Oncoheroes Biosciences And Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation Fighting Childhood Cancer Together
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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Oncoheroes Biosciences And Swifty Foundation United Toward New Cures
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
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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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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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.”
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.
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Stronger Together: Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation joins Oncoheroes Biosciences on their unique approach to defeat childhood cancer
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.
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Rally Foundation Teams Up With Oncoheroes Biosciences On Their Effort Of Bringing New Life-Saving Childhood Cancer Therapies
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
Catalytic Impact Foundation Invests in Oncoheroes Biosciences Endorsing Its Unique Effort To Treat Childhood Cancers
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.
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Happy end of 2020 for the childhood cancer community
The Creating Hope Act, a US bill approved in 2012, created the rare pediatric disease priority review voucher (PRV) program, incentivizing drug development for kids with life-threatening illnesses. This program has been recently reauthorized.
Under this program, a sponsor that develops a drug for a rare pediatric disease and receives FDA approval also qualifies for a fully transferable voucher. The PRV grants accelerated FDA review of a drug candidate, for any indication, reducing the review period to 6 months and potentially gaining early market access.
To date, 12 out of 25 PRVs received for pediatric indications have been sold for a cumulative sale price of USD 1.8 billion.
Last September Oncoheroes announced that the FDA granted the rare pediatric disease designation (RPDD) to volasertib, an investigational treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma. The RPDD qualifies Oncoheroes to receive fast track review, and a priority review voucher (PRV) at the time of marketing approval of volasertib.
Volasertib is an inhibitor of Polo-like-kinase 1 (PLK1), an enzyme known to be involved in disease progression in a number of cancers. The compound was originally discovered and developed by Boehringer Ingelheim for the treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia until the company decided to discontinue the compound for strategic reasons. Meanwhile, independent academic groups generated strong data in support of further development of volasertib for rhabdomyosarcoma and, possibly, a few other pediatric cancer indications. In 2019, Oncoheroes in-licensed volasertib from Boehringer Ingelheim to continue the clinical development of this drug candidate for the benefit of younger cancer patients.
Oncoheroes Biosciences Awarded - Childhood Research Project by Fundació Agrupació
Oncoheroes Biosciences' drug discovery project (2HIT Medulloblastoma), led by Eva Mendez Camarena, has been awarded the best childhood research project by Fundació Agrupació.
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant childhood tumor of the brain, accounting for 20% of all central nervous system tumors among children, and responsible for almost 10% of all pediatric cancer deaths. MB Group 3 is mainly affecting infants and children accounting for approximately 25% of all cases and showing the worst outcome, with only 20% of patients surviving 5 years post-diagnosis.
Due to the lack of available specific treatments for children other than the conventional therapies that have devastating secondary effects, Oncoheroes Biosciences aims to develop an innovative therapy for MB Group 3 patients with greater therapeutic effect and lower toxicity by inhibiting two different tumorigenic mechanisms at once and using highly predictive translational models.
More here.
Oncoheroes Joins the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2)
Oncoheroes today announced its organizational membership into the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer, known as CAC2, a collaborative network of organizations and individuals supporting and serving the childhood cancer community. CAC2 effectively advances a variety of childhood cancer causes by unifying the childhood cancer community through broad-based coordinated action and collaboration that leverages the strengths and expertise of its individual members and minimizes duplication of effort.
The primary values underlying CAC2 are to put the children and their families first in everything they do and to support organizations active in the fight against childhood cancer.
“We want to acknowledge the tremendous effort done by the CAC2 to bring together key stakeholders in childhood cancer. We believe that companies like Oncoheroes, exclusively dedicated to developing drugs for childhood cancer, have to support CAC2’s mission and stay connected with foundations, patient associations, and researchers working in the field of pediatric oncology“, stated Ricardo Garcia, Oncoheroes’ CEO.
The childhood cancer community is a multi-faceted and passionate collection of small, medium-sized, and large organizations and committed individuals who fight childhood cancer and provide support to the children and families affected by childhood cancer in a myriad of ways.
CAC2 was established in 2011 by a grassroots movement to bridge some of the natural fragmentation that arises from having such a diverse community. It received approval by the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization, effective June 21, 2013. More information is available by visiting the website CAC2.org or by emailing info@CAC2.org.
The list of CAC2 member organizations is located here.
Oncoheroes Biosciences and Super Sam Foundation walking together for the pediatric cancer heroes
Each year around the world approximately 300,000 children and teenagers are diagnosed with some form of childhood cancer. Despite this fact, less than 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s funding supports the research needed to develop new treatments specifically designed for them. For specific types of childhood cancer like rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of sarcoma mainly affecting children and adolescents, the resources are a fraction of an already insufficient amount.
Oncoheroes Biosciences, currently working on the clinical development of volasertib, a potential new drug for rhabdomyosarcoma patients, is honored to announce the receipt of funding from Super Sam Foundation, a pediatric cancer non-profit focused on raising awareness, supporting pediatric cancer families and providing resources mainly in the area of soft tissue sarcoma.
“Our support to Oncoheroes is another way to keep the promise made to our son Sam. He wanted better options, better treatments for All the kids. We are confident that Oncoheroes’ team and their first promising compound, volasertib, could quickly bring new therapies for our little ones. Today, on Sam’s birthday, we are excited to be part of the help needed to accelerate the clinical drug development of volasertib propelling it into a clinical trial,” announced Cassie Santhuff, President and Founder of Super Sam Foundation.
“Oncoheroes, as Super Sam Foundation, believe our kids deserve better, especially those suffering from pediatric cancer types that have the highest prevalence and the worst prognosis. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a very aggressive form of childhood cancer and after in-licensing volasertib from Boehringer Ingelheim, we are working hard to initiate the clinical trial soon,” stated Ricardo Garcia, CEO of Oncoheroes Biosciences.
Thank You!
The Gregory Foundation for Cancer Research joins Oncoheroes Biosciences to defeat Childhood Cancer
To date, only four drugs have been specifically developed and approved for pediatric cancer, thus forcing oncologists to use in children cancer treatments that were mainly developed for adult cancers.
Oncoheroes Biosciences, a biotech focused exclusively on advancing new therapies for children with cancer, receives another endorsement from a childhood cancer non-profit.
The Gregory Foundation for Cancer Research was born out of one infant's fight against infantile leukemia. Gregory was born May 11, 2016 and was diagnosed with infant Leukemia when he was just 10 months of age. He fought the disease for 11 months and passed away on March 21, 2018. Although Gregory received cutting edge immunotherapies and targeted therapies, including CAR-T 19 and allogeneic CAR-T, the disease was very aggressive, and ultimately succumbed to the cancer.
“We need more innovative treatments that reach the clinic quicker and for this, all efforts are needed. As a non-profit, we decided to not only fund academic research but also to support a company with a clear path, solid team and strong connections in pediatric oncology that is committed to quickly bringing new drugs to market specifically designed for children with cancer.” explained Sonsy Rajan, President and Founder of The Gregory Foundation for Cancer Research.
The support received by The Gregory Foundation for Cancer Research will help accelerate the clinical drug development of volasertib, one of Oncoheroes’ assets, propelling it into a Phase Ib-II clinical trial for Rhabdomyosarcoma, a very aggressive form of pediatric cancer. Volasertib, was licensed by Oncoheroes from Boehringer Ingelheim and has the potential to be used for other pediatric cancer indications too.
Moreover, Oncoheroes is also excited about the opportunity to welcome Sonsy Rajan, President of The Gregory Foundation for Cancer Research, as one of the members of Oncoheroes’ Strategic Advisory Board.
“We want to thank The Gregory Foundation for Cancer Research for believing in our approach and joining our effort. There are already several non-profit cancer foundations that have joined Oncoheroes so far and we strongly encourage others to reach out to us to explore all the possibilities for doing this together, by funding a specific discovery project or a clinical development program of a potential new drug,” stated Ricardo Garcia, co-founder and CEO of Oncoheroes.
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Oncoheroes, winners of the Squinto-LePera Award by Lyfebulb in Monaco
Cesare Spadoni, our co-founder and COO, presented Oncoheroes at the third annual Lyfebulb-Helsinn Cancer Innovation Summit & Award in Monaco on January 30th.
Eleven finalists representing groundbreaking companies to advance the prevention, diagnosis, management or care of cancer were invited to compete. The singularity of the competition was that all the companies were founded by cancer patients, survivors or those with loved ones affected by cancer, like Oncoheroes, which was founded by two dads (Ricardo and Cesare) touched by childhood cancer. An independent panel of judges, that included diverse experts in the cancer, healthcare and business communities, listened to the pitches and selected the winners.
“It was a big surprise because all the finalists did an outstanding job presenting their ambitious projects and I cannot be more honored to have been selected as one of the winners of the night. I am confident that we have a great and ambitious project that will bring new drugs for children and adolescents with cancer.“ Cesare Spadoni stated that night.
The summit was organized by Lyfebulb, a patient empowerment platform that connects patients with industry to support user-driven innovation toward solutions in chronic disease, and Helsinn, a Swiss pharmaceutical group focused on building quality cancer care.
Read the official Lyfebulb-Helsin PR here.
Oncoheroes mentioned in EXPANSIÓN newspaper
Oncoheroes story and the investment news has been featured at the Spanish newspaper, Expansión.
Interview with Joe McDonough, president of The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation
The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation honors the life of Andrew McDonough. Andrew battled leukemia, septic shock, and complications of childhood cancer for 167 days before passing away on July 14, 2007, at the age of 14. Andrew’s B+ blood type became his family and friends’ motto throughout his fight against childhood cancer — to “Be Positive”.
Joe McDonough is Andrew’s dad and The President of the B+ Foundation, the first childhood cancer foundation investing in Oncoheroes Biosciences.
“I think the Oncoheroes team may be onto something here.” - Joe McDonough
McDonough’s family portrait, from left to right, Ali, Joe, Andrew and Chris
Hi Joe, to start with, it's easy to see how Andrew's legacy and life inspired you to create The B+ Foundation. Can you explain why you chose to focus the mission on research and family support?
It is very important for us to be both reactive and proactive in our mission. There are SO many families of kids with cancer struggling to pay their bills and we want to lessen the financial burden so that they can focus on what’s most important – the life or death battle of their child. We help literally thousands of families each year avoid eviction, buy their medicine that’s not covered by insurance, fix their cars so that they can get to treatment, and sadly, bury their children among other things. But, that’s not enough. We must make advances in research to at best, cure childhood cancers, or at the very least, find kinder and gentler treatment protocols so that our childhood cancer survivors do not have to face such a harsh road ahead with late-stage side effects.
Oncoheroes support from B+ Foundation is the first investment from a childhood cancer-specific foundation. Can you explain what caused you to consider supporting Oncoheroes?
Basically, I did my homework and I liked what I saw and what I heard. We have a very diversified portfolio of research that we have supported and this investment fits nicely.
What ultimately led B+ to make the decision to invest in Oncoheroes.
As noted above, we strive for a diversified portfolio of quality scientific projects and I think we need to find creative solutions to fighting childhood cancers. I think Oncoheroes has passionate, talented leadership that is trying a slightly different path and I think it worthy of investment. And, to have a financial stake in any upside is an attractive bonus.
Why do you think other non-profit organizations in the childhood cancer community should consider following The B+ Foundation's lead in supporting Oncoheroes?
There are a lot of wonderful scientific projects out there and everyone needs to do their homework. If they feel like investing in a somewhat unique opportunity with potential upside financial benefits, this could be right for them. There are no guarantees in any research project. But, personally, I think the Oncoheroes team may be onto something here.
This is not the first time you invest in a for-profit, what message do you have for other nonprofits that are concerned about supporting and investing in for-profit companies?
I get it. Virtually all of the research that we support falls to great investigators at hospitals and academic institutions. But, that doesn’t mean that there’s no great science being conducted in the for-profit arena. While we’ve had several for-profit companies approach us and simply want our money, Oncoheroes appears to want partners and wants to share the success should it happen. To me, it’s not an either/or question. It’s about developing the best portfolio of research investments.
Oncoheroes mentioned in El PERIODICO newspaper
Ricardo Garcia, Oncoheroes’ co-founder and CEO, was today interviewed at the Spanish newspaper, el Periódico.
Read more at El Periodico | Oct 29th, 2019
The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation and Oncoheroes Biosciences standing together against Childhood Cancer
The First Childhood Cancer Foundation Investing In Oncoheroes
Every year 90,000 kids worldwide die of cancer, largely because of the lack of innovative treatments for the types of cancer affecting children and adolescents. Despite tremendous efforts from non-profit organizations and public entities funding scientific research for the discovery of potential new treatments, only four drugs designed specifically for pediatric cancers have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. One of the main problems is the lack of early-stage funding from the private sector and financial incentives for the industry to move potential treatments into the clinical phase.
“Non-profit organizations are starting to see the need to go beyond supporting only academic research and are gradually adopting a more innovative funding strategy by directly investing in biotech companies. We want to thank The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation for being the first childhood cancer foundation to support Oncoheroes and believing in this unique effort for childhood cancer drug development,” stated Ricardo Garcia, co-founder and CEO of Oncoheroes.
The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation honors the life of Andrew McDonough. Andrew battled leukemia, septic shock, and complications of childhood cancer for 167 days before passing away on July 14, 2007, at the age of 14. Andrew’s B+ blood type became his family and friends’ motto throughout his fight against childhood cancer — to “Be Positive”.
The B+ Foundation is about Kids Helping Kids Fight Cancer™ and is the largest provider of financial assistance to families of kids with cancer nationwide. Additionally, The B+ Foundation funds critical, cutting-edge childhood cancer research and advocates on behalf of kids with cancer.
“Oncoheroes exists because we have been touched by childhood cancer, too. This is just the beginning and we encourage all childhood cancer foundations to continue reaching out to us and learn how to be part of this unprecedented effort,” stated Cesare Spadoni, co-founder, and COO of Oncoheroes.
We would love that everyone who cares about childhood cancer engages with Oncoheroes. Ambitious goals will only be achieved by working united.
THANK YOU
Oncoheroes mentioned in LA VANGUARDIA newspaper
Oncoheroes story has been featured at the Spanish newspaper, La Vanguardia, as one of our co-founders, Ricardo Garcia, is originally from Spain.
Read more at La Vanguardia | Oct 3rd, 2019
“Barcelona, 3 oct (EFE).- Dos padres con hijos con cáncer, uno de ellos un barcelonés que se trasladó a Boston (EEUU) para tratar la enfermedad de su hijo, han creado la startup biotecnológica Oncoheroes Biosciences Inc., que en menos de dos años de vida ya ha logrado 1,5 millones de euros para acelerar la fase clínica de un nuevo medicamento indicado para un cáncer pediátrico.“