Iaso Therapeutics

Iaso Therapeutics, Inc., a spin-out from Michigan State University, was established in 2018 by Dr. Xuefei Huang. The company is focused on creating next-generation vaccines for challenging diseases like cancer and various infectious diseases. Dr. Huang, an MSU Foundation Professor in Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering, brings over two decades of research experience in developing novel technologies for advanced vaccines to his role as founder. His work in the Huang laboratory forms the scientific basis for Iaso's mission to translate these technologies into tangible health solutions.

The company is led by President and CEO Robert Forgey, an experienced entrepreneurial scientist with a background in founding, managing, and financing early-stage life science companies, including co-founding ProNAi Therapeutics. The scientific team includes Chief Scientist Dr. Herbert Wanjala Kavunja, who is responsible for laboratory operations and has been instrumental in validating the company's core technology. Dr. Soham Maity, a Research Scientist specializing in bioorganic chemistry, contributes to the design and assessment of conjugate vaccines.

Iaso Therapeutics' core business revolves around its proprietary mutant bacteriophage Qβ (mQβ) platform technology. This virus-like particle is designed to act as a superior carrier moiety, boosting the immune system's response to weakly immunogenic antigens, which are often found on cancer cells or pathogens. The company's business model is centered on leveraging this platform to develop a portfolio of vaccine candidates. Iaso seeks co-development partnerships and sublicenses to utilize its platform's capabilities for a wide range of vaccines. To date, the company has raised $1.25 million in funding over four rounds, including a Seed round in January 2023 led by Red Cedar and Michigan Rise. It has also secured grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Keywords: vaccine development, immunotherapy, oncology, infectious diseases, bacteriophage Qβ, drug delivery, conjugate vaccines, Michigan State University spin-out, cancer vaccine, therapeutic vaccines, life sciences, biotechnology, antigen delivery, immune response, preclinical research, biopharmaceutical, vaccine platform, tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens, next-generation vaccines, virus-like particle