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Cesare Spadoni and Ricardo García (Photo: Oncoheroes Biosciences).
 03.10.2019

The National Foundation for Cancer Research is joining Oncoheroes against childhood cancer

The National Foundation for Cancer Research from USA (NFCR) is investing on Oncoheroes Biosciences Inc, a Boston based biotech with the European subsidiary at the Barcelona Science Park. To date, the NFCR has invested $500.000 in Oncoheroes and they are committed to continue their support. The startup was co-founded by Ricardo García, originally from Barcelona, and Cesare Spadoni, two parents touched by childhood cancer. Since its foundation in 2017, the company has raised $1.5M from private investors, philanthropy and government .

 

Oncoheroes Biosciences Inc -the first biotech 100% focused on developing new drugs for childhood cancer- is receiving again the support from the National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR). To date, the NFCR has invested $500.000 in Oncoheroes and they are committed to continue their support.

NFCR is a US charity for cancer research co-founded by Nobel Laureate Dr. Albert Szent-Györgyi in 1973. In its 46-year history, NFCR has provided more than $380 million in funding to adult cancer research and public prevention education.

Oncoheroes initially received funding support from NFCR which allowed to set up Oncoheroes’ discovery lab, located at the Barcelona Scientific Park, and launch the first discovery project for the development of a new therapy for medulloblastoma patients (oncoheroes.com/2hit). Today, NFCR is taking an additional step, supporting Oncoheroes through a new funding paradigm which it has recently launched called the AIM-HI Accelerator Fund. This new investment will contribute to the clinical development of volasertib for pediatric cancer indications, the first asset that Oncoheroes has in-licensed from Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH.

Thanks to NFCR’s initial support, Oncoheroes has made tremendous progress not only on the discovery project but also convincing others to invest in our project. To date, Oncoheroes has raised $1.5M from private investors, philanthropy and government and is currently raising its pre Series A funding round to finalize the process of incorporation of another two assets and get the company ready for a big Series A to execute the drug development plan of the whole pipeline.

Oncoheroes was co-founded in 2017 by Ricardo Garcia (CEO) and Cesare Spadoni (COO), two parents touched by childhood cancer and determined to change the outlook for these young patients. Ricardo, serial entrepreneur born in Barcelona, learned the hard way the lack of innovative treatments for childhood cancer when he moved to Boston in 2011 to treat his son Richi from a medulloblastoma, one of the most aggressive brain tumors. Richi is now considered a cancer survivor and continues his fight daily while living with a long list of side effects. Cesare lost her daughter Laura after being diagnosed three years after a neuroendocrine carcinoma, a relatively rare type of cancer in children and without treatment options.

“Non-profit organizations are recently seeing the need to go beyond granting academic research and are making remarkable and innovative changes in their funding strategy by also investing in biotech startups” stated Ricardo Garcia.

Oncoheroes Webinar: On October 15th, Ricardo Garcia and Cesare Spadoni will be presenting Oncoheroes and answering audience questions during a launching webinar. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2mGtOHq