Cartography Biosciences Pushes the Boundaries of Gene Sequencing for Drug Discovery

In a significant development for the pharmaceutical industry, Cartography Biosciences has emerged as a pioneer in leveraging advanced gene sequencing techniques to uncover novel drug targets. The startup, founded during the COVID-19 lockdowns, recently secured a $67 million Series B funding round to further its innovative approach to drug discovery.

Revolutionizing Target Identification with Single-Cell Sequencing

Cartography Biosciences, led by CEO Kevin Parker, is addressing a critical need in the pharmaceutical industry: the discovery of new drug targets. Traditional bulk sequencing methods often miss rare but crucial cellular populations that could be key to developing effective therapies. Parker likens this challenge to "looking for bananas in a smoothie with 100 apples."

The company's approach utilizes single-cell sequencing technology to provide a more nuanced view of cellular biology. This method allows researchers to identify specific cell populations that may harbor important therapeutic targets, even if they constitute only a small fraction of the overall tissue sample.

"We need new targets, and I think it's hard right now with where the broader macro environment is," Parker stated. "We're in a tough spot for new biology; we are running out of targets to go after. And somebody has to be ringing the bell for this, that we need to be investing in it as a field."

From COVID Lockdowns to Industry Partnership

Cartography's journey began in 2020 when Parker, then a graduate student at Stanford University, found himself locked out of his lab due to COVID-19 restrictions. Seeking to pivot his research towards more patient-centric applications, Parker and his collaborators developed a proof-of-concept that caught investors' attention.

The company's rapid growth is evident in the scale of its sequencing efforts, which Parker claims are now two orders of magnitude larger than what was possible in 2020. This progress has not gone unnoticed in the industry, with Gilead Sciences entering into a partnership with Cartography in 2024. The deal, which included a $20 million upfront payment, focuses on discovering targets for triple-negative breast cancer and lung adenocarcinoma.

Advancing Precision Medicine with CBI-1214

Cartography's lead molecule, CBI-1214, exemplifies the company's approach to precision medicine. This T cell engager targets a marker that is minimally expressed on healthy cells, potentially offering a more targeted treatment for colorectal cancers with reduced side effects.

Looking ahead, the company is exploring the development of dual-targeting anti-cancer medications. "It's hard enough to find single targets, but it's almost impossible to find target pairs from bulk data," Parker explained. "I think that's where the field is moving long term and where we see the data supporting it, both on the target side and also on the molecule development side."

As Cartography Biosciences continues to push the boundaries of gene sequencing and target identification, the pharmaceutical industry watches closely. The company's success could herald a new era of drug discovery, potentially leading to more effective and safer treatments for complex diseases like cancer.