Made in LA: Case Studies in Bio Success
At LABEST 2024, UCLA Technology Development Group brought together four innovative leaders shaping the biotech landscape in Los Angeles for a dynamic panel titled "Made in LA: Case Studies in Bio Success." Moderated by Amir Naiberg, Associate Vice Chancellor and CEO of UCLA TDG, the panel featured:
Mark Alles, CEO, TORL BioTherapeutics
Martha Lawrence, Co-Founder & CEO, AccendoWave
Sumant Ramachandra, CEO, ImmPACT Bio
James Robinson, CEO, A2 Biotherapeutics
Each panelist brought a distinct perspective—from deep oncology research and AI-driven pain analytics to advanced CAR-T therapies and the challenges of building biotech platforms in LA. Yet, all shared a commitment to science, patients, and the belief that Los Angeles has become a bona fide life sciences hub.
TORL BioTherapeutics: Oncology from UCLA Bench to Global Pipeline
Mark Alles, former CEO of Celgene, shared how his decades-long relationship with UCLA researcher Dr. Dennis Slamon gave birth to TORL. The company is developing five antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting solid tumors. With deep roots in UCLA science and clinical partnerships, TORL is expanding rapidly and advancing multiple assets through the clinic.
“The science, the people, the proximity to research hospitals—it made Los Angeles the logical place to build TORL,” Alles said. “And there’s never been a better time in oncology.”
TORL’s recent B2 funding round was oversubscribed, and Alles hinted that pivotal Phase 2 trials could be underway by next year. Despite national concerns over CDMO dependencies and the Biosecure Act, TORL has taken a pragmatic approach with a global manufacturing strategy and a strong U.S.-based partnership.
AccendoWave: Fighting Pain Bias with AI
Martha Lawrence, a former HCA hospital executive, introduced AccendoWave’s unique focus: pain. The company uses EEG headbands to collect brainwave data and benchmark objective measures of pain across populations, including maternal health, cancer, and elder care.
“Our mission is to validate pain, because pain has a bias problem,” she said. “Bias against women, ethnic minorities, and seniors. If your pain isn’t believed, you’re not treated.”
AccendoWave’s databases are helping healthcare systems make drug utilization more data-driven and equitable. Lawrence emphasized that transformational innovations—especially those aimed at equity—require different funding models.
“HCA pre-funded our early deployments, which gave us time to scale before seeking outside capital. VCs often look for incremental innovation. We’re built for long-term impact,” she explained.
ImmPACT Bio: From UCLA and Israel to CAR-T and Beyond
Dr. Sumant Ramachandra described ImmPACT Bio’s evolution from academic research to a full-fledged clinical-stage company. Originally built around UCLA-licensed CAR-T technology from Drs. Antoni Ribas and Yvonne Chen, ImmPACT Bio has pivoted from oncology into autoimmune diseases after breakthrough data emerged in Nature Medicine.
The company now has a CD19/CD20 binder in trials and is advancing multiple therapeutic areas, including lupus, vasculitis, and multiple sclerosis. "B-cell targeting therapies aren’t just for blood cancers anymore—they could transform autoimmune care," Ramachandra said.
ImmPACT has also embraced strategic creativity in funding, securing both traditional venture capital and non-dilutive sources like CIRM grants. “We’re scientists, but we have to be resourceful builders too,” he said.
A2 Biotherapeutics: Scaling Cell Therapy with Base Camp
James Robinson, only seven weeks into his tenure as CEO of A2 Biotherapeutics, detailed the company’s mission to crack the code on solid tumor cell therapies. A2’s T-Mod platform is designed to distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells, offering hope for difficult-to-treat indications like pancreatic and lung cancer.
“We’re deeply focused on delivering for patients right now,” Robinson said. “But we’re also preparing to scale. That’s why in-house manufacturing, patient pre-identification (Base Camp), and strategic clinical operations are central to our model.”
He emphasized that A2’s future may include expanding into new indications—and that the nimbleness of LA-based biotech is a competitive advantage.
The LA Advantage
The panel made it clear: Los Angeles is no longer just a media town. It’s a biotech town.
UCLA and other top-tier research institutions provide a robust IP pipeline.
Local funding is growing, even in a tough macro environment.
Talent—from science to operations—is abundant and increasingly committed to staying in LA.
“We’re not building companies and moving them to Boston anymore,” said Ramachandra. “We’re building them right here.”
That sentiment echoed across the panel, as leaders discussed workforce development, clinical trial diversity, and the power of proximity to top hospitals and underserved communities.
Looking Ahead to LABEST 2025
As the conversation turned to the future, panelists projected big announcements ahead:
TORL BioTherapeutics expects multiple Phase 2 trials, potentially financing news.
AccendoWave may launch major partnerships or even face acquisition.
ImmPACT Bio is on track for IND filings in autoimmune indications and early data in MS.
A2 Biotherapeutics anticipates clinical data, pipeline growth, and further progress on allogeneic programs with Merck.
In closing, Naiberg noted how far LA biotech has come. “This panel shows that Los Angeles isn’t just a place for ideas—it’s a place where ideas become treatments, where science becomes equity, and where innovation stays home.”
From validating pain to reinventing cell therapy, these founders aren’t just based in LA—they’re made in LA.