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Re-engineering innate immune activation
Improving cancer immunotherapy
Our Mission
Saros is developing, and through partnerships commercializing, novel immunotherapies to improve and extend the lives of patients with cancer.
The Science
Saros has developed a nanoparticle capable of safely targeting and enhancing pathways of innate immune activation.
Beginning with STING, the nanoparticle can overcome challenges of prior agonists. Our drug is targeting tumor tissue as well as macrophages and dendritic cells which is where the STING pathway needs to be activated. By working with multiple STING agonists and TLR agonists, Saros has demonstrated the breadth of the platform.
Mechanistic studies as well as head-to-head comparison with other STING activating agents demonstrates superiority of this approach. The biodistribution, and toxicology data supports the expected safety.
Sun, X., Zhang, Y., Li, J. et al “Amplifying STING activation by cyclic dinucleotide-manganese particles for local and systemic cancer metalloimmunotherapy,” Nature Nanotechnology, 16, 1260-1270 (2021).
Sun, X., Zhou, X., Lei, Y., Moon, J., “Unlocking the promise of systemic STING agonist for cancer immunotherapy,” Journal of Controlled Release, 357, 417-421 (2023).
Saros promotes objectivity in its research. See our financial conflict of interest policy.
Multiple pre-clinical models in mice, rabbits, and human cell lines support the efficacy and safety of our first agent.
Meet the Team
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Matthew Martin, PhD, MBA
Co-Founder, CEO
Venture partner at Pathway Bioventures
Biotech entrepreneur experienced in spinning technologies out from universities
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Rich Johnson, PhD
Co-Founder, VP of Development
Academic training in biochemistry and immunology
28 years leading biopharma R&D groups from discovery to preclinical development
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Dominique Kendrick, RPh, RAC, MBA
Co-Founder, SVP of Regulatory Affairs
Led regulatory strategy, development, submission, and launch of 80+ products
25 years of executive leadership experience in public and private companies
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Prof. James Moon, PhD
Co-Founder, Chief Scientific Officer
Professor of Pharma. Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan
Research focus on cancer immunotherapy
Science Advisory Board
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Prof. Yu Leo Lei, DDS, PhD
Co-Founder, Clinical and pre-clinical advisor
Associate Professor of Dentistry and of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
ABOMP-certified Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist
NCI Moonshot Immuno-Oncology Translational Network Steering Committee Member
Research focuses on the molecular regulation of innate immune pathways
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Jason Luke, MD
Clinical Advisor
Medical Oncologist, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Experienced clinical trial advisor to multiple big pharma and small biotech companies
Deep clinical experience with STING programs
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Robert Petit, MD, PhD
Co-Founder, Clinical and pre-clinical advisor
Co-Founder of prior immuno-oncology biotech companies
Experience public and private CMO & CSO
US Medical Lead for Yervoy at BMS
Deep clinical experience, 30+ trials and 6 NDA/BLAs
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Andrew Bush, PhD
Pre-Clinical Advisor
Head of research at Radyus Research
NYU PhD in pharmacology
20+ years of immuno-oncology focus
Oncology experience from BMS and Regeneron
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Susan Ciotti, PhD
Manufacturing
· 25+ years of experience in CMC development and cGMP manufacturing including LNP development
· Extensive LNP development experience.
· Responsible for CMC dossier preparation for regulatory filings at all stages
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Michael Belliveau, PhD
Intellectual Property
Partner at Clark + Elbing
Harvard PhD in neurobiology
Practice focused on patent prosecution and diligence for investing or M&A
Expertise in lipid nanoparticle systems