Columbia, SC—SC Launch Inc., the investment affiliate of the South Carolina Research Authority, has invested in Leukogene Therapeutics. The Charleston-based biotechnology startup is developing a pipeline of targeted immunotherapies for patients with advanced cancers. “This investment will enable Leukogene to accelerate the development of its innovative pipeline, advance key preclinical and early clinical milestones, and strengthen its position as a leader in next-generation cancer therapeutics,” said SCRA Interim President and CEO Bill Kirkland. “We’re honored to partner with them on such critical innovation.”
Leukogene Therapeutics became an SCRA Member Company in September 2014 and received federal matching grants, as well as startup and acceleration grants, from 2014 to 2018. They became an SC Launch Inc. portfolio company with this investment.
“With the mission to deliver innovative immunotherapies for hard-to-treat cancers with emphasis on immunologically ‘cold’ tumors, Leukogene’s therapies direct and mobilize the immune system to trigger a robust tumor response and eliminate tumor cells,” said SCRA Program Manager Kella Player Hanna. “Working with their team and learning from them has been especially inspiring.”
“We are honored to receive this strategic funding from SC Launch Inc., which represents a strong validation of our vision and science,” said Dr. Sandeep Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of Leukogene Therapeutics. Nathan Dolloff, PhD, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Leukogene, added, “This investment enables us to accelerate our mission of bringing transformative treatments to patients with hard-to-treat cancers, advance our programs toward the clinic, and continue building a world-class biotech company right here in South Carolina.”
“Leukogene Therapeutics exemplifies the kind of innovative, high-growth company that SCRA and SC Launch Inc. were designed to support,” said SC Launch Inc. Executive Director Matt Bell. “Their groundbreaking immunotherapy platform and strong leadership team are well-positioned to make a lasting impact in oncology and the broader biotech sector. We are proud to partner with them as they advance toward clinical development.”
Leukogene Therapeutics recently received orphan drug designation from the US Food and Drug Administration for its immunotherapy targeting acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This designation is specifically for drugs and products developed to treat rare diseases or conditions. It highlights the considerable unmet medical needs of patients with AML and recognizes the therapy’s potential as a new treatment for this aggressive form of blood cancer.
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Established in 2006, SC Launch Inc. is the investment affiliate of the South Carolina Research Authority. The independent, nonprofit corporation provides convertible loans and investment funding to qualifying SCRA Member Companies. The returns on this funding provide the resources for additional investments in next-generation technology startups.
Chartered in 1983 by the State of South Carolina as a public, nonprofit corporation, South Carolina Research Authority fuels the state’s innovation economy through the impact of its comprehensive services to technology-based startups, academia, and industry. SCRA provides funding and support to accelerate the growth of academic startups; high-quality lab and administrative workspaces; facilitation and funding for partnerships between and among industry, startups, and academic institutions; assistance and funding for the relocation of technology-based companies to South Carolina; and coaching and funding for startups that may also receive investments from its affiliate, SC Launch Inc.
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