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F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. is a Swiss global health-care company that operates worldwide under two divisions: Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostics. Roche is looking for first-in-class or best-in-class opportunities that address diseases of unmet medical need and have the potential to revolutionize the standard of care. Roche focuses on their main disease therapy areas – oncology and Immuno-oncology, ophthalmology, infectious diseases and neurosciences–as well as looking at opportunities in promising technologies and early-stage collaborations. Beyond the asset, Roche always look for the right partnership and cultural fit. Roche also seeks collaboration in diagnostics, specifically biomarkers.

Regulating Nitrosylation for Multi-Disease Therapies

SAJE Pharma’s S‑nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) inhibition technology regulates nitric oxide signal transduction pathways that are critical for multiple therapeutic benefits.  SAJE’s small molecule drugs regulate nitrosylation by inhibiting GSNOR.  Many biologists consider that “Nitrosylation is the new phosphorylation”, meaning that nitrosylation regulates cell pathways as directly as does phosphorylation.  The big advantage for SAJE is that there is only one human GSNOR to inhibit as compared to 100’s of phosphorylation targets, making it a much more “druggable” target with less possibility for off-target toxicity.  SAJE and its collaborators have discovered that GSNOR inhibition reduces: inflammation, oxidant damage, fibrosis, mucus accumulation, and bronchoconstriction.  Such multiple therapeutic efficacies by inhibiting only one enzyme with small molecules is unprecedented in pharmacology.  SAJE is focused on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and asthma as its first clinical applications, although there is animal data for efficacy in other diseases including cardiovascular, metabolic, inflammatory, liver, kidney, and other respiratory.  One GSNOR inhibitor has shown Clinical Proof of Concept for GSNOR as a target in a Phase IIa trial in asthma.

SAJE Pharma’s executive team consists of experienced drug development scientists and serial entrepreneurs whose backgrounds include FDA, large pharma, start-up companies, and the CRO industry.

SAJE has licensed one patent app that is nearing issuance in the EU and the US.  It protects SPL-334, SAJE’s lead molecule, and other related molecules.  In addition, SAJE is close to filing 3 more patent apps on its novel compositions that inhibit GSNOR.  A clear advantage for our drugs compared to many novel therapies  is the cost of goods.  Our drugs will cost pennies per dose.

SAJE would like to raise $15 MM to take SPL-334 through a Phase IIa trial in IPF.  The drug is ready for IND-enabling studies.  The company’s exit strategy is to out-license each of its drugs and their accompanying data set, one at a time, for different diseases in different categories.

SENS Research Foundation is based in Mountain View, CA. The foundation provides grants for research into rejuvenation biotechnologies that prevent or reverse age-related tissue damage. Historically grants have ranged from $40,000 to $200,000 although this range may change in the future. Grants are available to researchers worldwide. SENS requests that grants not be used to cover overhead/facilities costs. At present, 15 projects are being supported.

Seroba Kernel is a venture capital firm based in Dublin, Ireland, with representatives in the United Kingdom. The firm has approximately €100M AUM and focuses solely on the life sciences. The firm has 2 funds and plans to raise a third fund in the near future. The firm typically allocates between €5-7M of equity over the life of the investment. The firm primarily invests in companies that are based in Ireland and Europe. Exceptional opportunities in North America will also be considered. The firm is actively seeking new investment opportunities.

Shire is an Irish-headquartered global specialty biopharmaceutical company. Originating in the United Kingdom with a large operational base in the United States, its brands and products include Vyvanse, Adderall XR, Intuniv, Lialda, Pentasa, Fosrenol, Replagal, Elaprase, VPRIV, Firazyr and Dermagraft. 

Shire is currently interested in several therapeutic areas for business development opportunities. The company is most interested in the following products: rare disease therapeutics, pre-clinical to on the market; neuroscience therapeutics, on the market; gastrointestinal, on the market; ophthalmology, post proof-of-concept; and hematology; post proof-of-concept.

Sofia Angel Group is a group of angel investors based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The group solely focuses on investing in women-led businesses where women are the founders, or women are on the senior management team. Sofia Angel Group does not have a specific timeframe to make an investment, however would make an allocation by the end of 2013 if a compelling opportunity is identified. The group typically invests around $100,000 per company, however has the ability to invest up to $3 million through co-investments from the group’s members.