Company will develop novel CAR-T immune engineering platform targeting T-cell malignancies
 
SINGAPORE, May 15 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MediSix Therapeutics Pte. Ltd., a development-stage cell therapy company creating novel therapeutics to target T-cell leukemia and lymphoma, today announced the close of a Series A financing totaling USD 20 million. The financing, led by Lightstone Ventures, with participation from Temasek and Osage University Partners, will be used to build out the team, advance product development, and initiate early pre-clinical studies.
 
Founded by Professor Dario Campana, MD, PhD, of the Department of Pediatrics, National University of Singapore (NUS) Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, and Lighstone Singapore Pte. Ltd, MediSix is taking a novel approach to engineer chimeric antigen receptor (“CAR”) T-cells to target T-cell leukemia and lymphoma. The Company has an exclusive licensing agreement with the National University of Singapore (NUS), enabling it to develop breakthrough treatments for T-cell blood cancers, an area where effective immunotherapies are currently lacking. The Company also has rights to an underlying cell engineering platform, enabling applications beyond T-cell malignancies.
 
“We are delighted to have completed this initial financing with a strong group of early investors,” said MediSix Therapeutics Founder Dario Campana. “This financing is a testament to MediSix’ novel approach to developing treatments that target T-cell malignancies, as well as our investors’ confidence in our ability to quickly bring these potentially life-saving therapies to patients affected with these aggressive forms of cancer.”
 
The Company also announced it has appointed Murray Robinson, PhD., to the role of Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Robinson brings to MediSix more than 25 years of experience in drug discovery, development and translational medicine in the field of oncology including leadership roles at Amgen, Inc. and AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Robinson has a long and successful track record of building and advancing research programs from target discovery through clinical trials, has published extensively in the field of oncology, and holds more than a dozen issued patents. Dr Robinson earned a PhD from the California Institute of Technology. “I’m pleased to have the opportunity to join MediSix at this exciting time,” said Dr. Robinson. “Immuno-oncology, and CAR-T therapy in particular, represents a revolution in the treatment of cancer. Dr. Campana’s continuing innovation in the broad field of CAR-T therapy has created a promising approach for patients who desperately need new therapies.”
 
“MediSix has made excellent progress towards fulfilling its mission to bring breakthrough treatments to underserved cancer patients,” said Kenneth D. Noonan, CEO, Lightstone Singapore Pte. Ltd. “Lightstone Ventures, Temasek, and Osage University Partners are pleased to support MediSix as it advances its pre-clinical development program, and excited to have Dr. Robinson joining the team.”
 
About MediSix Therapeutics Pte. Ltd.
MediSix Therapeutics Pte Ltd is an early-stage cell therapy company that is taking a novel approach to develop chimeric antigen receptor (“CAR”) T cells to target T-cell lymphoma and leukemia. The company was founded by Dario Campana, M.D. PhD. with initial investment from Lightstone Singapore, L.P., a Singapore-focused fund founded in 2016 by Lightstone Ventures.
 
About Lightstone Ventures
Lightstone Ventures (LSV) was founded in 2012 by the General Partners of the life science teams at Advanced Technology Ventures (ATV) and Morgenthaler Ventures to invest in early-stage breakthrough medical device and biopharmaceutical companies that have the potential to change medicine. Members of the Lightstone team have been involved in several of the largest, venture-backed life science exits over the last decade. The firm has offices in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.lightstonevc.com.
 
About Temasek 
Incorporated in 1974, Temasek is an investment company headquartered in Singapore. Supported by 11 offices internationally, Temasek owns a S$275 billion (US$197b) portfolio as at 31 March 2017, mainly in Singapore and the rest of Asia.
 
Our portfolio covers a broad spectrum of industries: financial services; telecommunications, media & technology; transportation & industrials; consumer & real estate; life sciences & agribusiness; as well as energy & resources. Our investment activities are guided by four investment themes and the long term trends they represent: Transforming Economies; Growing Middle Income Populations; Deepening Comparative Advantages; and Emerging Champions.
 
For more information on Temasek, please visit www.temasek.com.sg
 
About Osage University Partners
Osage University Partners (OUP) is a venture capital firm focused on investing in startups that are commercializing pioneering university technologies. OUP partners with top research universities to invest in their most innovative startups, and OUP shares its investment profit with its partner institutions. The firm invests in software, hardware, and life science companies at all stages of company development. OUP has partnered with over 90 universities, including 39 of the top 50 U.S. institutions by research expenditures, and has invested in over 75 of their spinouts. For more information, visit www.osageuniversitypartners.com.

Media Contact:
Donna von Halle
dvonhalle@comcast.net
 
Source : Lightstone Ventures

--BERNAMA