California Biotech Insights

Biotech Leader Spotlight

John Langowski, CSO at Micoy Therapeutics

December 4, 2025

John Langowski, PhD, is a seasoned drug discovery and cell therapy leader with more than two decades of experience advancing cell therapies, small molecules, and biologics from early discovery through IND-enabling studies and into the clinic. He currently serves as Chief Scientific Officer at Micoy Therapeutics, advising a novel autoimmune-focused startup on scientific strategy and preclinical proof-of-concept work. Prior to that, John spent seven years at Kite Pharma, where he progressed through multiple leadership roles—ultimately serving as Vice President of Cell Therapy Research and Site Head for both the Emeryville and Foster City research sites. Earlier in his career, John held roles of increasing responsibility at Nektar Therapeutics, where he led preclinical biology efforts for cytokine-based immunotherapies, and at Novartis, where he served as pharmacology lead for multiple oncology programs and contributed to IND submissions and translational strategy. John began his scientific career as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the DNAX Research Institute (currently Merck Research Laboratories), conducting foundational work on IL-23 biology that led to a highly cited publication and advanced understanding of cytokine-driven tumorigenesis. He holds a PhD in Immunology from the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and a BS in Molecular Biology from The University of Texas at Austin.

Biotech Market Update

Protego raises $130M Series B, Cormorant targets $400M Fund

December 2, 2025

Recent Funding: Protego Biopharma (SD) Raises $130M to Advance Protein-Folding Therapy for Rare Disease Protego Biopharma secured a $130M Series B led by Novartis Venture Fund and Forbion to advance its small-molecule drug for amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis, a deadly protein misfolding disorder affecting the heart and organs. The biotech’s lead candidate, PROT-001, aims […]

Biotech Market Update

Aspen Neuro raises $115M, Gilead acquires Sprint Bio, Cytokinetics nears FDA approval

November 25, 2025

Recent Funding: Dayra Therapeutics (SF) Launches with $70M from Biogen and Versant to Develop Oral Macrocycles Dayra Therapeutics emerged from stealth with a $50M upfront partnership from Biogen and $20M investment from Versant Ventures to develop oral macrocycle drugs for immune and inflammatory diseases. The company aims to create pill-based treatments that combine the precision […]

Biotech Leader Spotlight

Samuel Collins, CMO at Mahzi Therapeutics

November 20, 2025

Dr. Samuel Collins brings nearly 20 years of experience spanning academia and industry, with a focus in rare disease and pediatrics. He is currently serving as Consultant Chief Medical Officer at Mahzi Therapeutics, a biotech company focused on treating under-served rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorders. He previously served as the CMO of Actio Biosciences, where he oversaw all aspects of clinical development, as well as medical and regulatory affairs, for the company’s pipeline of precision medicines. Prior to Actio he served as VP, Clinical Development at Edgewise Therapeutics, and was key to advancing their lead asset from Phase 1 to pivotal studies. Prior to Edgewise, Dr. Collins spent several years at Pfizer, serving as Senior Director, Clinical Research within the company’s rare disease division. He served as Medical Director of Therachon AG, prior to its 2019 acquisition by Pfizer, and before that, was Medical Director at Premier Research. Before entering the industry, he held a number of clinical and academic positions in London, Southampton and Melbourne, Australia. Dr. Collins holds an MBBS from the University College, London, a Ph.D. from the University of Southampton and an MBA from Durham University. He is a published author on nearly 20 peer-reviewed publications.

Biotech Market Update

Solve raises $120M, Metagenomi cuts 25% of staff, Day One acquires Mersana

November 18, 2025

Recent Funding: Gate Bioscience (SF) Raises $65M to Advance “Molecular Gate” Protein Degraders Gate Bioscience secured $65M in Series B funding from investors including Forbion, Eli Lilly, a16z, ARCH, and GV to move its novel small-molecule “molecular gate” degraders into human trials. The biotech’s approach blocks disease-causing proteins as they exit cells, with its lead […]

Biotech Market Update

Braveheart Bio raises $185M, A2 Bio CAR-T complete response in lung cancer, Rigel loses Eli Lilly partnership

November 11, 2025

Recent Funding: Iambic Therapeutics (SD) Raises $100M+ to Advance AI-Designed Cancer Drugs Iambic Therapeutics secured over $100 million in new funding led by ARK Invest and Regeneron Ventures to advance its AI-driven small molecule programs, including new HER2, KIF18A, and CDK2/4-targeting cancer therapies. The biotech uses generative AI to design and optimize drugs in-house, with […]