Working together to target cancer

The bold idea

Harvard- and MIT-trained scientists Alex Nichols and Brian Fiske shared a vision for developing a technology that could dramatically increase the effectiveness of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) used to fight cancer. Their goal: Improving patient outcomes by engineering ADCs that specifically deliver chemotherapy to cancer cells without harming healthy cells.

The team had already secured Series A funding to advance proof-of-concept studies supporting their product's safe use in humans. But they desired an extra financial buffer in case unforeseen expenses delayed their timeline to Series B and into the clinic.

The partnership

Mythic's lead venture capital firm, Venrock, introduced Alex to SVB's Boston-based biotechnology industry experts, who immediately initiated meetings to understand the company's investment thesis and determine how SVB, Mythic and Venrock could structure a strategic debt deal.

SVB's goal: Design a creative and flexible debt solution that would leverage Mythic's strong relationship with Venrock and expand the partnership to extend the company's cash runway without further diluting equity.

The solution

SVB offered flexible, investor-backed financing for $5M with:

• A low monthly interest rate with deferred interest

• Low warrants

• A flexible drawdown period

• Sufficient interest-only period with an opportunity to earn an extension

The impact

In SVB, Alex and Brian gained a trusted banking partner who helped to strengthen their relationship with Venrock while providing access to the capital they needed to focus on developing a product that could make a lasting impact on the way cancers are treated.