OUR PURPOSE AND PRODUCTS
Our mission is to fundamentally transform cancer treatment and improve outcomes for cancer patients by developing a first-of-a-kind inhalable agent that is designed to be a safe and effective treatment for mNSCLC and other cancers metastatic to the lung.
We have designed an engineered oncolytic virus based on the Influenza A virus (eIAV) that selectively infects and destroys cancer cells while sparing healthy cells and activates the body’s own anti-tumor immune response.
There are more than 230,000 new cases of lung cancer and over 130,000 deaths due to lung cancer each year in the U.S. Approximately 120,000 people each year will present with metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (mNSCLC) for the first time, and only 7% of these patients will survive five years or more. We think the treatment futility surrounding this disease is unacceptable and we’re focused on changing it.
This treatment is expected to improve overall survival rates for the metastatic NSCLC patient population as well for the 50,000 patients each year with different tumor types that have their cancer metastasize to the lung.
OUR TEAM
The team at Accurius and their aligned consultants and advisors have deep expertise in all the areas critical to the success of the initial eIAV product as well as those that will follow.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
A deep understanding of the complexities of cancer and cancer treatment (especially tumor microenvironment)
World-renowned expertise in both basic and applied virology research
The design and manufacturing of novel drug delivery technologies (specifically pulmonary delivery)
The design and execution of preclinical and clinical trials from ideation through FDA approval
Commercialization of new oncology drugs and partnerships on platform and product development
Fund raising to support the start-up, development, and commercialization of new medical technologies and products
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Mallik Srivatsan, Ph.D., MBA
CEO and Co-founderDr. Srivatsan is well known for his multi-dimensional approach to vital unmet needs in biotechnology. He was part of the founding team and employee #1 at Momenta Pharmaceuticals and helped develop two drugs through FDA approval. Subsequently, he co-founded and led the cancer diagnostic company Mitra Biotech from 2008-2019.
Christian Mandl Ph.D., M.D
Co-founder and Chief Scientific OfficerDr. Mandl is a world-renowned expert in the molecular biology of RNA viruses, vaccines, and viral vectors. He has had an accomplished academic career in molecular and clinical virology, and large pharma R&D global leadership experience including as Global Head of Research, Early and Exploratory Clinical Development at Novartis Vaccines.
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Dmitriy Zamarin, M.D., Ph.D.
Co-founder and Chief Medical OfficerDr. Zamarin’s research has focused on the mechanisms of anti-tumor immunity activated by oncolytic viruses, cellular responses to influenza viral infection, and the interactions of the influenza virus with the host immune system. He has led multiple clinical trials of novel immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and other immune modulators.
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Kirk Mundy, MBA
Chief Business OfficerMr. Mundy has driven revenue growth in multiple medical technology categories (including more than 10 years in Oncology) and launched dozens of products for both established global leaders and early-stage companies. He has built cooperative and mutually beneficial partnerships with strategic partners and research sites throughout his career.
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Peter Palese, Ph.D.
Co-founder and SAB memberDr. Palese is a Professor of Microbiology and former Chair of the Department of Microbiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. His research focus is on RNA-containing viruses with a special emphasis on respiratory viruses. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Inventors.
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Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Ph.D.
Co-founder and SAB memberDr. Garcia-Sastre is a Professor of Microbiology and Director, Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. For the past 25 years, his research interest has been focused on the molecular biology of influenza viruses. Dr. Garcia-Sastre is a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
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Rakesh Jain, Ph.D.
Scientific Co-founder and SAB memberDr. Jain is the A.W. Cook Professor of Radiation Oncology (Tumor Biology), Harvard Medical School / MGH and Director of the Edwin L. Steele Laboratories for Tumor Biology. He Is a National Medal of Science recipient whose research has focused on improving the delivery and efficacy of anti-cancer therapeutics by normalizing the tumor microenvironment. Dr. Jain is a member of the National Academies of Inventors, Engineering, Sciences, and Medicine.
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Robert Langer, Sc.D.
SAB memberDr. Langer is one of 8 Institute Professors at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has received both the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation and is a member of the National Academies of Engineering, Sciences, Medicine, and Inventors. Dr. Langer advises the company in understanding the tumor microenvironment modulation of solid cancers.
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Dmitriy Zamarin, M.D., Ph.D.
Co-founder, CMO, and Head of CABDr. Zamarin is a Professor and Medical Oncologist at the Icahn Institute of Medicine at Mount Sinai. His research has focused on the mechanisms of response and resistance to cancer immunotherapy and the development of novel immunotherapy treatment approaches. Additionally, he has led multiple clinical trials of novel immunotherapies.
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Daruka Mahadevan, M.D., Ph.D.
CAB memberDr. Mahadevan is an internationally known medical oncologist and an expert in conducting early phase clinical trials in Oncology. He currently serves as chief of the Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology at the Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson.
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Leena Gandhi, M.D., Ph.D.
CAB memberDr. Gandhi is a thoracic oncologist and physician/scientist with a focus on immunotherapy and early drug development. She previously worked as the Vice President of Immuno-Oncology Development at Eli Lilly and as the Director of the Center for Cancer Therapeutic Innovation at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute before becoming the Chief Medical Officer at NextPoint Therapeutics.
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Fred Hirsch, M.D., Ph.D.
CAB memberDr. Hirsch is the Executive Director of Thoracic Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai. He is an internationally renowned authority on lung cancer treatment and research and has contributed to more than 400 publications on peer-reviewed journals.
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