Latest news with #Dispatch
Business Wire
4 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Dispatch Bio Launches to Deliver Universal Treatment Across Solid Tumors with Novel Immunotherapy Approach
PHILADELPHIA & SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dispatch Bio announced its official launch today, with a mission to engineer a universal treatment across solid tumors, which represent approximately 90% of cancers worldwide. Immunotherapies have struggled to effectively treat solid tumors due to two main challenges: the lack of a tumor-specific target and the presence of an immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment. Dispatch's first-in-class Flare platform was specifically engineered to overcome both. It works by delivering a viral vector carrying a novel, universal antigen – called Flare – that precisely tags solid tumor cells while simultaneously breaking down the tumor's inhibitory environment. Once in place, the Flare antigen acts as a beacon, directing the immune system to find and clear the cancer cells — without harming healthy tissue. 'At Dispatch, we are leveraging the ideal tumor target – one that is only expressed by the tumor cells in a patient – and advances in cell therapy engineering and immune system activation at the right place, at the right time, to get to deep and durable responses in cancer,' said Sabah Oney, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Dispatch. 'This work matters deeply to me, as it does to so many whose lives have been touched by cancer. We've built a strong scientific foundation, assembled an exceptional team and developed innovative technology that give us a real shot at making a difference. We are fully committed to doing everything we can for patients who urgently need new options.' Dispatch was established through a pivotal collaboration with the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) and convergence of groundbreaking technologies from the laboratories of Andy Minn, M.D., Ph.D.; Carl June, M.D.; Chris Garcia, Ph.D.; and Kole Roybal, Ph.D. 'With this confluence of innovative technologies from the labs across PICI, we are poised to shift how cancer therapies are conceived,' said Sean Parker, founder and chairman of PICI, as well as a member of Dispatch's board of directors. "We can now pursue the ultimate goal – a universal cure for most solid tumor cancers – using cutting-edge modalities.' Renowned Leadership and Pioneering Scientists Since its founding in 2022, Dispatch has focused on building a world-class leadership team and executing its broad pipeline of programs. The founding team at Dispatch includes: Scientific Co-Founders Andy Minn, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of Immuno-Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Carl June, M.D., PICI Center Director and the Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Chris Garcia, Ph.D., Professor of Structural Biology and Molecular and Cellular Physiology at Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University Kole Roybal, Ph.D., PICI Center Director and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at University of California, San Francisco Board of Directors Jeff Marrazzo, Chairman; Co-founder and Former CEO, Spark Therapeutics Jake Bauer, Venture Partner, ARCH Venture Partners John Connolly, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, PICI Robert Nelsen, Co-founder and Managing Director, ARCH Venture Partners Sabah Oney, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, Dispatch Sean Parker, Founder and Chairman, PICI Steve Gillis, Ph.D., Managing Director, ARCH Venture Partners Leadership Team Sabah Oney, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer Barbra Sasu, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer Chris Wiwi, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Technical Operations Jennifer Flaisher, Chief People and Culture Officer Lex Johnson, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Chief Platform Officer Naveen Bazaj, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development Scientific Advisory Board Kole Roybal, Ph.D., University of California, San Francisco; SAB Chairman Andy Minn, M.D., Ph.D., Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Antoni Ribas, M.D., Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles Anusha Kalbasi, M.D., Stanford University Brad Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D., Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Carl June, M.D., University of Pennsylvania Chris Garcia, Ph.D., Stanford University Christine Brown, Ph.D., City of Hope David Kirn, M.D., 4D Molecular Therapeutics; University of California, Berkeley John Connolly, Ph.D., PICI Kristen Hege, M.D., University of California, San Francisco Lisa Coussens, M.D., Ph.D., FAACR, Oregon Health & Science University Matt Porteus, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University Series A Funding to Support First-in-Human Studies The Series A syndicate includes founding investors ARCH Venture Partners and PICI, along with Bristol Myers Squibb, the University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Alexandria Venture Investments. With this recently closed funding round, Dispatch has raised a total of $216 million to date. Proceeds from the financing will be used to advance the company's therapeutic candidates into first-in-human clinical studies and beyond, with the first program expected to enter the clinic in 2026. 'We are on the wave of a revolution in cancer therapy, where innovations like Dispatch's tumor-agnostic approach to immunotherapy have the potential to treat a majority of solid tumors,' said Steve Gillis, Ph.D., board member of Dispatch and managing director at ARCH Venture Partners. 'We are excited to support the Dispatch team as they continue to advance their programs.' About Dispatch Bio Established in 2022, Dispatch Bio was founded with a bold purpose: to help create a world where all cancer patients can be cured. To achieve this, the company is engineering a universal treatment across solid tumors, leveraging its first-in-class Flare platform. This novel approach combines the strengths of immunotherapy with a tumor-specific viral vector, both engineered to clear tumor cells with precision and power. Dispatch has operations in Philadelphia and San Francisco, with access to world-class researchers. To learn more, visit and follow us on LinkedIn and X. About the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization driving the next generation of cancer treatment by accelerating the development of breakthrough immune therapies to turn all cancers into curable diseases. Founded in 2016 through the vision of Sean Parker, PICI unites the nation's top cancer centers into a collaborative consortium that fuels high-risk, high-reward science with shared goals, data, and infrastructure. Unlike traditional research models, PICI goes beyond discovery by actively advancing promising innovations through clinical testing, company formation and incubation, and commercialization. PICI has supported more than 1,000 investigators across its network and has a portfolio that includes 17 biotech ventures with over $4B raised in capital. PICI is uniquely positioned to close the gap between scientific discovery and patient access. By integrating scientific excellence with entrepreneurial execution, PICI is reimagining how cures are made, and accelerating their path to the people who need them most. Learn more at About ARCH Venture Partners ARCH Venture Partners creates and invests in groundbreaking life science and technology companies. The firm is a recognized leader in commercializing technologies developed at academic institutions, corporate research groups and national laboratories. ARCH invests primarily in companies it co-founds with leading scientists and entrepreneurs, bringing innovations in life sciences and physical sciences to market. For more information, visit
Axios
4 hours ago
- Business
- Axios
How investors affect Columbus' housing market
Over 7% of Columbus-area homes sold in Q1 2025 went to institutional investors, straining our already strapped housing market. Why it matters: Investors like hedge funds, private equity firms or real estate investment trusts often buy homes in cash and in bulk — outcompeting average families, especially first-time homebuyers. The big picture: Columbus' share is about 1 percentage point higher than the national rate (6.3%), per a report from real estate firm ATTOM. The data measures entities that purchased at least 10 residential properties in a calendar year. Sales have been trending downward nationally since a pandemic peak, but they're holding steady locally. Between the lines: Markets attractive to investors have strong population and job growth, solid rental yields, landlord-friendly regulations, affordability and long-term appreciation potential, ATTOM CEO Rob Barber told Axios. Columbus is one of the top U.S. markets for "mega investors," per a 2023 Urban Institute study. Zoom in: A recent Dispatch investigation found that six national companies control more than 6,000 Columbus-area homes. The corporate landlords: American Homes 4 Rent, Amherst, FirstKey Homes, Progress Residential, Starwood Capital and Vinebrook Homes. American and Vinebrook have been active here for over a decade and were initially focused on the inner city, while the others entered our market during the pandemic and are targeting suburban neighborhoods. Friction point: Carlie Boos, executive director of the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio, told the Dispatch she's concerned investors are inflating prices and limiting inventory. Company representatives noted they own just a fraction of all homes and said they're expanding rental opportunities for families that can't afford to buy in nicer areas. What we're watching: State lawmakers have introduced bills aiming to curb institutional investor activity in recent years but haven't made progress.
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
A mash made in heaven: New baked potato restaurant hits NOTL
A new baked potato shop opened in Niagara-on-the-Lake today and offered comfort food with enough toppings to warrant a second fork. Scrape restaurant was opened by Gizem Afsar, former executive chef at St. Catharines' Dispatch restaurant, and her husband, Emre, following the restaurant's closure in March. Located at 207 Victoria St. in Old Town, the restaurant's menu is built around loaded baked potatoes, with touches of Turkish flavour inspired by Afsar's roots. It's open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. until mid-fall, with hours to be determined after that. 'We put all our hearts and effort into this place,' said Afsar. 'I hope we can be here for years and years.' Each dish, except for one, starts with a russet potato base topped with butter and cheese, with the option to upgrade to a sweet potato. Customers can choose from house creations or build their own. 'Sort of a street food, but our way,' said Afsar. The surprise menu item, 'The Cool One,' is a sourdough brioche filled with housemade mascarpone ice cream and assorted sauces. This one doesn't include a potato. In fact, Afsar said it's the only item on the menu that doesn't. Afsar's personal favourite is 'The Summer One,' she said, which is topped with roasted zucchini, eggplant, peppers, tomato sauce and a cucumber-yogurt salad — a mix of flavours she grew up with in Turkey. 'It's sort of like my childhood,' she said, adding that another item, the carrot tarator, follows one of her family's original recipes. But if you're after the most popular picks, she said those would be 'The Wild One' and 'The Runny One,' featuring truffle-parmesan and breakfast-inspired flavours, respectively. After Dispatch closed, Afsar and her husband set out to build something of their own and said choosing the right place was key. 'We fell in love with Niagara-on-the-Lake when we first came in,' she said. 'I'm like, 'We need to do this.' She said she enjoys the opportunity NOTL provides to serve a mix of locals and tourists. The couple got the keys to the building on April 1 and spent three months renovating the space. 'It's been a huge three-month renovation,' said Afsar, adding that much of the shop's interior was built by Emre by hand, with help from a cousin. 'We are hoping to turn it into a chain,' she said. 'Maybe we are going to be spreading all over Ontario (and) Canada.' 'Why not?' paigeseburn@ Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Actress uses ex-husband's sperm to become pregnant via IVF without his consent
Korean actress, Lee Si-young, has been accused of 'cornering' her ex into fatherhood after becoming pregnant via IVF using his sperm without his consent South Korean star, Lee Si-young, has been branded 'selfish' after admitting to using her ex-husband's sperm to become pregnant via IVF without his consent. Si-young, 43, was married to entrepreneur, Cho Seong-hyun, with whom she shares a seven-year-old son, for eight years until they divorced in March. The actress and former amateur boxer, who has four million followers on Instagram, recently announced she is pregnant again via an embryo, which was fertilised five years ago while she was still with Seong-hyun. Announcing the news on Instagram, in a now-deleted post, Si-young said she "had to make a choice" to use the embryo, adding that she "will bear the full weight of my decision" while admitting: "I didn't ask for consent from the other person". Explaining the reason behind her life-changing choice, she wrote as per a translation via The KTea's Instagram page: "Eight years ago, when I had my first child, now the most important person in my life, I was not married and filming a drama. "Back then, I was younger and had many shortcomings. Every time I saw Jung-yoon in my arms, I regretted and blamed myself for the time I spent with anxiety negatively. "That's why I promised myself that if I ever got another chance, I would never regret it again. I prepared for my second child through IVF during my marriage. "However, a long time passed without receiving the fertilised embryos, and the topic of divorce naturally came up. After all the legal process was sorted out, the five-year frozen embryo storage period was ending, and I had to make a choice. Before the disposal date, I decided to have the transplant myself." Admitting she didn't ask for consent "from the other person", she said: "Although I didn't ask for consent from the the other person, I will bear the full weight of my decision.' Si-young also said how grateful she was for her son, who helped her "endure her troubled married life", concluding: "Right now, I am only grateful for the new life that came to me, and I am spending a more peaceful and happy time. "I will humbly accept any criticism or advice you give me in the future." As per the Korea Times, Seong-hyun confirmed that he will help to parent his child, even though he "opposed the pregnancy". "Although I opposed the second pregnancy, now that the child is coming, I will do my best as a father," he told Dispatch, "Lee and I have continued to communicate for the sake of our first child and we will cooperate regarding the upbringing of both children." Following the bombshell news, fans were divided on social media, with some accusing the actress of "cornering" her ex into fatherhood. One posted: "Uh I feel like he was kinda cornered in this situation. He couldn't really refuse to raise the child because they already have one child together and do you really think they would co-parent one child and not the other???" However another replied: "It's their life and I try to feel empathy for everyone involved."
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Actress, 43, branded 'selfish' after admitting she used her ex-husband's sperm to become pregnant via IVF WITHOUT his consent
A Korean actress has been accused of 'cornering her ex-husband into fatherhood' - after becoming pregnant through IVF processes that used his sperm 'without his consent'. Lee Si-young, 43, sparked online debate after revealing that she had become pregnant via an embryo which was fertilised five years ago - while she was still with entrepreneur Cho Seong-hyun. The pair, who already share a son - seven-year-old Jung-yoon - got married in 2017 (when she was already 14 weeks pregnant), but announced their divorce in March. But despite the couple 'mutually agreeing to part ways', they will now co-parent a second baby - despite the father 'not agreeing' with the procedure. Si-young announced the news on Instagram, in a now-deleted post, admitting she knows there 'may be many difficulties in the future' - but 'wants to believe that her choice now is more valuable'. 'Eight years ago, when I had my first child, now the most important person in my life, I was not married and filming a drama,' she wrote as per a translation via TheKTea. 'Back then, I was younger and had many shortcomings. Every time I saw Jung-yoon in my arms, I regretted and blamed myself for the time I spent with anxiety negatively. 'That's why I promised myself that if I ever got another chance, I would never regret it again. I prepared for my second child through IVF during my marriage. 'However, a long time passed without receiving the fertilised embryos, and the topic of divorce naturally came up. 'After all the legal process was sorted out, the five-year frozen embryo storage period was ending, and I had to make a choice. 'Before the disposal date, I decided to have the transplant myself.' She added: 'Although I didn't ask for consent from the the other person, I will bear the full weight of my decision.' Si-young also expressed how grateful she was for her 'angel' son, who helped her 'endure her troubled married life'. 'Right now, I am only grateful for the new life that came to me, and I am spending a more peaceful and happy time. 'I will humbly accept any criticism or advice you give me in the future.' As per the Korea Times, Seong-hyun confirmed that he will be a present parent, albeit not agreeing with the process. 'Although I opposed the second pregnancy, now that the child is coming, I will do my best as a father,' he told Dispatch. 'Lee and I have continued to communicate for the sake of our first child and we will cooperate regarding the upbringing of both children.' Social media was divided - as while many were supportive, others were baffled by the legal implications. 'Uh I feel like he was kinda cornered in this situation,' one offered. 'He couldn't really refuse to raise the child because they already have one child together and do you really think they would co-parent one child and not the other??? 'Imagine the child grew up knowing their biologically his but that he refused to parent them. Not to mention public scrutiny. 'It's their life and I try to feel empathy for everyone involved but she shouldn't have the right to unilaterally decide to have a child with his genes lol what type of world is this...' Another questioned: 'How do you manage to go through IVF without one person consenting? What the hell is he meant to do in this scenario exactly? 'Well the decision has been made. They already have one child with each other, hopefully he will love and care for the 2nd child despite not wanting it in the first place. Happy to know he's willing to be involved in the early stages already.' Elsewhere however, one suggested: 'Maybe it's a bad take but I don't really see how anything about this is wrong. 'She said she was going to raise the child alone if she had too, she didn't demand anything from the father. He decided that he wanted to step up on his own accord.' The couple, who were married for eight years, were both successful in their respectful industries. Seong-hyun, according to Bollywoodshaadis, is a well-known restauranteur, while Si-young has made a name for herself in a number of dramas, including the global hit Boys Over Flowers and most recently, Salon De Holmes. She has also starred in the Netflix series Sweet Home. The couple announced plans to divorce earlier this year. As per the Korea Times, Si-young's agency - Ace Factory - released a statement. It read: 'They have mutually agreed to part ways and are currently proceeding with the divorce process. As this is a personal matter, we ask for your understanding that we cannot respond to further inquiries.' It is not clear what the legislative conditions which permitted the IVF procedure were, or if there were other private conversations around the matter. However, according to the Bioethics and Safety Act in South Korea, a 'medical institution producing embryos intends to extract ova or spermatozoa in order to produce embryos' must contain written consent from 'the donor of the ova or spermatozoa, the person into whom an externally fertilized ovum is to be implanted and the spouse of the donor or the person to receive such implantation, if the donor or the person to receive such implantation has a spouse'. The consent is in regards to: 1. Objectives of producing embryos; 2. Preservation period of embryos, ova, or spermatozoa and other matters regarding preservation; 3. Disuse of embryos, ova, or spermatozoa; 4. Use of residual embryos or ova for the purpose of research; 5. Alteration to, or withdrawal of, consent - and finally, the 6. Protection of rights of the person with the right to consent and information about such person and other matters specified by Ministerial Decree of Health and Welfare. FEMAIL has attempted to reach out to Si-young's agency and the South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare for comment.
