canine cancer alliance

What canine cancer alliance does

Canine Cancer Alliance (CCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation (EIN 82-3762441) founded in 2017 and operationally based in the Seattle, Washington area (Kirkland), with programs extending into Canada. Its core function is funding canine cancer research and clinical trials, with the stated mission of developing preventions and cures for cancers identified as the leading cause of death in dogs. The organization was founded by Mari Maeda, Ph.D., an MIT-trained researcher and former DARPA program director who pivoted to canine cancer after losing all three family dogs to the disease. CCA is volunteer-led, has no public headcount, operates without a fixed office, and qualifies for Combined Federal Campaign giving (#10453). Geographies served include the USA and Canada; fundraising events (Wag Love Life) have been held in Redmond, WA and Vancouver, BC.

CCA's research product surface is a portfolio of modality-diverse programs distributed across multiple veterinary and translational research institutions. The anchor program is an EGFR/HER2 therapeutic vaccine developed at Yale University School of Medicine by Professor Mark Mamula's team and being commercialized by Therajan LLC; multiple documented case reports describe metastatic osteosarcoma remission in treated dogs. Additional funded programs include intra-tumor IL-12 gene delivery via lentiviral (ZVex12) and mRNA (IL12srRNA) vectors at the University of Missouri (Prof. Jeffrey Bryan), tumor microenvironment-modifying oral drugs (propranolol, losartan, toceranib) at Colorado State University, the CAALM clinical trial of a canine-specific PD-L1 antibody (UCD-PDL1) at UC Davis for metastatic melanoma/carcinoma, the Elias Cancer Immunotherapy combination (autologous tumor vaccination, activated T-cell transfer, IL-2) with Elias Animal Health, and a Gilvetmab checkpoint inhibitor program. Indications span osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma, and transitional cell carcinoma. Reported outcome metrics include 40–50% long-term survival in osteosarcoma patients treated with Elias Cancer Immunotherapy and approximately 50% clinical benefit for metastatic osteosarcoma patients on high-dose losartan with toceranib.

CCA's revenue model is donation-funded and non-commercial. The organization solicits general donations, memorial and honor gifts, and recurring contributions through its website; runs an annual community walk series (Wag Love Life) in Redmond, WA and Vancouver, BC; hosts recurring educational webinars featuring researchers from Yale, Duke, UC Davis, Colorado State, and Northwestern; and maintains YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram channels for content and community engagement. CCA does not sell products or services, does not charge for clinical trial participation at the foundation level, and routes trial enrollment through partner academic sites and specialty veterinary oncology practices (BluePearl Kirkland, Bridge Animal Referral Center). Downstream commercialization of foundation-funded research — exemplified by Therajan LLC for the EGFR/HER2 vaccine — is executed through independent private entities rather than the foundation itself.

Name

canine cancer alliance

Legal name

Canine Cancer Alliance

Website

https://ccralliance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Canine Cancer Alliance is a Seattle-area 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that funds canine cancer research, clinical trials, and immunotherapies across multiple U.S. veterinary schools, serving pet owners affected by canine cancer.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Health Research Funding / Veterinary Cancer Research

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Oncology & Specialty Therapeutics (HLAMAEAJ), Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations (AFAEALAC)

Keywords

• Canine cancer research
• Veterinary oncology funding
• Animal health research
• Canine immunotherapy trials
• Pet cancer treatment

Headquarters

HQ city

Kirkland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The primary revenue stream comes from individual donations, memorial and honor donations, and general charitable contributions from dog owners and animal lovers supporting canine cancer research.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Canine Cancer Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds and coordinates canine cancer research and clinical studies, with flagship programs including the EGFR/HER2 cancer vaccine (Yale), IL-12 gene delivery immunotherapy (University of Missouri), Elias combination immunotherapy, and checkpoint inhibitor trials (UC Davis CAALM, Merck Gilvetmab). It connects dog owners to clinical trials, hosts educational webinars, and runs the Wag Love Life community fundraising events, funding all activities through individual donations and memorial/honor gifts.

Product overview

Canine Cancer Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2017 that funds dog cancer research, clinical studies, and immunotherapies. The organization does not offer a unified software product but rather supports a portfolio of research programs including the EGFR/HER2 Cancer Vaccine (Yale University), IL-12 Gene Delivery Immunotherapy (University of Missouri), and various combination immunotherapy studies. Additional offerings include educational webinars, clinical trial coordination, financial assistance resources, and a veterinary oncologist finder directory.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Canine Cancer Research Funding Donation-funded grants from CCA that support academic and clinical research into canine cancer prevention and cures, including immunotherapy, vaccine, gene-delivery, and combination therapy studies.
• EGFR/HER2 Cancer Vaccine Clinical Trial Immunotherapy vaccine clinical trial developed at Yale University School of Medicine by Prof. Mark Mamula's team, targeting EGFR and HER2 proteins expressed on cancer cells in dogs with osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, transitional cell carcinoma and other EGFR+ solid tumors. Being commercialized by Therajan LLC.
• IL-12 Gene Delivery Immunotherapy Trial Clinical trial at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine investigating intra-tumor IL-12 delivery using lentiviral vector (ZVex12) or mRNA (IL12srRNA) systems for dogs with soft tissue sarcoma, allowing local IL-12 cytokine production in tumors with minimal systemic toxicity.
• Elias Cancer Immunotherapy Trial Support Combination immunotherapy developed by Elias Animal Health comprising vaccination with the patient's tumor sample, activated T-cell transfer, and IL-2 cytokine therapy. Tied to a reported 40-50% long-term survival rate for canine osteosarcoma patients, with treatment administration at the University of Missouri.
• Educational Webinar Series Recurring free webinar series featuring researchers and veterinary oncologists from institutions including Yale, Duke, Colorado State, UC Davis and others, presenting findings on canine cancer research, treatments, and clinical trial updates for dog owners and the public.
• Clinical Trial Coordination Coordination service that connects dog owners with active canine cancer clinical trial enrollment opportunities across multiple partner veterinary schools and specialty hospitals in North America, including Bridge Animal Referral Center and Seattle Veterinary Specialists/Blue Pearl Kirkland.
• Veterinary Oncologist Finder Directory Searchable directory and guidance resource maintained by CCA to help dog owners locate board-certified veterinary oncologists across North America for cancer consultation and treatment.
• CAALM Clinical Trial (PD-L1 Antibody) UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine clinical trial testing a canine-specific PD-L1 antibody (UCD-PDL1) for dogs with metastatic melanoma or carcinoma that has spread to the lungs, supported and promoted by CCA.
• Tumor Microenvironment Drug Combination Study Colorado State University research study evaluating repurposed drugs (propranolol, losartan, toceranib) used to modulate the tumor microenvironment, reduce immunosuppression, and enhance efficacy of other canine cancer therapies for metastatic osteosarcoma, supported by CCA and led by Prof. Steven Dow.
• Financial Assistance Resource Network Resource and referral service that connects dog owners with nonprofits and programs (including the Magic Bullet Fund) that provide financial assistance for owners who cannot afford canine cancer treatment costs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple documented cases of metastatic osteosarcoma reversal with EGFR/HER2 vaccine
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Yale University School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership with Prof. Mark Mamula's team for EGFR/HER2 canine cancer vaccine development. Prof. Mamula leads canine cancer therapeutic vaccine research and other innovative immunotherapies at Yale.
• University of Missouri College of Veterinary MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical trial partnership for IL-12 gene delivery immunotherapy study for soft tissue sarcoma, led by Prof. Jeffrey Bryan. Also hosts Elias Cancer Immunotherapy treatments.
• Colorado State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership for tumor microenvironment modifying drugs study including propranolol, losartan, and toceranib for metastatic osteosarcoma. Worked with Prof. Steven Dow on immunotherapy studies.
• Northwestern UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Dr. Seth Pollack, Director of Sarcoma Program, who leads multiple clinical trials with canine and human patients on immunotherapy strategies.
• UC Davis School of Veterinary MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAALM clinical trial partnership testing PD-L1 antibody therapy for dogs with metastatic melanoma or carcinoma. First patient enrolled in study.
• Washington State University Veterinary Teaching HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical trial site for EGFR/HER2 vaccine for osteosarcoma patients, especially those who cannot undergo amputation surgery.
• Elias Animal HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Elias Cancer Immunotherapy development - combination immunotherapy including tumor vaccination, activated T-cell transfer, and IL-2 cytokine therapy.
• Magic Bullet FundminorOthersMari Maeda volunteers with Magic Bullet Fund which supports people who cannot afford cancer therapy for their dogs and cats. CCA provides resources and connections to such financial assistance programs.
• Duke UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership with Dr. Catherine Wise on environmental exposures and canine cancer risk, including studies on hemangiosarcoma.
• Fred Hutch Cancer Research CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with researchers from Fred Hutch on IL-12 gene delivery immunotherapy development and gut microbiome research.
• KetoPet SanctuaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer partnership with KetoPet Sanctuary (now closed) that investigated ketogenic diet combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and standard care for dogs with cancer.
• Therajan LLCcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerCompany commercializing the EGFR/HER2 canine cancer vaccine developed at Yale University.
• Bridge Animal Referral Center (BARC)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSeattle-area veterinary specialty hospital where Dr. Chelsea Tripp administers EGFR/HER2 vaccine clinical trial treatments.
• Seattle Veterinary Specialists - Blue Pearl KirklandminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Dr. Kevin Choy for veterinary oncology services and clinical trial referrals.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Animal Cancer Foundation: Nonprofit dedicated to funding comparative oncology and animal cancer research, sharing CCA's focus on cancer specifically and use of academic and clinical partnerships.
• Magic Bullet Fund: Nonprofit that provides financial assistance to pet owners who cannot afford cancer treatment for their dogs and cats; CCA founder Mari Maeda actively volunteers with this organization, indicating a closely aligned beneficiary mission.
• Morris Animal Foundation: Long-standing 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds animal health research including significant canine cancer and oncology studies, with a similar donation-funded model and university research partnerships.
• AKC Canine Health Foundation: Nonprofit foundation specifically funding canine health research, including major osteosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma grant programs at veterinary schools, directly comparable to CCA's mission and operating model.
• Golden Retriever Foundation: Breed-specific nonprofit funding health research for Golden Retrievers, including major grants into hemangiosarcoma and other canine cancers that overlap with CCA's research portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Maddie's Fund: Large family-founded pet welfare foundation supporting animal health and shelter medicine; comparable as a high-profile, donation-funded nonprofit focused on companion animal welfare.
• Petco Love (Petco Foundation): Large, corporate-affiliated pet welfare nonprofit funding cancer treatment access and broader animal welfare programs; overlaps with CCA on canine cancer treatment access but operates at materially greater scale and breadth.
• Best Friends Animal Society: Large national animal welfare nonprofit focused on shelter and rescue; overlapping in companion animal welfare funding and nonprofit governance structure, though not focused on cancer research.
• American Humane: Major national animal welfare nonprofit that funds veterinary care, rescue, and animal health programs, including cancer-related initiatives; comparable as a large-scale animal welfare funding organization.

Others

• V Foundation for Cancer Research: Donation-funded cancer research nonprofit, but for human cancers; relevant as a benchmark for the donation-supported cancer research funding model that CCA also employs in the canine space.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFxStTUphVz-gGYcocKyPkw
• Facebookfacebook.com/caninecanceralliance
• Instagraminstagram.com/caninecanceralliance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/canine-cancer-alliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about canine cancer alliance