Conference Reports
9th Annual C21 BioVentures
Monterey, CA, USA, 22nd - 24th May 2007
The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa was the luxurious venue for the 9th Annual C21 BioVentures. Located on Cannery Row, it could not possibly be compared to John Steinbeck's depiction of the land near a sardine fishery during the Great Depression, in his 1945 novel of the same name.
C21 BioVentures is a meeting that aims to bring private life science companies together, and to provide insights into the trends driving growth and development in the bioscience industry in the 21st century. Robert Lee Kilpatrick, a partner of Technology Vision Group LLC which organizes the conference, welcomed over 350 attendees, including representatives from more than 225 companies. President of the North Californian biotech association BayBio, Matt Gardner, extended the greetings and a positive outlook for next year's gathering in Napa, highlighting the meeting's importance. However, he also made mention of the fact that the life science "industry is challenged by government", and has obstacles to overcome. Held over three days, the 2007 meeting consisted of leadership sessions and three streams of company presentations, together with tabletop presentations and one-to-one meetings.
CG Pharmaceuticals, the US operation of S Korean company CrystalGenomics, took a morning slot to begin the 54 private and emerging company presentations. Under development for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), its drug CG-100649 protects blood vessels and renal tissues from the negative effects of traditional cyclooxygenase inhibitors by acting as a dual COX-2 and carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. In completed UK Phase I trials, this compound showed superior efficacy and improved safety to celecoxib. Two US Phase Ib trials are underway, with completion expected in 2008. CG also discussed its hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) stabilizers, including CG-0089 and CG-0086, noting that seven novel scaffolds are to undergo optimization to achieve a targeted IND filing in the second half of 2008. A partner is sought with expertise in HIF for these erythropoietinstimulating therapeutics.
Located north of Monterey Bay in Menlo Park, CA is Colby Pharmaceuticals, a new addition to Pharmaprojects. CEO Dr David Zarling gave an insight into Colby's targeted antioxidants, with an emphasis on prostate cancer. Colby offered four projects - 3 of which have been exclusively in-licensed worldwide - that target oxygen free radicals and oxidative stress. Its lead compound CPC-100, an androgen receptor binding antioxidant, is in late preclinical studies and is slated to enter a Phase I/IIa trial in 2008. The trial will enroll men who have failed androgen ablation therapy and who are resistant to Casodex (bicalutamide), and a Phase IIb trial expected to follow two years later. Colby's second most advanced compound CPC-200 is a prostate-targeted oxidase inhibitor, which produced a greater than 50% reduction in mortality in mice by week 20: a Phase I trial is expected in 2009. Under development for advanced metastatic hormone-refractory prostate adenocarcinoma, CPC-300 is a natural product that also has utility in pancreatic cancer, and a Phase I/IIa trial is planned for 2010. Discovered by Colby and its collaborators, CPC-410 is a new chemical entity (NCE) nitrone, consisting of a large cation with a +32mV charge, that is a mitochondria-targeted superoxide dismutase mimic. It displayed efficacy in both LNCaP and PC-3 prostate cancer models, in addition to increasing motor activity and survival in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Wednesday's proceedings came to an end with conference attendees visiting the Château Julien Wine Estate, not only for delectable wine tasting but also to continue with significant networking opportunities. If deals had not met their conclusion by the time the sun was leisurely setting behind the hills of the Carmel Valley accompanied by the jazz music entertainment, there was still the poker evening hosted by Square 1 Bank to continue the discussions and secure the trade.
With a focus on biotherapeutics that modulate receptor tyrosine kinases, Receptor BioLogix gave a snap shot of its pipeline on Thursday afternoon. Acquired from Aphton, its lead product Gastrimmune is in Phase III development for gastric cancer. This synthetic peptide stimulates the production of antibodies that neutralize endogenous gastrin, which in turn inhibits growth signalling. Intron Fusion Proteins (IFPs) that included Hermodulins for nsclc, and angiogenesis programmes derived from the Tie-1 receptor and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) for RA, were also presented. Receptor BioLogix is seeking partners worldwide for all of its programmes.
The C21 BioVentures ended with a drinks reception on the terrace overlooking Monterey Bay and the Pacific Ocean for one final opportunity to network, and to reflect on the successful three days of partnering, deal making and financing. With a continued rise in attendees, the 10th Annual C21 BioVentures will relocate back to its 1999 foundations in Napa, California. With a greater than 50% increase in capacity promised, it is hoped that the number of partnering opportunities and financing will also be maximised.
The 10th Annual C21 BioVentures will be held at the Meritage Resort, Napa, CA, the US, 20th - 22nd May 2008.
Jo Woodcock
Pharmaprojects Analysts
