Translational
Sciences
The Translational Sciences focus area is dedicated to bringing about transformative advancements in medicine and wider biotech for our patients and enhancing value for UPMC. Our objective is to generate financial, operational, and reputational returns for UPMC by investing in strategic focus areas, which encompass oncology, neuroscience, autoimmune/inflammatory diseases, and ophthalmology.
In addition to providing financial support, we offer extensive access to UPMC’s world-class clinical, payer, and operational resources and expertise. This support encompasses monetary investments, subject matter expertise, scientific and business guidance, and the implementation of industry-standard processes, all of which expedite the journey of a technology from bench to bedside.
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By the Numbers
$1 Billion invested by 2024
14 portfolio companies developing ground-breaking therapies
15 professionals supported by a network of more than 20 experienced advisors
7 strategic partnerships with leading life science venture funds
$150M+ grant funding for commercially focused life science R&D
40+ translational projects
$150M+ in discovery funding
4 strategic pharma partnerships
40+ commercially focused life sciences research and discovery projects
8 funded clinical trials in new treatment options unique to UPMC
Portfolio Highlights
Avista Reaches First Milestone in Roche Partnership
Avista achieved the first milestone under its research agreement with pharmaceutical company, Roche, based on the successful testing of a cell specific adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid in non-human primates. This resulted in the release of a $10M opt-in milestone payment to Avista.
Butterfly Network Announces New FDA-Cleared AI-Enabled Lung Tool
Butterfly Network, a company that is transforming care through the power of handheld, whole-body ultrasound, has received 510(k) clearance for a groundbreaking AI-enabled Auto B-line Counter that may simplify how health care professionals evaluate adults with suspected diminished lung function and can potentially accelerate their ability to make informed treatment decisions at the point of care.
Cerevance Doses First Subject in Phase 1 Clinical Study of CVN293, a Selective Inhibitor of KCNK13 Designed to Selectively Modulate Neuroinflammation, for the Treatment of ALS and Alzheimer’s Disease
Cerevance, a clinical-stage company dedicated to the discovery and development of cutting-edge precision neuroscience therapeutics for central nervous system (CNS) disorders, has initiated its Phase 1 clinical study for CVN293. The trial marks a significant milestone as the first subject has received the investigational treatment. This study is designed to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of CVN293, utilizing Cerevance’s proprietary Nuclear Enriched Transcript Sort sequencing (NETSseq) platform.
Fierce Biotech Names Cerevance a “Fierce 15” Biotech Company of 2023
Cerevance has been named a “Fierce 15” Biotech Company of 2023 by Fierce Biotech. This recognition underscores Cerevance’s dedication to advancing neuroscience research and its commitment to revolutionizing treatments for neurological disorders. With its cutting-edge technologies and visionary approach, Cerevance continues to drive the frontier of biotechnology, offering hope for those in need of transformative solutions in the realm of brain-related ailments.
Generian Achieves First Milestones in Mitobridge Collaboration
Generian Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a preclinical biopharmaceutical firm specializing in the exploration and creation of pioneering, orally bioavailable small molecule therapeutics, has attained the initial research milestones for two programs within the framework of its collaborative agreement with Mitobridge, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Astellas Pharma Inc.
UPMC Enterprises Invests in Mozart Therapeutics to Support the Development of Treatments for Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases
Mozart Therapeutics, a startup with a primary focus on the development of disease-modifying treatments for autoimmune diseases, concluded its expanded Series A funding round, securing an additional $25 million. This latest financing round has elevated their total capital raised to $80 million. The company is dedicated to targeting a unique regulatory CD8 T-cell network to identify and create therapies that can restore immune balance for a range of autoimmune diseases.
The investment marks UPMC Enterprises’ inaugural foray into the autoimmune space, representing an exciting prospect due to its novel and distinctive therapeutic approach. The company shows strong potential for synergies with UPMC’s clinical expertise, promising new horizons in the field of autoimmune disease management.
UPMC Enterprises Invests in Noema Pharma, a Biotech Company Targeting Central Nervous System Disorders
UPMC Enterprises has invested as part of a syndicate in Noema Pharma, a clinical-stage biotech company targeting debilitating central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Noema, which is based in Basel, Switzerland, closed an oversubscribed Series B financing round, raising approximately $112 million. The round was co-led by leading European health care focused investment firms Forbion and Jeito Capital. UPMC Enterprises and an additional new investor joined existing investors Sofinnova Partners, Polaris Partners, Gilde Health Care, and Invus to complete the round.
Ring Therapeutics Raises $86.5 Million in Series C Funding to Create Next Generation Programmable Medicines
Ring Therapeutics, a life sciences company established by Flagship Pioneering to transform gene therapy through its innovative commensal virome platform, has successfully secured $86.5 million in Series C funding. This funding round has bolstered the company’s total capital raised to $230 million. Notable investors in this round include Alexandria Venture Investments, Altitude Life Science Ventures, CJ Investment, Flagship Pioneering (the company’s founder), Invus, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd, Partners Investment, T. Rowe Price Associates Inc. advised funds and accounts, UPMC Enterprises, and several existing institutional shareholders of Ring.
UPMC and PharmaLogic Partner to Bring Radiopharmaceuticals to Pittsburgh
In line with its goal of transforming care for its patients through translational research, UPMC will collaborate with PharmaLogic Holdings Corp to jointly construct a world-class radiopharmaceutical facility in Pittsburgh, expected to be one of the largest centers of its kind in the United States.
This innovative partnership and creation of the new facility will provide access to novel diagnostic and therapeutic agents not currently available to the communities surrounding UPMC. It will also support cutting-edge discovery research into new radiotherapies, benefiting patients and clinicians alike, both today and into the future.
SparingVision Selects Second Target in Strategic Collaboration with Intellia Therapeutics
SparingVision, a clinical-stage genomic medicine company focused on pioneering vision-preserving therapies for ocular conditions, has unveiled a second target within its strategic partnership with Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. This collaboration aims to create innovative genomic medicines by harnessing CRISPR-based gene editing technologies, with a specific focus on addressing ocular diseases.
SparingVision named a ‘Fierce 15’ Company by Fierce Biotech
Sparing Vision has been recognized as a “Fierce 15” Biotech Company of 2023 by Fierce Biotech. This acknowledgment highlights the company’s significant contributions to the biotechnology sector, specifically in the field of vision-related disorders. Sparing Vision’s innovative approaches and steadfast commitment to improving treatments have positioned them as a leader in the industry, making a real impact on the lives of those affected by vision issues.
Werewolf Therapeutics Presents Preliminary Monotherapy Data
Werewolf Therapeutics has announced preliminary first-in-human clinical data from initial monotherapy dose-escalation cohorts in the company’s lead clinical program, WTX-124×2101. The preliminary data provides compelling early evidence of dose-dependent biomarker and antitumor activity in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors relapsed or refractory to standard of care therapy. Safety data indicates WTX-124 is generally well-tolerated with no dose limiting toxicities and no indication of typical mediated toxicities.
An Exciting Milestone for Homegrown Life-Changing Medicines
Expanding on nearly a decade of partnership in the life sciences, the Translational Sciences team at UPMC Enterprises and the University of Pittsburgh completed their second annual Request-for-Proposals (RFP) with four key areas of focus: precision cardiovascular disease, precision metabolic disease, chronic kidney disease, and next-generation RNA therapies. Winners of the first RFP which launched in 2022 also were announced, both in the category of rare neurological disorders.