Peptide Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery
A NEW ERA FOR DRUG DELIVERY
Founded in 2018, Phoreus Biotech is a nanoparticle drug delivery company spun out of Kansas State University, with its foundational research led by Dr. John Tomich (CalTech/K-State). The company is developing next-generation peptide nanoparticle platforms to solve major drug delivery challenges, particularly those faced by nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, and hydrophobic/hydrophilic APIs.
With over $4.6 million raised in previous seed rounds from angel investors and founders, Phoreus has established a state-of-the-art lab in Lawrence, KS to support scalable manufacturing and partnerships with pharmaceutical and academic institutions.
Nanocarrier Technology Will Dramatically Improve Patient Outcomes
As patient therapies expand beyond small molecules to include nucleic acids, peptides, proteins and antibodies, drug delivery technologies will be required to meet the delivery challenges that have emerged.
Nanocarriers will:
- Precisely transport drugs directly to their intended site of action
- Enable intracellular delivery
- Reduce side effects
- Allow for alternative routes of administration (buccal, transdermal, etc.)
- Dramatically improve patient compliance and outcomes
Differentiated Drug Delivery vs. Present Carriers
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are the current leading nanoparticle but have serious limitations.
Current LNP Challenges:
- Requires injection
- May be toxic to cells and trigger negative immune responses with side effects
- Requires expensive cold-chain and specialized manufacturing
- Freedom to operate issues due to patent litigation
- Accumulate in the liver limiting circulation in the body
- PEG, used in current LNP formulation, can cause immunogenicity independent of the lipid carrier
- LNPs cannot carry cargo across mucous membranes
Peptide Nano Particle (PNP) Advantages:
- Multiple routes of administration (lung, dermal, IV)
- High biocompatibility
- Easily metabolized, low accumulation risk
- Small size may improve cellular uptake
- Significantly reduced immune reactions versus LNPs
- Simple manufacturing, low cost per dose
Enhanced Safety of PNPs vs LNPs
- Pilot pig toxicology study to assess the innate immune response of PNPs versus LNPs
- The study involved 2 injections; evaluations included analysis of skin pathology serum cytokines
- We demonstrate the PNPs elicit no response, while LNPs elicit an inflammatory response both locally and systemically
Summary:
- 100% of LNP treated pigs presented with an acute or chronic reaction
- 0% of PNP treated pigs presented with a chronic reaction. Only 20% (1/5) of PNP treated pigs responded with an acute reaction
PHOREUS PEPTIDE NANOPARTICLE (PNP) PLATFORMS
FOR DELIVERY OF NUCLEIC ACIDS
Vaccines
Genetic Therapies
FOR DELIVERY OF HYDROPHOBIC APIs
Low dose efficacy for antifungals and other medicines with toxicity risk
FOR DELIVERY OF HYDROPHILIC APIs
For delivery through the lung mucous membrane for Cystic Fibrosis, COPD
PHOREUS APPLICATION PIPELINE
PHOREUS LEAD STRATEGIC CLINICAL TARGETS
- Cystic Fibrosis & COPD
- Nucleic Acid Therapies
- Infectious Disease
CYSTIC FIBROSIS & COPD
Initial data shows APC nanocarriers allow drugs to be delivered into cells containing a thick mucus layers
Early Data: Successful delivery of dye-labeled nanocarriers through mucus layer to lung tissue cultures of varying severities
Collaborators: University of Kansas Medical School, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Global Market Size: Cystic Fibrosis - $9.41 B | COPD - $20.67 B
Cystic Fibrosis Disease Severity
The dye-labelled APC were able to reach the bronchial epithelial cells
NUCLEIC ACID THERAPIES
Phoreus nanocarriers are uniquely positioned to transform how nucleic acid vaccines and genetic therapies are delivered.
Early Data: Successful delivery of mRNA with T cell response, stability with freeze/spray drying, elimination of -80 C cold chain requirements
Collaborators (confidential): CRISPR therapeutic for sickle cell anemia, Pharma – mRNA vaccine for influenza, Animal Health – srRNA (multiple targets)
Global Market Size: Vaccines - $11.3 B | Therapeutics - $4.89 B
BAPC conjugated with a luciferase mRNA was injected into mice and demonstrated successful expression.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE - ANTIFUNGALS
Phoreus nanocarriers create new opportunities to deliver antifungal drugs with increased safety and efficacy.
Early Data: : PNP encapsulation increases the efficacy of Captan growth inhibition by 100-fold. Free Captan IC50 ~ 0.1 to 1% versus PNP-Captan of 0.001%
Collaborators: Keller and Hull Laboratories
Global Market Size: Antifungals (Human) - $15.8 B
Red circle indicates region of Aspergillus growth inhibition
EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP TEAM
David Schaefer
Chief Executive Officer
B.S., Chemical Engineering, MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management; 30+ years of biotechnology and healthcare experience
Dr. Scott Rowlinson
Chief Scientific Officer
Ph.D., Physiology and Pharmacology; 20+ years of biotech executive leadership experience
Dr. Walid Maaty
Director of Manufacturing
Ph.D., Molecular Biology; 20+ years of biotech research and development experience
Dr. Takeo Iwamoto
Director of Product Development
Ph.D., Biological Engineering and Doctor of Pharmacy; 35+ years of molecular diagnosis and therapy
Brian Tosh
Director of Marketing
B.A. Mass Communications & Journalism; 6+ years of biotech marketing and business development experience
Be at the Forefront of a Drug Delivery Revolution with Phoreus Biotech!
Phoreus Biotech is unlocking the full potential of genetic medicines through cutting-edge nanocarrier technologies. Now is the time to invest in scalable, next-generation solutions that will power the future of medicine. Partner with us to drive meaningful change in global health.
