In this episode of Raising Biotech, Surani finally delves into the scary zone of cancer with German biotech iOmx. The company has raised a total of EUR 115 million (Series A and B) since its inception in 2016 and is hoping to take immuno-oncology drug development to new heights. CEO Apollon Papadimitriou joins the podcast to speak about iOmx's unique mission with its iOTarg platform at the front and center, while scientific founder Professor Phillip Beckhove from the Regensburg Center of Interventional Immunology (RCI), also joins the conversation to take us back to iOmx's origins in the lab and what led his team to produce some groundbreaking research -- tackling tumor immune evasion -- which attracted heavy-hitter investors before the company was born. Apollon gives us details on ongoing clinical trials, detailed insight into some early and surprising efficacy signals coming out of the Phase I, and plans to initiate proof of concept (PoC) studies in various cancer indications. He also sheds more insight into imminent fundraising plans and potentially pulling the IPO trigger within the next two years. Jared Holz, Healthcare Equity Strategist at Mizuho Securities also joins the podcast to give an outsider's take on iOmx's mission from a unique investor community lens. He discusses current gaps in the market, the potential attractiveness of iOmx pipeline and likely investor appetite should iOmx deliver compelling PoC datasets.Timestamps:00:35 - Partner segment: Mindgram.ai01:05 - CEO Apollon outlines iOmx's mission to level-up the field of immuno-oncology with its iOTarg platform05:24 - Going back to iOTarg's origins with Professor Phillip Beckhove and tackling tumor resistance08:55 - Presentation at AACR 2015 drew investor and pharma interest and led to €40 million Series A11:04 - Early days of iOmx, Apollon's background and decision to join the company13:47 - Animal data and biomarker drive investor interest18:40 - Progress with lead product OMX407 in Phase I trials and surprising early efficacy signals24:12 - Jared Holz gives his outside take on iOmx's potential amidst crowded and challenged IO landscape26:50 - iOmx's near-term plans for Series C and potential IPO within 2 years28:00 - Future strategic predictions and company visions for the futureThis episode is partnered with Mindgram.ai, a research tool powered by AI to better serve the biopharma community. Listeners of the Raising Biotech podcast are able to get an exclusive free trial of Mindgram via this link, using the code: raisingbiotech24For any comments, questions, feedback or suggestions you can connect directly with Surani Fernando on LinkedIn or email: raisingbiotech@gmail.comMusic composed by: Yrii Semchyshyn (Coma Media) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.