BioClonetics

BioClonetics believes that it’s developed a cure for HIV.

The company has created an antibody that targets and neutralizes the HIV virus.

HIV is known as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Both HIV and AIDS attack a person’s immune system and allow life-threatening infections and cancers to spread.

Approximately 1.8 million people are infected with HIV each year, according to Avert.org.

However, 57% of those infected with HIV have no treatment options. And 43% of those treated are forced to use antiretroviral drugs, or “ARVs” for short.

While ARVs can improve a patient’s health, these drugs are highly toxic. ARVs can cause severe damage to organs including the heart and kidneys.

These drugs are also extremely costly. In 2016, sales of ARVs surpassed $16 billion.

But BioClonetics has developed an alternative solution with an antibody called “Clone 3.”

Clone 3 is what’s known as a monoclonal antibody. Monoclonal antibodies mimic the ones your immune system produces in response to germs and viruses. And they’re designed to target a specific part of a virus.

Simply put, the Clone 3 antibodies target a specific site on HIV and, as a result, neutralize the virus.

BioClonetics' Clone 3 has been tested at multiple international research institutions. These institutions include Polymun Scientific in Vienna, Austria; Duke University in North Carolina; and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard Medical School in Massachusetts.

Test results have shown Clone 3 neutralizes more than 95% of primary HIV isolates. This is a significant improvement when compared to a 33% success rate the Fuzeon HIV inhibitor achieved in similar testing.

BioClonetics has partnered with the Serum Institute of India, a pharmaceutical manufacturer that generated close to $600 million of revenue in 2015.

The Serum Institute will promote BioClonetics' technology once the antibody has completed additional testing.

The additional testing will include BioClonetics' attempt to produce what’s called a “recombinant” version of the antibody. Essentially, recombinant antibodies act as monoclonal antibodies. However, they can be developed more easily than traditional antibodies.

BioClonetics aims to complete production and testing of the recombinant antibody within the next six months.

The company hopes to begin clinical trials of its recombinant antibody on people by September 2018.

Team Background

Joseph Cotropia - Chief Science Officer

Joseph brings more than 45 years of medical experience to BioClonetics.

During that time, Joseph gained extensive training in both clinical research and academic medicine environments. He was also involved in research on the immunological aspects of health care at the local, state and national levels.

Joseph previously served as a researcher and reviewer of biologic protocols for the Food and Drug Administration. As a result of this experience, Joseph is knowledgeable in all aspects of federal regulations regarding the licensing of new biological drugs.

Joseph is responsible for inventing BioClonetic’s proprietary methodology for producing its antibody that can potentially cure HIV.

Joseph earned an M.D. from Southwestern Medical School and holds a Master’s degree in Physiological Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin.

Charles Cotropia - CEO, President & Director

Before joining BioClonetics, Charles completed a 44-year legal career.

He served 18 years as a partner at Sidley Austin LLP, where he focused on intellectual property law in the fields of biotech, aerospace and electronics.

In addition, Charles represented several Fortune 500 companies and assisted with patenting, licensing and intellectual property rights issues.

Before becoming a lawyer, Charles formerly served as a stress analysis engineer for Lockheed Martin Aircraft.

Charles earned a law degree from Cornell University and a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas.

Dalila Corry - Scientific Advisory Board

Dalila is currently a professor of Clinical Medicine and Chief of the Nephrology Division at David Geffen, UCLA’s school of medicine.

Yvonne Bryson - Scientific Advisory Board

Yvonne is currently a professor of Pediatrics and Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases division at David Geffen, UCLA’s school of medicine.

She obtained her medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School.

Ellen Vitetta - Scientific Advisory Board

Ellen is the current Director of Cancer Immunobiology Center at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

In 2007, Ellen received the American Association of Immunologists Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as an induction into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame.

Paul Fellegy - Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, Treasurer, Director

Paul brings more than 25 years of financial experience to BioClonetics.

Paul previously worked at Shawmut Bank, a company that was acquired by Bank of America in 2004.

In addition, Paul previously worked for several top financial companies, including Fidelity, Putman, John Hancock and Commonwealth Bank and Trust. While there, he focused on financial consulting and mutual fund investing.

Paul holds a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology and Animal Biology from Drew University.

Gaurav Chandra - COO, R&D

Prior to joining BioClonetics, Gaurav worked as a senior research assistant at Joslin Diabetes Center. While there, he was a member of a team whose purpose was to develop a cure for diabetes.

In addition to his current duties with BioClonetics, Gaurav is a consultant surgeon for Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.

Gaurav is the current CEO of GlobeMD, a company started in 2014 that partners with hospitals and healthcare providers around the world. GlobeMD offers an online marketplace where tourists interested in medicine can collaborate on issues.

Gaurav formerly served as CEO of United International Diagnostics. While there, he guided the launch of a multi-million-dollar diagnostic center in India that provides hospitals with easier methods to diagnosing diseases.

Previously, Gaurav served as CEO of Chemokind Inc., a company focused on solutions for cancer treatments.

Gaurav is the former CEO of Advanced Medical Information Technology, a company that provided mobile solutions to managing healthcare for patients and doctors.

Gaurav obtained his medical degree from Kasturba Medical College in India. And he holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Colorado-Denver.

Co-Investors