AUM Biosciences

AUM Biosciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, established in 2018, that concentrates on developing precision oncology therapeutics. The company was co-founded by CEO Vishal Doshi and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Harish Dave, who collectively bring over 50 years of experience in clinical research, development, and commercialization within the pharmaceutical sector. Vishal Doshi, a pharmacist by training with a Master's in Pharmaceutical Sciences, has an extensive background in structuring risk-sharing deals in drug development from his time at CROs like IQVIA and ICON. His journey was inspired by his grandfather, a registered pharmacist, and a desire to bridge the gap between scientific research and commercial success. Dr. Harish Dave is a board-certified hematologist and oncologist with over four decades of experience in scientific research, academia, and industry, having led more than 100 studies.

The company operates on a virtual pharma model, focusing on in-licensing pre-IND or late-stage pre-clinical small molecule assets from academic and industry partners. Its business strategy is centered around a biomarker-driven approach and innovative clinical trial designs to de-risk development and accelerate timelines. AUM's revenue model involves advancing these assets through early-phase clinical trials to establish proof-of-concept, and then seeking global partners for late-stage development and commercialization. The company specifically targets the Asian oncology market, where it identifies a significant unmet need for accessible and affordable medicines.

AUM's therapeutic pipeline is designed to tackle cancer resistance through multi-faceted inhibition strategies. Key assets include AUM001, a selective MNK inhibitor being tested in combination with other therapies for colorectal, non-small cell lung, and urothelial cancers. Another significant product is AUM601, a therapy for tumors with Pan-TRK mutations. The company also has AUM302, a first-in-class small molecule that co-targets PIM, PI3K, and mTOR to address resistance emergence. By utilizing an AI-augmented platform and adhering to a "no biomarker, no drug" rule, AUM Biosciences aims to develop targeted therapies for patients with clear genetic markers. The firm has established strategic collaborations with companies like Newsoara Biopharma, Handok Inc., and CMG Pharmaceutical to co-develop new cancer therapeutics.

Headquartered in Singapore, with offices in the US and Australia, the company officially launched in June 2018 with S$2.04 million in seed funding. AUM Biosciences has since raised a total of $28.5 million, highlighted by a $27 million Series A round in October 2021, led by Everlife and SPRIM Global Investments. This funding is dedicated to advancing its clinical programs, including initiating two Phase II trials. In October 2022, the company announced plans for a public listing on Nasdaq via a reverse merger, which was later cancelled. Keywords: precision oncology, cancer resistance, small molecule therapeutics, clinical-stage biotech, biomarker-driven drug development, oncology clinical trials, targeted cancer therapy, MNK inhibitors, TRK inhibitors, PIM/PI3K/mTOR pathway, in-licensing, virtual pharma model, oncology Asia, AUM001, AUM601, AUM302, Vishal Doshi, Harish Dave, cancer drug development, biopharmaceutical