NGLY1 pathway to develop novel therapeutics. The company's pipeline includes a lead gene therapy program for the ultra-rare NGLY1 Deficiency and exploratory small molecule programs targeting broader indications in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. With a world-class scientific foundation, notable co-founders including a Nobel Laureate, and a strategic collaboration with Takeda, Grace Science aims to validate NGLY1 as a pivotal therapeutic target with potential impact across multiple disease areas.

View full company profile

About Accipiter Biosciences

Accipiter Biosciences is a private, preclinical-stage biotech leveraging computational protein design to create novel, multifunctional agonist biologics. Founded in 2018 by alumni of the University of Washington's Institute for Protein Design, the company has raised $12.7 million in seed funding from a syndicate co-led by Takeda and Flying Fish Partners. Accipiter is advancing its internal pipeline in autoimmunity and oncology while also engaging in strategic partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Kite Pharma to expand its platform capabilities.

View full company profile

About Cutanos

Cutanos is a private, preclinical-stage biotech founded in 2020 in Vienna, Austria, focused on a first-of-its-kind targeted delivery platform for mRNA therapeutics. Its proprietary Langerhans Cell Targeted Delivery System (LC-TDS) utilizes a ligand to specifically target a key subset of skin-resident dendritic cells, aiming to enhance vaccine efficacy while reducing doses and side effects. The company is leveraging its modular platform to develop next-generation vaccines and is supported by Austrian public funding agencies and experienced biotech advisors. Cutanos operates as a platform company, positioning its technology for applications in infectious diseases, oncology, and potentially autoimmune disorders.

View full company profile

About Prosetta Biosciences

Prosetta Biosciences is a private, preclinical-stage biotech pioneering a novel drug discovery paradigm centered on modulating the assembly of cellular multi-protein complexes. Its platform, inspired by viral assembly mechanisms, has generated a pipeline with lead programs in neurodegenerative diseases like ALS/FTD and Alzheimer's, as well as in antiviral, antibacterial, and oncology indications. The company is led by founder and CEO/CTO Dr. Vishwanath R. Lingappa and is supported by a scientific advisory board including notable figures like Dr. Dale Bredesen. While demonstrating promising preclinical data, Prosetta remains pre-revenue and faces the significant risks inherent in advancing a first-in-class technology through clinical development.

View full company profile

About InnoMedica

InnoMedica is a private, clinical-stage biotech leveraging a proprietary nanotechnology platform for targeted drug delivery. Its most advanced program is a potentially novel therapy for Parkinson's disease, which is in Phase II clinical development, with a parallel oncology program demonstrating the platform's versatility. The company has established its own GMP-certified manufacturing facility ('Nanofactory') in Switzerland and is currently executing a capital increase round to fund development through 2025.

View full company profile

About Helixomer

Helixomer is a private, preclinical biotech firm pioneering a novel drug design platform that combines RNA origami (RNAO) with aptamers to create more effective nanodrugs. Its core technology aims to overcome the historical limitations of aptamers—such as low efficacy and rapid clearance—by arranging multiple aptamers on a stable, non-immunogenic RNA scaffold. The company is applying this modular, 'plug-and-play' platform to build a pipeline in oncology, neurodegenerative disorders, and cardiovascular disease, positioning itself as a next-generation RNA medicine developer.

View full company profile

About Model Medicines

Model Medicines is a private, preclinical-stage biotech leveraging artificial intelligence to accelerate drug discovery. Its core technology, the GALILEO™ platform, is used to identify and validate novel compounds, with a lead program (MDL-001) targeting multiple viruses via a common RdRp mechanism. The company emphasizes validation through partnerships with top academic labs and is advancing a pipeline of fully-owned assets toward IND-enabling studies.

View full company profile

About MicroQuin

MicroQuin is a private, preclinical-stage biotech developing first-in-class therapeutics that target the IntraCellular Environment (ICE) to treat cancer, viral infections, and neurodegeneration. Its core hypothesis is that disease progression is driven by destabilization of the cellular interior, and its drugs aim to restore balance by modulating specific ICE regulators. The company has garnered non-dilutive funding from government grants and established a key collaboration with Eli Lilly's TuneLab, positioning its lead oncology program for potential IND-enabling studies. MicroQuin represents a high-risk, high-reward venture targeting fundamental biological mechanisms across multiple major therapeutic areas.

View full company profile

About Electrome

Electrome is positioning itself as a category leader in the emerging field of bioelectric medicine. Its core strategy involves an integrated platform combining a proprietary AI-powered discovery engine, a bioelectric data knowledge graph, and a modular hardware system to rapidly develop and commercialize non-invasive electroceuticals. With a first therapy for pain and inflammation prepared for launch via a 510(k) regulatory path, the company aims for near-term revenue while building a pipeline across high-burden diseases like wound healing, infectious disease, and oncology.

View full company profile

About Orion Pharma

Orion Pharma is a publicly traded, diversified pharmaceutical company with a mission to develop innovative and generic treatments that enhance human and animal health. Its strategy leverages deep expertise in small molecule drug development across proprietary R&D in oncology and pain, a robust generic drugs portfolio, and a global API business to drive growth. The company aims to become a truly global, patient-focused innovator by the 2030s, balancing commercial execution with a strong sustainability ethos.

View full company profile

About Lunai Bioworks

Lunai Bioworks is a public biotech company (LNAI) on a mission to decode disease biology by creating a continuous, integrated system where AI-driven insights are rapidly validated in living models. Founded in 2021, the company has developed a validated platform combining its Augusta AI engine, Phenograph translational system, and high-throughput zebrafish models to identify novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers. Its strategy focuses on advancing internal programs and strategic partnerships in complex therapeutic areas like oncology and neurology, aiming to compress drug discovery timelines and reduce clinical attrition.

View full company profile