Popular on EntSun
- Female Motorsports Sponsorship & Expansion; Acquisition Agreement of UAE-Based Sports Incubator by Online Lottery & Sports Game Provider: Lottery.com - 228
- WOA Entertainment Group Unveils Independent No.1's: Breakthrough Artists II —A Celebration of Indie Excellence - 210
- Experience Trembling Firsthand with the New AgeMan® Tremor Simulator - 208
- Edtech Startup Young Commanders Launches 'Visionaries Without Sight' Collection Celebrating Blind and Visually Impaired Historical Figures - 201
- Let's Talk Series: At the Crossroads: Immigration Today - 150
- IRF Builders Forum Brings Global Leaders to Washington, D.C. to Advance Religious Freedom Through Cooperative Engagement - 144
- TEDxInglewood Returns to The Miracle Theater on August 9, 2025 — Celebrating Bold Ideas and Community Energy - 133
- Manhattan Boutique Real Estate Collaborates with InterContinental Hotels NYC in a Branding Partners Personalized Approach - 127
- Token-Operated Sake Service Opens at Tobu Nikko Station - 120
- JMC Princess Announces Release of Empowering New Single "PRETTY" – A Summer Anthem for Young Girls Everywhere - 118
Similar on EntSun
- Real Estate Experts Highlight Jersey Shore as a Smart Buy in 2025
- $18 Price Target Issued in New Research Report After $34 Million Revenue Forecast from Acquisition; $101.5 Million Net Revenue in 2025; NAS DAQ: IQST
- West Dentistry Welcomes New Oral Surgeon to Enhance Patient Care
- The AML Shop Launches New Financial Investigations Unit, Appoints Director to Lead the Initiative
- Raidium révolutionne le diagnostic de la Sclérose en Plaques en partenariat avec l'Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild
- New Podcast "Spreading the Good BUZZ" Hosted by Josh and Heidi Case Launches July 7th with Explosive Global Reach and a Mission to Transform Lives
- Digital Watchdog Launches New myDW Cloud Services
- Drone Light Shows Emerge as the New Standard in Live Event Entertainment
- Skyline Partners with ZenSpace to Offer Private Meeting Pods for Trade Show Exhibitors
- AI Innovation Dual-Strategy Business Model Focused on Real Estate Development for Strategic Expansion: OFA Group, (N A S D A Q: OFAL)
OrPro Therapeutics Advances a New Inhalation Treatment Approach for COVID-19
EntSun News/10824471
Company Selected as 2020 San Diego Cool Company; Industry Veteran Ken Wilke Joins Team to Lead Strategy and Operations for ORP100S Development
SAN DIEGO - EntSun -- OrPro Therapeutics announced today that it is expanding its patented technology platform for treatment of acute and chronic airway diseases, including cystic fibrosis (CF), to address the immediate threat posed by COVID-19. In recognition of the broad potential of this approach to address key treatment gaps in airway inflammation and clearance, OrPro has been selected as a 2020 Cool Company (https://connect.org/cool-companies/) by Connect with San Diego Venture Group (SDVG). This year, 296 startups applied for the opportunity to showcase their technology to national venture capital firms and local investors. OrPro is among the elite group of 30 life science companies to be selected.
"We received a record number of applications from extraordinary companies for the 'Cool Companies' program this year," stated Mike Krenn, president and CEO of Connect w/ SDVG. "OrPro and the other finalists truly stand out among the San Diego innovators addressing today's unmet needs."
OrPro Therapeutics is developing ORP100S, a new type of drug to treat inflammation and obstruction in the lung associated with both chronic airway disorders and progression to severe COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Due to the urgent need to respond to the pandemic, especially for broad-spectrum approaches that overcome many of the limitations of vaccines, antivirals and antibody-based drugs, ORP100S is poised for accelerated COVID-19 clinical development. ORP100S is delivered by inhalation and is planned for home use with the objective of reducing COVID-19 severity and the need for hospitalization.
More on EntSun News
To assist in advancing its lead product, ORP100S, pharmaceutical industry veteran Ken Wilke has joined the OrPro Therapeutics management team in a Strategy and Operations leadership role. Ken has over 30 years of experience, including 25 years at Merck, and a proven track record directing strategic initiatives, research and development projects, and operations. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Stanford University and a Master of Business Administration from Lehigh University.
"Being chosen as a 2020 Cool Company is a great accomplishment that reflects the hard work of our team to develop a potentially game-changing technology for treatment of respiratory diseases ranging from cystic fibrosis to COVID-19," said Peter B. Heifetz, Ph.D, OrPro President and CEO. "Ken's expertise in research and development, operations, and pharma project management will be critical as we prepare to move ORP100S into the clinic."
OrPro Therapeutics has also been selected to present at the Redefining Early Stage Investments Digital Conference on June 8 – 10. OrPro was chosen for both the RESI Innovation Challenge virtual poster and Featured Company Pitch Session presentation events (https://resiconference.com/resi-calendar/#pitch).
About ORP100S
The ORP100S therapeutic strategy is based on supplementing the activity of the human protein thioredoxin-1 (TXN1), which is normally secreted onto the airway surface where it acts selectively to modify certain types of protein disulfide bonds formed between cysteine amino acids. The thioredoxin mechanism targets airway mucus to keep it at a normal viscosity (thickness and stickiness) and able to maintain the essential process of mucus clearance that sweeps the lungs clean of inhaled material and excess fluid. Thioredoxin also targets regulatory (allosteric) disulfide bonds on immune system proteins as part of a natural homeostatic mechanism to prevent excessive release of cytokines in response to inflammatory stimulus. Together, impaired airway clearance and abnormally elevated cytokine release comprise key pulmonary manifestations of moderate to severe COVID-19 that can lead to systemic disease and poor outcomes.
More on EntSun News
Unfortunately, natural thioredoxin is not suitable for delivery as a drug itself because it has a short half-life in the body, low stability in the active form, and needs to be kept on the lung surface to avoid side effects. ORP100S is an improved thioredoxin based on patented technology and optimized for safe, targeted delivery to the site of action in the airway by direct inhalation.
About OrPro Therapeutics
OrPro Therapeutics, Inc is a privately held preclinical-stage company pioneering a novel non-systemic biologic drug platform for treating severe respiratory and mucosal diseases, including cystic fibrosis, COVID-19 and beyond. The company's differentiated approach targets both lung clearance and inflammation as well as obstructive/inflammatory disorders associated with non-respiratory mucosal surfaces in the body. Launched in 2013 with technology in-licensed from National Jewish Health, the company has secured Series A financing and significant non-dilutive grant funding from the National Institutes of Health and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation with over $5M raised to date. OrPro Therapeutics is a San Diego JLABS resident company (Johnson & Johnson Innovation). For more information visit www.orprotherapeutics.com.
Contact:
Peter Heifetz, Ph.D. OrPro Therapeutics pheifetz@orprotherapeutics.com; 858-242-1557
Media: Joleen Schultz, joleen@joleenschultzassociates.com; 760-271-8150
"We received a record number of applications from extraordinary companies for the 'Cool Companies' program this year," stated Mike Krenn, president and CEO of Connect w/ SDVG. "OrPro and the other finalists truly stand out among the San Diego innovators addressing today's unmet needs."
OrPro Therapeutics is developing ORP100S, a new type of drug to treat inflammation and obstruction in the lung associated with both chronic airway disorders and progression to severe COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Due to the urgent need to respond to the pandemic, especially for broad-spectrum approaches that overcome many of the limitations of vaccines, antivirals and antibody-based drugs, ORP100S is poised for accelerated COVID-19 clinical development. ORP100S is delivered by inhalation and is planned for home use with the objective of reducing COVID-19 severity and the need for hospitalization.
More on EntSun News
- Collision Course Concert Series Returns to Atlanta
- $18 Price Target Issued in New Research Report After $34 Million Revenue Forecast from Acquisition; $101.5 Million Net Revenue in 2025; NAS DAQ: IQST
- West Dentistry Welcomes New Oral Surgeon to Enhance Patient Care
- BayView Entertainment, Inc. Releases Multi Award-Winning Horror Film 'The Forest Through the Trees'
- Germantown Fashion & Arts Festival 2025 Draws Thousands, Celebrates Creativity in Historic Philly
To assist in advancing its lead product, ORP100S, pharmaceutical industry veteran Ken Wilke has joined the OrPro Therapeutics management team in a Strategy and Operations leadership role. Ken has over 30 years of experience, including 25 years at Merck, and a proven track record directing strategic initiatives, research and development projects, and operations. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Stanford University and a Master of Business Administration from Lehigh University.
"Being chosen as a 2020 Cool Company is a great accomplishment that reflects the hard work of our team to develop a potentially game-changing technology for treatment of respiratory diseases ranging from cystic fibrosis to COVID-19," said Peter B. Heifetz, Ph.D, OrPro President and CEO. "Ken's expertise in research and development, operations, and pharma project management will be critical as we prepare to move ORP100S into the clinic."
OrPro Therapeutics has also been selected to present at the Redefining Early Stage Investments Digital Conference on June 8 – 10. OrPro was chosen for both the RESI Innovation Challenge virtual poster and Featured Company Pitch Session presentation events (https://resiconference.com/resi-calendar/#pitch).
About ORP100S
The ORP100S therapeutic strategy is based on supplementing the activity of the human protein thioredoxin-1 (TXN1), which is normally secreted onto the airway surface where it acts selectively to modify certain types of protein disulfide bonds formed between cysteine amino acids. The thioredoxin mechanism targets airway mucus to keep it at a normal viscosity (thickness and stickiness) and able to maintain the essential process of mucus clearance that sweeps the lungs clean of inhaled material and excess fluid. Thioredoxin also targets regulatory (allosteric) disulfide bonds on immune system proteins as part of a natural homeostatic mechanism to prevent excessive release of cytokines in response to inflammatory stimulus. Together, impaired airway clearance and abnormally elevated cytokine release comprise key pulmonary manifestations of moderate to severe COVID-19 that can lead to systemic disease and poor outcomes.
More on EntSun News
- The AML Shop Launches New Financial Investigations Unit, Appoints Director to Lead the Initiative
- Raidium révolutionne le diagnostic de la Sclérose en Plaques en partenariat avec l'Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild
- New Media Film Festival Announces Winners
- New Podcast "Spreading the Good BUZZ" Hosted by Josh and Heidi Case Launches July 7th with Explosive Global Reach and a Mission to Transform Lives
- The Herbal Care, Led by Markel Bababekov, Becomes a Top Dispensary in NYC's Upper East Side
Unfortunately, natural thioredoxin is not suitable for delivery as a drug itself because it has a short half-life in the body, low stability in the active form, and needs to be kept on the lung surface to avoid side effects. ORP100S is an improved thioredoxin based on patented technology and optimized for safe, targeted delivery to the site of action in the airway by direct inhalation.
About OrPro Therapeutics
OrPro Therapeutics, Inc is a privately held preclinical-stage company pioneering a novel non-systemic biologic drug platform for treating severe respiratory and mucosal diseases, including cystic fibrosis, COVID-19 and beyond. The company's differentiated approach targets both lung clearance and inflammation as well as obstructive/inflammatory disorders associated with non-respiratory mucosal surfaces in the body. Launched in 2013 with technology in-licensed from National Jewish Health, the company has secured Series A financing and significant non-dilutive grant funding from the National Institutes of Health and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation with over $5M raised to date. OrPro Therapeutics is a San Diego JLABS resident company (Johnson & Johnson Innovation). For more information visit www.orprotherapeutics.com.
Contact:
Peter Heifetz, Ph.D. OrPro Therapeutics pheifetz@orprotherapeutics.com; 858-242-1557
Media: Joleen Schultz, joleen@joleenschultzassociates.com; 760-271-8150
Source: OrPro Therapeutics
Filed Under: Business
0 Comments
Latest on EntSun News
- Jekale (JK) Debuts R-B Single "Jungle" Inspired by Fashion, Storytelling, and Self-Discovery
- Favorite Wedding Décor Ideas to Inspire Your Big Day: From Vision to Venue
- Infinite Health Introduces Cutting-Edge Regenerative Medicine for Wound Care with Trip Goolsby, MD
- Riser Music's LYKN Adds India, Mexico & U.s. Dates To "unleashed" World Tour
- A Theatrical Experience Like No Other: "A Praying Mama, A Rebellious Son" Comes August 30
- Prolific Hollywood Actor Phillip E. Walker-MFA is Experiencing His Best Year of Employment Ever
- Top Dentist Concord CA, Smile Makers Dental Care, Celebrates 500 5-Star Reviews
- Bio-Inspired Technology-Dynamic and Adaptable for unknown real-world environments
- ALIVE and KICKING: LAUGHTER NEVER GETS OLD has its World Premiere July 11-20 in St. Charles, IL
- Michael Reafsnyder opens solo exhibition at Scott Richards Contemporary Art in San Francisco
- Valley Sleep Therapy Expands to Prescott with New Location at Crossings Road
- Live Courageously Hosts Ann-Marie Murrell, Author, Journalist, Former Political Commentator
- $17.4 Million Total Revenue for First Half of 2025 (up 31.8% YOY) for Global Wet Trades Services Provider with High Value Bitcoin Investments
- $12.8 Million Net Revenue for 2024 for Cloud-Based Crowdsourcing Recruitment and SaaS-Enabled HR Solutions Provider: Baiya International Group Inc
- YYNOT Brings High-Energy RUSH Tribute to the Weinberg Center this September
- Hire Virtue Announces Executive Sponsorship Opportunity for Houston Hiring Blitz & Job Fair on August 6, 2025
- Inked & Maxim Model Teisha Mechetti Turns Heads—And Builds Community Impact
- Plan to Launch Silo Technologies' Cybersecurity Pilot Program for Ultimate Nationwide Deployment via Exclusive Partnership: Stock Symbol: BULT
- Climaxe Throwing Celebrates 3-Year Anniversary with Grand Re-Opening Under New Ownership
- Robert Michael & Co. Real Estate Team Celebrates Industry Recognition and Showcases Premier Central Florida Listings