Boston, M.A. – March 26th, 2024. Alloplex Biotherapeutics has identified cancer tumor types responsive to its lead technology platform, SUPLEXA, in a single-agent study.
The Boston-based firm has unveiled an expression profile showcasing distinct mechanisms of action, differentiating SUPLEXA therapeutic cells from other cell therapies. SUPLEXA cells exhibit direct anti-tumor cytolysis, antigen presentation functions, and immunomodulatory activities, collectively supporting the priming of host T cells against tumor antigens. In contrast, Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) sustain previously primed hosts T cells in a functional state.
Alloplex is now positioned to validate a pivotal hypothesis: that SUPLEXA cells can enhance the efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) beyond a minority of treated patients. Given the prominence of ICIs in immunotherapy, any enhancement in activity could have far-reaching implications across multiple cancer indications where ICIs are approved as the standard of care.
To further propel the SUPLEXA therapeutic cell platform during this critical phase of corporate development, Alloplex’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Frank Borriello, has announced the formation of a Corporate Advisory Panel.
“As Alloplex advances SUPLEXA therapeutic cells through the clinical validation process, navigating new challenges and demands necessitates sound advice. Therefore, our new Corporate Advisory Panel comprises individuals with complementary skill sets ranging from general business, pharmaceutical operation and business development, to scientific and competitive analysis,” stated Dr. Borriello.
“I am pleased to welcome Steve Schiffman, Jeff Bockman, and Bob Smith to our Advisory Panel as partners in advancing the SUPLEXA therapeutic cell platform and preparing for a potential accelerated registration trial under IND,” he added.
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Established in 2016, Alloplex has progressed its leading cellular therapy, SUPLEXA, from conceptualization to a clinically de-risked platform for treating solid cancers.
The Alloplex team includes seasoned senior management, a seasoned board of directors, and esteemed clinical investigators in Australia. Collaborating with experienced partners at preclinical and clinical levels facilitated the smooth execution of this first-in-human clinical trial. Alloplex Biotherapeutics Inc. is based in Boston, M.A., USA. Its wholly-owned Australian subsidiary, Alloplex Australia Pty. Ltd, is based in Adelaide, S.A., Australia.
This innovative non-engineered autologous therapy, derived from patient PBMC, boasts a uniquely heighten state of immune cell activation as determined by receptors present on the cell surface and an enhanced secretome.
The inaugural single-agent SUPLEXA survey study in advanced solid cancer patients has successfully met all pre-specified endpoints. With an impeccable safety profile, Alloplex has identified SUPLEXA-responsive tumor types setting it apart from other cell therapies.
Whereas the Alloplex Corporate Board provides strategic long-term vision for the company, the newly-established Advisory Panel will contribute critical advice to navigating near-term tactical issues. With Alloplex at a critical juncture in its evolution, this panel will support practical decision-making by the CEO over the coming year, specifically in the areas of fund raising, corporate collaboration and FDA interactions.
Steve Schiffman joins the panel as a distinguished global business leader renowned for his extensive expertise in business transformation, strategic development, and capital raising. With a diverse professional background spanning both public and private sectors, from entrepreneurial startups to industry giants, Schiffman has held prominent roles such as Chief Financial Officer at Devonshire Investors, a private investment firm affiliated with Fidelity Investments, and as Interim President at Eight Roads Ventures, a multinational venture investment group also affiliated with Fidelity Int’l.
Steve holds a B.A. degree in political science from Brandeis University, an M.S. degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He remains actively engaged in academia and philanthropy, serving as a Member of the Board of Advisors at the Int’l Business School at Brandeis University and as a board member at the Fairfield Museum & History Center.
Jeffrey M. Bockman, leading the Oncology Practice at Lumanity, brings extensive commercial and strategic perspective to the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. With a focus on oncology, Jeff has directed numerous in-depth licensing opportunity and valuation assessments, leveraging his scientific and commercial acumen. His educational background includes a BA from the University of California at San Diego, a PhD in Medical Microbiology from the University of California at Berkeley, and an MA in English/Creative Writing from New York University.
During his academic journey, Jeff collaborated closely with Nobel Prize recipients Dr. Sidney Altman on ribozymes and Dr. Stanley Prusiner on prions, resulting in four patents in the use of ribozymes.
Robert Smith brings over thirty-five years of experience as an accomplished biopharmaceutical executive to the panel. With expertise in alliance management, business development, commercial strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and research and development, Bob has held key leadership roles, including leading Pfizer’s Global Gene Therapy Business.
Bob earned a B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Rochester and an M.B.A. in Finance and Corporate Accounting from the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Rochester, Rochester, New York.
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