Cell Genesys
500 Forbes Boulevard, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, United States
Overview
Cell Genesys, Inc., a biotechnology company, engages in development and commercialization of biological therapies for cancer. It develops cell-based immunotherapies and oncolytic virus therapies to treat various types of cancer. The company's clinical stage cancer programs comprise cell- or viral-based products that have been genetically modified to impart disease-fighting characteristics that are not found in conventional chemotherapeutic agents. Its GVAX cancer Immunotherapies include Prostate Cancer, a phase 3 product for the treatment of prostate cancer; Pancreatic Cancer, a phase 2 product for pancreatic cancer; and Leukemia, a phase 2 product for the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia and chronic myelogenous leukemia. The company's Oncolytic Virus Therapy includes CG0070, a phase 1 product for the treatment of recurrent bladder cancer. It has a strategic alliance with Novartis AG to develop and commercialize oncolytic virus therapies, and has collaboration agreements with Medarex, Inc. and Amgen, Inc. The company was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in South San Francisco, California.
- Total investments
- 1
- Lead investments
- 0
- Investments · 12mo
- 0
- Active investors
- 0
Sector focus
- Biotechnology
- Health Care
- Medical
Investment portfolio
- Ceregene
Participated · Equity · Jun 2007
Ceregene is a San Diego-based biotechnology company focused on delivering nervous system growth (neurotrophic) factors via gene delivery to treat neurodegenerative and retinal disorders. Its lead programs include CERE-120, targeted for Parkinson’s disease (moving into a Phase 2b study), and CERE-110, in a Phase 2 study for Alzheimer’s disease; the company also maintains an ocular disease program. Ceregene closed an $11.5M Series D financing and additionally received $733,437 in Therapeutic Discovery Tax Credit grants (three awards of $244,479). The new capital and grants will be used to advance the Phase 2b study of CERE-120 and to support the Alzheimer’s and ocular programs, supplementing recent support from The Michael J. Fox Foundation. As part of the financing, Kerry Dance, Ph.D., Managing Director of Hamilton BioVentures, will join the company’s board. Ceregene is developing CERE-120, a gene therapy that uses modified adeno-associated viruses to deliver genes encoding neurotrophic factors to neurons. The approach aims to have cells produce neurotrophic proteins that cannot cross the blood–brain barrier when delivered as standalone drugs. In a 12-patient early trial, CERE-120 administration was associated with a 36% reduction in symptoms at 12 months, though the study lacked rigorous controls. Ceregene is running a 51-patient follow-up trial that may generate data by fall 2008. Financially, the company has completed an open third funding round raising roughly $28–28.1 million and struck a development partnership with Genzyme that included a $25 million up-front payment and potential additional payments and royalties. Cell Genesys, Ceregene’s former corporate parent, participated in the financing alongside institutional investors.
Team
No current team members are available.