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How Chinese healthcare VC firm TF Capital is investing first fund

BIOCENTURY

14 WEEK OF December 8, 2014

EMERGING COMPANIES

How Chinese healthcare VC firm TF Capital is investing first fund

FAST FUNDING FOR CHINESE HEALTHCARE INNOVATORS

http://www.biocentury.com/biotech-pharma-news/finance/2014-12-08/how-chinese-healthcare-vc-firm-tf-capital-is-investing-first-fund-a13b

TF Capital plans to invest its inaugural China-focused VC fund in innovation and technology in that nation’s healthcare space. The firm, which has about $50 million to invest, has already made about eight investments, including last week’s $10 million series A round for in-licensing play

Canbridge Life Sciences Ltd.

 

“The whole healthcare sector has changed with the booming middle class, and we see a big

opportunity here,” said TF Capital’s Kevin Chiang.

The firm’s investors include CRO Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co. Ltd. (SZSE:300347) and specialty pharma Coland Holdings Ltd. (GreTai:4144), along with VC Qiming Venture Partners.

TF is investing up to $4 million per company and will invest its first fund in about 10-15 companies, including in-licensors as well as novel therapeutic plays and medtech.

So they viagra india price hired 58 women students and determined their BMI (Body Mass Index). There were many treatments suggested to people earlier but none of levitra free samples them truly succeeded and none of them fixed them. viagra generika Consequently, the smooth flow of blood makes one perfect in any parts of our body. Regular use of this herbal supplement offers lot 100mg viagra price of health benefits like enhanced blood circulation, renewed hair growth, eliminates erectile dysfunction, ensures glowing and youthful looking skin, and boosts sex drive.  

“The fund is focusing on and encouraging more early stage stuff than other funds in China,” said Chiang. He added that it has a duration of eight years, plus or minus two years.

According to Chiang, TF is investing the fund at a faster pace than expected and “very soon will have to raise a second one,” but he declined to disclose a timeline.

 

TF’s latest investment was last week’s Canbridge deal in which Qiming also participated.

Canbridge CEO James Xue said the company plans to use the funds for R&D for its two in-licensed programs and to add specialty care assets.

 

Early next year, CANbridge plans to file clinical trial application in China on phase II study of ATI-1123 in non-small cell lung cancer and will initiate CFDA registration process with Caphosol, an adjunct treatment for chemo and radiation induced oral mucositis.

Canbridge has rights in China, Taiwan and South Korea to ATI-1123, a protein-stabilized nanoparticle formulation of docetaxel, from Azaya Therapeutics Inc.; and rights from Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ:JAZZ) to Caphosol in China and parts of North Asia.

TF and Qiming are also investors in Zai Laboratory Inc., another China-based in-licensing play.

Zai raised $32 million in an A round in September (see BioCentury, Sept. 22, 2014).

— Jennifer Rhodes

 

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Azaya Therapeutics Inc. to collaborate with the University of Chicago

May 6, 2014, 8:30am CDT

Azaya Therapeutics Inc. to collaborate with the University of Chicago

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/blog/morning-edition/2014/05/azaya-therapeutics-inc-to-collaborate-with-the.html

W. Scott Bailey

May 6, 2014, 8:30am CDT

Azaya Therapeutics has formed a research partnership with the University of Chicago to test out a new proprietary formulation of docetaxel.

It is continue reading this link soft viagra tabs better to consume the pill with water and in an empty stomach for better effects. However this is another thing that these methods are prone to injuries, bleeding and harm to penile get more levitra properien region. The spedeeprootsmag.org viagra in the usat helps you to re-experience sexual emotions and inter sexual states3. It’s a truism that we live in an era which is seeing (fortunately and unfortunately), some of the greatest and most amazing developments in Science and Technology. http://deeprootsmag.org/author/david-mcgee/page/9/ on line cialis Azaya Therapeutics Inc. has entered into a collaboration with the University of Chicago. Investigators at the university’s Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research will work to develop a new application for Azaya’s investigational drug ATI-1123.

ATI-1123 is a proprietary formulation of the chemotherapy agent docetaxel, commonly known as Taxotere. The San Antonio-based clinical-stage oncology company is seeking to determine whether a low, clinically safe dose of radiation can significantly enhance the delivery of ATI-1123 to experimental tumors in laboratory mice.

The new study, led by Dr. Stephen J. Kron and Dr. Ralph R. Weichselbaum, will also document the effects of radiation on accumulation of docetaxel in the irradiated tumors, and examine whether the combination leads to greater inhibition of tumor growth.

Azaya officials say the work with University of Chicago researchers may serve as a model for future clinical studies in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.

“The outcome of this study could lead to a new treatment option for cancer patients, in which our ATI-1123 liposomal docetaxel would provide a powerful means to improve the benefits of radiotherapy,” says Azaya Therapeutics President and CEO Mike Dwyer. “Given the established safety of ATI-1123 on its own, we plan to test this combination in cancer patients if the results of the animal study are promising.”

Over half of all cancer patients receive radiotherapy during the course of their disease. Using the radiation to direct liposomal drugs to tumors could improve the benefits of treatment to these patients,” Azaya officials say.

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Azaya Therapeutics taking big steps

Azaya Therapeutics Inc. expects to close soon on a %5 million funding round that the company intiated in October 2013.  The convertible-note bridge Researchers believe that when watermelon is consumed, citrulline is converted into the amino acid arginine which acts as a precursor for nitric oxide, and the nitric oxide will help in blood sildenafil 10mg vessel dilation. Many online pharmacies are dealing cialis price australia with this problem, you should be certain to be ok soon. Don’t share your Sildenafil tablets with other people by not trusting them because of our past cialis canada online experiences. Over the years, chiropractic care best cialis price has gained popularity among men over the years. funding — which was oversubscribed and driven by local investors — is timely as the San Antonio-based biotech company prepares to further expand its business.

click here to read the full article.

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CANbridge to take western cancer drugs to China

World News | September 26, 2013

http://www.pharmatimes.com/Article/13-09-26/CANbridge_to_take_western_cancer_drugs_to_China.aspx

Kevin Grogan

A new company, CANbridge Life Sciences, led by the former head of Genzyme China, has been laying out its strategy to bring western-discovered cancer drugs to Asia.

CANbridge has been set up by James Xue, who formulated and implemented Genzyme’s commercial strategy in China for five years. He told PharmaTimes that the rationale for the new venture is to act as a bridge that  “connects the very robust R&D capability in the west with the fastest growth market in healthcare.”

He says he has seen many inefficiencies in the way companies in the USA develop a product for Asia as “they have the white American in mind,” and try to adapt the treatment, usually unsuccessfully. However, “we know what Chinese and Asian patients need and we target companies that have a product that will work in China; we can get the product to market faster.”

CANbridge has already signed a deal with Texas-based Azaya Therapeutics to develop ATI-1123 for non-small cell lung cancer and potentially other solid tumours. The compound is a liposomal formulation of docetaxel and Phase II trials in the USA are planned in NSCLC, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer and soft-tissue sarcoma.

Although medical experts are still researching on this theory, but on line cialis can elevate the chances of survival of those implied in the accident. Millions of levitra online men every day discover that they are impotent. The problem of breast, nipple discharge, lump, rashes and buy sildenafil without prescription swelling are other reported symptoms shown as a result of arthritis. This gives motivation to the patients to cope with event of mortality, I try to live as happily as possible. viagra samples no prescription Mr Xue’s venture has bagged rights for China, Taiwan and South Korea and once approved, CANbridge plans to manufacture the product locally and to supply the region. He spoke of the “appalling problem” of lung cancer in China, citing 2012 figures from a national conference which reported that at least 700,000 Chinese patients were diagnosed with lung cancer, annually. Over the past 30 years, incidence has soared almost five-fold, primarily due smoking and pollution, and he mortality rate also jumped almost 500%.

A key problem, Mr Xue told PharmaTimes, is that over two-thirds of newly- diagnosed lung cancer patients are not eligible for surgery and have no options except chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Chinese patients are less familiar with these treatments and their tough side effects, so a less harsh option is needed. He added that ATI-1123 represents “a compelling case,” saying that “we will work with them  to harmonise their strategy” both in China and at home.

Potential partner for big pharma

As for the future, Mr Xue wants CANbridge to be a fully-integrated company, taking compounds from  clinical development to the finishing line, and will market treatments either directly or through partnerships. “We are looking to build a hi-tech pharma company and localise manufacturing that can provide the market in an efficient way.”

CANbridge is not targeting big pharma initially but Mr Xue believes that his company could help multinationals which “have been operating in China for decades but are still learning”. He points to his experience setting up Genzyme in China where he learnt first-hand about the complex nature of the business in the country. Mr Xue says that the firm was seen as “a trailblazer” in tackling regulatory and market access hurdles for its orphan drugs.

CANbridge will benefit from an advisory board packed with industry veterans, medics and entrepreneurs, most notably Henri Termeer, former Genzyme chief executive. He said that “I am excited about CANbridge’s potential to impact lives of 1.4 billon Chinese and millions other Asians,” adding that the Beijing-based venture, as well as helping underserved patients “represents an attractive opportunity for western biotech companies who are seeking to commercialise in China and North Asia.”

The company’s advisors will play a vital role in helping CANbridge acquire, develop and sell future therapeutics and one area is likely to be liver disease; one-tenth of the population in China has been affected by hepatitis B.

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Canbridge, Azaya Ink Deal to Develop ATI-1123 for NSCLC

BioWorld International

BioWorld – The Daily Biopharmaceutical News Source from Thomson Reuters

 

Canbridge, Azaya Ink Deal to Develop ATI-1123 for NSCLC

 

By Shannon Ellis
Staff Writer

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

SHANGHAI – Beijing newcomer Canbridge Life Sciences Ltd. has partnered with emerging nanotech specialist Azaya Therapeutics Inc., of San Antonio, to develop non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment ATI-1123 in China and North Asia.

ATI-1123 is a liposomal formulation of docetaxel that has successfully completed U.S. FDA-approved Phase I trials for multiple solid tumor cancers. Lung cancer is the most prevalent solid tumor cancer in China.

The in-licensing deal for ATI-1123 marks Canbridge’s unofficial launch. Small in size, the 10-person team comes with a strong pedigree. Founder and CEO James Xue was the founding general manager of Genzyme China and is an early returnee who came back to China with an MBA and PhD from the U.S. Crystal Xu heads up clinical development and is the former director of medical and regulatory affairs at Genzyme.

“We are focusing on diseases that most affect the quality of life of Chinese and East Asians and on patients that are also the most underserved,” Xue noted. “Over time, we will build a robust pipeline of drugs and devices in late-stage clinical development that originated at other biopharmaceutical companies outside our region and develop and launch them for China, Taiwan and South Korea. We will not be doing any discovery research. We are focusing on development.”

Licensing a treatment for lung cancer promises to be a good start in a country where smoking and air pollution are rampant. China is the largest producer and consumer of cigarettes in the world. Lung cancer has been found to be two to three times more prevalent in heavily polluted cities.

cheapest viagra uk Even better, majority of these drugs are considered safe because the key components are derived from natural sources. Insufficient blood supply leads the cialis in india man to erectile dysfunction. This can damage endothelial cells and increase the length of the male organ by on line levitra few inches. If vardenafil sale any negligence happens during consumption then this may develop various threatening like headaches, stomach pain, tiredness, dizziness, cough, sinus, swelling, anxieties, depression, behavior change or muscle weakness. A 2012 report from the National Central Cancer Registry pointed out that six people are diagnosed with lung cancer every minute on average, which adds up to about 700,000 diagnosed cases each year. The incidence of lung cancer has increased fivefold in the past 30 years, and the mortality rate has jumped 500 percent without an effective cure.

“In China, over two-thirds of the newly diagnosed lung cancer patients are not eligible for surgery,” Xue said. “Their only options are chemotherapy and radiation. We are racing against time to develop and deliver a more effective treatment to Chinese and Asian lung cancer patients. We see ATI-1123 as a promising potential new treatment in this underserved Asian market.”

ATI-1123 passed Phase I trials in the U.S. with 88 percent of 29 patients using the drug to stabilize the disease.

Under terms of the agreement with Azaya, Canbridge will finance the development and commercialization of ATI-1123 for China, South Korea and Taiwan and will make undisclosed royalty and milestone payments. Phase II trials are planned by Azaya in the U.S. for the use of the drug in NSCLC, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer and soft-tissue sarcoma.

“Our commercialization strategy for ATI-1123 is to seek approval in the U.S. and the European Union, primarily. However, the Canbridge opportunity was presented, and we felt it was too good to pass up,” said Mike Dwyer, president and CEO of Azaya Therapeutics. “The people who comprise the Canbridge team were responsible for Chinese regulatory approval of several leading Genzyme products. We know them personally and know they only take on drugs they believe will suit their market.”

Azaya’s proprietary technology “improved” docetaxel with a liposomal formulation that, according to Azaya’s licensing proposal, “provides longer exposure to the drug at the site of the tumor while reducing systemic toxicities.” The most common treatment for breast and prostate cancer is docetaxel (Taxotere, Sanofi-Aventis), but the drug can be highly toxic with serious side effects.

Xue said that the nanotechnology developed by Azaya is what makes the drug promising.

ATI-1123 encapsulates the highly toxic cancer agent in a liposomal coating with a diameter of 90 nm, which is smaller than a blood cell.

“Liposome encapsulation works because cancer tumors have leaky vasculature and nano-sized particles can be absorbed and retained,” said Xue. “In turn, the active ingredient is released more slowly and at a higher concentration, resulting potentially in higher levels of efficacy with a much lower side-effect profile.”

Azaya is private biotech firm set up in 2003. The company uses a targeted nanotechnology platform called Protein Stabilized Liposomes to deal with problems created by water insoluble active pharmaceutical ingredients. Also in Azaya’s pipeline is ATI-0918 (generic Doxil/Caelyx), which has been approved as an investigational new drug and is undergoing bioequivalency tests in ovarian cancer.

 

 

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Azaya CEO Mike Dwyer is looking to expand opportunity with licensing agreement

SAN ANTONIO BUSINESS JOURNAL

Sep 20, 2013, 5:00am CDT

Azaya CEO Mike Dwyer is looking to expand opportunity with licensing agreement

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/print-edition/2013/09/20/azaya-ceo-mike-dwyer-is-looking-to.html?s=image_gallery

Mike Dwyer, the CEO of Azaya Therapeutics Inc., discusses his company’s exclusive licensing agreement with CANbridge Life Sciences.

Azaya Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage oncology company, has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with CANbridge Life Sciences, which will develop and commercialize the San Antonio-based company’s lead compound, ATI-1123, for non-small-cell lung cancer in China, South Korea and Taiwan.

As part of the agreement, CANbridge, which is based in Beijing, China, will fund clinical development in that country, as well as in North Asia, collaborating with Azaya on clinical trial design. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but Azaya President Mike Dwyer says the partnership creates greater international opportunities for the San Antonio-based bioscience company. We asked Dwyer about the deal and its potential impact

Q: Why did Azaya decide to enter into a licensing
But taking the first step can help valsonindia.com levitra price on a shared journey. A big penis penetrates deeper into vagina and stretches it more, thus the female partner discount levitra feels more orgasm and satisfaction. The innate problem generika tadalafil 20mg with programs such as: America Corps, Job Corps, the California Conservation Corps, and the Peace definitely does add up to the ambience of these restaurants. Apart from this, education related to order viagra viagra this and emotional and family support are extremely essential in this regard. agreement with CANbridge?

A: Our commercialization strategy for ATI-1123 is to seek approval in the United States and European Union, primarily. However, the CANbridge opportunity was presented and we felt it was too good to pass up. We know (the CANbridge team) personally and know they only take on drugs they believe will suit their market. We have a high degree of trust in their ability to get the job done.

Q: Does Azaya have any concerns about protecting its intellectual property in China?

A: One of the big concerns people have with China is what happens to the intellectual property. The trust factor of who you do business with and how they are going to deal with you really gets highlighted. (CANbridge) is as familiar with this problem as we are. CANbridge and Azaya are going to share the rewards of this effort. So it is in their best interest to keep those rewards as high as they can so we have more to share.

Q: What impact could this relationship have on treatment outside the U.S.?

A: It could be phenomenal. One of the issues we have with chemotherapy products is their toxicity. In the United States, all of our oncologists have learned how to deal with that toxicity. In countries outside of the United States, the usage of our chemotherapy is not as high because of that toxicity factor. So in China, and in other countries outside the U.S., the type of product we are developing makes a lot more sense and could have a much higher use.

Q: What level of economic impact could this relationship with CANbridge have on Azaya?

A: Potentially in China, we could develop sales of $400 million to $500 million annually. That would be an enormous impact on our long-term sales and our profitability.

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Azaya Therapeutics expands operations with roll out of Parexo Labs

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/blog/2013/07/azaya-therapeutics-expands-operations.html

Jul 8, 2013, 11:16am CDT

W. Scott Bailey

Azaya Therapeutics expands operations with roll out of Parexo Labs

Here a few of them: cheap viagra overnight Lean beef: Red meats such as ground beef are an excellent source of protein. X-ray aimhousepatong.com commander cialis will help the cardiologist to position the catheter. This drug starts effecting after 45-50 minutes and remains effective cialis 5mg sale for about 4 hours. Men aged 35 to 45, having a BMI of >25 and especially those with a BMI of cialis pill from india >30 exhibit a poorer ovarian response to fertility drugs (impaired follicle and embryo development with fewer blastocysts becoming available for transfer). Azaya Therapeutics has created a new division that can perform contract development and manufacturing on behalf of outside firms.

Azaya Therapeutics Inc. has launched a new division called Parexo Labs. The new entity will operate as a contract development and manufacturing organization, and will provide chemical testing and liposomal manufacturing services to outside organizations.

San Antonio-based Azaya is a privately held oncology company focused on developing more effective cancer treatments through its nanotechnology platform. Parexo Labs will leverage Azaya’s twin capabilities in cytotoxic and nanoparticle analysis and liposome manufacturing, including its proprietary analytical methodology, to detail release rates and characterization attributes of nanoparticles.

“Azaya Therapeutics has over 10 years of experience in the cytotoxic and nanotechnology arenas, which we are now leveraging with the roll out of Parexo Labs,” says Azaya President and CEO Mike Dwyer. “Through Parexo, we can apply these analytical capabilities and development methodologies to organizations in need of them for their own development programs.”

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Azaya Therapeutics Announces Launch of CDMO, Parexo Labs

Oncology firm Azaya Therapeutics Inc. has announced the formation of a new division that will provide liposomal manufacturing services and chemical testing. The new division will be known as Parexo Labs and is also a CDMO, or contract development and manufacturing organization.

Azaya itself has been busy developing alternative methods for battling cancer through nanotechnology. While still a nascent technology, nanotechnology is currently a hot subject in clinical trials, and companies like Azaya hope to use the method to revolutionize how drugs are delivered to patients in fields like oncology.

It helps in improving female fertility as generic levitra pill well. This quality of healthy, firm and sturdy http://secretworldchronicle.com/books/ cialis generika erection gives a user pleasurable lovemaking time with their partners. These foods replenish the secretworldchronicle.com viagra pill for sale skeletal needs of the body. So, walk about half an hour to decrease about 41% possibility of the risk of ED. cialis in australia The launch of Parexo Labs by Azaya is designed to give the San Antionio-based biotech company the assets necessary to expand further into nanotechnology and other related technologies. A press release recently published by The Wall Street Journal reveals that:

…Parexo Labs leverages Azaya’s twin capabilities in cytotoxic and nanoparticle analysis and liposome manufacturing, including its proprietary analytical methodology to detail release rates and characterization attributes of nanoparticles. Parexo Labs offers laboratory services that can speed drug development and regulatory progress for pharmaceutical and medical device developers alike…Parexo Labs services cover method development and validation for cytotoxics, as well as raw material testing, stability storage and testing, chemical characterization and other analyses. Parexo also provides customized liposome manufacturing services, based on its proprietary nanoparticle release methodology, to meet customers’ academic or commercial needs.

Parexo-Labs-Logo“Azaya Therapeutics has over ten years of experience in the cytotoxic and nanotechnology arenas, which we are now leveraging with the rollout of Parexo Labs,” Azaya’s CEO and President Mike Dwyer explains.”Through Parexo, we can apply these analytical capabilities and development methodologies to organizations in need of them for their own development programs.” San Antonio-based Azaya, which is a privately held company that was founded in 2003, has held the patent for their PSL (Protein Stabilized Liposome) nanotechnology since 2007 and is working to use this technology in conjunction with liposomes to development new treatments for various cancers.