Eclipse Therapeutics

Eclipse Therapeutics, Inc. was a biotechnology company focused on developing antibody-based therapeutics targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs). These cells are considered crucial in tumor initiation, recurrence, and resistance to conventional cancer treatments. The company was founded in 2011 as a spin-off from the Biogen Idec Inc. oncology franchise. The founders were former Biogen Idec employees Dr. Peter Chu and Dr. Christopher Reyes, along with Dr. Jonathan Lim, a managing partner at City Hill Ventures. Dr. Chu, a scientist-turned-entrepreneur with a Ph.D. from UC San Diego, had previously led the cancer stem cells program at Biogen Idec.

The company's core technology was its CSC Rx Discovery™ platform, used to identify antibodies that inhibit the growth of CSCs. Its lead product candidate, ET101, was aimed at an undisclosed CSC target over-expressed on most solid tumors and was anticipated to enter human trials in 2014. Eclipse's business strategy was to leverage its specialized knowledge in cancer stem cell biology to create novel treatments for unmet needs in oncology. The company secured seed funding, including a $2.78M round in October 2011 led by City Hill Ventures.

In September 2012, Eclipse Therapeutics was acquired by the Australian biotechnology company Bionomics Limited in a scrip-based deal valued at approximately US$10 million. This acquisition provided Bionomics with Eclipse's cancer stem cell technology and its pipeline of antibody drug candidates, establishing a strategic presence for Bionomics in the United States. Following the acquisition, Dr. Chu and Dr. Reyes took on executive roles at Bionomics.

Keywords: cancer stem cells, antibody therapeutics, oncology, Biogen Idec spin-off, biologics, solid tumors, cancer recurrence, drug discovery platform, ET101, Bionomics acquisition, Peter Chu, Christopher Reyes, Jonathan Lim