BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc.

What BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc. does

BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc. (BVD) is a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in 2007 by Jim and Virginia Stowers in Kansas City, Missouri. It is wholly owned by a supporting organization of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and funded through a structurally unique model: American Century Investments, the asset management firm founded by Jim Stowers, directs over 40% of its annual profits to the Stowers Institute and BVD. This perpetual capital base — supplemented by $1.8 billion in cumulative dividend income directed to the Institute since 2000 — eliminates the need for traditional venture fundraising and enables risk-tolerant candidate sourcing.

BVD is advancing three differentiated oncology programs: (1) Ulixertinib (BVD-523), a first-in-class, highly selective ERK1/2 inhibitor targeting the terminal node of the MAPK pathway, currently in Phase 2 across histiocytosis, glioma, and myelofibrosis indications and granted FDA Fast Track designation; (2) TEM8/ANTXR1 therapeutic antibodies, a preclinical ADC platform directed at the tumor microenvironment, developed under CRADA with the NCI; and (3) Clostridium novyi-NT (BVD-550), an attenuated bacterial therapy that selectively germinates in hypoxic tumor necrotic cores, with Phase 1 monotherapy and Phase 1b combination data published. The company licenses ulixertinib from Vertex Pharmaceuticals and the bacterial platform from Johns Hopkins.

BVD operates with a 1–10 person lean team that functions primarily remotely, executing trials through a network of 25+ leading cancer centers including MSKCC, MD Anderson, Fred Hutch, Mayo Clinic, and Dana-Farber. The GTM model is out-licensing centric: BVD takes assets from early development through clinical proof-of-concept, then seeks mid-to-large pharma or venture partners for later-stage development and commercialization. Supporting channels include Cmed (CRO), Strata Oncology (patient identification), and xCures (expanded access). No product pricing or commercial revenue is disclosed; the company is pre-revenue.

Name

BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc.

Legal name

BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc.

Website

https://biomed-valley.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BioMed Valley Discoveries is a privately held, Kansas City-based clinical-stage oncology biotech wholly owned by a Stowers Institute supporting organization and funded via American Century Investments dividends. It develops three differentiated cancer therapies — Ulixertinib (ERK1/2 inhibitor), TEM8/ANTXR1 ADCs, and Clostridium novyi-NT bacterial therapy — advancing them through early-stage and proof-of-concept clinical trials for out-licensing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clinical-Stage Oncology Drug Development

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Drug Discovery (Target ID/Validation & Hit Discovery) (HLAIALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Clinical Development (Phase I–III Trial Design & Execution) (HLAIALAE), Antibody Discovery & Engineering Platforms (display tech, bispecifics, Fc engineering) (HLAAAIAB)

Keywords

• Oncology drug development
• Small molecule therapeutics
• Antibody-drug conjugates
• Bacterial cancer therapy
• Translational research

Headquarters

HQ city

Kansas City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Licensing and Partnership Revenue: BVD focuses on early-stage development through clinical proof-of-concept, then seeks partners with infrastructure and expertise for later stage development and commercialization. The company is structured to out-license candidates to reach more patients, ensuring assets are positioned to reach broadest range of potential indications and patients. Prospective partners could be large or mid-size biopharmaceutical companies or venture capital firms.
2. Institutional Funding Support: BVD receives stable and sustainable resources through private institutional funding via American Century Investments. Over 40% of annual profits from ACI are directed to Stowers Institute and BVD. This innovative funding model enables BVD to operate free from need to fundraise and consider short-term investor interests.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

BioMed Valley Discoveries is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that discovers and advances novel oncology therapeutics through preclinical and early-clinical development. Its core offerings are three differentiated drug programs: ulixertinib (BVD-523), an ERK1/2 inhibitor in Phase 2; a TEM8/ANTXR1 antibody-drug conjugate program in preclinical stages; and Clostridium novyi-NT (CNV-NT/BVD-550), a bacterial cancer therapy that has completed a Phase 1 study. The company develops these candidates through clinical proof-of-concept and seeks to out-license them to larger biopharmaceutical partners.

Product overview

BioMed Valley Discoveries is a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing three novel oncology programs: Ulixertinib (BVD-523), a highly selective first-in-class ERK 1/2 inhibitor currently in Phase 2 for histiocytosis and other rare cancers; TEM8/ANTXR1 Therapeutic Antibodies, preclinical antibody-drug conjugates targeting the tumor microenvironment; and Clostridium novyi-NT (CNV-NT/BVD-550), a cancer-fighting bacteria modality that has completed Phase 1 and is being developed in combination with checkpoint inhibitors. The company operates with a unique funding model through American Century Investments and focuses on early-stage development through clinical proof-of-concept before partnering assets for later-stage development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ulixertinib (BVD-523) Investigational first-in-class ERK1/2 inhibitor targeting the MAPK signaling pathway, evaluated in oncology clinical trials. Aimed at cancer patients with MAPK-pathway-driven tumors and intended for out-licensing following clinical proof-of-concept.
• TEM8/ANTXR1 Antibody Program Preclinical therapeutic antibody program targeting TEM8/ANTXR1, being developed as an antibody-drug conjugate for solid-tumor oncology indications. Intended for partnership or out-licensing once preclinical proof-of-concept is established.
• Clostridium novyi-NT (CNV-NT / BVD-550) Investigational bacterial cancer therapy using an engineered Clostridium novyi-NT strain designed for tumor-localized oncolytic activity. Completed a Phase 1 clinical study and is intended for further development through partnership or out-licensing.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4 out of 5 histiocytosis patients benefited from ulixertinib treatment in compassionate use cases
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and support.

• Stowers Institute for Medical ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBVD is wholly owned by a supporting organization of Stowers Institute. The Stowers Group of Companies includes Stowers Institute (non-profit biomedical research) and BVD (for-profit biotech). Any BVD profits accrue to Stowers Institute's benefit, promoting a perpetual virtuous cycle of scientific innovation and translation to advance breakthrough medicines.
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSKCC serves as lead site for multiple clinical trials including histiocytosis Phase 2 study (NCT06411821) led by Dr. Eli Diamond, and myelofibrosis combination study with ruxolitinib led by Dr. Raajit Rampal. The compassionate use program for histiocytosis patients originated at MSKCC.
• MD Anderson Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMD Anderson collaborated on CNV-NT Phase 1 monotherapy study (NCT01924689) and Phase 1b combination study with pembrolizumab (NCT03435952). Led by Dr. Filip Janku and Dr. Sarina Piha-Paul.
• xCuressupportTechnology or IntegrationHealthcare technology company that helps BVD facilitate and implement Expanded Access Programs (EAPs) to provide investigational medicines to individual patients at the request of physicians when there is strong scientific rationale and dire unmet need.
• Cmed, Inc.supportImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCmed serves as the contract research organization (CRO) for the Phase IIb study of ulixertinib. Cmed is a global technology-led full-service CRO specializing in complex disease areas, particularly oncology, immuno-oncology, and cell therapy.
• Strata OncologysupportChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrata Oncology collaborated to identify and obtain study patients with their Precision Oncology Network. This network of trial-ready health systems features a database of matched trial candidates that allows for rapid and efficient identification of potential patients.
• National Cancer InstitutesupportStrategic or Co-development PartnerBVD's TEM8/ANTXR1 research was conducted under a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with the National Cancer Institute, enabling preclinical development of TEM8/ANTXR1-directed ADCs.
• Clinical Research Network (27+ cancer centers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtensive clinical research network including: Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, UCSF, UCLA Health, Mayo Clinic, MD Anderson, Cleveland Clinic, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, MSKCC, Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt, and many more leading cancer centers that participate in BVD-supported clinical studies.
• IncytesupportStrategic or Co-development PartnerIncyte's Jakafi (ruxolitinib) is being studied in combination with ulixertinib for myelofibrosis treatment. Dr. Rampal has financial interests related to Incyte.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Relay Therapeutics: Clinical-stage precision oncology company using computational approaches to discover and develop targeted therapies, including against MAPK-pathway targets like KRAS. Comparable precision oncology orientation and clinical development stage.
• Kronos Bio: Clinical-stage oncology company developing therapies targeting dysregulated transcription and cell signaling including CDK9 and SYK inhibitors. Comparable by clinical-stage focus, lean operation, and oncology specialization.
• Black Diamond Therapeutics: Clinical-stage precision oncology company targeting RAS and MAPK pathway mutations, including ERK inhibitors. Comparable therapeutic target overlap with ulixertinib and similar focus on genomically defined patient populations.

Broad incumbents

• Incyte Corporation: Established biopharmaceutical company and BVD's clinical partner (ruxolitinib/ulixertinib combination in myelofibrosis). Incyte is a broad oncology incumbent that overlaps with BVD in myelofibrosis and broader hematology/oncology kinase-inhibitor landscape.
• Blueprint Medicines: Precision oncology company developing kinase-targeted therapies across multiple indications including systemic mastocytosis (acquired by Roche in 2025). Comparable precision-oncology, kinase-inhibitor orientation with analogous rare cancer patient identification strategies.
• Deciphera Pharmaceuticals: Established commercial-stage oncology company focused on kinase inhibitors for cancers including GIST (acquired by Bayer in 2021). Comparable kinase-inhibitor oncology focus and out-licensing/acquisition trajectory relevant to BVD's exit model.

Direct peers

• Theseus Pharmaceuticals: Clinical-stage oncology company developing pan-RAF and macrocyclic kinase inhibitors, including direct competition in the MAPK pathway space where BVD's ulixertinib operates. Closely comparable by therapeutic area, stage, and modality focus.
• Day One Biopharmaceuticals: Clinical-stage company developing targeted therapies for rare cancers of children and adults, including pediatric low-grade glioma. Directly comparable to BVD's MAPK-driven rare cancer focus and pediatric indication strategy.
• Verastem Oncology: Commercial-stage oncology company focused on MAPK pathway-driven cancers (including its approved RAF/MEK inhibitor combination for low-grade glioma). Most direct comparator to ulixertinib's MAPK pathway strategy and histiocytosis/rare cancer indications.
• SpringWorks Therapeutics: Clinical and commercial-stage rare cancer company with similar out-licensing-from-Pfizer origin and focus on rare oncology indications. Comparable by business model (partner-sourced assets, lean operation, focus on underserved cancers).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/biomed-valley-discoveries

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc.