Chris Takimoto, MD, PhD, Physician-Scientist and Oncology Drug Developer, Joins Thetis Pharmaceuticals Scientific Advisory Board
RIDGEFIELD, CT – (December 2, 2021) – Thetis Pharmaceuticals LLC (“Thetis”), a biopharmaceutical company developing immunoresolving myeloid agonists to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases, announced today that Dr. Chris Takimoto has joined its Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Takimoto is a physician scientist with expertise in cancer drug development.
Gary Mathias, Chief Executive Officer of Thetis, commented, “Dr. Takimoto brings unique oncology experience spanning large pharmaceutical and biotech companies, academia and public service. Chris previously led the clinical development of Magrolimab, which blocks the “don’t eat me” signal that enables cancer cells to evade immune surveillance. His experience is directly relevant to development of our first-in-class Resolvin drug, TP-317, which reprograms immune cells in the tumor microenvironment to inhibit tumor growth, metastasis and resistance.”
Dr. Takimoto added, “TP-317 offers a highly differentiated strategy to activate innate immunity, which is an exciting new target in cancer research. Emerging data also suggest that Resolvins prime T-cells to promote adaptive anti-tumor immunity. Based on this novel biology, Resolvins offer a potentially transformative approach as adjuvant therapy to checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy, with therapeutic potential across a range of solid tumor cancers.”
Dr. Takimoto joins the Thetis SAB with 30 years of experience in cancer research and development. He currently is the Chief Medical Officer of IGM Biosciences and previously served as Senior Vice President, Oncology for Gilead Sciences following Gilead’s acquisition of Forty Seven, the biotechnology company that developed Magrolimab, where he served as Chief Medical Officer. Prior to his role at Forty Seven, Dr. Takimoto held senior positions in early drug development in cancer at Janssen Research and Development and Ortho Biotech Oncology Research and Development. Dr. Takimoto received a B.S. in Chemistry from Stanford University, a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Yale University, an M.D. from Yale School of Medicine, and completed an oncology fellowship at the National Cancer Institute.
About TP-317
Overview: TP-317 is a patented small molecule drug that delivers Resolvin E1, an endogenous lipid mediator that engages BLT1 as a biased agonist to promote immune homeostasis . Unlike anti-inflammatory drugs and anti-cancer agents that are immuno-suppressive, TP-317 activates innate and adaptive immune pathways to treat disease without compromising host-protective immunity.
Cancer Program: TP-317 is being developed in cancer as an adjunct to standard of care therapy in advanced colorectal cancer and advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Its unique myeloid-directed antigen presentation mechanism of action addresses a fundamental need in immunotherapy. Preclinical studies with oral TP-317 in tumor models of these cancers have shown potent single-agent activity, and enhanced efficacy when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors, chemotherapy and their combination.
IBD Program: TP-317 is being developed in IBD as first-line, oral therapy for moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease and as second-line, oral therapy for moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis in patients who are not well controlled on existing therapies. The anticipated high safety premium and unique epithelial repair mechanism of TP-317 supports its use as adjunct therapy to standard-of-care biologics and oral immunomodulators.
About Thetis Pharmaceuticals
Thetis is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the lives of patients suffering from cancer and autoimmune diseases. Thetis’ proprietary HEALER™ technology platform enables the pharmaceutical development of Resolvins, a class of endogenous lipid mediators that regulate immune homeostasis and inflammation resolution. Application of our HEALER technology to Resolvins unlocks their robust pharmacology for development as first-in-class small molecule drugs.
Disclaimer
TP-317 is an investigational drug product that has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Contact Information
Gary Mathias, CEO
gmathias@thetispharma.com