Treadwell Therapeutics

What Treadwell Therapeutics does

Treadwell Therapeutics is a clinical-stage, multi-modality oncology company developing novel therapeutics for patients with limited treatment options across hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. The company was founded in July 2019 as a spin-out from the University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto, where all of its small molecule and biologic candidates originated at the Campbell Family Institute. Treadwell pursues previously undrugged oncology vulnerabilities — PLK4, TTK/Mps1, and HPK1 — using small molecule inhibitors, biologics, and TCR-based autologous cell therapies. The entity is governed under Hong Kong SAR law and headquartered administratively in Hong Kong for finance and investor relations; R&D operations are centered at a 9,000 sq-ft facility in Toronto, with additional clinical and business development offices in San Francisco, New York, and Boston. The company has 11-50 employees and operates as a private, venture-backed firm.

The pipeline comprises three clinical-stage small molecule inhibitors: CFI-400945 (ocifisertib), a first-in-class PLK4 inhibitor in Phase 1/2 development for relapsed/refractory AML, MDS, and CMML, which has received FDA Fast Track Designation (April 2022) and Orphan Drug Designation (February 2024); CFI-402257, a best-in-class TTK inhibitor for ER+/HER2- breast cancer after CDK4/6 inhibitor failure, with FDA Fast Track Designation granted January 2023; and CFI-402411, a first-in-class HPK1 inhibitor being evaluated in solid tumors as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab. Preclinical programs include autologous TCR transgenic cell therapies built on the proprietary TCRypt platform (acquired via the October 2021 acquisition of TCRyption Inc.) and internally developed biologics targeting novel immuno-oncology antigens. The drug discovery engine is built around proprietary founder-originated screening platforms — genome-wide RNAi screens, cDNA cell surface protein screens, knockout mice phenotypic analysis, and a Human B-cell Mining Platform for antibody discovery — housed at the Toronto R&D hub.

Treadwell is pre-revenue and funds operations through equity financing and prospective future partnerships. It closed a $91 million Series B in November 2021 co-led by Sino Biopharmaceutical and 3W Fund Management, following an earlier $27 million round in January 2020. In December 2023 the company executed a strategic pipeline prioritization, narrowing focus to its lead AML asset CFI-400945 while reducing its workforce by approximately 30% and signaling openness to partners for non-lead programs. Leadership comprises Acting CEO and CMO Roger Sidhu, M.D. (formerly of Roivant Sciences, Cell Design Labs, and Amgen), Executive Chair Shane Burgess, co-founder and CSO Mark R. Bray, PhD, and co-founder Tak Wah Mak, PhD — credited as the co-discoverer of the T-cell receptor. A Scientific Advisory Board formed in February 2024 includes Carl June, Antoni Ribas, Pasi Jänne, Lillian Siu, Patricia LoRusso, and S. Gail Eckhardt.

Name

Treadwell Therapeutics

Legal name

Treadwell Therapeutics

Website

https://treadwelltx.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Treadwell Therapeutics is a clinical-stage, multi-modality oncology company developing first-in-class small molecule inhibitors (PLK4, TTK, HPK1), biologics, and TCR-based cell therapies for patients with limited treatment options in AML, MDS, and breast cancer.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clinical-stage Oncology Therapeutics

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Molecular Tumor Boards & Clinical Interpretation Services (HLAAANAD)

Keywords

• Clinical-stage oncology
• Small molecule inhibitors
• TCR cell therapy
• Novel cancer targets
• Immuno-oncology drugs

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Drug Development and Commercialization: Pre-revenue clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel oncology therapeutics. Revenue expected upon regulatory approval and commercialization of pipeline candidates.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Treadwell Therapeutics is a clinical-stage, multi-modality oncology company developing small molecule inhibitors (PLK4, TTK, HPK1), TCR-based cell therapies, and biologics for cancers with limited treatment options including AML, MDS, and ER+/HER2- breast cancer. The company operates an integrated drug discovery and development engine at its Toronto-based R&D hub and has three clinical-stage assets: CFI-400945 (ocifisertib), CFI-402257, and CFI-402411.

Product overview

Treadwell Therapeutics is a clinical-stage, multi-modality oncology company developing a diversified pipeline against novel targets for indications with limited treatment options. The company operates across three therapeutic modalities: (1) Small molecule inhibitors including CFI-400945 (PLK4 inhibitor, ocifisertib), CFI-402257 (TTK inhibitor), and CFI-402411 (HPK1 inhibitor); (2) TCR-based cell therapies utilizing the proprietary TCRypt TCR Identification Platform; and (3) Biologic programs including novel immuno-oncology antibodies. The company's drug discovery and development engine is housed at its Toronto-based R&D hub and includes functional genomics screening approaches, cell surface protein screens, knockout mice technology, and the Human B-cell Mining Platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CFI-400945 (Ocifisertib) First-in-class small molecule inhibitor of Polo-like kinase 4 (PLK4) for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). Also under investigation for solid tumors. Demonstrated complete remissions as single agent and in combination with azacitidine in relapsed, adverse risk AML including TP53 mutant disease.
• CFI-402257 Best-in-class small molecule inhibitor of Threonine Tyrosine Kinase (TTK/Mps1) targeting the spindle assembly checkpoint. Investigated for the treatment of ER+/HER2- advanced breast cancer after progression on CDK4/6 inhibitors and endocrine therapy, both as monotherapy and in combination with fulvestrant.
• CFI-402411 First-in-class small molecule inhibitor of Hematopoietic Progenitor Kinase 1 (HPK1), a pleiotropic negative regulator of immune cell activation. HPK1 inhibition activates T cells, B cells and dendritic cells for immuno-oncology applications. Investigated in solid tumors as monotherapy or in combination with pembrolizumab.
• TCR-based cell therapy programs Autologous, TCR transgenic T-cell therapies developed through the proprietary TCRypt TCR Identification Platform for solid and hematologic malignancies with unmet need. The TCRypt platform enables identification of TCRs beyond conventional A*02:01 restriction, expanding the addressable patient population.
• Biologic programs Internally developed biologic programs representing novel immuno-oncology targets, including a novel immune-oncology target identified through knockout mice technology that forms the basis of an advanced undisclosed antibody program. Developed alongside small molecule and cell therapy programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• FDA Fast Track Designation granted for CFI-400945 in relapsed/refractory AML (April 2022)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• University Health Network (UHN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2022Licensing agreement for four novel oncology target programs including preclinical biologic and small molecule assets. Programs were initiated and validated by UHN's Campbell Family Institute at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Treadwell was spun out from UHN in 2019.
• TCRyption Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2021Acquired novel TCR-based T-cell therapy company and TIO Bioventures portfolio company. Added TCRypt platform for identifying therapeutically relevant TCRs for autologous cell therapies in solid and hematologic malignancies.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Agios Pharmaceuticals: Agios was co-founded by Treadwell's co-founder Dr. Tak Wah Mak and pursues novel mechanism precision oncology and rare disease therapeutics. Most comparable in scientific lineage, multi-asset clinical pipeline orientation and target-discovery-driven development philosophy.
• Black Diamond Therapeutics: Black Diamond is a clinical-stage precision oncology company developing small molecule therapies against novel, genetically defined targets. Directly comparable as a small clinical-stage biotech pursuing first-in-class mechanisms with a discovery platform-led approach.
• Blueprint Medicines: Blueprint Medicines is a precision oncology company developing selective kinase inhibitors against novel targets. Comparable in its focus on genomically defined cancer populations with a multi-asset clinical pipeline of targeted small molecules.
• Repare Therapeutics: Repare is a clinical-stage precision oncology company developing synthetic lethality-based therapies including synthetic lethal small molecules and CCNE1-targeted assets. Directly comparable as a discovery-platform-driven oncology biotech with multiple programs in early clinical development.
• Erasca: Erasca is a clinical-stage precision oncology company focused on RAS/MAPK pathway therapeutics with a multi-modality pipeline of small molecules. Comparable in targeting well-defined oncogenic pathways with clinical assets of similar development stage.
• Foghorn Therapeutics: Foghorn is a clinical-stage oncology company developing therapies against novel chromatin biology targets using a proprietary discovery platform. Comparable as a platform-driven oncology biotech with multiple preclinical and clinical assets targeting under-explored biology.
• Arcus Biosciences: Arcus is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing small molecules and antibodies targeting novel immune checkpoints and the adenosine pathway. Comparable in combining small molecule and biologic modalities across oncology with multiple clinical programs.
• Arvinas: Arvinas is a clinical-stage oncology company pioneering targeted protein degradation using PROTAC technology against previously undruggable targets. Comparable in pursuing first-in-class mechanisms against novel oncology targets through a differentiated platform approach.
• IDEAYA Biosciences: IDEAYA is a clinical-stage precision oncology company developing synthetic lethality-based therapies including PARG and MAT2A inhibitors. Comparable as a clinical-stage biotech with a discovery engine targeting novel precision oncology mechanisms in hematologic and solid tumors.

Broad incumbents

• Schrodinger: Schrodinger operates a broader computational drug discovery platform serving multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, with its own clinical pipeline. Comparable in marrying proprietary discovery technology with internal pipeline development, though it serves a wider set of modalities and customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors6 records

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M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Treadwell Therapeutics