Two biotechnology companies co-founded by Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy investigators, Azalea Therapeutics and Medici Therapeutics, have been named to the 2026 Endpoints 11, an annual selection recognizing promising startups across the biotechnology industry.
The recognition brings attention to two approaches to cancer treatment: engineering cancer-fighting immune cells directly inside the body and developing highly personalized cancer therapies. Azalea’s co-founders include Justin Eyquem, PhD, of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), while Medici’s co-founders include Ira Mellman, President of Research at the Parker Institute.
In a LinkedIn post celebrating the announcement, the Parker Institute highlighted the connection between both companies and its investigator community, congratulating their scientific founders and teams.
Parker Institute Highlights the Translation of Cancer Research
The Parker Institute’s message placed the recognition in the context of translating discoveries from its investigator network into new therapeutic approaches.
“Congratulations to Justin, Ira and the teams at Azalea and Medici on this well-deserved recognition, and to the broader Parker investigator community for continuing to translate innovative cancer research into new possibilities for patients,” the institute shared.
Both companies are pursuing cancer immunotherapy, with Azalea focusing on the engineering of therapeutic immune cells and Medici advancing an individualized approach to cancer treatment.
Azalea Therapeutics Combines Gene Editing and CAR-T
Azalea Therapeutics, co-founded by UCSF investigator Justin Eyquem, is developing technologies that combine precision genome engineering with CAR-T cell therapy.
The company aims to engineer a patient’s T cells directly inside the body. Its platform uses Enveloped Delivery Vehicles to deliver genome engineering components to selected cells, enabling therapeutic genetic material to be inserted at a specified location in the genome.
This approach is intended to reduce the need to remove and modify cells outside the body. According to Azalea, its goal is to simplify the manufacturing process and broaden access to cell therapies. The company’s initial focus is on creating cancer immunotherapies in vivo.
The Parker Institute highlighted Azalea’s combination of gene editing and CAR-T in its announcement, recognizing Eyquem and the company’s team.
Medici Therapeutics Pursues Personalized Cancer Therapy
Medici Therapeutics, co-founded by Parker Institute President of Research Ira Mellman, was recognized for its focus on highly personalized cancer therapy.
Endpoints’ announcement identified personalized cancer treatment as the central theme of Medici’s approach. The Parker Institute likewise emphasized this direction in its LinkedIn post, highlighting Mellman’s role in founding the company.
Medici joins Azalea among the oncology-focused companies selected for this year’s Endpoints 11, which also includes precision oncology startup Stipple Bio.
About the 2026 Endpoints 11
The 2026 Endpoints 11 recognizes private biotechnology companies working across cancer treatment, gene therapy, cardiology, longevity, artificial intelligence and laboratory automation.
Endpoints journalists selected the companies after reviewing more than 150 nominations from industry leaders, investors and at least one Nobel Prize winner, alongside additional candidates identified by the newsroom.
The complete list includes Anew Labs, Azalea Therapeutics, Corsera Health, K2 Therapeutics, Kali Therapeutics, Medici Therapeutics, Medra, NewLimit, SonoThera, Stipple Bio and Vivodyne.
The winners were announced publicly on September 25, following an awards gala in Boston on September 24, 2026.
Read further on OncoDaily: Accelerating Cancer Immunotherapy: Parker Institute & ASCO Launch Young Investigator Award
