L2M- Protvac

Protvac aims to unlock the dark proteome against cancer by uncovering novel therapeutic targets. Studies show the non-coding DNA (dark genome) that has been thought to be irrelevant till now can translate into previously unannotated targets. In one proteogenomic study of human tumors, nearly 90% of tumor-specific antigens came from non-coding regions areas that standard exome methods would miss. These antigens are unique to cancer and could be recognized by body’s immune systems suggesting their potential as a new class of therapeutic candidates for cancer (Laumont et. al., 2018). Current treatment options for advanced cancers like prostate cancer, remain limited and many patients fail to respond to existing therapies. Thus, there is an urgent unmet need to expand the landscape of therapeutic targets.
The key challenges in commercialization are (1) establishing clear product-market fit in a crowded oncology innovation space, (2) building awareness and credibility for dark proteome-derived targets among investors and potential partners, and (3) prioritizing which therapeutic areas and validation pathways to pursue first.
Day-to day, the team focuses on discovery and lab validation. Through the L2M Validate program, this project adds commercialization-focused activities that bridge science to market. We will run multiple customer-discovery interviews with clinicians, pharma leaders, and investors to surface buying criteria, pricing signals, and partnership paths. Rather than continuing standard lab-based validation, the project introduces a structured market discovery process that will size the market and rank indications using epidemiology and adoption assumptions to produce a defensible focus list, starting with prostate cancer. This will allow the partner organization to translate deep-tech innovation into viable market applications, develop a commercialization roadmap, and strengthen its capacity to launch future biotech ventures- activities that extend far beyond regular academic or operational work.

Faculty Supervisor:

Thomas Kislinger

Student:

Partner:

DMZ Ventures Inc

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University Health Network

Program: