Kleo Pharmaceuticals Secures $21 Million to Advance Novel Small Molecule Cancer Immunotherapies

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Nov. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Kleo Pharmaceuticals Inc., an immuno-oncology company pioneering a new class of bi-specific, small molecule compounds designed to emulate or enhance biologics against cancer, announced today the closing of an oversubscribed $21 million Series B financing to advance its first clinical candidates through IND-enabling studies and into the clinic in 2020. The financing was led by the company's development partner, PeptiDream, Inc. (TOKYO:4587), with participation from current strategic investor Biohaven Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NYSE:BHVN).

Kleo's lead candidates are based on the Company's modular Antibody Recruiting Molecules (ARMs) technology, which enables Kleo's compounds to bind at one end to specific targets on cancer cells and to the body's endogenous antibodies. This unique approach redirects the activity of any ARM-bound antibody against the cancer cells without inhibiting the antibody's native function. In parallel, Kleo is continuing to advance its two additional immuno-oncology therapy platforms, including its Synthetic Antibody Mimics (SyAMs) and Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Enhancers (MATEs).

Douglas Manion, CEO of Kleo Pharmaceuticals, said, "Successful completion of this financing represents an important step in the translation of our groundbreaking approach into therapies that may improve patients' lives. Having improved the modularity of our platforms and expanded the applicability of our ARMs to recruit antibodies to target cancer cells, we are now well funded to advance our first next-generation candidates into human clinical studies. We are excited to welcome our development partner PeptiDream to our community of investors, and we're humbled by the continued support of our founding investor Biohaven."

Patrick Reid, CEO of PeptiDream, stated, "We have worked with Kleo since July 2017 and we are impressed by the scientific progress they have made in validating their technology platforms. We are enthusiastic about the robust pipeline they are building from all three of their unique immunotherapy platforms and we are very happy to be a part of it, both as a strategic partner and now as an investor. We believe Kleo's clinical candidates represent a paradigm shift in immuno-oncology development that elegantly delivers the therapeutic power of highly complex bi-specific antibodies, but in a more simple, less costly, and potentially more beneficial manner. When combined with PeptiDream's robust discovery platform, we expect Kleo to generate many novel drug franchises that can bring incredible value for patients suffering from cancer."

About Kleo Pharmaceuticals Inc. 
Kleo Pharmaceuticals is an immuno-oncology company pioneering a new class of bi-specific, small molecule compounds designed to emulate or enhance biologics against cancer. Similar to complex biologic drugs, Kleo's compounds engage the body's immune system to target cancer cells, but unlike biologics, Kleo's compounds are non-immunogenic, highly stable, and much faster and less costly to design and produce, particularly against novel targets. The company is advancing several drug candidates based on its proprietary technology platforms, all of which are modular in design and enable rapid generation of novel immunotherapies that can be optimized against certain cancers, or enhance the properties of existing immunotherapies. These include Antibody Recruiting Molecules (ARMs), Synthetic Antibody Mimics (SyAMs) and Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Enhancers (MATEs). The company was formed to advance technologies developed at Yale University and founded by Dr. David Spiegel and Roy Prieb. For more information visit http://kleopharmaceuticals.com

About PeptiDream
PeptiDream Inc. is a public (Tokyo Stock Exchange 1st Section 4587) biopharmaceutical company founded in 2006 employing our proprietary Peptide Discovery Platform System(PDPS), a state-of-the-art highly versatile discovery platform which enables the production of highly diverse (trillions) non-standard peptide libraries with high efficiency, for the identification of highly potent and selective hit candidates, which then can be developed into peptide-based, small molecule-based, or peptide-drug-conjugate-based therapeutics. PeptiDream aspires to be a world leader in drug discovery and development to address unmet medical needs and improve the quality of life of patients worldwide. Further information regarding PeptiDream can be found at: http://peptidream.com.

About Biohaven
Biohaven is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of innovative, late-stage product candidates targeting neurological diseases, including rare disorders. Biohaven has combined internal development and research with intellectual property licensed from companies and institutions including Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, AstraZeneca AB, Yale University, Catalent, Rutgers, ALS Biopharma LLC and Massachusetts General Hospital. Currently, Biohaven's lead development programs include multiple compounds across its CGRP receptor antagonist, glutamate modulation, and myeloperoxidase inhibitor platforms. Biohaven's common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and traded under the ticker symbol BHVN. More information about Biohaven is available at www.biohavenpharma.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal and Canadian securities laws. These forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company's management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding the Company's plans and objectives, expectations and assumptions of management are forward-looking statements. The use of certain words, including the words "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "will," "plan," "could," "may" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements including receipt of regulatory approvals and market conditions. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc.
Joshua Drumm, Ph.D. (Investors)
(212) 375-2664
[email protected]

Janine McCargo (Media)
(646) 604-5150
[email protected]

SOURCE Kleo Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Related Links

http://www.kleopharmaceuticals.com