Venture Leaders China – Meet Raj Lehal of Cellestia Biotech
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Between September 10 and September 21, ten high-growth Swiss startups will dive into the Chinese market, discovering the local innovation landscape while exposing their technologies to potential partners. Among them is Raj Lehal, the co-founder and CSO of Cellestia Biotech, a startup conceiving new approaches in cancer treatments.
Who are you and what is Cellestia Biotech?My name is Raj Lehal, and I am the co-founder and CSO of Cellestia Biotech AG, which specializes in developing innovative first-in-class cancer therapeutics. Cellestia’s pipeline of small-molecule protein-protein interaction inhibitors originated from a discovery platform developed over 10 years at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. Led by an experienced management team, Cellestia has attracted support from world-renowned clinical oncologists, as well as scientific and business advisors. CB-103, a first-in-class pan-NOTCH inhibitor, has entered clinical development with a first-in-human phase I/IIA study in Q4-2017.
What attracted you to China as a business development destination?
In the pharmaceutical/biotech industry, establishing a presence in China is almost a necessity to grow as a successful business. According to recent WHO report, the number of cancer-associated deaths in China is increasing at an unprecedented rate.Therefore, the field ofoncology in China has a huge unmet medical need. With recent harmonization of clinical trials, and acceptance of clinical data generated in China by EMEA andthe FDA, Cellestia sees another important incentive to conduct clinical trials there. The country offers the possibility of conducting clinical trials in orphan indications while in compliance with international standards.
What do you hope to achieve from the trip? What are your expectations?
During this trip, Cellestia will be focused on three main areas:
1. Seeking and identifying a strong local pharma/biotech partner.
2. Seeking and establishing contacts with the local investment community.
3. Exploring and establishing contacts with reputed local hospitals to run clinicalt rials.
Why is Venture Leaders China beneficial for your startup?
China is a critical part of Cellestia’s international expansion efforts. However, we fully appreciate that there are cultural and linguistic barriers that we need to overcome to achieve these goals.Venture Leaders China in collaboration with swissnex will hel pCellestia ease into this market.Through already established contacts byVenturelab and swissnex, we will b eable to overcome these barriers. The contribution of local partners, employees and collaborators ofthe program can not be underestimated.
What is pushing you towards international expansion?
To establish Cellestia as a serious and competitive player in the market, a global perspective and outlook is an important aspect. Cellestia has already established a presence in EU, with phase I clinical trials active in seven clinical centres (in Switzerland, Spain and the Netherlands). In addition, we are planning to open a subsidiary office in the USA this year. China represents another important territory for our expansion strategy.
What do you foresee as the largest hurdles towards expansion into the Chinese market?The main hurdle would be cultural, linguistic and financial barriers. However, that would not deter us from pursuing this important market. Being part of Venture Leaders China is a first step in breaking down these barriers.
What makes you most nervous or excited about the trip?
Nothing makes me nervous about this trip. I am actually very excited to be part of the VL China team. I am looking forward to learning about Chinese business culture, building new alliances, and ultimately establishing our presence in the country, and bring much-needed innovative medication to this part of the world.
Follow the Venture Leaders China roadshow on Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #vleadersChina.
Venture Leaders China is co-organized by Venturelab and swissnex China, and supported by digitalswitzerland, Canton de Vaud, Canton of Zurich, EPF Lausanne, ETH Zurich and Gebert Rüf Stiftung.
