2014 Leaders in Health Care Awards: Achievement in Biopharmaceuticals

Winner

Kineta Inc.
Seattle

After starting two other biotech businesses, scientists Charles Magness and Shawn Iadonato understood how the long road of development and testing a new drug drew only the most patient investors. Waiting 10 years or more before realizing any return means only the ideas most certain to succeed get funded.

We really wanted to do things differently, says Magness, president and CEO of Seattle-based Kineta. [We wanted] to lead to a model of a more sustainable business.

Instead of developing a drug from concept to market, Kineta selects leading-edge proposals for early-stage research and, once proven, licenses them to a major pharmaceutical company to bring the drug or protocol through remaining clinical trials and production. The much earlier payout to investors opens the field to larger capital markets and fuels more research.

Kinetas approach has already driven development of two promising therapeutic drugs based on the venom of marine animals: a treatment for chronic pain that could replace addictive opioids such as morphine, and ShK-186, an anti-inflammatory for autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and lupus.

We feel like weve been trailblazing, Magness notes, and others are starting to appreciate that it is the better way.

Silver Award

Novo Nordisk
Seattle

When the Danish developer of medicines opened its Seattle offices for early-stage research on autoimmune diseases in 2009, it confirmed the regions emerging importance in biotech. Now, under the direction of Jan Beck, Novo Nordisk has expanded the local research mission to include medicines for Type 1 diabetes the genetic inability of the body to produce insulin, most commonly diagnosed in children and young adults. Seattles expertise in immunotherapy offers high hopes to the companys flagship mission to prevent, treat and ultimately cure diabetes.