AmorChem’s RNA Zipcode Delivery Technology Investment Exits via New York-Based Kodikaz Therapeutic Solutions, Inc.
May 21 2024 - 9:50AM
Business Wire
AmorChem II Fund L.P. (''AmorChem'') is delighted to announce
that its RNA Zipcode delivery program has been acquired by Kodikaz
Therapeutic Solutions, Inc. (''Kodikaz''), a New York City biotech
focused on targeted delivery of cancer therapeutics. The RNA
Zipcode program was the first university-based investment of
AmorChem’s second fund and was developed by Professors Eric Lécuyer
(Montreal Clinical Research Institute), Mathieu Blanchette (McGill
University), and Jérôme Waldispühl (McGill University).
''We invested in this technology ahead of current trends and
prior to the pandemic of 2020, when the promise of RNA-based
therapeutics was crystallized in an effort that saved millions of
lives. Focus on RNA-based therapeutics has grown steadily since,
though one of the major issues remains delivery - not only to the
appropriate tissue - but also to the correct subcellular
localization. The work of Kodikaz on targeted delivery of
therapeutics to cancer cells using their DNA zipcode technology
made them a most attractive receptor for our assets, and in fact,
both groups saw synergy in combining the two approaches. It’s truly
exciting to see our RNA Zipcode program now move forward in
collaboration between the researchers and the Kodikaz group, which
includes a seasoned management team already in place,'' says Kevin
McBride, General Partner & CSO at AmorChem.
''The success of our RNA Zipcode program highlights our
specialized investment strategy: digging deep into Quebec academia
searching for novel therapeutic approaches that will benefit
patients. This often means that AmorChem bets on nascent
technologies that have not yet been proven. In the RNA Zipcode
case, our team spearheaded the collaboration between three teams
from two major research institutions and AmorChem’s investment
leveraged additional financial support from several granting
agencies. Our mobilization of the appropriate human and financial
resources allowed us to attract a valuable partner. This is now
bringing a transformative academic technology one step closer to
patients while building Kodikaz’s pipeline to a full suite of
complementary delivery tools,'' comments Inès Holzbaur, Managing
Partner at AmorChem.
''This is a great opportunity to partner with world-renowned
inventors that bring expertise in artificial intelligence and RNA
delivery. We are excited to bring in the new capability that
permits us to further control delivery not only to the targeted
cell but also within the cell with high specificity,'' says Anthony
Johnson, Kodikaz President & CEO.
The transaction was made possible by the great collaboration of
Axelys and McGill University’s Office of Innovation + Partnerships.
The RNA Zipcode program was generously supported by grants from the
Genomic Applications Partnership Program (Genome Canada and Genome
Quebec), as well as the Programme de soutien aux organismes de
recherche et d'innovation (Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation
et de l’Énergie) and Médicament Québec.
About AmorChem
AmorChem (www.amorchem.com) is a leading early-stage venture
capital fund launched in 2011 in Montreal. The AmorChem team
utilizes its deep understanding of fundamental science to uncover
its therapeutic potential and focuses its core expertise in
translational research to accelerate therapeutic drug discovery and
development across a broad spectrum of disease areas. The fund
capitalizes on both its venture capital expertise and its
entrepreneurial experience to spark the creation of start-up
companies and help shape them into the next generation of biotech
companies. With over $85M under management, AmorChem has financed
over 30 university projects and started up several biotechnology
companies from the fruits of this innovative research.
For more information on Kodikaz, visit
www.kodikaz.com.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240521841331/en/
Media contact Inès Holzbaur 514 513-7453
ines@amorchem.com