About Axim
OVERVIEWHISTORYIP PORTFOLIOFACILITYMANAGEMENT
WHO ARE WE?
AXIM is a preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical and diagnostic company pioneering the discovery and development of first-in-class targeted small molecule and monoclonal antibody therapies that disrupt extracellular matrix formation to block tumor cell growth and metastasis.
AXIM acquired Sapphire Biotech in early 2020 in order to develop and commercialize a unique therapeutic approach designed to disrupt cancer growth and block metastatic spread. Sapphire, now part of AXIM, has acquired an exclusive license to the technology around SBI-183, an anti-metastatic compound developed by Dr. Douglas Lake at Mayo Clinic and Arizona State University. Dr. Douglas Lake is a co-founder of Sapphire Biotech. An important part of the License Agreement provided for the granting of equity to Skysong Innovations, LLC, the licensing agent for Mayo/ASU.
As AXIM Biotech is a pioneer in the research and development of diagnostic tools for the early screening of cancer cells, our researchers have been able to quickly adapt our existing research and products currently under development to create a diagnostic tool that screens for COVID-19 neutralizing antibodies. The need for such an instrument is great as the pandemic continues to plauge the worldwide healthcare landscape.
Some references to the Company relate to Sapphire and events occurring prior to the acquisition by AXIM.
AXIM’s mission is to improve global cancer care through the development of novel Therapeutics for inhibiting metastatic cancer growth, and Diagnostics for early cancer detection, response to treatment, and recurrence monitoring. AXIM aspires to be the leader in QSOX1-targeted metastatic cancer therapies and has undertaken the development of a potent QSOX1 inhibitor to be used as a platform drug for a variety of indications.
The Company has been studying the enzyme Quiescin Sulfhydryl Oxidase 1 (QSOX1) and its over-expression by tumor cells. QSOX1 has been shown to be involved with invasion and metastasis. Dr. Douglas Lake, has reported that a small molecule SBI-183, inhibited the enzymatic activity of QSOX1 and suppressed tumor cell invasion in vitro and metastasis of breast tumor cells in vivo. The Company has identified SPX-1009, an analog of SBI-183, with tenfold increased potency, and is testing SPX-1009 for suppression of cancer invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo.
HOW WE ARE DIFFERENT
Liquid biopsy refers to the process of testing the blood for the presence of a disease biomarker. Most so-called “Liquid Biopsy” companies test blood for circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and DNA sequences. The disease biomarker we test for is an enzyme.
AXIM is the first to discover the over-experssion of QSOX1 as a biomarker for cancer in blood. We have filed a patent application claiming many discoveries related to QSOX1, including a rapid diagnostic test which we have developed into a lateral flow device capable of measuring levels of QSOX1. The Company’s equivalent of a liquid biopsy test is a non-invasive, rapid blood test that will measure QSOX1 over-expression. The Company seeks to prove that measuring QSOX1 over-expression even before the tumor is formed, will enable detection of cancer at an earlier stage than liquid biopsy companies whose tests detect the CTC’s and DNA, usually after the tumor is formed and is shedding cells.
Our History
Founded in 2014
AXIM was one of the first companies to identify the potential therapeutic benefits of known cannabinoids CBD, THC and CBG
Acquires Sapphire Biotech, Expanding Company’s Focus to Targeting Oncology Treatment and Diagnostics
Developes a Rapid Diagnostic Test for Cancer Using the Biomarker QSOX1, Being Tested at Mayo Clinic
Identifies That SBI-183 Blocks QSOX1 and Obtains Exclusive License to the Compound from the Co-owners
Continues Development and testing of anti-bodies of QSOX1 for Immunohistochemistry diagnostic test
FOUNDED
2019
Sapphire Biotech, Inc., is formed to develop novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of cancer using technology invented by Dr. Douglas Lake at Mayo Clinic and Arizona State University.
Sapphire tests 200 bladder cancer patient samples from Mayo Clinic to validate unique biomarker to detect cancer. For the first time, Sapphire isolates the QSOX1 Long (QSOX1-L) splice variant as a biomarker in serum for bladder cancer and possibly other cancers. Sapphire develops a prototype rapid diagnostic test that measures levels of QSOX1-L in blood.
Sapphire announces the discovery of a new biomarker for detection of certain cancers in blood and files for patent protection. Sapphire discovers QSOX1-L, that is highly specific for the presence of cancer in blood and has the potential to be detected earlier than circulating tumor cells.
Mayo Clinic Clinical Trial begins to evaluate Sapphire’s diagnostic test to detect QSOX1 Peptide in Patients with or at risk for pancreatic cancer. The purpose of the trial is to evaluate the diagnostic potential of Sapphire’s lateral flow assay to detect QSOX1 in patients with or at risk for pancreatic cancer.
Sapphire Biotech files for a Small Business Investigational Research grant to develop potent and soluble analogs of SBI-183, a compound that has been shown to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. Ultimately, Sapphire’s goal is to develop a therapeutic treatment for cancers that overexpress QSOX1. Application is being reviewed for Funding.
Sapphire Biotech files for a Small Business Investigational Research grant to develop potent and soluble analogs of SBI-183, a compound that has been shown to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. Ultimately, Sapphire’s goal is to develop a therapeutic treatment for cancers that overexpress QSOX1. Application is being reviewed for Funding.
Sapphire Biotech files two patent applications for anti-metastatic compounds to treat cancer and prevent metastasis.
Sapphire Biotech files patent application for anti-metastatic compound to suppress tumor cell growth and blocks metastasis. Identified as SPX-1009, the compound is an analog of SBI-183, and in vitro testing demonstrates tenfold greater potency than parent compound.
2020
Sapphire Biotech enters into an agreement with Skysong Innovations, LLC for an exclusive license to technology relating to SBI-183, an anti-metastatic compound suppressing tumor cell growth and blocking metastasis developed at Mayo Clinic and Arizona State University.
Sapphire Biotech signs Sponsored Research Agreement (SRA) with Arizona State University to conduct in vitro testing and in vivo pre-clinical animal studies re cancer inhibitory agents that will prevent metastases.
Sapphire Biotech signs Sponsored Research Agreement (SRA) with Arizona State University to conduct in vitro testing and in vivo pre-clinical animal studies re cancer inhibitory agents that will prevent metastases.
AXIM Biotechnologies announces acquisition of Sapphire Biotech.
AXIM announces completion of pre-clinical drug studies on new compound, SPX-1009 proving tenfold greater inhibition of tumor metastasis than parent compound SBI-183 following testing of over 60 analogs.
AXIM Biotech signs an agreement with TD2 to initiate animal studies at TD2 to evaluate efficacy of SPX-1009 as an anti-metastatic treatment and to measure levels of QSOX1 as a potential companion diagnostic test.
AXIM Biotech files an patent application on water-soluble “super” cannabinoid molecule.
Intellectual Property
US Provisional Patent Application No. 63023646
Assignee: Sapphire Biotech
Convalescent Plasma Testing and Treatment
The invention describes a functional test for measuring neutralizing antibodies in plasma of individuals recovered from COVID19 (convalescent plasma, CP). Existing serology tests detect antibodies that bind certain SARS-Cov2 viral proteins and provide a measure of bulk immune response to the infection. Not every immune response is efficacious in fighting infection. Our invention measures a subset of antibodies called neutralizing antibodies that bind a specific region of receptor binding domain (RBD), functionally inhibiting it from binding to the human ACE2 receptor and blocking cell entry.
US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/829,556
Assignee: Sapphire Biotech, Inc.
Systems and Methods for Rapid Diagnostic for Various Cancers
Novel cancer biomarker and clinically relevant QSOX1-L splice variant has been identified as a biomarker of bladder cancer and possibly other cancers in serum. Novel antibodies have been generated that selectively detect only this variant and not others. Biomarker QSOX1-L used to develop rapid and cost-effective diagnostic test for bladder and possibly other urologic cancers non-invasively from urine.
US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/916,065
Assignee: Mayo Clinic/Arizona State University/Sapphire Biotech, Inc.
Chemical Compounds that Inhibit QSOX1 for the Treatment of Cancer
Compounds and methods involving inhibition of the enzymatic activity of QSPX1, derivatives of SBI-183. The compounds and methods can be used in treatment of neoplastic cells, for example, to suppress tumor growth and invasion in a variety of cancers, including but not limited to myeloma and cancers of the breast, kidney and pancreas
US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/916,067
Assignee: Mayo Clinic/Arizona State University/Sapphire Biotech, Inc.
Anti-Neoplastic Compounds and Methods Targeting QSOX1
Compounds and methods involving inhibition of the enzymatic activity of QSPX1, structurally distinguishable from SBI-183. The compounds and methods can be used in treatment of neoplastic cells, for example, to suppress tumor growth and invasion in a variety of cancers, including but not limited to myeloma and cancers of the breast, kidney and pancreas.
US Provisional Patent Application No. 62944283
Arizona State University/Mayo Clinic/Sapphire Biotech, Inc.
Anti-Neoplastic Compounds and Methods Targeting QSOX1
QSOX1 (Quiescin Sulfhydryl Oxidase 1 is an enzyme that is over-expressed in multiple tumor types. Genetically silencing QSOX1 in tumors slows their growth, migration, invasion and metastasis. Based on these findings, we tested libraries of chemical compounds for the ability to inhibit QSOX1. Several inhibitors of QSOX1 enzyme were identified. One in particular, SPX-1009, also inhibits tumor cell growth, migration and invasion in vitro and metastasis in a mouse model of triple negative breast cancer. This invention concerns analogs of this lead compound. Analogs are more potent and have improved pharmacodynamics in mouse models of cancer.
US Provisional Patent Application No. 62959752
Arizona State University/Mayo Clinic/Sapphire Biotech, Inc.
Anti-Neoplastic Compounds and Methods Targeting QSOX1 and Inhibiting Cellular Responses to MET Receptor
Compounds and methods involving inhibition of the enzymatic activity of QSOX1 and methods of inhibiting cellular responses to MET receptor signaling are disclosed which include administering any one or more compounds or pharmaceutical compositions. The compounds and methods can be used in treatment of neoplastic cells, for example, to suppress tumor growth and invasion in a variety of cancers, including but not limited to myeloma and cancers of the breast, kidney and pancreas.
US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/218,732
PCT Provisional Patent Application W02017048712A1
Assignee: Mayo Clinic/Arizona State University
Exclusive Licensee: Sapphire Biotech
Anti-neoplastic Compounds And Methods Targeting QSOX1
Compounds and methods involving inhibition of the enzymatic activity of QSOX1. The compounds and methods can be used in treatment of neoplastic cells, for example, to suppress tumor growth and invasion in a variety of cancers, including but not limited to myeloma and cancers of the breast, kidney and pancreas.
US Provisional Patent Application No. 63/014,471
Assignee: AXIM Biotechnology
Polyfunctional Cannabinoids
Cannabinoid constructs that may produce more potent response than individual cannabinoid molecules with the additional benefit of being more water-soluble and bioavailable.
facility highlights
Axim Biotech is located in the Sorrento Mesa area of San Diego, California that is home to numerous emerging and established biotechnology companies. San Diego’s biotechnology zone contains the third largest concentration of biotechnology companies in the world, R&D sites for several major pharmaceutical companies, and prominent biomedical research institutions such as UCSD, The Salk Institute, The Sanford-Burnham Institute, and Scripps Research Institute. Because of the density of biotech companies in the area, local contract service companies are able to provide rapid turnaround services. Our laboratory currently consists of about 2,000 sq ft of mixed labs for chemistry, assays, molecular and cell biology. Equipment in the lab includes an 8-feet chemistry hood fully equipped for synthetic chemistry, a dedicated tissue culture room and dedicated BSL2 enclosure for conducting biomedial studies.
Proven Management
John W. Huemoeller II
Chief Executive Officer | AXIM Biotech
View Bio
Over 35 years of experience in financial markets in C-level positions. John brings focused approach to product development pipeline, focused on speed to market and cash management.
Catalina valencia, j.d
Chief Executive Officer | SAPPHIRE BIOTECH
View Bio
Results-oriented entrepreneur that specializes in leading businesses to success through the strategic development of businesses and products. Valencia brings extensive management experience with biotechnology startups including her leadership of early-stage Genentech.
Dr. Sergei A. Svarovsky, Ph.D.,
Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder | Sapphire Biotech
View Bio
Dr. Svarovsky is the scientific founder of Sapphire Bio, Inc. He brings to the Company a breadth of experience and expertise from his academic, government and industry careers in the fileds of medicinal chemistry and medical diagnostics. He has authored over 25 peer reviewed publications, reviews and book chapters, contributed to at least 20 international and U.S. patents and participated in over 50 international symposia. Some of his patents has been licensed by Pfizer, BioRad, among others. He serves on Editorial Boards of several international journals in the fields of chemistry, medical technology and nanotechnology and is a reviewer for a number of national and international funding organizations including National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Israeli Science Foundation, and Georgian Science Foundations. Dr. Svarovsky obtained a PhD in Physical Organic Chemistry and MBA in Finance from University of West Virginia in 2000. Prior to entering the biopharma industry, Dr, Svarovsky served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry at the National Cancer Institute. In 2006 he became an Associate Professor the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University where he met with another co-founder of Sapphire Bio, Dr. Douglas Lake. Dr. Svarovsky joins Axim Biotechnologies, Inc in the role of Chief Scientific Officer with a mission to develop novel therapeutics modalities and diagnostics for the treatment and detection of cancer.
joseph tauber, md
chief MEDICAL officer | chairman of medical advisory board
View Bio
Dr. Tauber is the founder and CEO of Tauber Eye Center, a practice focused on corneal disease, uveitis and ocular immunology and complex corneal surgical procedures as well as Medical Director of Saving Sight, the US’ third largest eye bank.
Dr. Tauber has been centrally involved in virtually every significant dry eye development project during the past 25 years. He has served as a Principal Investigator in over 140 multicenter clinical trials including those that led to the approval of all four medications currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of dry eye – Restasis, Xiidra, Cequa and Eyesuvis. He has been avidly involved in research for nearly three decades, and a principal investigator in over 140 research studies across a broad range of eye conditions, including high-risk corneal transplantation, inflammation and allergic eye diseases, corneal infectious diseases and numerous ocular surface conditions.
Dr. Tauber received his doctorate from Harvard Medical School, residency training in internal medicine at Beth Israel Hospital and in ophthalmology at Tufts-New England Medical Center, and fellowship training in Ocular Immunology and in Corneal Diseases and Surgery at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, all in Boston, Massachusetts.
Dr. Tauber has also written eight book chapters and over 80 peer-reviewed articles in the fields of ocular surface and immunologic disease for prestigious medical journals as Ophthalmology, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and Cornea. He has been awarded the Heed Ophthalmic Foundation Fellowship Award and a National Eye Institute Individual NRSA Award.
ALIM SEIT-NEBI, PH.D.,
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER AND CO-FOUNDER | SAPPHIRE BIOTECH
View Bio
Dr. Seit-Nebi co-founder of Sapphire Biotech Inc., leads the development and implementation of new antibody and protein-based technologies in diagnostics and therapeutics. Prior to joining Sapphire, Dr.Seit-Nebi was leading the development and production of antibodies, recombinant proteins, biomarkers, and immunoassays for diagnostic and therapeutic applications for industry and academia, serving at various roles at GenWay Biotech, Inc. for more than 11 years. Dr.Seit-Nebi’s an expert in a broad array of biochemical, genetic, molecular, and cellular biology methods with detailed knowledge of signaling pathways in inflammation, oncogenesis, and cell stress response. He co-authored 39 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious peer-reviewed life-science journals. He received a doctorate in molecular biology from the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology in Moscow, Russia, in 2002, and then pursued his research interests in immunology and molecular biology as a postdoctoral fellow at The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA.
Dr. douglas lake, pHd
chief clinical officer | sapphire biotech
View Bio
Douglas Lake is a tumor immunologist who has been at ASU since 2006. Previously, he was at the University of Arizona Cancer Center where he studied anti-tumor T cells and tumor-associated peptides as immunotherapy targets.
Currently, he is investigating an enzyme called QSOX1 that is over-expressed in multiple tumor types. Lake was the first to show that this enzyme is important in tumor cell growth, invasion and metastasis. His laboratory is developing chemical and biological inhibitors of QSOX1 with strong therapeutic potential.
His laboratory also studies Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis). A pressing clinical need is that Valley Fever lacks an accurate and sensitive diagnostic test while patients are acutely symptomatic. Because the current test relies on an immune respone, which is often delayed in this disease, patients can go for as long as three months without a diagnosis. As a result, many patients are inappropriately treated. Lake is developing a test that detects bits and pieces of the fungus in urine in infected patients.
Lake’s research team also studies chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR T cells). This technology re-directs the immune system toward defined markers on tumors and unleashes T cells as the most potent killers against tumors. The vision for CAR T therapies is to re-activate patients’ immune systems against their tumors, such that they will have lifelong immunity against their tumor and any mutant tumors that might arise.
In addition, Lake teaches immunology and microbiology at the undergraduate level and advance cell biology at the graduate level.
OVERVIEWHISTORYIP PORTFOLIOPARTNERSMANAGEMENT.
WHO ARE WE?
AXIM is a preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical and diagnostic company pioneering the discovery and development of first-in-class targeted small molecule and monoclonal antibody therapies that disrupt extracellular matrix formation to block tumor cell growth and metastasis.
AXIM acquired Sapphire Biotech in early 2020 in order to develop and commercialize a unique therapeutic approach designed to disrupt cancer growth and block metastatic spread. Sapphire, now part of AXIM, has acquired an exclusive license to the technology around SBI-183, an anti-metastatic compound developed by Dr. Douglas Lake at Mayo Clinic and Arizona State University. Dr. Douglas Lake is a co-founder of Sapphire Biotech. An important part of the License Agreement provided for the granting of equity to Skysong Innovations, LLC, the licensing agent for Mayo/ASU.
As AXIM Biotech is a pioneer in the research and development of diagnostic tools for the early screening of cancer cells, our researchers have been able to quickly adapt our existing research and products currently under development to create a diagnostic tool that screens for COVID-19 neutralizing antibodies. The need for such an instrument is great as the pandemic continues to plauge the worldwide healthcare landscape.
Some references to the Company relate to Sapphire and events occurring prior to the acquisition by AXIM.
AXIM’s mission is to improve global cancer care through the development of novel Therapeutics for inhibiting metastatic cancer growth, and Diagnostics for early cancer detection, response to treatment, and recurrence monitoring. AXIM aspires to be the leader in QSOX1-targeted metastatic cancer therapies and has undertaken the development of a potent QSOX1 inhibitor to be used as a platform drug for a variety of indications.
The Company has been studying the enzyme Quiescin Sulfhydryl Oxidase 1 (QSOX1) and its over-expression by tumor cells. QSOX1 has been shown to be involved with invasion and metastasis. Dr. Douglas Lake, has reported that a small molecule SBI-183, inhibited the enzymatic activity of QSOX1 and suppressed tumor cell invasion in vitro and metastasis of breast tumor cells in vivo. The Company has identified SPX-1009, an analog of SBI-183, with tenfold increased potency, and is testing SPX-1009 for suppression of cancer invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo.
HOW WE ARE DIFFERENT
Liquid biopsy refers to the process of testing the blood for the presence of a disease biomarker. Most so-called “Liquid Biopsy” companies test blood for circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and DNA sequences. The disease biomarker we test for is an enzyme.
AXIM is the first to discover the over-experssion of QSOX1 as a biomarker for cancer in blood. We have filed a patent application claiming many discoveries related to QSOX1, including a rapid diagnostic test which we have developed into a lateral flow device capable of measuring levels of QSOX1. The Company’s equivalent of a liquid biopsy test is a non-invasive, rapid blood test that will measure QSOX1 over-expression. The Company seeks to prove that measuring QSOX1 over-expression even before the tumor is formed, will enable detection of cancer at an earlier stage than liquid biopsy companies whose tests detect the CTC’s and DNA, usually after the tumor is formed and is shedding cells.
Our History
Founded in 2014
AXIM was one of the first companies to identify the potential therapeutic benefits of known cannabinoids CBD, THC and CBG
Acquires Sapphire Biotech, Expanding Company’s Focus to Targeting Oncology Treatment and Diagnostics
Developes a Rapid Diagnostic Test for Cancer Using the Biomarker QSOX1, Being Tested at Mayo Clinic
Identifies That SBI-183 Blocks QSOX1 and Obtains Exclusive License to the Compound from the Co-owners
Continues Development and testing of anti-bodies of QSOX1 for Immunohistochemistry diagnostic test
FOUNDED
2019
Sapphire Biotech, Inc., is formed to develop novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of cancer using technology invented by Dr. Douglas Lake at Mayo Clinic and Arizona State University.
Sapphire tests 200 bladder cancer patient samples from Mayo Clinic to validate unique biomarker to detect cancer. For the first time, Sapphire isolates the QSOX1 Long (QSOX1-L) splice variant as a biomarker in serum for bladder cancer and possibly other cancers. Sapphire develops a prototype rapid diagnostic test that measures levels of QSOX1-L in blood.
Sapphire announces the discovery of a new biomarker for detection of certain cancers in blood and files for patent protection. Sapphire discovers QSOX1-L, that is highly specific for the presence of cancer in blood and has the potential to be detected earlier than circulating tumor cells.
Mayo Clinic Clinical Trial begins to evaluate Sapphire’s diagnostic test to detect QSOX1 Peptide in Patients with or at risk for pancreatic cancer. The purpose of the trial is to evaluate the diagnostic potential of Sapphire’s lateral flow assay to detect QSOX1 in patients with or at risk for pancreatic cancer.
Sapphire Biotech files for a Small Business Investigational Research grant to develop potent and soluble analogs of SBI-183, a compound that has been shown to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. Ultimately, Sapphire’s goal is to develop a therapeutic treatment for cancers that overexpress QSOX1. Application is being reviewed for Funding.
Sapphire Biotech files for a Small Business Investigational Research grant to develop potent and soluble analogs of SBI-183, a compound that has been shown to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. Ultimately, Sapphire’s goal is to develop a therapeutic treatment for cancers that overexpress QSOX1. Application is being reviewed for Funding.
Sapphire Biotech files two patent applications for anti-metastatic compounds to treat cancer and prevent metastasis.
Sapphire Biotech files patent application for anti-metastatic compound to suppress tumor cell growth and blocks metastasis. Identified as SPX-1009, the compound is an analog of SBI-183, and in vitro testing demonstrates tenfold greater potency than parent compound.
2020
Sapphire Biotech enters into an agreement with Skysong Innovations, LLC for an exclusive license to technology relating to SBI-183, an anti-metastatic compound suppressing tumor cell growth and blocking metastasis developed at Mayo Clinic and Arizona State University.
Sapphire Biotech signs Sponsored Research Agreement (SRA) with Arizona State University to conduct in vitro testing and in vivo pre-clinical animal studies re cancer inhibitory agents that will prevent metastases.
Sapphire Biotech signs Sponsored Research Agreement (SRA) with Arizona State University to conduct in vitro testing and in vivo pre-clinical animal studies re cancer inhibitory agents that will prevent metastases.
AXIM Biotechnologies announces acquisition of Sapphire Biotech.
AXIM announces completion of pre-clinical drug studies on new compound, SPX-1009 proving tenfold greater inhibition of tumor metastasis than parent compound SBI-183 following testing of over 60 analogs.
AXIM Biotech signs an agreement with TD2 to initiate animal studies at TD2 to evaluate efficacy of SPX-1009 as an anti-metastatic treatment and to measure levels of QSOX1 as a potential companion diagnostic test.
AXIM Biotech files an patent application on water-soluble “super” cannabinoid molecule.
Intellectual Property
US Provisional Patent Application No. 63023646
Assignee: Sapphire Biotech
Convalescent Plasma Testing and Treatment
The invention describes a functional test for measuring neutralizing antibodies in plasma of individuals recovered from COVID19 (convalescent plasma, CP). Existing serology tests detect antibodies that bind certain SARS-Cov2 viral proteins and provide a measure of bulk immune response to the infection. Not every immune response is efficacious in fighting infection. Our invention measures a subset of antibodies called neutralizing antibodies that bind a specific region of receptor binding domain (RBD), functionally inhibiting it from binding to the human ACE2 receptor and blocking cell entry.
US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/829,556
Assignee: Sapphire Biotech, Inc.
Systems and Methods for Rapid Diagnostic for Various Cancers
Novel cancer biomarker and clinically relevant QSOX1-L splice variant has been identified as a biomarker of bladder cancer and possibly other cancers in serum. Novel antibodies have been generated that selectively detect only this variant and not others. Biomarker QSOX1-L used to develop rapid and cost-effective diagnostic test for bladder and possibly other urologic cancers non-invasively from urine.
US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/916,065
Assignee: Mayo Clinic/Arizona State University/Sapphire Biotech, Inc.
Chemical Compounds that Inhibit QSOX1 for the Treatment of Cancer
Compounds and methods involving inhibition of the enzymatic activity of QSPX1, derivatives of SBI-183. The compounds and methods can be used in treatment of neoplastic cells, for example, to suppress tumor growth and invasion in a variety of cancers, including but not limited to myeloma and cancers of the breast, kidney and pancreas
US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/916,067
Assignee: Mayo Clinic/Arizona State University/Sapphire Biotech, Inc.
Anti-Neoplastic Compounds and Methods Targeting QSOX1
Compounds and methods involving inhibition of the enzymatic activity of QSPX1, structurally distinguishable from SBI-183. The compounds and methods can be used in treatment of neoplastic cells, for example, to suppress tumor growth and invasion in a variety of cancers, including but not limited to myeloma and cancers of the breast, kidney and pancreas.
US Provisional Patent Application No. 62944283
Arizona State University/Mayo Clinic/Sapphire Biotech, Inc.
Anti-Neoplastic Compounds and Methods Targeting QSOX1
QSOX1 (Quiescin Sulfhydryl Oxidase 1 is an enzyme that is over-expressed in multiple tumor types. Genetically silencing QSOX1 in tumors slows their growth, migration, invasion and metastasis. Based on these findings, we tested libraries of chemical compounds for the ability to inhibit QSOX1. Several inhibitors of QSOX1 enzyme were identified. One in particular, SPX-1009, also inhibits tumor cell growth, migration and invasion in vitro and metastasis in a mouse model of triple negative breast cancer. This invention concerns analogs of this lead compound. Analogs are more potent and have improved pharmacodynamics in mouse models of cancer.
US Provisional Patent Application No. 62959752
Arizona State University/Mayo Clinic/Sapphire Biotech, Inc.
Anti-Neoplastic Compounds and Methods Targeting QSOX1 and Inhibiting Cellular Responses to MET Receptor
Compounds and methods involving inhibition of the enzymatic activity of QSOX1 and methods of inhibiting cellular responses to MET receptor signaling are disclosed which include administering any one or more compounds or pharmaceutical compositions. The compounds and methods can be used in treatment of neoplastic cells, for example, to suppress tumor growth and invasion in a variety of cancers, including but not limited to myeloma and cancers of the breast, kidney and pancreas.
US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/218,732
PCT Provisional Patent Application W02017048712A1
Assignee: Mayo Clinic/Arizona State University
Exclusive Licensee: Sapphire Biotech
Anti-neoplastic Compounds And Methods Targeting QSOX1
Compounds and methods involving inhibition of the enzymatic activity of QSOX1. The compounds and methods can be used in treatment of neoplastic cells, for example, to suppress tumor growth and invasion in a variety of cancers, including but not limited to myeloma and cancers of the breast, kidney and pancreas.
US Provisional Patent Application No. 63/014,471
Assignee: AXIM Biotechnology
Polyfunctional Cannabinoids
Cannabinoid constructs that may produce more potent response than individual cannabinoid molecules with the additional benefit of being more water-soluble and bioavailable.
facility highlights
Axim Biotech is located in the Sorrento Mesa area of San Diego, California that is home to numerous emerging and established biotechnology companies. San Diego’s biotechnology zone contains the third largest concentration of biotechnology companies in the world, R&D sites for several major pharmaceutical companies, and prominent biomedical research institutions such as UCSD, The Salk Institute, The Sanford-Burnham Institute, and Scripps Research Institute. Because of the density of biotech companies in the area, local contract service companies are able to provide rapid turnaround services. Our laboratory currently consists of about 2,000 sq ft of mixed labs for chemistry, assays, molecular and cell biology. Equipment in the lab includes an 8-feet chemistry hood fully equipped for synthetic chemistry, a dedicated tissue culture room and dedicated BSL2 enclosure for conducting biomedial studies.
Proven Management
John W. Huemoeller II
Chief Executive Officer | AXIM Biotech
View Bio
Over 35 years of experience in financial markets in C-level positions. John brings focused approach to product development pipeline, focused on speed to market and cash management.
Catalina valencia, j.d
Chief Executive Officer | SAPPHIRE BIOTECH
View Bio
Results-oriented entrepreneur that specializes in leading businesses to success through the strategic development of businesses and products. Valencia brings extensive management experience with biotechnology startups including her leadership of early-stage Genentech.
Dr. Sergei A. Svarovsky, Ph.D.,
Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder | Sapphire Biotech
View Bio
Dr. Svarovsky is the scientific founder of Sapphire Bio, Inc. He brings to the Company a breadth of experience and expertise from his academic, government and industry careers in the fileds of medicinal chemistry and medical diagnostics. He has authored over 25 peer reviewed publications, reviews and book chapters, contributed to at least 20 international and U.S. patents and participated in over 50 international symposia. Some of his patents has been licensed by Pfizer, BioRad, among others. He serves on Editorial Boards of several international journals in the fields of chemistry, medical technology and nanotechnology and is a reviewer for a number of national and international funding organizations including National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Israeli Science Foundation, and Georgian Science Foundations. Dr. Svarovsky obtained a PhD in Physical Organic Chemistry and MBA in Finance from University of West Virginia in 2000. Prior to entering the biopharma industry, Dr, Svarovsky served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry at the National Cancer Institute. In 2006 he became an Associate Professor the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University where he met with another co-founder of Sapphire Bio, Dr. Douglas Lake. Dr. Svarovsky joins Axim Biotechnologies, Inc in the role of Chief Scientific Officer with a mission to develop novel therapeutics modalities and diagnostics for the treatment and detection of cancer.
joseph tauber, md
chief MEDICAL officer | chairman of medical advisory board
View Bio
Dr. Tauber is the founder and CEO of Tauber Eye Center, a practice focused on corneal disease, uveitis and ocular immunology and complex corneal surgical procedures as well as Medical Director of Saving Sight, the US’ third largest eye bank.
Dr. Tauber has been centrally involved in virtually every significant dry eye development project during the past 25 years. He has served as a Principal Investigator in over 140 multicenter clinical trials including those that led to the approval of all four medications currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of dry eye – Restasis, Xiidra, Cequa and Eyesuvis. He has been avidly involved in research for nearly three decades, and a principal investigator in over 140 research studies across a broad range of eye conditions, including high-risk corneal transplantation, inflammation and allergic eye diseases, corneal infectious diseases and numerous ocular surface conditions.
Dr. Tauber received his doctorate from Harvard Medical School, residency training in internal medicine at Beth Israel Hospital and in ophthalmology at Tufts-New England Medical Center, and fellowship training in Ocular Immunology and in Corneal Diseases and Surgery at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, all in Boston, Massachusetts.
Dr. Tauber has also written eight book chapters and over 80 peer-reviewed articles in the fields of ocular surface and immunologic disease for prestigious medical journals as Ophthalmology, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and Cornea. He has been awarded the Heed Ophthalmic Foundation Fellowship Award and a National Eye Institute Individual NRSA Award.
ALIM SEIT-NEBI, PH.D.,
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER AND CO-FOUNDER | SAPPHIRE BIOTECH
View Bio
Dr. Seit-Nebi co-founder of Sapphire Biotech Inc., leads the development and implementation of new antibody and protein-based technologies in diagnostics and therapeutics. Prior to joining Sapphire, Dr.Seit-Nebi was leading the development and production of antibodies, recombinant proteins, biomarkers, and immunoassays for diagnostic and therapeutic applications for industry and academia, serving at various roles at GenWay Biotech, Inc. for more than 11 years. Dr.Seit-Nebi’s an expert in a broad array of biochemical, genetic, molecular, and cellular biology methods with detailed knowledge of signaling pathways in inflammation, oncogenesis, and cell stress response. He co-authored 39 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious peer-reviewed life-science journals. He received a doctorate in molecular biology from the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology in Moscow, Russia, in 2002, and then pursued his research interests in immunology and molecular biology as a postdoctoral fellow at The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA.
Dr. douglas lake, pHd
chief clinical officer | sapphire biotech
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Douglas Lake is a tumor immunologist who has been at ASU since 2006. Previously, he was at the University of Arizona Cancer Center where he studied anti-tumor T cells and tumor-associated peptides as immunotherapy targets.
Currently, he is investigating an enzyme called QSOX1 that is over-expressed in multiple tumor types. Lake was the first to show that this enzyme is important in tumor cell growth, invasion and metastasis. His laboratory is developing chemical and biological inhibitors of QSOX1 with strong therapeutic potential.
His laboratory also studies Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis). A pressing clinical need is that Valley Fever lacks an accurate and sensitive diagnostic test while patients are acutely symptomatic. Because the current test relies on an immune respone, which is often delayed in this disease, patients can go for as long as three months without a diagnosis. As a result, many patients are inappropriately treated. Lake is developing a test that detects bits and pieces of the fungus in urine in infected patients.
Lake’s research team also studies chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR T cells). This technology re-directs the immune system toward defined markers on tumors and unleashes T cells as the most potent killers against tumors. The vision for CAR T therapies is to re-activate patients’ immune systems against their tumors, such that they will have lifelong immunity against their tumor and any mutant tumors that might arise.
In addition, Lake teaches immunology and microbiology at the undergraduate level and advance cell biology at the graduate level.