TLDR:
– Talus Bioscience secures $11.2 million in funding for drug discovery program
– Co-founders Alex Federation and Lindsay Pino focus on targeting gene-regulating proteins
A Seattle biotech startup, Talus Bioscience, has received $11.2 million in venture capital funding to advance its drug discovery program for hard-to-treat diseases. The platform created by co-founders Alex Federation and Lindsay Pino allows researchers to see how drugs interact with small proteins that regulate gene expression. Talus plans to use the funds to expand its proprietary platform, MARMOT, and further develop drug programs targeting diseases such as rare bone cancer and prostate cancer.
The startup, launched in 2020, has received multiple rounds of funding and has identified key disease targets for its drug development efforts. The recent investment round was led by Two Bear Capital, with participation from other venture capital firms. Talus aims to address the challenges associated with studying gene regulator proteins and aims to develop drugs that turn genes off by targeting key transcription factors. The company’s innovative approach has garnered attention in the field, with a recent report predicting significant growth in the proteomics market, where Talus operates. With a team of 17 employees, Talus is poised to make strides in the biotech industry with its unique drug discovery platform.