companies

Artios Pharma

Founded 2016
Employees 90+
Primary contact
B940, Babraham Research Campus
CB223FH Cambridge
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1223 867900
Links
https://www.artios.com/
Diseases & Conditions
Sections
Artios is a leading independent DNA Damage Response (DDR) company focused on developing first-in-class treatments for cancers that are difficult to treat. Artios began clinical trials in February 2021 of its small-molecule ATR inhibitor, ART0380, in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors. The company is building a pipeline of next-generation DDR programs, including through a unique partnership with Cancer Research Technology (CRT), the development and commercialization arm of Cancer Research UK (CRUK), with leading DNA repair researchers worldwide.
Select partners: Merck, Novartis, Masaryk University.
Founded 2016
Employees 90+
Primary contact
B940, Babraham Research Campus
CB223FH Cambridge
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1223 867900
Links
https://www.artios.com/
Diseases & Conditions
Sections

Funding ๐Ÿ’ฐ

Total $298.3M
Select investors SV Health Investors, Imperial Innovations, Andera Partners, EQT Life Sciences, AbbVie Ventures, Novartis Venture Fund, Merck Ventures, Pfizer Ventures, Sofinnova Partners

Key people ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿคโ€๐Ÿง‘

Highlights โญ

  • The platform: Artios' capabilities allow it to move beyond a single approach, such as synthetic lethality, to develop drugs with a broad range of applications. Its approach includes developing inhibitors with monotherapy potential, overcoming acquired or de novo resistance to existing DDR-targeted therapies, including PARP inhibitors, supercharging existing DNA-targeting treatments through combinations, and expanding the reach of the immune response.
  • High unmet need: Despite significant advances in oncology therapeutics, DNA-damaging modalities, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, continue to be the most used treatment strategies across a wide range of cancer types. Unfortunately, these treatments come with limitations, and a substantial proportion of cancers either fail to respond or acquire resistance over time. Artios' portfolio exploits the totality of the DDR to address cancers with significant unmet needs. ๐Ÿ”—
  • Experienced team: The company's scientific founders, Niall Martin, PhD, and Graeme Smith, PhD, invented a blockbuster PARP inhibitor (now marketed as Lynparza / olaparib by AstraZeneca) and pioneered successful DDR programs while at KuDOS. Its industry-leading expertise in this space has yielded a robust pipeline and platform with immense potential which has led to collaborations with major pharma partners.

Video โ–ถ๏ธ

Awards & Recognitions ๐Ÿ†

  • 2017 Life Science Young Company of the Year ๐Ÿ”—

Quotes ๐Ÿ’ฌ

“
Artios' deep expertise in DNA damage response and novel approach to drive the search for new and better cancer treatments is an ideal match for Omega Funds. Supporting Artios in its mission to advance its portfolio of best-in-class and first-in-class small molecule DDR programs, including its DNA polymerase theta (Polฮธ) inhibitor, which is poised to enter the clinic, is a welcome addition to our portfolio of life science investments targeting our world's most urgent medical needs.
— Michelle Doig, Partner, Head of Corporate Development at Omega Funds ๐Ÿ”—
“
Artios' DDR programs have been validated by large pharma partnerships which speak to the promise of their science and strategy. Artios' first-in-class platform for developing novel DDR drugs, including their targeted novel Polฮธ inhibitor with synergies with PARP inhibitors, provides a new potential mode of targeted cancer treatment in identified DDR-defective tumor populations. By investing in this financing round we are creating multiple avenues of value creation for our funds' investors.
— Dr. Chen Yu, Founding Managing Partner at TCG X ๐Ÿ”—
“
We believe Artios' DDR programmes have the potential to bring real impact to cancer patients. DDR is an exciting field of biology, which has been clinically validated by the first generation PARP inhibitors currently on the market. The new funds will allow Artios to advance its portfolio of first-in-class, small molecule DDR programmes including its lead programme targeting DNA polymerase theta (Polฮธ), through clinical proof of concept trials. We are delighted to work with the management team in building a world class DDR targeted oncology company.
— Raphael Wisniewski, Partner of Andera Partners ๐Ÿ”—
“
Artios represents a unique opportunity to deliver a truly world class biotech company. LSP has worked with Artios' team before at KuDOS (successfully sold to AstraZeneca) which developed olaparib, the first approved PARP inhibitor and used in ovarian and breast cancer, creating a billion dollar market. We are very excited to support this proven management team once again as it seeks to build on its leading position in the DDR field by advancing its programmes into clinical development.
— Dr Rene Kuijten, Managing Partner of LSP ๐Ÿ”—
Last update: March 17, 2023