Author: Martha Tsaliki, Cortado Ventures Summer Intern, 2024
The biotech industry in Oklahoma City (OKC) is thriving, propelled by a significant $71 million investment approved by voters in 2019 to enhance the Innovation District (Greater Oklahoma City Chamber). Oklahoma is home to about 40 biotech companies, spanning from early-stage startups to successful acquisitions (Oklahoma Department of Commerce). Notably, seven of these companies are led by women founders who are setting new benchmarks for excellence in entrepreneurial leadership (Greater Oklahoma City Chamber). Among these innovators are Dr. Carol Curtis, CEO of Cadenza Bio, and Deborah Moorad, Founder of JAX XII. I sat down with each of them to learn more about their stories and their companies. Here’s a closer look at the journeys, motivations, and visions of Dr. Carol Curtis and Deborah Moorad. Their stories underscore the transformative power of female leadership in biotechnology and reflect the vibrant growth of the sector in Oklahoma City.
Innovating Biotech: Leadership in Action
Dr. Carol Curtis, CEO of Cadenza Bio, leads a mission to develop novel, highly selective small-molecule therapies targeting diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) and endometriosis (Cadenza Bio). Under her guidance, the company has raised $2.44 million in seed funding to advance CAD-1, a lead development candidate showing promising results in reducing inflammation and promoting recovery in preclinical studies. Dr. Curtis shared, “Patients suffering from MS and endometriosis are in desperate need of new treatment options, and knowing that our work could alleviate their suffering keeps us driven every day.” It’s important to note that MS affects over 2.8 million people worldwide, with a higher prevalence in women and young adults (MS Prevalence Study). Endometriosis affects approximately 10% (190 million) of reproductive-age women globally, causing chronic pain and infertility (World Health Organization). Cadenza Bio’s innovative approach not only drives critical research but also strengthens OKC’s position as a growing biotech hub.
Deborah Moorad, Founder of JAX XII, brings a strategic vision to venture building, guiding companies and technologies through critical milestones. As CEO of Nature Technology Corporation (NTC), she led the company’s strategic planning and positioned it for acquisition by Aldevron, a Danaher company. This acquisition established NTC as a global leader in producing high-quality plasmid DNA constructs for cell and gene therapy (Aldevron Press Release).
At CorriXR Therapeutics, Moorad focused on refining the company’s strategy and preparing it for clinical trials targeting drug-resistant tumors using CRISPR/Cas gene editing (CorriXR). Her career highlights also include advancing the glioblastoma treatment OKN-007 at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), transitioning it from preclinical studies to clinical trials and ensuring ongoing patient use. Additionally, she directed post-merger Key Opinion Leader (KOL) operations at Dentsply Sirona following its $14.5 billion merger, ensuring smooth integration and alignment with strategic goals.
Through their visionary leadership, both Dr. Curtis and Moorad exemplify the impact of women entrepreneurs in advancing biomedical innovation and transforming patient care.
Daily Motivation and Building a Successful Team
Dr. Carol Curtis and Deborah Moorad drive their companies with a commitment to patient care and scientific integrity. Dr. Curtis’s motivation at Cadenza Bio comes from the urgent need for new treatments for multiple sclerosis and endometriosis, guiding her efforts to secure funding and advance clinical trials. Similarly, Deborah Moorad is inspired by her team’s dedication and investor confidence, aiming to move research from the lab to clinical practice, with milestones such as initiating trials and dosing the first patient. Both leaders emphasize that effective communication and a shared understanding of goals are vital for team success. Dr. Curtis highlights the importance of ensuring everyone understands the purpose of their work and the need for timely agreements and funding. Moorad emphasized that a team based on selflessness, transparency, and strong work ethic creates a collaborative environment essential for innovation and growth.
Future Milestones and Company Vision
Looking ahead, Dr. Carol Curtis envisions significant advancements for Cadenza Bio over the next five years. The company has increased its Series A funding goal to $17.5 million to support progress in their MS program through a Phase 1 hybrid study, position their endometriosis program for IND filing, and advance their broader pipeline.“We aim to gather biomarker data from MS patients and secure a strategic partnership to drive further clinical development,” she stated.
Deborah Moorad, through JAX XII, focuses on advancing biomedical technologies by guiding them through critical growth milestones. With an emphasis on strategic venture building, she identifies and develops transformative innovations, fostering collaborations with startups and research institutions to scale cutting-edge technologies. Her vision is to create a sustainable pipeline of impactful ventures, driving the entrepreneurial spirit that is shaping Oklahoma City’s rise as a hub for biotech excellence.
Advice to Their Younger Selves
Reflecting on their journeys, both Carol and Deborah emphasized the importance of taking chances and being open to non-traditional career paths. Dr. Curtis advised, “Be open to new opportunities and don’t be afraid to deviate from the traditional path.” Moorad echoed this sentiment, encouraging young women to explore all their options and remain flexible in their career aspirations. As Oklahoma City’s biotech sector continues to grow, the contributions of these pioneering women set a precedent for excellence and inspire future generations of entrepreneurs.
Empowering the Future of Biotech
As Oklahoma City’s biotech industry continues to flourish, leaders like Dr. Carol Curtis and Deborah Moorad exemplify the innovative spirit driving this growth. Investors, entrepreneurs, and collaborators have a unique opportunity to join this movement, supporting groundbreaking solutions that could transform patient care worldwide. Explore how Cadenza Bio and JAX XII are shaping the future of medicine, and discover how Cortado Ventures is empowering the next wave of biotech innovation in OKC.
About Cortado Ventures
Cortado Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in ambitious, growth-driven companies to define a new generation of economic prosperity for the Midcontinent region. As one of the largest VC funds in Oklahoma, Cortado’s focus is on tech companies bringing innovative solutions to the energy, logistics, life sciences, aerospace, and the future of work sectors. For more information, visit cortado.ventures.
References Used in the Blog
- Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. Industries: Biotech.
https://www.greateroklahomacity.com/industries/biotech - Oklahoma Department of Commerce. Bioscience Industry Overview.
https://www.okcommerce.gov/doing-business/business-relocation-expansion/industry-sectors/bioscience - Walton C, King R, Rechtman L, Kaye W, Leray E, Marrie RA, Robertson N, La Rocca N, Uitdehaag B, van der Mei I, Wallin M, Helme A, Angood Napier C, Rijke N, Baneke P. Rising prevalence of multiple sclerosis worldwide: Insights from the Atlas of MS, third edition. Mult Scler. 2020 Dec;26(14):1816–1821. doi: 10.1177/1352458520970841. Epub 2020 Nov 11. PMID: 33174475; PMCID: PMC7720355.
- World Health Organization. Endometriosis Fact Sheet.
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/endometriosis - Cadenza Bio. Science.
https://www.cadenza.bio/science - Cadenza Bio. News: Appointment of Michael A. Panzara, MD, MPH.
https://www.cadenza.bio/news - JAX XII LinkedIn Page. https://www.linkedin.com/company/jax-xii/
- CorriXR Therapeutics. Technology Overview.
https://www.corrixr.com/technology - Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. https://omrf.org/
- Aldevron. Press Release on NTC Acquisition.
https://www.aldevron.com/catalog-products/aldevron-and-ntc - Cortado Ventures. About Us.
https://cortado.ventures/ - ChatGPT, OpenAI’s language model. Assistance provided for drafting, editing the blog content.
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