Forcefield Therapeutics

Forcefield Therapeutics, a London-based biotechnology firm established in 2022, is focused on developing therapies to protect heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), commonly known as a heart attack. The company was founded upon the research of Professor Mauro Giacca, a distinguished figure in cardiovascular disease and genetic biology who heads the School of Cardiovascular Medicine & Sciences at King's College London. Professor Giacca's extensive background includes a medical degree, a PhD in Microbiology and Virology, and previous leadership as Director-General of the United Nations' International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), directly informing the company's scientific direction.

The company's core technology stems from a proprietary, unbiased protein search engine called 'FunSel', developed by Professor Giacca. This platform facilitated the discovery of naturally occurring proteins with cardioprotective properties. Unlike conventional drug discovery, FunSel identified these proteins by observing which ones helped heart tissue repair itself in preclinical models, a process that revealed factors not previously associated with cardiac health. This approach aims to prevent the significant loss of cardiomyocytes—up to 25-30% of which can be lost during and after a heart attack—thereby preserving heart function and preventing the subsequent onset of heart failure.

Forcefield Therapeutics operates on a virtual business model, collaborating with strategic partners to advance its research and development. The company's primary objective is to develop its identified proteins into injectable biotherapeutics that can be administered rapidly following a heart attack to prevent irreversible damage. The business model involves advancing these proprietary assets through clinical development while also leveraging its discoveries through licensing agreements. An example is the exclusive patent and know-how license agreement with Freeline Therapeutics, which grants Freeline the rights to use Forcefield's identified cardiac protein genes for AAV gene therapies in specific cardiac conditions. This deal included an upfront payment to Forcefield, with potential for future milestone payments and royalties.

The company is substantially backed by Syncona, a leading life sciences investment firm, which provided an initial £5.5 million to launch the company. In 2024, Forcefield secured a significant Series A financing, with Syncona committing £20 million and the Roche Venture Fund adding £10.0 million, demonstrating strong investor confidence in its approach. The leadership team, helmed by CEO Dr. John Tsai, a former President of Global Drug Development at Novartis, brings extensive experience in biopharmaceutical development and commercialization.

Keywords: Forcefield Therapeutics, cardiomyocyte protection, myocardial infarction treatment, heart attack therapy, Professor Mauro Giacca, FunSel technology, cardioprotective proteins, cardiac repair, Syncona, Roche Venture Fund, biotherapeutics, drug discovery, King's College London spin-out, heart failure prevention, cardiovascular disease, acute myocardial infarction, genetic biology, AAV gene therapy, cardiac regeneration, preclinical data, biopharmaceutical