Doug Onsi

LeukoSite, Inc. develops drugs for treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. It produces drugs to block autoimmune and viral diseases associated with malfunctioning leukocytes or white blood cells. The company was founded in 1992 and is located in Cambridge, MA.

Oriel Therapeutics, Inc. develops inhaled drug delivery systems for respiratory diseases and diagnostics. It is a respiratory drug delivery and development company serving the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostic industries in the development and commercialization of innovative pre-metered unit and multi-dose dry powder delivery systems for medicines for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The company was founded by Paul J. Atkins, Timothy M. Crowder, Richard Fuller and Anthony J. Hickey in 2002 and is headquartered in Durham, NC.

Sequoia Pharmaceuticals discovers and develops unique treatments for viral diseases including HIV/AIDS and HCV-induced hepatitis with a focus on the growing global problem of drug-resistant disease. Most new anti-viral drugs were designed to block the most prevalent form of a pathogen, but these drugs become less potent due to the emergence of drug-resistant mutations. Sequoia's is to discover and develop new antiviral which are active against the most prevalent form of the virus but also anticipates the emergence of drug resistance forms thereby maintaining potency over time. Sequoia's differentiating approach is to identify a constellation of atomic interaction points which are necessary and sufficient for enzymatic function. Sequoia's protease inhibitors have been designed to interact preferentially with only these atoms, thus allowing non-critical mutations to occur without resulting in a decrease in drug potency. The foundation of Sequoia's novel Resistant-Repellent™ technology is a drug discovery tool that enhances the efficiency with which drugs are designed. It is based on an understanding of the chemical and physical nature of the molecular targets, the enzymes and receptors to which drugs bind, combined with an understanding of the molecular mechanisms that cause drug resistance. Sequoia is also discovering and developing a unique series of pharmacokinetic enhancers (PKEs) to work in combination with its own, and its partners', antiviral therapies. These sets of molecules improve the PK of existing therapeutics and reduce interpatient variability. This represents a unique approach to an important need in HIV treatment today. Sequoia is also looking to extend this novel PKE approach to other areas. Its PKEs are designed to inhibit a particular CYP isozyme and therefore change the metabolism of a co-administered therapeutic agent. The combination of PK Enhancer and the therapeutic agent enables reduced dosage and less frequent administration of the therapeutic agent.

Genzyme Corp. engages in development and manufacture of specialty therapeutic, surgical and diagnostic product. It serves in the areas of rare genetic diseases, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular diseases and endocrinology. The company was founded on June 8, 1981 and is headquartered in Cambridge, MA.

Tolerx, Inc. operates as a biopharmaceutical company in the discovery and development of therapies for immune-mediated diseases. They are also engaged in preclinical development of monoclonal antibody product candidates that engage the body’s immune system and promote and enhance immune responses. The company was founded in 2000 and is based in Cambridge, MA.

Potentia Pharmaceuticals, Inc. operates as a biotechnology company. It focuses on the development of novel therapeutics and drug delivery technologies to address chronic inflammatory diseases. The company was founded by Cedric Francois, David Darst, Alec Machiels and Pascal Deschatelets in 2001 and is headquartered in Crestwood, KY.