Circle Pharma, Inc.

Circle Pharma initiated operations in June 2014 with seed funding from Pfizer, Inc. and Mission Bay Capital, LLP; we received additional seed funding from ShangPharma Investment Group Limited in November 2015. We recently raised Series B and Series C financing from The Column Group and NextTech Invest. We design and develop bioavailable macrocyclic peptide therapeutics against important clinical targets. We do this by applying a computational structure-based design approach that combines physics (conformational modeling), chemistry (innovative molecular components) and biology (protein target structure and function). We have selected intracellular protein-protein interactions that play key roles in cancer as the initial target group for our internal pipeline development. Circle is taking a new approach to the development of macrocylic peptide therapeutics that is based on the pioneering work of its founders to understand and computationally predict drug-like properties of macrocycles. Circle is advancing this understanding to design novel, inherently permeable macrocyclic peptide drug candidates against Circle’s internal targets and those of our collaboration partners. Our workflow includes the use of proprietary algorithms to design large, conformationally diverse, virtual libraries of cell permeable macrocyclic scaffolds that incorporate natural and non-natural backbone components. We deploy these virtual scaffold libraries in subsequent design steps that include the incorporation of functional side chains selected for both target binding and maintenance of permeability. Candidate compounds are synthesized and tested for both permeability and target affinity and the results are used to inform subsequent design cycles.

Vaxart, Inc.

For two hundred years vaccines have been administered by intramuscular injection. Vaxart’s oral vaccine pills may change everything. Our vaccine pills act differently, by attacking invading pathogens in the places where they first enter the body: the mucosal areas, including the mouth, the nose and the gut. They are designed to trigger strong IgA and T-cell responses to repel and overwhelm the invading viral invaders. Vaxart has begun Phase II trials of its oral vaccine for Covid and for Norovirus– the only company in the world to reach this stage with a COVID-19 vaccine pill.

Nkarta, Inc.

Nkarta is a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing the development of allogeneic natural killer (NK) cell therapies. By combining its cell expansion and cryopreservation platform with proprietary cell engineering technologies, Nkarta is building a pipeline of cell therapy candidates generated by efficient manufacturing processes, and engineered to enhance tumor targeting and improve persistence for sustained activity in the body. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.nkartatx.com.

Pliant Therapeutics

Pliant Therapeutics is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company and leader in the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of fibrotic diseases. At Pliant, we share a commitment and a clear passion to drive innovative science towards addressing areas of unmet medical need. Together we believe we have the power to make a difference in the lives of patients and those impacted by fibrotic diseases. We believe that by harnessing the therapeutic potential of integrin biology and TGF-β modulation, there is a potential to create drug candidates aimed at halting or even reversing fibrotic diseases. Pliant recognizes the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and that they require an evolving and ongoing commitment. Pliant is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or potential candidate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual preference or any other legally protected category. Pliant is located in South San Francisco, California, the birthplace of biotechnology. Proud to be a San Francisco Business Times Best Place to Work in 2023. Learn more about how we are breaking ground in the treatment of fibrotic diseases at www.PliantRx.com.

Evommune

Chronic inflammatory diseases are the most significant cause of death in the world, and those who live with them have a reduced quality of life. Many immunology-focused medications give patients a temporary fix to a longer-term problem—addressing symptom control rather than the root cause of disease. Evommune is different. We strive to develop accessible innovations that are meant to address symptoms as well as help avoid disease progression and medical complications in the future.