Ricardo Garcia: Oncoheroes Biosciences stand as a symbol of what can be accomplished when a community unites for a common cause
Ricardo Garcia, CEO and founder of Oncoheroes Biosciences, shared a post by Oncoheroes Biosciences, on his LinkedIn page, adding:
”As Oncoheroes Biosciences continues to break new ground in pediatric oncology, I’m reminded that our strides are only possible because of the unwavering support from childhood cancer foundations.
However, there’s an aspect of this fight against childhood cancer that many may not be aware of. Despite the tireless efforts of foundations and families, pediatric cancer remains a domain with only seven approved drugs. This scarcity is not due to a lack of innovation but is primarily because pediatric cancer is often considered a rare disease, leading the industry and venture capitalists to invest more readily in adult cancers with larger market sizes.
Countless academic research projects, fueled by the incredible dedication of foundations and families, have seen their potential to become life-saving therapies dim due to this lack of industry interest.
The journey to develop a new drug is complex and divided into two critical phases: drug discovery, encompassing everything from basic research to pre-clinical studies, and clinical drug development, which includes all clinical trials and the regulatory process leading to drug approval.
The harsh reality is that new pediatric cancer therapies struggle to emerge without substantial industry support. While foundations and families have been instrumental in funding drug discovery, a chasm has persisted in clinical drug development—a gap historically overlooked as the industry’s domain.
Cesare Spadoni and I, both fathers of children who have faced cancer, have channeled our commitment, passion, and dedication into an unprecedented initiative: Oncoheroes Biosciences, the first company solely dedicated to developing new therapies for pediatric cancer.
Oncoheroes Biosciences stand as a symbol of what can be accomplished when a community unites for a common cause. Foundations that have carried the torch of drug discovery now have a partner in us, a company that will champion their breakthroughs into the realm of clinical trials and beyond. We’re not just a biotech company; we’re a community-driven force, shaped and steered by the very individuals who understand the stakes more than anyone—parents like Cesare and me, alongside a coalition of foundations that have laid the groundwork for our efforts.
We stand before an unprecedented opportunity to shift the narrative, to end years of frustration and inefficiency, and to bring forth new, effective therapies for our children. To all current and future partners, your involvement signifies more than support—it is an active step in a shared mission to end the neglect of childhood cancer by the industry and to bring about a new era of hope and healing. Let us continue to welcome non-profits into this alliance, as we drive forward with the promise of turning groundbreaking research into lifesaving therapies for our children.”
Quoting Oncoheroes Biosciences’s post:
”As we forge ahead in developing novel treatments for childhood cancer, we wish to express our gratitude for the pivotal role that various foundations play in continuing to build the first company wholly focused on pediatric oncology.
The evolution of Oncoheroes Biosciences from a concept into a childhood cancer community-driven biotech exemplifies what we can achieve together. We extend our deepest thanks to every nonprofit that has entrusted us with their support, which has been crucial in advancing our clinic-ready portfolio compounds aimed at treating eight types of pediatric cancer.
To those considering becoming part of this journey, we warmly encourage you to reach out. Together, we have the strength to make a significant impact in the lives of children battling cancer.”
Source: Ricardo Garcia/LinkedIn and Oncoheroes Biosciences/LinkedIn