Menu
SparX Biopharmaceutical Corp. is a research-based development-stage biopharmaceutical company, dedicated to the mission of “strengthening human immunity using robust antibody therapies” through the discovery and development of innovative immuno-oncology agents. Equipped with big data analytical techniques, such as machine learning algorithms, SparX extracts potential interactions from large volumes of complex multi-dimensional public information. Mechanistic pharmacological analyses coupled with in vitro and in vivo evaluations using the syngeneic, transgenic and humanized mouse models, enables SparX’s focus on developing novel or best-in-class therapeutics demonstrating substantial advantages over existing therapies.
Target discovery and validation has historically been the bottleneck in drug development. SparX combines its sophisticated target discovery platform with an integrated multi-component SAILING™ antibody optimization system and a cutting-edge bi-ADC technology to markedly improve the success rate of empowered antibody drug development. In addition to the integrated antibody discovery platform, SparX has built in-house cGMP facilities of significant capacity to produce clinical and commercial drug products, facilitating its evolution into an integrated and independent biopharmaceutical company.
Dr. Gui-Dong Zhu is the founder and CEO of the SparX Group. He is a 27-year veteran in pharmaceutical industry, 22 Years with various leadership responsibilities at Abbott/Abbvie, contributing to the development of one product and six candidates in different stages of clinical trials. Following the incorporation of SparX Group in 2018, Gui-Dong built sophisticated and integrated technology platforms for antibody development including the SparxNanoTM platform for the discovery of highly potent and specific single domain antibodies, the SynMabTM platform for the high-throughput optimization of multi-specific antibodies, and the highly specific and CMC-efficient uniQonTM site-specific conjugation of antibody-drug conjugates. Gui-Dong also has expertise in other aspects of pharmaceutical research including structural biology, drug delivery, antibody manufacturing, and all phases of preclinical studies. Gui-Dong is author or co-author of more than one hundred publications of original papers, reviews, patents and presentations, along with over six hundred commentaries. Gui-Dong has also been an invited and plenary speaker in a number of venues both nationally and internationally.
Anthony Haight is Head of Business Development at SparX Biotech. Anthony joined SparX after 30+ years at Abbvie and Abbott Labs rising from a Research Investigator to Distinguished Research Fellow where he held multiple roles including leading the Novel Modality Organization focused on preclinical and development aspects of therapeutics such as antibody drug conjugates, bispecifics, targeted degradation, and gene therapies. Previously, Anthony had productive roles in small molecule process chemistry where he had a significant role in multiple early programs and developed several late-stage assets.
Anthony obtained his B.S. in Chemistry from The Ohio State University and then obtained his Ph.D. from The University of Wisconsin – Madison where he investigated the utility of organotin reagents in synthesis.
Anthony has authored or co-authored 30+ publications and been an inventor/co-inventor on 50+ patents/patent applications.
Dr. Victor Wroblewski received his Ph.D. from the University of Buffalo and completed post-doctoral research at the University of California at Davis. Before his tenure at SparX, Dr. Wroblewski dedicated over two decades to Eli Lilly and Company, culminating in his role as a Distinguished Research Fellow. He led a scientific team focused on optimizing the disposition and pharmacokinetic properties of protein/peptide therapeutics and monoclonal antibodies/multifunctional antibody constructs. He directly contributed to the development of numerous approved biologic therapies including insulin and insulin analogs, Trulicity, Talz, and Ramucirimab among others.
Takeshi Honda has >25 years experience in leadership position at Daiichisankyo Co. Ltd. After he graduated from Tokyo University where he earned his Ph.D., then was post-doctor in Scripps Research Institute, he focused on medicinal chemistry of small molecule and new modalities such as ADC and glycoengineering in Daiichsankyo Co. Ltd. He was an inventor of Inavir® and Enhertu® and more than 8 clinical candidates. He was director of ADC and Sr. research advaiser in Daiichisankyo Co. Ltd.
Jerry Carson has over 30 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry. After 15 years working in startup firms in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he moved to Abbott/AbbVie where he focused on biologics cell line development and production. He led the team that developed the production cell line for Humira, enabling a production process still in use today. His background includes vector design, genetic characterization of production cell lines, automation of cell screening, and upstream production development. He has presented at many conferences focused on biologics production.
