Overview
Rondo Therapeutics is an innovative biotechnology company located in Hayward, California. It specializes in developing next-generation immuno-oncology platforms, particularly bispecific antibody therapies. The company's mission is centered on addressing unmet medical needs in solid tumors through advanced antibody-based treatments designed to maximize therapeutic benefits while minimizing side effects. These therapies specifically target immune cell engagement with solid tumors, merging scientific acumen with strategic clinical objectives.
Corporate Structure and Leadership
Executive Leadership
- Shelley Force Aldred, PhD: CEO and Co-Founder, known for her roles at Stanford, Switchgear, and Teneobio and her expertise in biotech innovation.
- Nathan Trinklein, PhD: Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder, with previous senior roles at Stanford and Switchgear.
- Katherine Harris, PhD: Chief Development Officer. Her background includes Amgen and Teneobio, emphasizing therapeutic development.
- Thomas Manley, MD: Chief Medical Officer with a clinical development background from IGM Biosciences and Adaptive Biotechnologies.
Boards and Advisory
- Board of Directors: Shelley Force Aldred, Nathan Trinklein, Steven James, Nina Kjellson, Jennifer Cochran, Asish Xavier, and Natalie Sacks.
- Scientific Advisory Board: Carolyn Bertozzi, Leonard Presta, and Gavin Thurston.
- Clinical Advisory Board: Chris Takimoto and Arturo Molina.
Scientific Focus and Pipeline
Rondo Therapeutics focuses on developing bispecific antibodies targeting solid tumors by engaging immune cells, including:
- CD28 x Nectin-4 for bladder cancer (RNDO-564), currently in the IND enabling stage.
- CD3 x TAA-1 and CD28 x TAA-2 for ovarian cancer, both in the discovery phase.
The company employs cutting-edge NGS-based antibody discovery and a fixed-light chain format for flexible development.
Funding and Financials
In March 2022, Rondo Therapeutics secured a $67 million Series A financing round led by Red Tree Venture Capital, with support from Canaan Partners, Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC, and Novo Holdings. This funding supports the advancement of their immuno-oncology therapies pipeline.
Strategic Insights
Rondo Therapeutics prioritizes strategic partnerships to expedite clinical program advancement, aligning investor interests with therapeutic innovation goals. This synergy positions Rondo as a key player in the biotech sector, committed to transforming cancer treatment paradigms and enhancing patient outcomes.
Key Competitors
Rondo Therapeutics operates in a competitive biotech landscape with several key players:
1. Kojin Therapeutics
- Specialty: Cell-state and ferroptosis biology for novel cancer treatments.
- Unique Approach: Ferroptosis biology targeting resistant cancer cells.
- Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Leadership: Harvey Berger, M.D., Chairman and CEO.
2. Arrakis Therapeutics
- Specialty: RNA-targeted small molecules (rSMs) for neurological disorders.
- Innovation: Expanding RNA biology applications for therapeutic development.
- Location: Waltham, Massachusetts.
3. Atara Biotherapeutics
- Specialty: Off-the-shelf, allogeneic T-cell immunotherapy for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
- Edge: Fast production and manufacturing of T-cell therapies.
4. Compass Therapeutics
- Specialty: Oncology-focused next-generation antibodies.
- Innovation: Understanding tumor microenvironment for therapy development.
5. Accurus Biosciences
- Specialty: Protein therapeutics and antibody discovery services.
- Services: Solutions in protein expression, antibody humanization, and cell line generation.
- Location: Richmond, California.
Additional competitors include Abmart, Compass Therapeutics, Accurus Biosciences, and AbBioSci, each offering diverse biotech solutions from antibody discovery to bioassay services.
Rondo Therapeutics must navigate an innovative and dynamic market landscape with competitors engaged in cutting-edge methodologies such as ferroptosis and RNA-targeted therapies, as well as scalable immunotherapy tactics, to strengthen its strategic position in the immuno-oncology domain.
