Mark J. Ahn

Immusoft Corp. provides disease curing services through immune cells. The firm offers ISP, gene delivery technology and lymphopoiesis culture system. The company was founded by Matthew Scholz in 2009 and is headquartered in Seattle, WA.

Talon Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company, which is engaged in the developing and commercializing new and differentiated cancer therapies. The firm is developing the Marqibo for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and other blood cancers including lymphoma. Its Menadione topical lotion is a compound which is developed for the prevention and treatment of skin toxicity associated with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors. The company was founded by Mark J. Ahn in 2002 and is headquartered in San Mateo, CA.

TransMolecular is an oncology-focused biotechnology company committed to developing novel proprietary drugs to diagnose and treat human diseases using a novel tumor targeting platform called TM601. Their development program to date has explored the therapeutic use of TM601 in cancer and neovascular diseases of the eye, and their lead candidate, TM601 conjugated to the radioactive isotope 131I, has a Special Protocol Agreement (SPA) with the FDA for a pivotal, Phase 3 trial in newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (glioma). TM601 has unique properties of highly specific tumor cell binding and internalization while not affecting normal cells, targeting both primary disease sites and metastases. The interaction of TM601 with a specific protein known to be over-expressed on the surface of tumor cells and vascular endothelium is implicated in these tumor-specific binding properties. Conjugated to an anti-cancer radioactive isotope, TM601 has been successful in human and animal models in demonstrating selective targeting and uptake in a number of different tumor types, and in tumor locations within the central nervous system (CNS) and peripherally. Expanded research confirms that TM601 can deliver a variety of conjugates, creating potential for development of a wide array of anti-cancer therapies. In addition to the tumor targeting capability of TM601, a number of studies have also revealed that TM0601 exerts robust anti-angiogenic effects on vessels associated with neovascular disease. Pursuing this anti-angiogenic potential further, They have also determined the utility of TM601 in animal ophthalmic models. The company is leveraging its platform in strategic collaborations with partners seeking to expand product pipelines, extend product life-cycles for existing anti-tumor compounds, or optimize therapeutic activity of marginally effective or restrictively toxic drugs.

The Aspen Institute operates an institution that fosters leadership skills and open-minded dialogue. It conducts seminars, policy programs, conferences and leadership development initiatives, the Institute and its international partners seek to promote nonpartisan inquiry. The company was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Washington, DC.

Pukana Partners Ltd. provides life sciences business consulting services. The private company is based in Portland, OR.