We have been excited about Intensity Therapeutics since first meeting its founder and CEO, Lew Bender, about five years ago. We learned then about the remarkable results achieved by Intensity’s lead investigational product, INT230-6. It was:

• destroying really large tumors in mice;
• killing the metastases; and 
• delivering a vaccine-like effect as well, in which re-inoculation of the cancer was not resulting in growth of new cancer cells. 

Starting with small doses in patients for whom all other treatments had failed, product safety began to be demonstrated. Then larger and more frequent doses, administered to deep as well as superficial tumors, continued to demonstrate product safety. This is believed due to the product’s unique mode of delivery – injection directly into the tumor – which allows much less to be introduced into the body than is needed through traditional IV delivery. Moreover, the product was showing clear signs of efficacy.

That enabled VCapital to assist the company in raising over $6mm in a Series B round at $4.50/share for further testing. Notable efficacy continued to be shown in not only shrinking tumors but also killing metastases and demonstrating a systemic immune response against cancer. Those continued outstanding results led the FDA to grant Intensity Fast Track Designation for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, a particularly harmful cancer with lower survival rates than other breast cancers. 

Intensity’s dramatic results also captured the attention of pharmaceutical giant, Merck, a major player in cancer treatment with its blockbuster immunotherapy drug, Keytruda. Recognizing its tremendous success but also Keytruda’s limitations, in late June Merck entered into an agreement with Intensity to evaluate the combination of Intensity’s lead product, INT 230-6, and Merck’s own Keytruda. Testing of the combination has already begun in patients with some of the most difficult-to-tame cancers, advanced solid malignancies including pancreatic, bile duct, squamous cell, and some colon cancers, all serious cancers with high unmet needs. 

Intensity is receiving strong medical community attention. Company management has been meeting with multiple pharmaceutical companies under confidential disclosure agreements to discuss partnering and collaboration. 

Intensity’s Series C round is at $5.75/share. The CEO expects this to be his last round of financing, anticipating an exit that could happen within 24 months. We believe this is a tremendous value, and are excited to bring you this opportunity.