We actively engage with visionary biotech companies driving progress through key clinical milestones.
SJA, a division of Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA / SIPC, works closely with promising biotechnology companies advancing preclinical and clinical programs through transformative inflection points. We welcome the opportunity to connect and learn more about your company. Please click the link to schedule a conversation.
Barricade Therapeutics
Company Overview
Barricade Therapeutics is developing first-in-class therapies for colorectal cancer (CRC), focusing on APC-mutant (APCmut) tumors that represent roughly 80% of all CRC cases—a large and underserved patient population. Our lead candidate, BT-1501, is an oral, once-a-day tablet—small molecule investigational drug that targets EBP, a recently validated cancer target, and is now IND-ready with a planned Phase 1 human clinical trial start in 2026 (subject to regulatory clearance, funding availability, and clinical readiness).
The colorectal cancer treatment market is approximately $13 billion today and is projected to reach $20 billion by 2030 (Source), dri ven by high and increasing cases of CRC, a growing biomarker-defined patient population, and a rising number of early-onset CRC cases affecting younger adults.
Barricade is led by a management team with more than 150 years of combined biopharmaceutical development experience with multiple FDA submissions. The company has raised $20 million in a mix of non-dilutive funding and private investment. The lead CRC program has earned support from leading institutions, including the American Cancer Society’s BrightEdge Fund and The Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).
Biologics: mAb (Monoclonal Antibodies) / Radiopharmaceuticals
Company Overview
ImaginAb is focused on non-invasive, whole-body, in vivo PET imaging of CD8 T cells. The company’s goal is to visualize the immune system’s response to therapy, and thus change the way in which cancer patients are treated by tailoring immuno-oncology treatments for best patient outcomes.
Market Opportunity: High Unmet Need in Immuno-Oncology
Immuno-oncology (I-O) is an exciting, growing, and effective field. However, establishing the right treatment for each patient has been challenging. Moreover, once treatment has started, it can take months to determine whether the patient is responding or progressing. Costs are estimated to be over $150,000 per annum per patient, with response rates typically around 20-30%. Current methods used to address these challenges (e.g., biopsy/liquid biopsy, biomarkers, imaging, etc.) are ineffective.
ImaginAb's Solution: CD8 T Cell ImmunoPET
ImaginAb using its proprietary technology platform, has developed a humanized engineered antibody around half the size of an intact antibody (“minibody”) designed to have an affinity for human CD8 T cells, and an IP protected 89Zr-minibody platform for non-invasive imaging. 89Zr half-life of 3.2 days enables centralized distribution (e.g., one manufacturing site for North America). The ImmunoPET agent is infused in the body and an image is taken using a standard PET camera. This is similar to an F-18 FDG scan. However, instead of imaging cancer, ImaginAb’s ImmunoPET is imaging the CD8 T cells (i.e., the immune system response).
CD8 ImmunoPET Imaging Product Overview
ImmunoGenesis brings a clear and singular focus to the complex realm of cancer treatment. The company is developing science-driven immunotherapies specifically designed to treat tumors lacking activated T cells or having other immune resistance mechanisms. Because these “cold” tumors are resistant to existing immunotherapy, our team is striving to create sophisticated therapies that target key mechanisms of immune resistance. ImmunoGenesis approaches treatment for cold tumors through a new lens, re-envisioning treatment with a deliberate drug development strategy based in cold tumor pathology.
ImmunoGenesis’ novel PD-L1/PD-L2 dual-specific inhibitor is a platform molecule around which several promising treatments for cold tumors can be built. This is the first antibody to target PD-L2. This vision puts ImmunoGenesis at the forefront of scientific exploration. Built utilizing our platform, our lead asset was engineered with robust effector function. Another PD-L1/PD-L2 antibody from this platform is being developed as a tumor-selective delivery vehicle for our potent stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist.
Foundational to ImmunoGenesis’ vision is a first‑in‑class PD‑L1/PD‑L2 dual‑specific antibody. PD‑1 suppresses T‑cell activation through binding its ligands, PD‑L1 and PD‑L2. PD‑L2 is a critical regulator of human tumor immunity. Pairing it with the known action of the PD‑L1 inhibitor means the platform, at minimum, offers the same blocking function as a PD‑1 inhibitor. Building on that action, we are designing it with effector function, which allows the antibody to kill the immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, the antibody may also function as a tumor‑specific delivery vehicle and as the base for dual‑specific programs, expanding targeting options. For design and creation, we partnered with a novel antibody development company. Through trial and error and multiple rounds of affinity maturation, we developed a novel antibody in which both arms bind with clinically relevant affinities to both PD‑L1 and PD‑L2.
If you would like to learn more about these promising technologies, please email Scott Jordan at scott@sjordanassociates.com