What Starton Therapeutics does

Starton Therapeutics is a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in 2017 and headquartered in Paramus, New Jersey (with a Canadian parent incorporated in British Columbia). The company develops proprietary continuous delivery formulations of FDA-approved active ingredients, with its lead program STAR-LLD delivering lenalidomide — the active in Bristol-Myers Squibb's Revlimid — via subcutaneous infusion, oral controlled release, or transdermal patch. The platform's design intent is to flatten pharmacokinetic exposure, reducing Cmax by more than 90% and AUC by approximately 57% versus conventional oral dosing while sustaining plasma concentrations above the minimum effective threshold (~0.04-0.1 uM/L) for 24 hours. Preclinical multiple myeloma models showed 80% tumor shrinkage with STAR-LLD versus five-fold tumor growth on daily lenalidomide, and the Phase 1b study in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma produced a 100% objective response rate (1 CR, 5 PR) across six patients with no grade >2 drug-related hematologic toxicity.

The company's go-to-market is structured around clinical development and eventual pharmaceutical commercialization rather than current sales. STAR-LLD-SC (subcutaneous) is in Phase 2a for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (first patient dosed February 2026); STAR-LLD-OCR (oral controlled release) is in development for CLL and high-risk myeloma through a partnership with Bend Bioscience; and a transdermal variant is protected by a 2024 Notice of Allowance. Provisional patent applications extend the platform into CAR-T and bispecific antibody combinations. Manufacturing and preclinical work is supported by Bend Bioscience (oral CR CDMO), Primetech Corporation (iPRECIO programmable pumps for translational studies), and the Sargon Site Network for multi-site Phase 2a conduct. Industry engagement runs through AACR, Biotech Showcase, Longwood Healthcare Leaders, and IR partner LifeSci Advisors.

Starton is pre-revenue, with operating capital historically raised through SEC Form D exempt securities offerings totaling roughly $10.7M between 2018 and 2024 across the US and Canada. Future revenue, if any, will be generated through pharmaceutical product sales and/or licensing after regulatory approval of STAR-LLD in hematologic malignancies; pricing has not been disclosed and no partnership license economics are public. The leadership team is anchored by Chairman and CEO Pedro Lichtinger (former Pfizer President of Global Primary Care and Europe), alongside a CFO (Scott Kahn) and CMO (Jamie Oliver, Pharm.D.) with prior IND/NDA experience, supported by an 11-50 person organization and a board including independent members drawn from biopharma, finance, and law.

Name

Starton Therapeutics

Legal name

Starton USA Inc.

Website

https://startontx.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Starton Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing proprietary continuous-delivery formulations of lenalidomide (STAR-LLD) administered subcutaneously, orally, or transdermally to improve efficacy and tolerability in multiple myeloma and other hematologic malignancies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hematologic Cancer Therapeutics

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Oncology & Hematology Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAC)

Keywords

• Continuous drug delivery
• Cancer therapeutics
• Multiple myeloma treatment
• Drug formulation platform
• Subcutaneous infusion therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Product Development and Commercialization: Pre-revenue clinical-stage biotechnology company developing proprietary continuous delivery formulations of approved drugs. Revenue will be generated through pharmaceutical product sales upon regulatory approval for STAR-LLD in multiple myeloma and CLL indications.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Starton Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that develops proprietary continuous-delivery formulations of FDA-approved active ingredients, with lead product STAR-LLD delivering lenalidomide continuously via subcutaneous infusion, oral controlled-release tablets, or transdermal patches. The technology targets hematologic malignancies, primarily multiple myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, with the goal of replacing and expanding standard-of-care oncology regimens through improved pharmacokinetics. The company partners with CDMOs and runs US-based clinical trials to advance its pipeline toward commercialization.

Product overview

Starton Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a proprietary continuous delivery technology platform to transform FDA-approved active ingredients into improved therapies. The core product is STAR-LLD (Continuous Low-Dose Lenalidomide), a formulation of lenalidomide delivered continuously via subcutaneous infusion, oral controlled release tablets, or transdermal patches. STAR-LLD-SC is in Phase 2a trials for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, STAR-LLD-OCR is in development for CLL and high-risk MM (in partnership with Bend Bioscience), and STAR-LLD Transdermal is in preclinical/development stages. The platform technology aims to replace and expand standard-of-care products by maintaining optimal pharmacokinetic profiles 24 hours a day, potentially improving efficacy and tolerability for cancer patients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• STAR-LLD (Continuous Low-Dose Lenalidomide) Proprietary continuous-delivery reformulation of the FDA-approved immunomodulatory drug lenalidomide, designed to maintain therapeutic plasma levels for 24 hours while reducing Cmax by more than 90% and AUC by approximately 57% compared to standard oral dosing. Indicated for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and is the platform product across Starton's three delivery formats.
• STAR-LLD-SC (Subcutaneous) STAR-LLD administered via continuous subcutaneous infusion using ambulatory pumps, with greater than 91% bioavailability. Currently in Phase 1b/Phase 2a clinical trials for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and explored in combination with CAR-T cell therapies.
• STAR-LLD-OCR (Oral Controlled Release) STAR-LLD delivered as an oral controlled-release tablet formulation, in development for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and high-risk relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Co-developed with Bend Bioscience for formulation, scale-up, and commercial manufacturing.
• STAR-LLD Transdermal STAR-LLD delivered via transdermal patch system for continuous low-dose administration. Patent-protected delivery route achieving blood levels equivalent to 8-18 hours post-oral dose using 10-75% of the standard daily oral dose, intended to provide a non-invasive outpatient-friendly option.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% objective response rate (1 CR, 5 PRs) in Phase 1b study of 6 relapsed/refractory MM patients with no grade >2 drug-related hematologic toxicity
• +3 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sargon Site NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2026Clinical trial site network partnership for Phase 2a study of STAR-LLD in multiple myeloma. Study expanded from 2 to 6 investigational sites across the US including Gabrail Cancer & Research Center (Canton, OH), Regional Medical Oncology Center (Wilson, NC), and new sites in Wisconsin, Florida, California, and Arizona.
• Bend BiosciencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2025Strategic development agreement with Bend Bioscience, a CDMO and pharmaceutical services partner, for development of oral sustained release dosage form of STAR-LLD. Bend provides drug delivery R&D support, formulation optimization, manufacturing process development, and will lead scale-up and commercial manufacturing efforts. The collaboration leverages Bend's expertise in controlled release formulation and clinical/commercial manufacturing of solid oral dosage forms.
• LifeSci AdvisorsminorOthersInvestor relations and communications partner providing IR contact support including Alex Starr, Managing Director.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Bristol-Myers Squibb: Marketer of Revlimid (lenalidomide), the standard-of-care multiple myeloma therapy that STAR-LLD is designed to replace or supplement. Most directly comparable incumbent in the target indication and the primary competitive benchmark for efficacy, safety, and pricing.
• Johnson & Johnson: Sells DARZALEX (daratumumab) and is Legend Biotech's CAR-T partner for Carvykti, anchoring the standard of care in multiple myeloma. Relevant broad incumbent competitor whose entrenched position STAR-LLD and its combination programs must contend with.
• Pfizer: Large oncology pharma where Starton CEO Pedro Lichtinger spent 16 years (President of Global Primary Care and Europe). Relevant broad incumbent and potential strategic partner/acquirer given Lichtinger's deep relationships and Pfizer's hematology portfolio.

Direct peers

• Halozyme Therapeutics: Drug-delivery platform company (ENHANZE recombinant human hyaluronidase) that licenses subcutaneous delivery technology to large pharma, enabling reformulation of approved IV drugs. Closely comparable business model—platform technology used to create improved formulations of established APIs.
• Collegium Pharmaceutical: Specialty pharma built around reformulating and improving delivery of approved molecules (Xtampza ER, Nucynta, Belbuca). Comparable strategy of taking established APIs and creating differentiated, often abuse-deterrent or controlled-release products for better clinical outcomes.
• Karyopharm Therapeutics: Clinical-stage oncology/hematology company commercializing XPO1 inhibitor selinexor (Xpovio) in multiple myeloma. Closely comparable clinical-stage biotech competing in the same MM space with a novel mechanism intended to overcome treatment resistance.
• Geron Corporation: Clinical-stage hematology biotech developing imetelstat (a first-in-class telomerase inhibitor) for lower-risk MDS and myelofibrosis. Comparable clinical-stage profile, target hematology indications, and reliance on platform technology to address unmet needs in blood cancers.
• Arcellx: Clinical-stage biotech developing CAR-T cell therapies (e.g., anito-cel) for multiple myeloma and other hematologic malignancies. Comparable clinical-stage hematology peer and one of the named competitors in the BCMA-targeted MM space where Starton's CAR-T combination patents are positioned.
• Amneal Pharmaceuticals: Generic pharmaceutical manufacturer with an authorized generic lenalidomide franchise. Directly comparable as a competing supplier of lenalidomide-based therapy and a key pricing/reimbursement benchmark for STAR-LLD's commercial opportunity.

Emerging players

• Legend Biotech: Clinical-to-commercial biotech behind Carvykti (ciltacabtagene autoleucel), a BCMA-directed CAR-T for multiple myeloma commercialized with Johnson & Johnson. Relevant emerging player because Starton's CAR-T + STAR-LLD combination patents target exactly the patient population Carvykti addresses.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/startontx
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/startontx

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds7 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Starton Therapeutics