Cristiana Pires on Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment with Asgard Therapeutics’ Groundbreaking Reprogramming Approach

Asgard Therapeutics, led by co-founder and CEO Cristiana Pires, is at the cutting edge of biotechnological innovation, pioneering a groundbreaking approach in cancer treatment through in vivo direct reprogramming. Pires, driven by her passion for applying scientific research to improve patient outcomes, provides insights into how her team is reshaping the landscape of cancer treatment.

What motivated you to start Asgard Therapeutics?

I was driven by the challenge of translating our scientific breakthroughs directly into patient care. The academic environment was too confined, and big pharma didn’t suit my entrepreneurial spirit. During my postdoc, I met my co-founders, and we shared a vision for a new technology that could radically change cancer treatment.

What specific opportunity did you identify in the field of therapy that Asgard is addressing?

We recognized a significant opportunity to enhance the efficacy and simplify cancer treatments, which could dramatically transform patient outcomes. Our technology enables a new type of cancer immunotherapy, which empowers the body’s immune system to combat cancer from within. Our main innovation involves using gene therapy to reprogram tumor cells into becoming a specific type of antigen-presenting immune cells directly inside the patient’s body, which is something that has not been done before.

How does your approach differ from existing therapies?

Traditional therapies often involve harsh treatments like chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In recent years, immunotherapies have been revolutionizing cancer treatment but are still not effective to the majority of patients. There are also some promising cell therapy approaches, but those imply complex manipulation of the patients’ immune cells “in the petri dish” before reinfusing them back into the same patient, which increases the logistic burden and cost. Our method simplifies cancer treatment by creating the therapeutic cells directly within the body to activate the immune system, potentially increasing the number of patients that can benefit from these strategies.

How did you approach the funding process for Asgard Therapeutics?

It took us three years to close our first funding round. As 3 scientists having recently relocated to Sweden at the time we started the company, we had to build our network from the ground up, which actually benefited us. Being new to Sweden forced us to reach out broadly and boldly, without a local network to fall back on. The key is to really want it, continue through numerous rejections, take the feedback that resonates, and never give up until you find that one ‘yes.’

Based on your experience, what advice would you give to other scientists considering launching their own startups?

Transitioning from a scientist to a CEO involved a significant mindset shift. It’s essential to not only embrace business leadership but to enjoy it. Success requires building a team whose skills complement yours and being perpetually prepared to showcase your company’s potential. Always bring your A-game to every interaction; you never know what opportunities each meeting might lead to.

Finally, where do you see Asgard Therapeutics in the next five years?

We are focused on advancing our technology to clinical trials and, eventually, widespread clinical use. We also plan to explore how our technology can be applied to other diseases, broadening our impact. Our dream is to offer a new therapy for those who currently have no options, providing an alternative that doesn’t exist today and pioneering something completely new in the process.