Every day, more than 800 children are diagnosed with cancer worldwide. After accidents, cancer is the second leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 14 in the US. Despite these facts, conventional drugs have rarely been developed specifically for pediatric cancer patients but are developed for adults and then tested in children.
However, cancer in children differs significantly from adult cancers, from the types of genetic changes that each age group exhibits to molecular characteristics, histology or outcome. The direct consequence of these differences is the failure of conventional therapies in children, both in terms of efficacy and toxicity.
Oncoheroes Biosciencesis thrilledto announce the investment of Kier’s Kidz, a childhood cancer non-profit from New Jersey that for the first time invested in a biotech company. Since 2012, Kier’s Kidz has been helping children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer by funding cancer treatments and research.
Larry Perfetti, CEO and co-founder of Kier’s Kidz, said, “We are excited to be part of the Oncoheroes Family. By investing in the work of Oncoheroes, we are investing in a 21st Century approach to pediatric cancer drug development that takes into account the advancements made in genetics, cancer research, pharmaceuticals, and medical knowledge about the specific needs of pediatric cancer patients. Most importantly, we are investing in the lives of pediatric cancer patients who will be helped to survive and to thrive by the new drugs that are developed by Oncoheroes specifically for these children and adolescents.”
Kier’s Kidz is Kiersten Hickman-Perfetti’s legacy of love and hope for children, adolescents and young adults with cancer. Kier lost her life at age twenty-two to alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of pediatric cancer. While fighting her own cancer for three-and-a-half years, Kier helped younger children and adolescents who were being treated for cancer in The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
“What a fantastic way to celebrate Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Thank you, Kier’s Kidz for joining Oncoheroes. Coming together, we can finally change the landscape of pediatric oncology,” stated Ricardo Garcia, co-founder, and CEO of Oncoheroes Biosciences. “We can’t wait to share more exciting news this month, stay tuned”.
