MI portfolio company actively seeking additional products for licensing and development

TORONTO and SAN DIEGO, Jan. 9, 2014 — A unique collaboration of life science leaders, including the Fight Against Cancer Innovation Trust, MaRS Innovation Ventures Trust and MaRS Phase II Investment Trust, have formed Triphase Accelerator Corporation, an oncology development accelerator.

Triphase Accelerator’s announcement was covered in Yonge Street Media, Bloomburg Businessweek and Global University Venturing.

Formed in 2010, Triphase Accelerator Corporation is a cancer-focused biotechnology development company that aims to reduce the time and expense between an investigational new drug application and “proof-of-concept” at Phase II.

Triphase, spun out of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), develops and advances late pre-clinical, Phase I or early Phase II potential products. Triphase and its founding investors are in a position to take advantage of the excellent research and development capabilities in the Toronto healthcare and innovation ecosystem.

The Fight Against Cancer Innovation Trust (FACIT), MaRS Innovation Ventures Trust, and MaRS Phase II Investment Trust, are all Toronto-based equity investors in Triphase.

After company formation, Triphase entered into a strategic relationship with Celgene Corporation. Through this arrangement, Celgene obtained rights of first refusal on the first three oncology products Triphase advances to clinical proof-of-concept (POC), plus a right of first negotiation on three more future oncology products which may be acquired by Triphase.

Following the acquisition by Triphase of its first oncology product in late 2012, the Triphase-Celgene collaboration was initiated, along with an undisclosed upfront payment. Triphase controls the development of this first product from early clinical research to POC. Upon achievement of POC, Celgene will have an exclusive option to acquire this product and, if such option is exercised, Triphase will be entitled to certain regulatory and commercial milestone payments.

“I am thrilled with the support Triphase received from FACIT, MaRS Innovation Ventures Trust and MaRS Phase II Investment Trust to form Triphase,” said Founder, President and CEO Frank Stonebanks.  “With the partnership we have struck with Celgene, a leader in innovative research and development to treat cancer. We believe we have created a very efficient engine to advance potentially important oncology products for patient benefit.”

Triphase is actively seeking additional products for licensing and development, consistent with its mission to accelerate products to Phase II development.

Through its subsidiaries, Triphase has operations in Toronto, Ontario and San Diego, CA. Read more at http://triphaseco.com/.

Posted by Elizabeth Monier-Williams, marketing and communications manager.