Pheast Therapeutics
- Industry
- Biotechnology
- Founded Year
- 2020
- Headquarters
- Palo Alto, California, United States
- Employee Count
- 15
Key People
- Jacopo Leonardi - Chief Executive Officer
- Amira Barkal - Chief Development Officer
- Roy Maute - Cofounder & Chief Executive Officer
- Ivy Nguyen - Head of Human Resources
- Thomas Marty - Senior Director, Finance
Assessment
- Team
-
Aspect: Multiple successful MedTech entrepreneurs
Summary: The leadership team comprises experienced professionals with successful backgrounds in MedTech and biotechnology.
The leadership includes individuals like Jacopo Leonardi, who has over 25 years of executive leadership in global pharmaceutical companies, and co-founders with significant experience in cancer immunotherapy.
- Clinical Need
-
Aspect: Very Strong
Summary: Pheast addresses a critical need in oncology by developing therapies targeting macrophage checkpoints to treat aggressive cancers.
By targeting the CD24 'don't eat me' signal, Pheast aims to enhance macrophage-mediated phagocytosis of cancer cells, offering a novel approach to treating solid tumors.
- Competition
-
Aspect: First mover
Summary: Pheast is pioneering therapies targeting the CD24 pathway, with limited direct competition in this specific area.
While the novel approach offers a competitive edge, the lack of established pathways may require significant effort in market education and validation.
- Technical Challenge
-
Aspect: Complex
Summary: Developing therapies that effectively modulate macrophage activity via CD24 inhibition involves significant scientific and technical challenges.
Targeting innate immune checkpoints is a relatively new area, requiring extensive research to understand mechanisms and potential off-target effects.
- Patent
-
Aspect: Strong
Summary: Pheast has secured patents related to their CD24-targeting therapies, providing a solid intellectual property foundation.
The patents cover key aspects of their therapeutic approach, potentially preventing competitors from developing similar therapies.
- Financing
-
Aspect: Well-funded
Summary: Pheast has raised $76 million in Series A funding, providing substantial resources for development.
The funding round led by reputable investors indicates strong confidence in Pheast's approach and potential.
- Regulatory
-
Aspect: Running FIH
Summary: Pheast has initiated first-in-human clinical trials for their lead program, PHST001.
The initiation of Phase 1 trials demonstrates regulatory progress and the potential for future approvals.
Opportunity Rollup
- Odds of Success
- 3.1
- Peak Market Share
- 3.7
- Segment CAGR
- 10.7%
- Market Segment
- Oncology
- Market Sub Segment
- Immuno-oncology
| Year Post Launch | Market Penetration (%) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.19 |
| 2 | 0.56 |
| 3 | 1.30 |
| 4 | 2.59 |
| 5 | 3.70 |
Key Takeaway
Pheast Therapeutics is leveraging its experienced team and strong financial backing to pioneer novel macrophage-targeting immunotherapies, addressing significant unmet needs in oncology.