# PIC Therapeutics

> PIC Therapeutics is a Natick, Massachusetts biotechnology company developing small-molecule precision medicines that target cancer at the level of protein translation. Rather than chasing individual oncogenes one at a time, PIC modulates the Pre-Initiation Complex (PIC) and the translation factor eIF4E - a convergence point for many oncogenic signaling pathways - to selectively shut down the production of cancer-driving proteins while sparing healthy cells. Founded on the research of Harvard structural biologist Gerhard Wagner and led by CEO Katherine Bowdish, the company is advancing an allosteric eIF4E modulator toward first-in-human studies in drug-resistant metastatic breast cancer, backed by a $35M Series A led by OrbiMed.

- **Founded:** 2016
- **Headquarters:** Natick, Massachusetts, United States
- **Founders:** Gerhard Wagner (Scientific Founder (Harvard University professor)), Katherine Bowdish (President & CEO)
- **Team size:** ~7 employees
- **Products:** Lead eIF4E modulator (translation-initiation program), PIC / translation-modulation platform, Emerging oncology pipeline
- **Notable:** Closed a $35 million Series A in October 2022 led by OrbiMed to fund first-in-human studies., Built a first-in-mechanism small-molecule approach to allosterically modulate eIF4E., Translated decades of Harvard/McGill translation-initiation research into a drug-development program.

## Products & services

- **Lead eIF4E modulator (translation-initiation program)** — A development-stage small-molecule allosteric protein translation modulator targeting eIF4E, being advanced toward first-in-human, first-in-mechanism clinical studies in advanced/metastatic, drug-resistant breast cancer.
- **PIC / translation-modulation platform** — A discovery platform that targets the Pre-Initiation Complex and translation initiation factors (eIFs) - a convergence point for many oncogenic signaling pathways - to selectively block production of oncogene proteins and trigger cancer-cell death while sparing normal cells.
- **Emerging oncology pipeline** — Additional oncology indications built on the translation-modulation approach, funded by the Series A to expand beyond the lead breast-cancer program.

## Achievements

- Closed a $35 million Series A in October 2022 led by OrbiMed to fund first-in-human studies.
- Built a first-in-mechanism small-molecule approach to allosterically modulate eIF4E.
- Translated decades of Harvard/McGill translation-initiation research into a drug-development program.
- Assembled a syndicate of specialist life-science investors (OrbiMed, Lumira, Advent, Harrington).

## Latest updates

- **2022-10** — Completed a $35 million Series A financing led by OrbiMed to advance its eIF4E modulator toward first-in-human studies in drug-resistant breast cancer.
- **2020-08** — Katherine Bowdish appointed President & CEO.
- **2020-04** — Raised $5 million to advance small molecules that selectively modulate eIF4E.

## Links

- Website: https://pictherapeutics.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pic-therapeutics

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/pic-therapeutics
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Last updated: 2026-07-18