About Basking Biosciences

Leveraging RNA aptamer technology to improve outcomes in ischemic stroke

Basking Biosciences is a clinical-stage company founded to solve the biggest need in acute thrombosis – for a rapid-onset, short-acting thrombolytic drug capable of reopening blocked arteries, and whose activity can be quickly reversed in the event of bleeding. The company is developing BB-031, a first-in-class RNA aptamer targeting von Willebrand Factor (vWF), an important structural component of blood clots and driver of the clotting process. They are also developing BB-025 in tandem, a complementary rapid-acting reversal oligonucleotide capable of quickly neutralizing BB-031 pharmacological activity. Preclinical research in multiple gold-standard animal models demonstrated that BB-031 quickly recanalized blocked blood vessels in the brain, as late as six hours after stroke onset. Basking has successfully completed a Phase 1a single ascending dose safety study with BB-031 and is initiating a Phase 2 clinical proof-of-concept study in patients with acute ischemic stroke patients with the ultimate goal of extending the therapeutic window for thrombolysis compared to currently approved therapies.

Our Team

Basking’s founders, Bruce Sullenger, Ph.D. and Shahid Nimjee, M.D., Ph.D., are noted experts in the generation and use of RNA aptamers that block proteins involved in cardiovascular disease and inflammation, and the evaluation of anti-vWF aptamers and their antidotes to treat thromboembolic stroke. Furthermore, Dr. Nimjee is a nationally recognized endovascular neurosurgeon and clinical scientist in the field of stroke. The company is led by CEO Richard Shea, a serial pharmaceutical entrepreneur, who leads an experienced team of drug development executives. The company’s medical advisory board consists of leading clinical experts in the treatment of stroke and acute thrombosis.

Richard Shea
CEO

Mr. Shea joined Basking Biosciences as CEO shortly after its founding in 2019. He is an experienced life sciences entrepreneur and has been involved in the creation and growth of multiple life science start-up and growth companies for over the last 20 years. He began his career at Merck. Rich received his MBA from Duke and his B.S. from the University of Notre Dame. Prior to attending Duke, Rich served for 5 years as a Submarine Officer in the U.S. Navy.

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Prof. Bruce Sullenger, PhD
Founder, Scientific Advisor

Professor Sullenger is the Joseph W. And Dorothy W. Beard Distinguished Professor of Experimental Surgery and the Founding Director of the Translational Research Institute at Duke University. Professor Sullenger is a globally recognized expert in RNA biology. Over the last 20 years, his research has been focused on the generation and clinical translation of RNA aptamers that block proteins involved in cardiovascular diseases and immune modulation. Professor Sullenger has over 25 issued U.S. patents related to RNA therapeutics.

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Shahid Nimjee, MD, PhD
Founder, Chief Medical Officer

Shahid Nimjee, MD, PhD is a Professor and practicing neurosurgeon at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSUWMC) where he treats stroke patients. Dr. Nimjee also leads a basic research laboratory at OSUWMC that is focused on evaluating anti-vWF aptamers and their antidotes to treat thromboembolic stroke. At Basking, Dr. Nimjee serves as the Company’s Interim CMO responsible for leading preclinical research activities at his laboratory at OSUWMC and designing the clinical trial plan for DTRI-031 and DTRI-025. Shai received his undergrad degree from Yale and his MD and PhD degrees from Duke.

Meet Shahid Nimjee, MD, PhD

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Leo Pavliv, R.Ph.
CMC Lead

Mr. Pavliv is a seasoned drug developer with over 30 years of experience developing pharmaceutical and biological products. He is a Principal at PharmDev Consulting and is leading Basking’s CMC activities, including vendor selection and oversight. Mr. Pavliv has been responsible for more than 100 IND submissions and amendments, clinical trial agreements (CTAs), clinical trial exemptions (CTXs) and more than a dozen marketing and supplemental applications. Mr. Pavliv received an MBA and BS in Pharmacy from Rutgers University.

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Dr. Michael Hill
Clinical Trial Advisor

Dr. Michael Hill is a Professor for the Departments of Clinical Neurosciences, Community Health Sciences, Medicine and Radiology at the University of Calgary and Director of the Stroke Unit for the Calgary Stroke Program, Alberta Health Services. Dr. Hill’s research interests include stroke thrombolysis, stroke epidemiology, and surveillance and clinical trials. He is currently leads the largest ongoing Phase 3 trial in ischemic stroke.

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Stacy Nelson
Head, Program Manager

Drug Development Professional with over 25 years’ experience managing multidisciplinary projects involving regulatory, Phase 1-3 clinical trials, CMC, and post-marketing pharmacovigilance according to GCP, GMP and ICH regulations.  Direct experience in the preparation and attendance at regulatory agency meetings; preparation of Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs) and 6 New Drug Applications (NDAs); and initiation and management of over 25 Phase 1 and Phase 2 multicenter clinical trials spanning the therapeutic areas of oncology, blood products, COVID-19, metabolism, gene transfer in cardiovascular diseases and neurology.

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Our Board & Advisors

A global syndicate of leading early stage life sciences investors

Thomas Needham
Broadview Ventures

Tom shares responsibility for all aspects of Broadview’s investment activity, from identification and screening of new opportunities, through due diligence, negotiation of deal structure, and portfolio company board involvement. Tom comes to Broadview with 25 years of experience in venture capital, business development, corporate strategy, and executive management responsibilities in public and private life science companies.

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Ryan Helon
Rev1 Ventures

As EVP of Investment Funds for Rev1 Ventures, Helon manages Rev1’s proof of concept, seed, and early-stage investment funds. He has served as part of CEO Tom Walker’s leadership team at Rev1 Ventures since 2012. As a leader on the Rev1 Ventures Advisory team, Helon works closely with Rev1 portfolio companies and serves as a board member and venture advisor for many of them to ensure they remain on the path to success before, during and after funding is closed. As a trusted startup advisor and fund manager, Helon and his team help with everything from early stage company valuation, due diligence, investment structuring, portfolio company and fund management, and investor relations.

With Helon’s help, Rev1 has funded over 70 unique companies over the past five years, making it among the most active early-stage investors in the Great Lakes region. He’s committed to continuing to ensure Rev1 is well-positioned to invest in high-growth companies in Central Ohio, including startups commercializing technologies developed at Rev1 Ventures’ innovation partners The Ohio State University, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and OhioHealth.

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Dan Meyers
Sprouts Bioventures

Trained as a clinical and research endocrinologist, Dan has spent 20 years in drug development including translational medicine and late clinical development with both large pharma and biotech startups. As a partner with Sprout Bioventures, Dan evaluates and manages a broad portfolio of biopharma investments, where he leverages his years of clinical development experience to support the clinical strategy of portfolio companies.

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Sabah Oney
Venture Partner, ARCH

Sabah Oney, Ph.D., joined ARCH as a Venture Partner in 2021. In this capacity, Dr. Oney is focused on the creation and development of new biotechnology companies.  Prior to joining ARCH, Dr. Oney was the Chief Business Officer of Alector, a biotech company working on leveraging the immune system to discover cures for neurodegenerative diseases.

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Jun Mao
Founder, Viva Ventures Biotech POC Fund

Prior to founding Viva Ventures, Dr. Jun Mao spent over 20 years in global Capital Markets operations at top tier investment banks in London (e. g. HSBC, DB, UBS), in China (UBS Securities) as well as private investment fund company in China.

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