Investment

Foundation for Addie’s Research Joins Oncoheroes To Create More and Better Options for Children Fighting Cancer

Every year near 100,000 kids worldwide die of cancer, largely because of the lack of innovative treatments for the types of cancer affecting children and adolescents. Oncoheroes Biosciences, has built a multi-asset portfolio of drugs to potentially treat several types of childhood cancer that have had little significant improvement over the past 20-30 years in overall survival.

“We are passionate about cancer research combined with a sense of urgency. We have been researching Oncoheroes’ lead compound, volasertib, for several years and feel confident in its efficacy”, said Christina Stiverson, President of the Foundation for Addie’s Research. “The foundation is extremely excited to support Oncoheroes moving volasertib into a clinical trial  to create more and better options for children fighting cancer. This effort could have made a difference for my daughter Addie who ran out of available treatments”.

Adelaide “Addie” was a childhood cancer warrior who lost her battle with Hepatoblastoma in 2016 at the age of three. Foundation for Addie’s Research is focused on pre-clinical research and innovative trials to create more options for children like Addie.

In addition, Foundation for Addie’s Research created the Hepatoblastoma Resource Network, a credible consolidated resource for families, to unite a fractured rare cancer community.  “Last year we spearheaded the first ever virtual global conference bringing together researchers, clinicians, and parents from 18 different countries!” added  Christina Stiverson, President of the Foundation for Addie’s Research.

“We are encouraged by preclinical data showing volasertib could be used for other cancer indications beyond rhabdomyosarcoma, our initial planned trial. We are working with academic centers worldwide to explore other indications like DIPG, Ewing sarcoma, medulloblastoma, neuroblastoma and hepatoblastoma”, stated Cesare Spadoni, Co-Founder and COO of Oncoheroes Biosciences. ”We welcome Foundation for Addie’s Research to Oncoheroes and are excited to get aligned for the benefit of hepatoblastoma patients. Thank you, Foundation for Addie’s Research.”

Thank You!

Infinite Love For Kids Fighting Cancer Joins Oncoheroes Biosciences To Bring Hope to Pediatric Cancer Patients

Childhood Cancer is rare and not a single disease, with more than 12 major types of pediatric cancers and over 100 subtypes. Although pediatric cancer death rates have declined due to improved tumor detection and treatment, cancer is still one of the leading causes of death by disease among children and adolescents. Additionally, 95.5% of adults treated for cancer during childhood will likely have at least one chronic health condition by the age of 45 if better treatments are not developed. 

"Cure is often mentioned when people are discussing childhood cancer, and while this is the ultimate dream, what we really need right now is something much more tangible, a less toxic, more effective way of treating our children. That's why Infinite Love is proud to be partnering with Oncoheroes, the first company of its kind to focus 100% of its efforts on the development of new, innovative drugs specifically aimed towards our children,” said Andrea Verdone Gorsegner, President and Founder of Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer. “I truly believe that Oncoheroes is going to be a game-changer for our little fighters, and I'm honored that Infinite Love will be a small part of their extraordinary work."

Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer is a 100% volunteer run 501(c)(3) foundation that focuses on providing financial grants to US leading research hospitals and facilities (e.g., CBTM at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Yale University). Infinite Love focuses their fundraising efforts on a different form of childhood cancer every year since no two pediatric cancers are the same.  

"The organizations that we invest money in must foster the message of Infinite Love - that hope is precious and something that we all need. This partnership gives me hope and I am excited that it has the potential to spread this gift to future generations." added Jim McCaffrey, Vice President of Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer.  

In addition to research, Infinite Love has also been able to help the very families affected by childhood cancer. Infinite Love strives to #MakeItAmazing every day in the best way they can, comforting childhood cancer families and making sure that they know that no one fights alone.

“Welcoming a non-profit aligned with our goal to defeat childhood cancer is exciting and reassuring every single time. We applaud the leadership of Infinite Love for supporting new paths to bring faster the highly needed therapies for children fighting cancer,” stated Ricardo Garcia, CEO of Oncoheroes Biosciences. ”Simply put, thank you, Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer.”

Thank You!

Oncoheroes Biosciences Receives A Second Investment From Rally Foundation

In April 2021, Rally Foundation For Childhood Cancer Research invested for the first time in Oncoheroes Biosciences. Today, we are thrilled to announce that Rally Foundation is investing again based on the progress made by Oncoheroes’ team this year.   

Rally Foundation is a pediatric cancer non-profit focused on raising awareness and funds for childhood cancer research to find better treatments with fewer long-term side effects and, ultimately, cures. They fund the most promising and cutting-edge research initiatives around the globe, seeing themselves as philanthropic seed investors in the next great discoveries.

“In just eight months, we have witnessed Oncoheroes’ team achieve important milestones that reassured their industry expertise and commitment to pediatric cancer,” stated Dean Crowe, co-Founder, and CEO of Rally Foundation. “We cannot wait to see what Oncoheroes will accomplish in 2022 and how together we are accelerating childhood cancer drug development.”

In the last 16 years, Rally Foundation has awarded more than $22 million in childhood cancer research grants at hospitals and institutions worldwide and secured $31 million in new federal funding for cancers in children, adolescents, and young adults from the Department of Defense’s Medical Research Program.

“Now that we are approaching the end of the year, we are very happy that we have accomplished all that we planned for 2021. Receiving a new investment again from Rally Foundation is an acknowledgment of a good job and encourages us to be even more ambitious with our future milestones,” stated Ricardo Garcia, CEO of Oncoheroes Biosciences. ”Thanks, Rally Foundation, for reinforcing your support and Rally on.”

Thank You & Rally On!

Oncoheroes Biosciences receives a second investment from The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation

In October 2019, The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation invested for the first time in Oncoheroes Biosciences, a biotech company advancing new therapies for childhood cancer. The B+ Foundation was the first childhood cancer non-profit to join Oncoheroes. Today, we are excited to announce that The B+ Foundation is investing again after assessing the company's progress during this period.

“Two years ago, we invested in a project led by two dads touched by childhood cancer with an undoubted passion and commitment. We knew they would put their soul and hearts into this ambitious project leading a group of life sciences industry experts,” stated Joe McDonough, co-founder and Executive Director of The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. “Today, we are glad to reinforce our support towards Oncoheroes after their demonstrated team's execution and the great milestones accomplished to date.”

The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation honors the life of Andrew McDonough, who battled leukemia at the age of 14. Since its inception in 2007, the B+ Foundation has funded over 150 critical, cutting-edge childhood cancer research grants and is the largest provider of financial assistance to families touched by this disease in the US.

“This second investment from the B+ Foundation is an important endorsement for Oncoheroes and continues to demonstrate that childhood cancer non-profits are willing to play a more active role in accelerating the development of new therapies,” said Ricardo Garcia, co-founder and CEO of Oncoheroes Biosciences. “Thanks, B+ Foundation, for continue backing this unique project.”

Thank You

Oncoheroes Biosciences And Fundación Olivares: It Is Time For New And Better Therapies

Pediatric oncologists are forced to adjust adult cancer treatments for childhood cancer due to insufficient specific therapies for children with cancer. To date, we only have six drugs developed and approved specifically for children with cancer, even though cancer is still the leading cause of death by disease in children.  Moreover, though being "cured" of cancer, childhood cancer survivors often experience late effects, both physical and psychological, secondary to their cancer or associated with the treatment's toxicity. For these reasons, Oncoheroes Biosciences was born to only focus on developing new and better therapies for pediatric oncology.

Oncoheroes is thrilled to announce the investment of Fundación Olivares, a childhood cancer non-profit from Málaga (Spain) founded in 2010 to help childhood cancer families. It is the first time Fundación Olivares goes beyond assisting families by supporting pediatric cancer research and investing in a biotech company.

“It took us more than 10 years to find a research project as closely aligned to our philosophy as Oncoheroes Biosciences," stated Andrés Olivares, founder of Fundación Olivares. “The confidence conveyed, Oncoheroes’ team professionalism, and the fact that they are developing specific medicines for children were key in our decision-making process to join this project.”

Fundación Olivares offers comprehensive help to families affected by childhood cancer and other serious chronic diseases through different activities such as psychological support, physiotherapy, speech therapy, balance and Reiki techniques, nutrition, school support, among others. 

“We are very pleased to end Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with the first childhood cancer organization outside the US joining this project,“ said Ricardo Garcia, Oncoheroes’ Co-Founder, and CEO. “We feel honored, and we want to thank Fundación Olivares for their trust and commitment to have an impact on pediatric drug development.”

Thank you

Oncoheroes Biosciences And The Scott Carter Foundation Are Onboard To End Childhood Cancer

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Childhood cancer is considered a rare disease that accounts for about 1% of all U.S. cancer diagnoses. Because of improved tumor detection and treatment advances in recent decades, 84% of children with cancer now survive 5 years or more. However, cancer is still the first cause of death by disease among children in the U.S and 95.5% of the survivors will suffer from chronic health conditions by the age of 45. Oncoheroes Biosciences is working to reverse this situation by developing new pediatric oncology medicines.

We are excited to announce the investment of the Scott Carter Foundation (SCF), a childhood cancer non-profit located in Tulsa, Oklahoma founded in memory of Scott Carter, a 13-year old boy who died of osteosarcoma after a courageous three-year battle. During his fight against the disease, Scott built a remarkable collection of sports and celebrity memorabilia which he called “Scott Carter’s Heroes”. His dream was to display the collection for the enjoyment of the public and to raise money for children’s cancer research.

“It is appalling to note that a child diagnosed today would likely receive exactly the same treatment that was given to our son Scott as he battled bone cancer over thirty years ago. Today we have been given an opportunity of which we could only dream  - the opportunity to become partners with a biotech company that is 100% focused on pediatric cancers,” stated Paula Carter, co-founder and Executive Director of the Scott Carter Foundation. “It is with great pride and pleasure that the SCF has decided to join the efforts of Oncoheroes Biosciences so that we may move forward together, into the future with more hope than ever before of finding a cure for every child”.

The Scott Carter Foundation has focused its efforts on finding a cure for every child for over 28 years. In their attempt to “research the research”, they have found that thousands of research doctors across the US, Europe, and Canada give their lives to the search for a cure. Many, if not most of the greatest research projects remain underfunded. Thus, the Scott Carter Foundation has supported research fellowships at several institutions including M.D. Anderson, Texas Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Duke University Medical Center among others. This is the first time the SCF is investing in a biotech company. 

“What an exciting Childhood Cancer Awareness Month! Scott Carter Foundation is the fourth foundation joining Oncoheroes within the last three weeks,” said Ricardo Garcia, co-founder, and CEO of Oncoheroes Biosciences. “Thank you, Scott Carter Foundation, for the confidence and for getting onboard with this unique endeavor”.

Thank you

Oncoheroes Biosciences And Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation Fighting Childhood Cancer Together

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Although cancer in children is considered rare, it is the leading cause of death by disease among children in the USA. Pediatric cancer differs significantly from adult cancers, both in physiology and mutations. However, the vast majority of drugs administered to children with cancer have been designed for adults. This could explain why current therapies fail in children and adolescents, being either ineffective or highly toxic.

Oncoheroes Biosciences is delighted to announce the investment of Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation (AWOCCF), a non-profit headquartered in New Jersey. Since 2009, AWOCCF has funded over 80 research grants around the country, some of which have led to life-saving clinical trials, and has given over $1.2 million in family support, helping thousands of families.

“We are encouraged by the essential and critical work of Oncoheroes, and look forward to the future as we change the paradigm of childhood cancer TOGETHER!” said Dena Sherwood, Founder and President of AWOCCF. Dena Sherwood’s 13-month-old son Billy, Jr. was diagnosed with Stage IV high-risk neuroblastoma and is now a two-time cancer survivor.

Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation is committed to funding pediatric cancer research, supporting families who are suffering hardship due to their child’s cancer diagnosis both financially and emotionally, educating the general public, raising awareness globally, and uniting the childhood cancer community. Moreover, under Dena’s leadership, Arms Wide Open is helping transform the childhood cancer landscape through their many initiatives, such as their Emmy-Award winning documentaries and awareness campaign, The Truth 365, which gives all children with cancer a voice, and by hosting, CureFest, an annual event in Washington, DC, that brings foundations and advocates together to speak as one voice on behalf of all children fighting cancer. 

“Thank you, Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation, for your trust and willingness to adopt a new approach to bring safer and more effective treatments for children,” said Ricardo Garcia, co-founder, and CEO of Oncoheroes Biosciences. “We believe that building partnerships within childhood cancer stakeholders is a fantastic way to honor children and families affected by pediatric cancer this month and through the year.”

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Thank you

Oncoheroes Biosciences And Swifty Foundation United Toward New Cures

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Childhood cancer is considered a rare disease that accounts for about 1% of all U.S cancers. However, childhood cancer is not just one disease – there are more than 12 major types of pediatric cancers and over 100 subtypes. Although pediatric cancer death rates have declined over the past four decades due to improved tumor detection and treatment, for some types of cancer the survival rates remain devastating.

“The Swifty Foundation appreciates and is excited by Oncoheroes’ laser focus on pediatric oncology drug development. Swifty’s founder was treated with 30-year-old drugs and when his medulloblastoma returned his chance of survival dropped to 5% because there were no viable treatment options to offer,” stated Patti Gustafson, Executive Director of Swifty Foundation.Oncoheroes drug discovery lab, dedicated to finding more effective and less toxic treatments using pediatric models, could be a game-changer for some cancer types like medulloblastoma”.

Michael Gustafson, the founder of the Swifty Foundation, chose to donate his tissue for research after his death at the age of 15 to help find a cure for pediatric brain cancer. Gift from a Child is a national initiative led by Swifty Foundation. The mission is to increase post mortem pediatric brain tissue donations and accelerate breakthrough cancer research, improve treatments and ultimately find new cures for childhood brain cancer. The Swifty Foundation is also focused on supporting research collaboration and medulloblastoma research. 

We are excited to announce the investment of the Swifty Foundation during childhood cancer awareness month. September is time to advocate for and honor those who have been affected by childhood cancer, ”said Ricardo Garcia, co-founder, and CEO of Oncoheroes Biosciences. “Thank you, Swifty Foundation for joining our efforts to accelerate the discovery and development of new therapies for children and adolescents with cancer.”

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Oncoheroes Biosciences And Kier’s Kidz Helping Kids Beat Cancer Together

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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 Biosciences is thrilled to 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”.

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Thank You

Oncoheroes Biosciences And Children’s Cancer Research Fund Working Together For A World Without Childhood Cancer

Childhood cancer is still the first cause of death by disease among children in the U.S. Despite this, there are only five drugs specifically designed and approved for pediatric cancer to treat 12 types and multiple subtypes of childhood cancer. Due to insufficient specific therapies for children with cancer, pediatric oncologists are forced to adjust adult cancer treatments for them.

In 40 years Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF) has contributed $213 million to research, education and awareness, and quality-of-life programs for childhood cancer families. Oncoheroes Biosciences is thrilled to announce an investment from CCRF.

“We are excited to support the vital work Oncoheroes is doing to accelerate new therapy options for children and adolescents with cancer,” stated Daniel Gumnit, CEO of the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. “It’s part of our organization’s commitment to making a real and meaningful impact for families who are battling cancer.”

Children’s Cancer Research Fund has worked closely with doctors and scientists to fund innovative research that has led to better treatments for kids battling cancer. CCRF’s mission is to remove the roadblocks that stand in the way of research breakthroughs, and they have a track record of success—from new drug trials for children with brain tumors and osteosarcoma to improvements in blood and marrow transplantation. CCRF’s success lies in their core values of innovation, impact and connection. CCRF develops strong relationships with the country’s top researchers and stay attuned to the ever-changing landscape of medical research.

“We are honored that a childhood cancer foundation with four decades of history has decided to join Oncoheroes. Thank you, Children’s Cancer Research Fund, for your trust. When we launched Oncoheroes, we wanted to involve the non-profit sector to help us bridge the valley of death in childhood cancer drug development. We are excited to see that this is happening and that together, we will accelerate the approval of new drugs for children and adolescents with cancer,”  explained Ricardo Garcia, co-founder, and CEO of Oncoheroes Biosciences.  

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Thank You

 

Oncoheroes Biosciences And The Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation Are Combining Efforts To Beat Childhood Cancer

 
I’m a competitive guy. Anyone who knows me will tell you I can’t stand to lose. I’ve never faced anything on the racetrack as tough as childhood cancer. But I won’t stop until I beat it.
— Jeff Gordon

Every year worldwide, 300,000 children and adolescents will have to fight cancer. Due to the lack of treatments specifically designed and developed for children, one in five will not beat the disease, and many will suffer the long-term side effects from the current therapies.

Oncoheroes Biosciences, a mission-driven biotech company currently building a multiasset pipeline of childhood cancer drugs, is very excited to announce an investment from Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation (JGCF), marking the first time JGCF has invested in a biotech company.

 “We appreciate the innovative approach Oncoheroes is undertaking to develop much-needed therapies specifically to improve outcomes for kids fighting cancer,” said Dr. Jeffrey Chell, Board Chair for JGCF.  “This kind of fresh thinking and expansive collaboration has the power to fuel exciting progress in childhood cancer research.”

 JGCF was founded in 1999 by four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon. Since then, JGCF has donated nearly $22 million to hospitals and children’s health organizations to primarily support pediatric cancer research.

 “We are delighted to welcome and thank Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation for joining our project. We are thrilled to see another non-profit going one step further and adopting a venture philanthropy approach by investing in Oncoheores. We believe this is a unique opportunity for the childhood cancer community to be in the driver seat in bringing new therapies for childhood cancer,” explained Ricardo Garcia, co-founder, and CEO of Oncoheroes Biosciences.

Thank You

 

MEET A HERO: Grant, 2 year old at diagnosis

"Upside down," said Grant looking at himself in the mirror and pointing at his Spiderman T-shirt while standing up on a hospital bed. Grant Gossling was 2 years old when he was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma and everyone at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta hospital knew him as Spidey, in honor of his favorite hero.  

 
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Michael, Grant and June Gossling

 

Grant underwent almost 2 years of aggressive treatment, including chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, 2 rounds of high-dose radiation therapy, 6 rounds of immunotherapy. In between, he did his best to be a kid, pretending to climb the hospital walls and catching bad guys on his powerful webs. After 2 years of battle, Grant passed away on March 28, 2016.

Upside down is how a family's world turns when childhood cancer stands at the door. However, after grief or a new start, there is one thing in common within childhood cancer families: their passion and commitment to avoid other families going through what they went through. Since the beginning of Grant’s diagnosis, the Gossling family has continually advocated for other children battling and supported childhood cancer research.

"We have supported every aspect in childhood cancer, from funding research to improving healthcare facilities, from supporting clinical teams to advocating for more funding for childhood cancer in front of the US Capitol," said June Gossling, Grant's mother. "We felt Oncoheroes was the missing piece. We could finally contribute to accelerating drug development in pediatric oncology. There have already been enough families that have lost their hope waiting for better treatments." 

Michael Gossling, Grant's dad, is currently the chairman of the board of the Rally Foundation, a childhood cancer foundation that recently invested in Oncoheroes. Right after, Michael and June decided that they also wanted to be part of Oncoheroes. "Investing in Oncoheroes was not a hard decision for us; in the end, we are all going for a cure. Our son went through many aggressive and very toxic treatments, and despite all the pokes, Grant could always muster a smile. We are very excited that finally there is a company solely focused on developing new targeted drugs for children and adolescents, who deserve more effective and less toxic options. One step at a time, we will make it," stated Michael.

Stronger Together: Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation joins Oncoheroes Biosciences on their unique approach to defeat childhood cancer

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For close to 40 years, Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation has been pioneering the effort to eliminate childhood cancer by identifying and funding promising leading edge research.  Today, Oncoheroes Biosciences is thrilled to announce the investment of PCRF, the first time PCRF supports a biotech company.

Driven by the vision that every child deserves to grow up cancer free, PCRF exclusively targets its resources toward emerging and breakthrough research opportunities that demonstrate the best hope of a cure. “This year we are joining forces with Oncoheroes in their vision to collaborate with like-minded organizations to bring these new treatments to children with cancer. We’re stronger together, stated Jeri Wilson Executive Director of the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.

Every three minutes a family is diagnosed with childhood cancer and unfortunately, one in five will lose the battle. The lack of treatments designed and developed for children with cancer is unacceptable, with only 5 drugs specifically designed to treat children versus more than 200 for adults.

Developing new drugs is hard enough for therapies treating common diseases. The barriers only get higher for those with rare indications, like childhood cancer where foundations have been denouncing the lack of early-stage funding from the private sector; of incentives, and of industry interest.

 “After years in the non-profit side of childhood cancer, I realized that investing resources only in academic research will not lead to new childhood cancer treatments, because research is only one piece of a complex jigsaw. Thus, we decided to launch Oncoheroes Biosciences, a mission-driven biotech company building a multi-asset pipeline exclusively focused on pediatric oncology. Thank you Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation for your vision and for going beyond your traditional research grant model. We will conquer childhood cancer if, together, we try something different,” explained Cesare Spadoni, co-founder and COO of Oncoheroes Biosciences.

Thank You

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Rally Foundation Teams Up With Oncoheroes Biosciences On Their Effort Of Bringing New Life-Saving Childhood Cancer Therapies

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Childhood cancer is considered a rare disease affecting 300,000 new families every year worldwide, 90,000 of them unfortunately will lose their loved one. Moreover, more than 95% of childhood cancer survivors will have health-related issues because of the cancer treatments administered, the vast majority designed and developed for adult indications. Despite this, only five pediatric cancer drugs have been approved in the last 40 years versus more than 200 for adults, pointing to a large unmet medical need.

Oncoheroes Biosciences, currently building a multi-asset portfolio of pediatric oncology drugs, is very excited to announce the investment of Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, a pediatric cancer non-profit focused on raising awareness and funds for childhood cancer research to find better treatments with fewer long-term side effects and, ultimately, cures.

“Everything started at a lovely dinner in DC back in 2015, where four of us who led non-profit childhood cancer foundations were sharing our frustration of not seeing enough efforts from the industry on developing new therapies for children. I still remember Ricardo Garcia, who later became co-founder and CEO of Oncoheroes, proposing to launch a biotech company 100% focused on childhood cancer. We are thrilled to team up with Oncoheroes and support the effort of bringing new life-saving therapies for children and adolescents with cancer,” stated Dean Crowe co-founder and CEO of Rally Foundation.

Rally Foundation funds the most promising and cutting-edge research initiatives around the globe, seeing themselves as philanthropic seed investors in the next great discovery. Since 2005, Rally has awarded more than $22 million in childhood cancer research grants to 404 projects at hospitals and research institutions around the world and secured $31 million in new federal funding for cancers in children, adolescents, and young adults from the Department of Defense’s Medical Research Program. For the first time, Rally Foundation is investing in a biotech company.

“During that dinner in DC, I advocated for a different approach to change the pediatric cancer landscape. Today, I am very excited about this new partnership with Rally Foundation, one of the organizations involved in the conversation that took place that night. We are honored that for the first time, Rally Foundation has decided to go beyond funding academic research by investing in Oncoheroes. We believe focused disease foundations and patients’ associations play an essential role during the development of new drugs for rare diseases. Thank you Rally for joining the effort,” stated Ricardo Garcia, CEO of Oncoheroes Biosciences.

Thank You & Rally On

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The Gregory Foundation For Cancer Research Strengthens Their Commitment By Investing Again In Oncoheroes Biosciences

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“Although Gregory received cutting edge immunotherapies and targeted therapies, including CAR-T 19 and an allogeneic CAR-T, the disease was very aggressive, and he succumbed to cancer,” explained Sonsy Rajan, Gregory’s mother and President of The Gregory Foundation For Cancer Research. Gregory was diagnosed with infant leukemia at the age of 10 months and fought the disease for 11 months.

The Gregory Foundation has a bold funding strategy. The Foundation believes that a single approach will not revolutionize or solve the lack of treatments in pediatric oncology. The Foundation is agnostic about the type of research, or the type of organization behind a promising project and invests in biotech companies. “We like projects and teams that tackle unmet needs in childhood cancer, combining drug development strategies in pediatric oncology with innovative and breakthrough technologies like Artificial Intelligence. All efforts are needed to reach the clinic faster and we acknowledge that Oncoheroes is aligned with our approach,” added Sonsy Rajan.

Oncoheroes Biosciences is a mission-driven biotech company building a multi-asset pipeline exclusively focused on pediatric oncology. To this end, we follow three different strategies:

  • Developing our drugs (2HIT Medulloblastoma) at our Discovery Lab.

  • In-licensing clinical stage or near clinical-stage drug candidates (volasertib).

  • Partnering with the pharmaceutical industry, foundations, and patient associations communities to support the development of novel therapies.

 “Thank you to The Gregory Foundation for this second endorsement to Oncoheroes. We are impressed that The Gregory Foundation adopted, from the very beginning, a venture philanthropy approach. We are happy to see that more non-profits have recognized the role of an industry partner like Oncoheroes to develop new drugs for pediatric cancer. We look forward to continuing and building the partnership with The Gregory Foundation For Cancer Research,” stated Ricardo Garcia, Oncoheroes’ Co-Founder, and CEO.

Thank You!

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Catalytic Impact Foundation Invests in Oncoheroes Biosciences Endorsing Its Unique Effort To Treat Childhood Cancers

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Childhood cancer is considered a rare disease that accounts for about 1% of all U.S. cancer diagnoses. Although pediatric cancer death rates have declined over the past four decades due to improved tumor detection and treatment, cancer is still the leading cause of death by disease among children in the U.S. Moreover, more than 95% of childhood cancer survivors will have significant health-related issues and an increased risk of future secondary sarcomas because of the cancer treatments administered, the vast majority designed and developed for adult indications.

“The mission of the Catalytic Impact Foundation (CIF) is to accelerate innovations in life sciences and healthcare, funding companies that address high unmet medical needs. The lack of treatments specifically designed and developed for children with cancer is astonishing, and CIF is delighted to support Oncoheroes’ innovative approach to tackling this urgent need,” announced Rachel Butler, CIF’s President.

CIF is supported by philanthropic donors with a passion to help early-stage health and life sciences companies that have the potential to have a significant impact in Women’s Health, Brain Health, Children’s Health, Aging, and Pediatric Rare Diseases, among other areas.

“We are grateful to the Catalytic Impact Foundation for their trust in Oncoheroes. In the past decade, the practice of venture philanthropy is increasingly being adopted by disease-focused foundations helping to accelerate the development of new therapies. We hope CIF’s approach will inspire more foundations, especially those who care about childhood cancer, to join our effort,” stated Ricardo Garcia, CEO of Oncoheroes Biosciences.

THANK YOU!

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National Foundation For Cancer Research And Oncoheroes United Against Childhood Cancer

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Childhood cancer affects 300,000 new children and teenagers each year. Surprisingly, from up to 120 approved cancer drugs, around 30 have been used off label in children, 15 have pediatric use information in their labeling and only 4 treatments designed specifically for pediatric cancer have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

One of the greatest obstacles to developing new treatments is what researchers call the “Valley of Death”, the transition between early discoveries and clinical development or, in other words, the process to turn science findings into potential treatments. The initial research phase is normally funded by public and non-profit entities, whereas the late stage clinical phase is mainly funded by the private sector. In childhood cancer, the clinical development of specific new agents is under-funded because the pharmaceutical industry is mainly focusing on more prevalent and profitable adult oncology indications.

Thankfully, some non-profit organizations are seeing the need to go beyond funding only early stage academic research and are making remarkable and innovative changes in their investment strategy. This is the case for the National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR), who we want to thank again for their unconditional support to Oncoheroes Biosciences by announcing their second investment to our company.

NFCR is a national charity for cancer research co-founded by Nobel Laureate Dr. Albert Szent-Györgyi in 1973. In its 46-year history, NFCR has provided more than $380 million in funding to cancer research and public prevention education.

Two years ago, Oncoheroes received funding support from NFCR which allowed us to set up our discovery lab and launch our first project for the development of a new therapy for medulloblastoma patients (more info). Thanks to NFCR’s initial support, Oncoheroes has made tremendous progress not only on the discovery project but also convincing others to invest in our project.

Now, NFCR is taking an additional step, supporting us through a new funding paradigm which it has recently launched called the AIM-HI Accelerator Fund. AIM-HI funds translational research focusing on startups that have commercial potential at the early stage of their cancer therapeutic discovery activities. This new investment will contribute to the clinical development of volasertib, the first asset that Oncoheroes has in-licensed from Boehringer Ingelheim.

Moreover, NFCR has been helping Oncoheroes obtain further exposure to the world’s cancer research, biopharmaceutical and investment communities, such as through our participation in the 2019 China BioMed Innovation and Investment Conference, held September 21-23, 2019.

Ambitious goals will only be achieved by working united. Thanks, NFCR, for believing in our unprecedented effort for childhood cancer drug development. Together, we will make a difference.

 

THANK YOU

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