PIC Therapeutics, based in Natick, Mass., is developing first-in-mechanism, first-in-class small-molecule medicines that modulate protein translation. Its lead program is an allosteric protein translation modulator targeting eIF4E aimed at treating advanced metastatic and drug-resistant breast cancer. Preclinical studies show PIC compounds modulate—but do not block—protein translation and drive cancer cell apoptosis rather than senescence. The company’s selective modulation of the Pre-Initiation Complex is intended to selectively impact oncogene protein production and address tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. PIC will use proceeds from a recently closed $35 million Series A to advance the lead program into first-in-man, first-in-mechanism clinical studies and to expand its pipeline into emerging oncology indications. The scientific approach is founded on work by Dr. Gerhard Wagner (Harvard) and Dr. Nahum Sonenberg (McGill). PIC Therapeutics is a Boston biotechnology company developing a new generation of cancer therapeutics by selectively modulating the Pre-Initiation Complex (PIC), specifically eIF4E, to block oncogene protein production. The company has built a portfolio of proprietary small-molecule modulators and a platform to validate tumor activity, aiming to impact multiple oncogenic drivers and address drug resistance and tumor heterogeneity. PIC was founded on the research of Professor Gerhard Wagner and is led by founding CEO Sun Altbach with Alan Walts as Executive Chairman. The company closed an oversubscribed $5M Series Seed round of preferred equity funding led by Advent Life Sciences. With this funding PIC plans to accelerate its program focused on allosteric regulation of eIF4E and to produce early proof of concept in advance of the clinic. PIC is supported by a world-renowned Scientific Advisory Board and Board of Directors.

Total raised

$40M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Oct 2022