Circle Pharma
Circle Pharma develops macrocycle therapeutics targeting 'undruggable' proteins, with a focus on precision oncology. The company is based in South San Francisco and has raised significant funding to advance its innovative drug pipeline.
Company Overview
Circle Pharma is a biotechnology company located in South San Francisco. Specializing in the development of macrocycle therapeutics, Circle Pharma focuses on addressing 'undruggable' targets. The company combines structure-based rational drug design with advanced synthetic chemistry to create innovative solutions for precision oncology. Circle Pharma has a robust pipeline, primarily targeting cyclin proteins, with a significant focus on macrocycles that inhibit cyclin A and E.
Oncology Pipeline and Research Focus
Circle Pharma's oncology pipeline includes several lead programs targeting key cyclin proteins implicated in cancer. Cyclin A/B inhibitors, Cyclin D inhibitors, and Cyclin E/CDK2 inhibitors are developed to treat multiple solid tumors, including small cell lung cancer (SCLC), uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer. The inhibitors aim to overcome resistance to standard cancer therapies, such as trastuzumab and CDK4/6 inhibitors, by targeting cyclin E, which is often upregulated in various tumor types. Compelling data from a Cyclin A/B inhibitor study in breast cancer were presented at the 2023 AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference.
Strategic Collaborations and Funding
Circle Pharma has entered into a strategic agreement with Pfizer to develop a screening library of macrocyclic peptides, enhancing its research capabilities. The company has successfully raised significant funds to support its research and development efforts, securing $66 million in Series C financing and $45 million in Series B financing. These financial achievements underscore strong investor confidence in Circle Pharma's innovative approach to treating cancer.
Technological Platforms and Capabilities
The MXMOTM platform is a cornerstone of Circle Pharma's technology, designed to develop cell-permeable macrocycle therapeutics. This platform leverages computational modeling to optimize target affinity and passive cell permeability within virtual compound libraries. Circle Pharma's chemistry capabilities enable the synthesis of diverse macrocycles, while automation systems allow rapid exploration of structure-activity relationships (SARs) and the assessment of multiple design hypotheses for specific targets. These capabilities facilitate efficient and effective drug discovery processes.
Location and Industry Presence
Circle Pharma is situated in South San Francisco, a hub for life science, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical companies, with approximately 200 other companies in the vicinity. This strategic location provides access to a collaborative ecosystem, fostering innovation and growth. Being part of such a vibrant community supports Circle Pharma's mission to develop breakthrough cancer therapeutics and advance the field of precision oncology.