FierceBiotech Names Gritstone Oncology as a "Fierce 15" Biotechnology Company of 2017
Emeryville, CA, September 26, 2017 – Gritstone Oncology, a next-generation personalized cancer immunotherapy company, has been named by FierceBiotech as one of 2017’s Fierce 15 biotechnology companies, recognizing it as one of the most promising private biotechnology companies in the industry.
Founded in October 2015, Gritstone Oncology is focused on understanding each patient’s tumor antigens at a molecular level, using deep learning techniques, and then developing immune therapies targeted to that specific set of tumor antigens. The goal is to make therapeutic immune attack highly specific to the tumor, sparing normal tissues, and reducing toxicity. Gritstone is building a pipeline of personalized immunotherapies for patients with the most difficult-to-treat solid tumors. Its lead program is expected to enter clinical trials in mid-2018 for patients with non-small cell lung cancer and gastric cancer. These patients typically have many mutations in their tumors, some of which create new antigens (targets) for the immune system – termed neoantigens. In addition to neoantigen therapy development, Gritstone is leveraging its unique antigen discovery platform to define tumor-specific, but shared, targets for immunotherapies, which would provide an opportunity to treat even more patients.
“On behalf of the employees of Gritstone Oncology, we are honored to be included in the ‘Fierce 15’ class of 2017. In 2017, we have made significant progress with our tumor antigen identification platform, expanded our product pipeline, raised a significant Series B financing, and made several key leadership and board appointments” said Andrew Allen, M.D., Ph.D., co-founder, president and chief executive officer of Gritstone Oncology. “We appreciate the validation of this important industry designation by FierceBiotech as we stay focused on executing our vision by starting clinical trials in 2018.”
The Fierce 15 celebrates the spirit of being "fierce" – championing innovation and creativity, even in the face of intense competition. This is FierceBiotech's fifteenth annual Fierce 15.
Each annual selection highlights privately held companies that are working to develop products, services, or platforms that can advance the biotech industry and transform patient care. Companies are selected based on a variety of factors such as the strength of their technology, partnerships, venture backers and a competitive market position.
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About Gritstone Oncology
Gritstone Oncology is a privately-held, next-generation personalized cancer immunotherapy company. Gritstone brings together distinguished scientific founders, an experienced and diverse management team, a seasoned and successful board of directors and deep financial backing to tackle fundamental challenges at the intersection of cancer genomics, immunology, and immunotherapy design. The Company’s initial goal is to leverage deep learning to identify and deploy therapeutic neoantigens from individual patients’ tumors to develop novel treatments for lung and gastric cancer. In addition to neoantigen therapy development, Gritstone is leveraging its unique antigen discovery platform to define targets for shared antigen immunotherapies, which would provide an opportunity to treat even more patients. Gritstone Oncology is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with key functions located in Cambridge, MA. The company launched in October 2015 and has received funding from leading blue-chip biotechnology investors, including Versant Ventures, The Column Group, Clarus Funds, Frazier Healthcare Partners, Lilly Asia Ventures and GV. More information can be found at www.gritstoneoncology.com or @gritstoneonc.