From Lab to Patient, Garage to Market Patients Can’t Wait: Inside BioNJ
“Astaxanthin is manufactured by animals at the bottom of the food chain (e.g., krill), but in low quantities, making extraction uneconomical. The freshwater HP algae, found in northern climates, developed a unique mechanism to survive long winters. As sunlight fades and nutrients become scarce, the algae become stressed and create a cyst packed with astaxanthin to protect their high mitochondrial content from oxidation. The cyst is also protected with a hard carbohydrate shell designed to prevent it from being digested by a hungry predator. “The nutraceutical industry attempts to break the shell apart using high temperature, pressure and carbon dioxide as a solvent. This process cannot break the cyst down to a size small enough to be easily absorbed during digestion, and the elevated temperatures/pressure alters the chemical structure of the resulting astaxanthin molecule, rendering it poorly effective. “Our co-founder, John Carberry, patented a method to break down the cyst contents to nano-sized components, packed with astaxanthin and other beneficial molecules extracted from the HP algae that is easy to digest and delivers maximum efficacy to tissues throughout the body to repair mitochondrial damage and regenerate cell and organ function.” Adjuvia plans to start clinical trials at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia next year in the rare mitochondrial diseases Friedreich’s Ataxia (see bit.ly/44A4VPB ) and Leigh Syndrome (see bit.ly/4nlkD8P ), where inherited mitochondrial defects create excessive oxidative stress that results in neuromuscular degeneration and debilitating physical impairments. The trial will initially target adult patients with the aforementioned diseases. Still, they hope to quickly expand trials in the pediatric populations, where there are currently no FDA-approved therapies and most patients don’t survive childhood. Dr. Glickman has also been kind in assessing Crowley Law LLC’s services. As she shared in a recent interview, “Phil has been tremendously helpful, both in his perspective and his help in getting contracts initiated with various companies and reviewing them to ensure they’re favorable toward us. In one instance, we wanted to get out of a contract with a vendor, but the contract was tricky as written. Phil guided us on how to negotiate and settle with that company, and everyone walked away happy. His expertise and knowledge of how to get out of a sticky situation — and how not to get in one — are critical.” Thank you so much, Laura! My firm is honored to serve you, and we can’t wait to see where your company’s excellent work takes medicine next. Note: The foregoing may constitute attorney advertising under applicable bar rules. ... continued from Cover
The roads to progress in life sciences often lead to the Garden State. For Episode 19 of his “From Lab to Patient, Garage to Market” podcast, Philip Crowley
welcomes Debbie Hart, president and CEO of BioNJ, the premier trade organization for life sciences companies in New Jersey. Working in the spirit of the organization’s motto, “ Because patients can’t wait, ” Hart has worked with industry leaders for more than 30 years, providing support to life science entities in New Jersey and beyond. BioNJ’s innovative membership includes over 400 early- stage startups, mid-size/large biopharma businesses, law firms, contract research organizations, accounting firms, government agencies and academic institutions. In one of this can’t-miss conversation’s many highlights, Hart shares her perspectives on the most significant obstacles currently facing start-ups and research-based life sciences companies. “It takes 10–15 years to bring a therapy to market. It takes more than $2.5 billion to make it happen. Fundraising has always been the challenge from day one and will continue to be. “Government has a key role to play and can be a really supportive partner,” she adds. “On the other hand, in some ways, [it] can challenge the industry and not do what we think is in the best interest of patients. Again, patients can’t wait and need the therapies and cures this industry can bring forward.” Additionally, Hart discusses BioNJ’s successful partnership with the New Jersey-based venture capital group Tech Council Ventures. The union was finalized late last year to engage investors and provide new funding opportunities to early-stage companies. “We wanted to look for ways to be supportive of them, and they wanted to look for ways to be supportive of us — and more importantly, of our companies, our industry, and, ultimately, our patients.” To learn more about BioNJ, please visit BioNJ.org. Hosted by Crowley Law LLC Founder and Managing Partner Philip Crowley, the “From Lab to Patient, Garage to Market” podcast explores the critical issues and concerns impacting the biotech, life sciences and startup markets by offering fresh perspectives from industry leaders and experts. It is available on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, all the major podcast channels and at CrowleyLawLLC.com .
–Philip Crowley
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