Latest news with #Paulk
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Siren, a gene therapy startup, tests unconventional alternative to venture funding
This story was originally published on BioPharma Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily BioPharma Dive newsletter. Biotechnology startups usually turn to a few tried-and-true options to raise the money they need to develop a new drug. Company founders might get initial financial help from friends, family or an angel investor. Perhaps they'll apply for grant funding or a spot in a startup accelerator. More often than not, they'll then rely on venture funding to survive. Siren Biotechnology, a San Francisco-based gene therapy startup, has already done some of that work. The company received a $4 million grant as well as $28 million in venture funding since its founding in 2020, and has the support of a few well-known firms like Founders Fund and Lux Capital. Recently, though, Siren began testing a different idea to supplement its fundraising: the type of 'community investment round' often employed by tech startups but rarely their biotech counterparts. Last month, Siren announced plans to pursue what's known as regulation crowdfunding, a financial tool that involves selling equity stakes to 'accredited' investors who meet specific Securities and Exchange Commission income and net worth criteria, as well as non-accredited individuals who don't. The SEC allows companies to use this approach to raise up to $5 million over a one-year period through an online, agency-registered intermediary, such as a funding portal. Siren is using a platform called WeFunder. The amount Siren seeks represents a fraction of the typically hundreds of millions — if not more — that biotech companies need to bring a drug to market. However, CEO and scientific founder Nicole Paulk views the idea as a creative way to attract different types of investors. 'The scientist in me is just like, 'We're going to run this experiment and see if it works,'' she said in an interview. Siren is developing a kind of medicine that blends elements of gene therapy and cancer immunotherapy. It's using a type of virus to send into tumors engineered versions of cancer-fighting cytokines. The company's lead program, for an aggressive form of brain cancer called high-grade glioma, is in preclinical testing. Siren aims to ask regulators around the end of the year to start human testing, according to Paulk. Biotechs in Siren's mold have had a difficult time of late raising funds for these experiments. Venture firms have coalesced around fewer but larger bets, leading a spike in $100 million-plus 'megarounds' and a preference for more proven drug startups. Gene and cell therapy developers have been hit particularly hard during this shift, with funding totals falling significantly from their peak a few years ago. Paulk says the investment climate didn't factor into Siren's decision to pursue crowdfunding. Nonetheless, Paulk believes such tools could be helpful for Siren and early-stage companies like it. A small amount of cash goes a long way for a preclinical startup, she said, and could be useful for biotechs that need to reach their next milestone but can't secure cash from institutional investors. Paulk, a former University of California, San Francisco assistant professor, said the idea was first suggested to her by a prominent local CEO who invested in Siren. She began looking into it in January, and became intrigued by crowdfunding's novelty, as well as its potential to draw in individuals, like patients and their families, who might have a personal stake in the company's research. 'I just became enamored with the concept,' she said. Patients, caregivers and their friends can, of course, donate to disease foundations that often issue grants to academic labs and scientists. Yet those funds might go toward supporting projects that are years from human testing or may never get there. Paulk contends these communities might be inclined to invest in a company with a treatment their patients could later receive in a trial. Such direct investment does pose risks, however. Siren's WeFunder homepage doesn't mention the gene therapy field's recent headwinds, nor does it fully detail the arduous journey every biotech faces in proving the safety and efficacy of promising new therapies. Most drugs, even those based on cutting-edge and sophisticated science, later fail in testing. Siren does provide information on its financial health and operations for 2023 and 2024, a rare window into the inner workings of a private company, as well as an independent auditor's report. According to the WeFunder page, prospective investors who contribute $50,000 will receive quarterly reports from Siren, while anyone who invests $100,000 gets twice yearly calls with Paulk. Paulk wouldn't say exactly how much the company has raised so far. But she's closely watching to see who the idea resonates with, what works or doesn't, and intends to share the details with other aspiring founders. She's already been contacted by others in the biotech startup community to discuss her experience. 'I'm talking about this everywhere," she said. 'I'm not trying to make it a secret by any means.' Since opening the round, Siren has cleared the $50,000 minimum threshold WeFunder requires before disbursing funds. As of Wednesday, more than a dozen people had publicly identified themselves as investors. One 'lead' investor, Lynn Fischer, a managing director at KMAK Capital, said her firm put in $200,000. 'Our investment is an expression of confidence in Siren Biotechnology's scientific innovation, their ability to navigate the complexities of the regulatory landscape, and their power to deliver on the massive potential of AAV immuno-gene therapy for patients,' Fischer wrote on the funding portal webpage. Sign in to access your portfolio
Fox Sports
07-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Wofford Terriers play in SoCon Tournament against the Samford Bulldogs
Associated Press Samford Bulldogs (12-18, 7-7 SoCon) vs. Wofford Terriers (16-11, 8-6 SoCon) Asheville, North Carolina; Thursday, 5:45 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Wofford plays in the SoCon Tournament against Samford. The Terriers' record in SoCon play is 8-6, and their record is 8-5 in non-conference play. Wofford is second in the SoCon with 11.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Evangelia Paulk averaging 2.2. The Bulldogs are 7-7 against SoCon teams. Samford is 8-5 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 15.5 turnovers per game. Wofford averages 67.4 points per game, 3.9 fewer points than the 71.3 Samford allows. Samford has shot at a 40.9% clip from the field this season, 3.8 percentage points higher than the 37.1% shooting opponents of Wofford have averaged. The teams did not play each other during the regular season. TOP PERFORMERS: Paulk is scoring 13.2 points per game and averaging 8.5 rebounds for the Terriers. Molly Masingale is averaging 12.3 points and 6.5 rebounds over the last 10 games. Claire Johnson is averaging 11.9 points for the Bulldogs. Kennedy Langham is averaging 11.2 points over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Terriers: 4-6, averaging 64.6 points, 35.9 rebounds, 11.5 assists, 6.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 36.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 65.3 points per game. Bulldogs: 6-4, averaging 63.8 points, 26.6 rebounds, 11.0 assists, 5.3 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 39.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 65.3 points. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. recommended
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wofford's Evangelina Paulk earns big SoCon honors
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) – Wofford's Evangelina Paulk was named the Southern Conference's Player and Defensive Player of the Year as the league continued to roll out postseason awards Tuesday. Paulk is just the fourth SoCon player to earn both the player and defensive player of the year awards in the same season and the first Terrier ever to be named defensive player of the year. The Asheville-native joins Rachael Rose as the only two players in program history to be named player of the year and has combined with the senior to keep the title in Spartanburg for three consecutive seasons. 'I am ecstatic for Evangelia to be recognized with these two major conference awards highlighting her outstanding play throughout the course of the entire regular season,' said head coach Jimmy Garrity. 'While 'E' does so many things to impact each game on the court, I believe her biggest impact comes in her leadership, positivity, and the unending support of her teammates. Throughout this season, we have needed many different things from Evangelia, and she has responded every single time through her incredible effort on the court, the reassurance and doses of confidence she gives her teammates, and just the example she sets with her work ethic every practice and game. She takes so much pride in wearing the Wofford jersey and even more so in the impact she makes in it every single day.' Paulk returned to the Terriers in her sophomore year after being named the SoCon Freshman of the Year last season. This season, she posted a third ranked 13.2 points per game in addition to a league-leading 8.5 rebounds per game. Paulk was also the only player in the SoCon to average a double-double in league play with 16.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. She became the only player in the country to record 10-plus steals in at least two games after coming up with 13 against Erskine and 10 against Samford. Paulk and the Terriers tip off in the SoCon tournament Thursday, March 6 in Asheville. Wofford is the No. 4 seed and will open against No. 5 Samford at 5:45 p.m. in the fourth game of the opening round. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chattanooga hosts Paulk and Wofford
Wofford Terriers (16-10, 8-5 SoCon) at Chattanooga Mocs (13-13, 8-5 SoCon) Chattanooga, Tennessee; Saturday, 2 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Wofford takes on Chattanooga after Evangelia Paulk scored 20 points in Wofford's 63-57 loss to the East Tennessee State Buccaneers. The Mocs are 8-5 in home games. Chattanooga is 7-10 against opponents over .500. The Terriers are 8-5 in conference matchups. Wofford is second in the SoCon with 10.7 offensive rebounds per game led by Paulk averaging 2.2. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Chattanooga scores 60.5 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 59.9 Wofford gives up. Wofford scores 11.9 more points per game (67.7) than Chattanooga allows to opponents (55.8). The matchup Saturday is the first meeting of the season for the two teams in conference play. TOP PERFORMERS: Caia Elisaldez is shooting 49.1% and averaging 14.0 points for the Mocs. Sigrun Olafsdottir is averaging 1.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games. Paulk is averaging 13.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.4 steals for the Terriers. Molly Masingale is averaging 12.1 points over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Mocs: 6-4, averaging 59.4 points, 30.8 rebounds, 10.6 assists, 8.2 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 39.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 53.1 points per game. Terriers: 5-5, averaging 64.6 points, 35.8 rebounds, 11.8 assists, 6.5 steals and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 37.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 63.5 points. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wofford's Paulk has triple-double in loss
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Evangelia Paulk etched her name in history Thursday night inside the Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium as with her 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 steals, she recorded the second triple-double in program history. However, the Wofford women's basketball team fell 62-54 to Samford despite the Terriers' late comeback efforts. Wofford drops to 15-9 (7-4 SoCon) as Samford improves to 11-16 (6-5 SoCon). The Bulldogs outshot the Terriers 36.4 percent (20-of-55) to 29.5 percent (18-of-61). Samford hit five threes to just the one of Wofford, but the Terriers were stout at the charity stripe, going 17-of-21 at an 81.0 percent clip. Both teams committed over 20 turnovers, and Wofford recorded a 28-19 points off turnovers advantage. The Terriers won the glass 45-34 with 15 offensive boards to Samford's six. Evangelia Paulk led the way for the Terriers with her 17 points, 10 boards, and 10 steals. This marks the second triple-double in program history and first since Rachael Rose tallied the first last season against Furman on January 20, 2024. This is Paulk's seventh double-double of the season and 12th of her career, moving her into a tie with Ashton Fleming for fourth most in program history. Toni Warren joined her in double-digits with 12 points, adding in three boards. Molly Masingale was just shy with nine points, and she added eight rebounds to fall just short of a double-double. Masingale also dished a team-high three assists. Mia Flor netted eight points with five rebounds and a block. Maddie Heiss contributed four points, three boards, and two assists. The Terriers put home their first eight points of the contest at the charity stripe, and Toni Warren netted the first field goal with 2:19 on the clock. Samford led 15-10, but Warren's make sparked a six-point run by the freshman alone to bring the Terriers within a point. The Bulldogs would notch the final four points of the frame, however, to lead 19-14. After Warren opened the second with a mid-range jumper, Samford went on a 13-point run to pull ahead 32-16. Molly Masingale's free throw broke the spell, and Mia Flor added a layup. Libby Privett put home a pair at the stripe to close the half, but Wofford trailed 34-21. Needing to push back, Wofford opened the second half with a steal by Evangelia Paulk that quickly turned into another bucket for Warren. A Samford three was immediately followed by another Paulk swipe and score. Bulldog free throws at the 7:24 mark put Samford in front 42-27, but Flor converted to kick off a six-point run that featured a make from Maddie Heiss and another Paulk steal and score. The teams traded some blows, and Queen Ikhiuwu put home a layup in the final minute-and-a-half to close the quarter with Wofford trimming the margin to 11, 48-37. After Samford opened the fourth with a jumper, Paulk converted a pair at the stripe. A Samford layup was nixed by a Paulk trey, and Masingale converted two at the line to bring Wofford within eight points (52-44) at the 6:47 mark. But the defenses for both teams clamped up over the next two minutes, and Samford broke the scoring drought at the 3:59 mark. Paulk then took charge, recording two steals that led to buckets in the span of 24 seconds. Despite a Bulldog make, Paulk put home a layup to keep the margin at six (56-50) with 1:21 to go. Samford hit a three, but Warren put in a two in response. However, time had begun to dwindle, and the Terriers were forced to foul. Samford converted just enough at the line to keep Wofford at bay. Paulk did secure her 10th rebound in the closing seconds off a missed Bulldog free throw to notch her triple-double, but the Terriers ultimately fell 62-54 to Samford. Wofford will look to close its home slate strong on Saturday with its final contest of the season inside Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium. The home finale is against Mercer and begins at 6:00 p.m. The contest is senior night for the program, and it serves as the second leg of a doubleheader with the men's basketball team, who plays ETSU at 2:00 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
