Summary
RAPT Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage immunology-based biopharmaceutical company, focuses on discovering, developing, and commercializing oral small molecule therapies for patients with unmet needs in oncology and inflammatory diseases. Its lead inflammation drug candidate is RPT193, a C-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) antagonist that selectively inhibit the migration of type 2 T helper cells into inflamed tissues. The company's lead oncology drug candidate is FLX475, an oral small molecule CCR4 antagonist that is in the Phase 1/2 clinical trial to investigate as a monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced cancer. It also focuses on the development of hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 inhibitor. The company was formerly known as FLX Bio, Inc. and changed its name to RAPT Therapeutics, Inc. in May 2019. RAPT Therapeutics, Inc. was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in South San Francisco, California.
History
Rapt was co-founded by four Serial entrepreneurs Brian Halak, Erez Chimovitz, Oren Fuerst, and Noga Alon who sought to combine their experience ranging from cancer focused start-ups to big pharma drug development to create a better future for people fighting cancer. As part of their mission, the team set out to develop technologies that reimagine what cancer therapy can look like.
Mission
Our mission is to develop and commercialize breakthrough immuno-oncology agents for the treatment of patients with cancer, with the goal of improving the lives of patients and their caregivers.
Vision
Our vision is to be a global leader in the development of novel and innovative immuno-oncology therapies by leveraging our deep understanding of the immune system.
Key Team
Steve Young Ph.D. (VP of Technology)
Dr. Dirk G. Brockstedt Ph.D. (Chief Scientific Officer)
Ms. Gwen R. Carscadden (Chief HR Officer)
Dr. Paul Kassner (Sr. VP of Quantitative & Computational Biology)
Dr. David Wustrow (Sr. VP of Drug Discovery & Preclinical Devel.)
Ms. Jennifer Nicholson (Sr. VP of Regulatory Affairs & Quality Assurance)
Recognition and Awards
In 2018, the company was recognized by Fast Company as one of the world's most innovative biotechnology companies. In 2019, the company was awarded a Milestone Prize in Immuno-Oncology by the Global Biotech Revolution Program. More recently, in 2020, Rapt was named a Red Herring Top 100 Company.
References
United States 
