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BetaMN

BETA Startup Showcase: LEAH Labs

BETA Startup: LEAH Labs LogoThe TECHdotMN team would like to introduce you to each of the startups featured in the upcoming BETA showcase. Over the next couple of weeks, we will highlight each company, so you can get a better idea of the talent, hardwork, and dedication held within each of these startups.

The next company in our BETA Startup Showcase series is: LEAH Labs

LEAH Labs is working towards a cure for cancer in dogs with gene editing and CAR-T cell therapy.

Tell us the story of how and why you started your company.
LEAH Labs was founded to cure cancer in dogs and to be known as “The Genome Editing Animal Health Company”. We are dog lovers and innovative scientists who wish to use our expertise to fight a badly needed battle: 250,000 of our best canine friends die every year from lymphoma because the current standard of care is inexpensive, outdated, and non-curative. Curative therapies are now available for humans with lymphoma. The problem is these curative therapies in humans are extremely expensive given the “design, build, test cycles”, and regulation therein, inherent to FDA regulation and could never be afforded by dog owners. LEAH Labs uses precision gene editing, under USDA regulation, to design, build, and test cell therapies at costs affordable to the veterinary market. We aim to push a paradigm shift in companion animal oncology and use gene editing bring curative therapies man’s best friend.

What’s your most recent success or milestone hit?
We have designed, built, and tested CAR T cells: We are able to use human T cells, reprogrammed with canine antigen specific Chimeric Antigen Receptors, to kill canine cancer in a test tube.

Where do you see your startup in 1 year?
In one year, we will have shown efficacy for the first curative living therapeutic for dogs and will entering USDA-CVB sanctioned clinical trials.

For more information, please visit: LEAH Labs

Get your tickets for the BETA Showcase on October 14 here.

Valerie Lockhart
Valerie is proud to spend her time immersed in the Minnesota tech scene, whether she’s writing articles for tech.mn, designing websites, or coordinating events for the Minnesota Women in Technology meetup group.