PYROTECH THERAPEUTICS

Pyrotech Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company established in October 2020, built upon foundational discoveries in pyroptosis, a type of inflammatory cell death critical to the immune response. The company was co-founded by Dr. Feng Shao, a leading academic from the National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, whose research into the molecular mechanisms of pyroptosis has earned international recognition, including the 2022 William B. Coley Award. His scientific work laid the groundwork for the company's core mission. He is joined by co-founder and CEO Dr. TJ Deng, who brings drug development and corporate leadership experience to the venture.

The company's central focus is the modulation of the innate immune system by targeting pyroptosis. This biological process, while beneficial for fighting infections, can cause significant harm to organs when inappropriately activated. Pyrotech Therapeutics develops drug candidates that can either inhibit this pathway to treat inflammatory conditions or, conversely, amplify it within cancer cells to destroy tumors. The company's therapeutic targets include a wide range of inflammation-related diseases such as cancer, sepsis, and Alzheimer's disease. Its business model revolves around the discovery, development, and eventual commercialization of first-in-class small molecule and biologic immunomodulators.

Pyrotech has rapidly expanded its operational footprint, establishing a headquarters and small molecule development center in Beijing, a facility for bio-immune modulators in Shanghai, and a center for business development and clinical trials in the United States. Since its inception, the company has secured significant financing to advance its pipeline. A notable Series A round in July 2023 raised approximately $97 million, co-led by SDIC Venture Capital and China Venture Capital, among other investors. This was followed by a Series A+ round in May 2024. These funds are being used to push multiple drug candidates through the development process. The company's ALPK1 agonist, PTT-936, received FDA approval in November 2023 to begin clinical trials in the U.S. for tumor immunotherapy. Several other innate immune and pyroptosis inhibitors are also advancing toward clinical research.

Keywords: Pyrotech Therapeutics, pyroptosis, drug discovery, innate immunity, immunomodulators, oncology, inflammation, biopharmaceutical, Feng Shao, TJ Deng, ALPK1 agonist, small molecule drugs, biologics, cancer therapy, autoimmune diseases, clinical trials, venture capital, gasdermin, inflammasome, immunotherapy