BPC - 2007-2008: Solixia

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Current Company
Team members, Brian Smith (WG08) and Irene Susantio (WG08) graduated from Wharton in May and will be pursuing Solixia full-time. The team is also a member of the Wharton Venture Initiation Program.

Description
Solixia is an early stage radiopharmaceutial company developing products that allow doctors to target radiation specifically to solid tumors. Our portfolio of product candidates include SLX-1016, a breast cancer imaging agent, and SLX-804, a treatment for ovarian cancer. Both are based on a proprietary technology platform called HotDot, comprising a high payload radioactive nanoparticle that can be attached to tumor-targeting antibodies, peptides, or small molecules. HotDot is up to 20 times more potent than a conventional radiopharmaceutical yet is only the size of a small protein fragment. In the U.S. market, at least 16,000 breast cancer patients per year would benefit from screening with SLX-1016, which would permit earlier and more accurate diagnosis and disease staging. Solixia has engaged a consulting team from the Penn Biotechnology Group to help evaluate this opportunity. Also in the U.S. market, Solixia estimate that 14,000 ovarian patients per year would be eligible for treatment with SLX-804. This amounts to an annual market opportunity of over $500 million. An incremental $1+ billion per year could be generated by label extensions into other cancer indications including uterine, kidney, and non-small cell lung cancers. HotDot was invented by one of Solixia’s co-founders while working for the University of Pennsylvania. The company has already begun negotiating with the University for an exclusive license option agreement to the underlying intellectual property portfolio. Key patents were filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty for U.S. and international designation and will be in-licensed by Solixia commensurate with fundraising.