Cancer Focus Fund

Overview

An oncology-focused investment fund established in partnership with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to accelerate the development of promising cancer therapies. The fund invests in therapies at or near the FDA Phase I or II clinical trial regimen, offering business, management, intellectual property, clinical, scientific, and regulatory support through experienced professionals. The objective is to provide support to accelerate the development of these therapeutics together with the clinical trials expertise and infrastructure of MD Anderson Cancer Center. The Cancer Focus Fund has held its initial closing with over $50 million of capital commitments. In addition to MD Anderson, Limited Partners include the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, Rice University Endowment, LSU Health Shreveport Foundation, Ochsner Health, and other private investors. The fund typically invests between $4 million and $7 million in promising therapies, with the goal of accelerating the development of these therapeutics together with the clinical trials expertise and infrastructure of MD Anderson Cancer Center. The Cancer Focus Fund is a unique investment fund that aligns the scientific and clinical expertise of MD Anderson with business experts, public financing entities, and private venture capital to propel promising cancer therapies toward pivotal trials. The fund aims to bring more treatments to patients in need while also rewarding its investors. The Cancer Focus Fund is jointly administered by a committee of MD Anderson physicians and researchers and a committee of experienced biotechnology investment professionals. The fund's investment strategy includes an experienced committee of researchers and clinicians at MD Anderson conducting scientific diligence on all opportunities prior to any investment. MD Anderson designs and executes clinical trials for Focus Fund investments, allowing portfolio companies to leverage the cancer center’s best-in-class facilities and services with the goal of executing clinical trials with maximized potential for success. The fund expects to invest in approximately 10 to 12 promising therapies, with up to 20% of committed capital designated for special situations, including earlier or future rounds of financing for portfolio companies. The Cancer Focus Fund has a unique approach that combines the scientific and clinical expertise of MD Anderson with business experts, public financing entities, and private venture capital to propel promising cancer therapies toward pivotal trials. This approach aims to bring more treatments to patients in need while also rewarding its investors. The fund's mission is to enable the development and approval of breakthrough biomedical technologies that lead to the treatment, supportive care, and ultimate cure for cancers, while generating superior investment returns and creating and retaining the confidence and loyalty of its investors. The fund's values include service, quality and excellence, accountability, stewardship, profit-mindedness, and community partnership. The Cancer Focus Fund is committed to supporting its communities through significant capital and time commitments, and operates with the ideal that everything should be done with excellence “For the greater glory of God.”

Investment Focus

• Oncology therapeutic-focused trial
• Phase Ia or Ib trial starting within 8-12 months
• Financed trial(s) designed by, or in collaboration with investigators at MD Anderson, and conducted primarily at the cancer center.

Portfolio Companies