SC Launch invests in Charleston biotech advancing cancer therapy

SC Launch Inc., South Carolina Research Authority‘s investment affiliate, has invested in a Charleston-based biotechnology company working in cancer research and development.

Leukogene Therapeutics develops targeted immunotherapies for patients with advanced cancers. According to the release, the company has been a member of SCRA since 2014. 

“With the mission to deliver innovative immunotherapies for hard-to-treat cancers with emphasis on immunologically ‘cold’ tumors, Leukogene’s therapies direct and mobilize the immune system to trigger a robust tumor response and eliminate tumor cells,” Kella Player Hanna, SCRA program manager, said in the release. “Working with their team and learning from them has been especially inspiring.” 

Leukogene received federal grants in 2014 as well as startup and acceleration grants from 2014 to 2018.  

“We are honored to receive this strategic funding from SC Launch Inc., which represents a strong validation of our vision and science,” Sandeep Gupta, CEO of Leukogene Therapeutics, said in the release.  

Recently, SCRA said the company acquired an orphan drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its immunotherapy targeting acute myeloid leukemia.  

“This investment enables us to accelerate our mission of bringing transformative treatments to patients with hard-to-treat cancers, advance our programs toward the clinic, and continue building a world-class biotech company right here in South Carolina,” Nathan Dolloff, founder and chief scientific officer of Leukogene, said in the release.