Osprey Pharmaceuticals USA (OPUS) is a clinical stage company focused on the development of novel protein therapeutics for the treatment of inflammatory and immune diseases. The company is advancing a pipeline of proprietary fusion protein therapeutics known as Leukocyte Population Modulators (LPMs) that are designed to selectively target and neutralize chemokine-activated leukocytes underlying a variety of inflammatory and immune diseases. The Company’s lead candidate, CCL2-LPM targeting the CCR2 chemokine receptor expressed by certain pathologically activated leukocytes is in a Phase Ib clinical trial for the treatment of IgA nephropathy.
The company has developed a powerful chemokine-based protein therapeutic platform based on our pioneering insight into the chemokine system, a complex network of chemokine molecules (ligands) and receptors that regulate cell migration and inflammatory immune responses. Each of our novel protein therapeutics is designed to target a specific chemokine receptor, thereby blocking the inappropriate immune system cascade underlying a given disease.
With approximately 50 distinct chemokines identified and associated with well over 100 different clinical conditions, the LPM platform has the potential to yield a multitude of novel drugs directed at diseases which are not satisfactorily addressed with current therapeutics. To date we have created the cell lines for twelve distinct LPMs. The OPUS strategy is to demonstrate the safety and therapeutic utility of the LPM approach in patients, initially using OPL-CCL2-LPM and then a second LPM in another indication. It is the Company’s intent to work closely with major pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners to develop and commercialize the approach by means of partnerships by indication or LPM.
The LPM platform technology was originally developed by a co-founder, John McDonald, PhD, of Osprey Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. in Montreal and is subject to numerous and broad issued patents and patent applications worldwide. OPUS owns these patents and continues to fund additional research to build on this novel therapeutic approach.
Recent Osprey Manuscripts
Background Manuscripts
Jack M. Anthony, CEO
Joined company in April 2007 with 35 years of Medical Device and Biotechnology leadership experience: Baxter Healthcare, Sales, Marketing and General Management; Applied Immune Sciences, VP of Marketing and Business Development; Inhale Therapeutics, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development; FibroGen, Vice President of Business Development; Tularik, Senior Vice President of Business Development; Saegis Pharmaceuticals, Vice President of Business Development; Pharmix Corporation, President and CEO.
Barbara Finck, MD, SVP, Research and Development and CMO
Joined Osprey in July 2007 with 15 years of clinical drug development experience: Medical Director at ALZA Corporation and Immunex Corporation (Lead Medical Director on development of Enbrel in Rheumatoid Arthritis in Adults and Children), Vice President of Clinical Development Eos Biotechnology and PDL BioPharma. Dr. Finck received Medical and Rheumatology training at UCSF Medical School and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
John R. McDonald, PhD, VP, Science Operations and Intellectual Property
Founding Scientist of Osprey which began operations in 1998. Over 25 years of experience in academic and industrial medical research and development. Prior to Osprey, Dr. McDonald held senior positions at Synergen Inc. and Prizm Pharmaceuticals. Dr. McDonald has been the recipient of several grants including an NIH-SBIR grant. A PhD in Biochemistry/Chemistry was earned from Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Susan Wilson, PhD, VP, Product Development
Joined Osprey in October 2008 and has over 20 years broad based biopharmaceutical drug development and program management experience encompassing biologics, vaccines and small molecules. Most recently, Dr Wilson served as Senior Program Director for the Diarrheal Disease Program at OneWorld Health. Prior experience also includes leading a next generation Protein Therapeutic project for Oncology at Chiron and serving as Project Leader for a small molecule project at Theravance Inc. She has a PhD in Immunology and Medical Microbiology from the University of London.
Laura McIntosh, PhD, VP, Preclinical Research and General Manager, Osprey Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.
Joined Osprey in October 2005 and has 10 years of senior management experience, including overseeing medical device and the preclinical aspects of protein biologic product development. Prior to joining Osprey, Dr. McIntosh was responsible for the development and launch of a preclinical imaging device at ART Advanced Research Technologies, which was subsequently distributed through a partnership with GE Healthcare. She has a PhD in Human Anatomy and Cell Biology from the University of Manitoba and held a post-doctoral fellowship at the National Research Council of Canada.
Hongsheng Su, PhD, Director Process Development, Osprey Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.
Joined Osprey in September 2005 with 14 years of biotherapeutic and cell therapy product development experience. Previous experience includes directing preclinical laboratory operations and supporting early phase clinical studies at Celmed BioScience Inc., (now Kiadis BV), a cell therapy development company. Dr. Su also served as Director of Research at Theratechnologies Inc., where he was responsible for early peptide drug discovery development and photodynamic therapy programs, and as Associate Director of Research at IBEX Pharmaceuticals Inc., where he oversaw therapeutic protein engineering and production process development. He has a PhD in Molecular Biology and Microbiology from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.
Osprey Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. Initiates Phase Ib Clinical Trial in IgA Nephropathy
San Francisco, CA, April 14, 2009 — Osprey Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. announced today that patient dosing has commenced in a Phase Ib clinical trial of the company’s lead compound, CCL2-LPM, for the treatment of IgA nephropathy, an inflammatory kidney disease. Read more (PDF)
Osprey Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. Completes $11 Million Initial Private Financing
San Francisco, CA, September 3, 2008 — Osprey Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., a privately-held company focused on developing novel protein therapeutics that selectively target chemokine-activated leukocytes that are responsible for initiating and maintaining inflammatory diseases, announced today that the company has raised $11 million in its first round of venture capital funding. Read more (DOC)
- Chairman: John Hamer, PhD, Burrill & Co., San Francisco
- Martial Lacroix, PhD, Genechem Therapeutics Venture Fund, Montreal
- Jean-Francois Pariseau, BDC Venture Capital. Inc., Montreal
- Nassim Usman, PhD, President and CEO, Catalyst Biosciences,South San Francisco
- Jack M. Anthony, CEO, Osprey Pharmaceuticals USA
The company raised $11 million in the first round of venture capital funding in May 2008. The financing was led by Burrill & Company with participation from Novo Nordisk Biotech Fund (Novo Nordisk's internal corporate venture fund), Yasuda Enterprise Development, GeneChem Therapeutics Venture Fund, BDC Venture Capital, Inc. and Western Technology Seed Investment Fund. An additional $3.8 million was raised in May 2009 to fund the Phase 1b clinical trial and associated activities.
Osprey Pharmaceuticals USA was incorporated in 2008 and is a privately held biotechnology company based in San Francisco, CA. The company maintains a research and development relationship with Osprey Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a privately held research-based company in Montreal, Canada. Additionally OPUS maintains close relationships with world class advisors, clinicians, consultants and service providers to provide the company with vital guidance and service to move its drugs through the development pipeline. The Company has commenced discussions with a number of potential pharmaceutical partners who have expressed interest in utilizing chemokine receptors as targets for novel therapeutics for a range of diseases. Osprey USA invites inquiries from appropriate companies wishing to explore collaborations.
OPUS would be pleased to provide additional materials to interested parties. Please contact us at info@ospreypharma.com and let us know how we can help you.
