Despite advances in the immuno-oncology field, 70-80% of patients do not respond or have a limited response to existing therapies, such as checkpoint inhibitors.
Portage Biotech aims to change this with a unique approach that drives the development of first-in-class immuno-oncology therapies for patients with cancer.
Our Mission: To identify and accelerate promising medicines that revolutionize treatment and quality of life for patients with cancer.
Using our diverse drug platforms and strong industry network to identify novel assets and asset combinations, we’ve created a model that incorporates the proven practices of our team’s previous successes to catalyze and revolutionize R&D.
Quality Science & Development Strategy
We know quality science and leverage our team’s deep knowledge to create a viable product development strategy that supports commercial potential and company growth. We execute the development process and create strategies to guide novel immuno-oncology assets and asset combinations from bench through human proof of concept.
Track Record of Success
Portage’s team of scientists, clinicians and pharma-experienced executives have a long history of success. The team has collectively contributed to five oncology drug approvals, created many high-value exits and knows the right experiments to pick the most promising clinical therapies and efficiently package them for commercialization or acquisition. Among our most notable projects is the early investment, formation and growth of Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, leading the Company to the second-largest IPO in 2017 and later its successful commercialization leading to acquisition by Pfizer for approximately $12 billion in 2022.
De-Risking Clinical Development
We reduce the risks associated with early clinical development through more efficient capital management and scientific oversight. Each platform in our pipeline yields multiple products, and those products are discussed with potential big pharma partners and selected for clinical development if they are differentiated and have a compelling product profile. We continue to review hundreds of potential therapeutic candidates, utilizing a fail-fast approach to select only the most promising assets and asset combinations to advance.
Leadership
Robert has 24 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and is the former Head of Oncology Discovery Research at both Bristol-Myers Squibb and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, part of the Johnson & Johnson group of companies.
Andrea Park was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer on September 30, 2024. Ms. Park previously served as Interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of Serina Therapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American: SER) through August 15, 2024, following the consummation of the reverse merger with AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. (AgeX) in March 2024.
As Controller, Adam Melero directs accounting activities at Portage.
Alexander Pickett was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors of Portage Biotech Inc. effective December 15, 2024. Alexander is also the Managing Director at Juvenescence, where he oversees new opportunity onboarding. Since 2014, Alexander has worked with Juvenescence founding partners Greg, Jim, and Declan at Mediqventures, Ltd., a multi-family investment partnership and merchant bank where he supported existing investments at Portage Biotech Inc., including Portage Pharma Ltd. and Biohaven (NYSE:BHVN).