Targeting Metastatic Colorectal Cancer and Other Cancers
What the Company Does
Onconaut Therapeutics develops breakthrough cancer therapies that target CHD1L, an oncogenic driver in colorectal and other metastatic cancers. Onconaut’s CHD1L inhibitors halt tumor progression, inhibit metastatic spread, induce PARthanatos—a unique form of cell death—and synergize with existing treatments, offering transformative, life-extending options for patients facing limited and ineffective therapies.
Current Landscape
The colorectal cancer therapeutics landscape is evolving, with new targeted therapies emerging alongside traditional options like chemotherapy, which is expected to remain the dominant treatment through 2032 and beyond. Despite these advancements, patient outcomes remain limited, underscoring the urgent need for transformative therapies. Onconaut is addressing this need by developing CHD1L inhibitors, a first-of-its-kind approach that not only halts tumor progression and metastatic potential but also synergizes with existing treatments, aiming to deliver long-term improvements in quality of life and survival for patients.
Company Birth Story
Onconaut was born out of a profound need to address the limited treatment options for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and other aggressive cancers. Founded by Dr. Dan LaBarbera, a seasoned cancer researcher and Director of the CU Anschutz Center for Drug Discovery, the company emerged from pioneering discoveries around the CHD1L oncogene—a key driver of tumor progression and resistance to clinical therapies. With decades of experience in cancer research, Dr. LaBarbera recognized CHD1L’s unique role in driving cancer and cancer survival mechanisms and saw an opportunity to develop first- and best-in-class inhibitors targeting this pathway.
Dr. LaBarbera’s vision attracted a team of experts in the oncology field, each dedicated to advancing oncology solutions with real clinical impact. To help translate his research into meaningful therapies for patients, Dr. LaBarbera joined the CU Innovations SPARK Program and the Innosphere Ventures Life Science Accelerator, programs both of which provided entrepreneurial training and helped catalyze Onconaut’s growth. Supported by non-dilutive funding from federal grants including the NIH NCI, Onconaut’s journey began at the Fitzsimons Innovation Community, where proximity to CU Anschutz and leading research facilities accelerated the development of their CHD1L inhibitors. Onconaut’s mission is clear: to create transformative therapies that offer new hope to patients facing life-threatening, drug-resistant cancers.
Solution
Onconaut is developing CHD1L inhibitors (CHD1Li) to transform the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) and other drug-resistant cancers. CHD1L, a key oncogenic driver, supports tumor growth and resistance; Onconaut’s CHD1Li drugs uniquely target this pathway, halting progression, inhibiting metastatic spread, and inducing PARthanatos, a non-apoptotic cell death. These inhibitors amplify the effectiveness of chemotherapy and targeted therapies up to 1,000-fold in preclinical models, distinguishing them from competitors that lack this synergistic mechanism.
Onconaut has built a robust pipeline, with lead candidate OTI-611 showing tolerability and efficacy in early studies. Supported by federal grants and early-stage investment, Onconaut aims to begin clinical trials within 2-3 years. The company’s vision is to redefine cancer care for CRC and expand into other cancers, providing patients with advanced disease meaningful, life-extending therapies.
Customer Impact
Onconaut is dedicated to changing lives by addressing the urgent needs of colorectal cancer patients, particularly those facing late-stage and metastatic disease. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths globally, with a devastating 5-year survival rate of only 13% for advanced cases. Patients with colorectal cancer are primarily treated with chemotherapy but only about half of patients respond to this therapy, which also comes with severe side effects. The current targeted therapies used alongside chemotherapy fall short and only extend survival by months. Compounding the issue, colorectal cancer rates have been steadily rising among adults under 45, creating an especially dire need for innovative solutions.
Onconaut’s CHD1L inhibitor drug products offer hope by attacking the core drivers of tumor survival, metastasis, and resistance. Its CHD1L inhibitors not only halt cancer progression and inhibit metastatic potential, but also enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and targeted therapies by up to 1,000-fold in preclinical models. This approach has the potential to dramatically extend survival and improve quality of life for patients who currently have limited options. By focusing on CHD1L, Onconaut aims to provide colorectal cancer patients—including younger adults—with treatments that offer substantial, lasting benefits where existing therapies fall short.
Team Culture
The core team at Onconaut is made up of experienced scientists, entrepreneurs, and industry experts who are deeply committed to transforming cancer care. Led by Dr. Dan LaBarbera, Founder and CEO, the team includes Dr. Tony Piscopio as Head of Medicinal Chemistry and Key Scientific Advisor, Dr. Neal Goodwin as Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Joanna Money as Chief Business Officer, and Gavin Maitland as Chief Financial Officer. Each team member brings decades of specialized expertise in drug discovery, oncology, business development, and financial strategy, and medicinal chemistry, creating a dynamic, mission-driven environment focused on impact.
At Onconaut, the team is passionate about innovation and resilience. Dr. LaBarbera’s academic background in cancer drug pharmacology and drug discovery fuels the scientific rigor behind every project. Dr. Piscopio adds deep expertise in medicinal chemistry and decades of experience advancing oncology pipelines, including co-founding biotech companies and guiding programs toward clinical development. Gavin Maitland’s personal journey as a lung transplant survivor adds a unique perspective on resilience and perseverance, values that inspire the entire team. Dr. Goodwin brings extensive oncology leadership experience, having co-founded biotech companies and directed translational strategies that bridge discovery to the clinic. Dr. Money bring strategic focus and a relentless drive to translate science into life-changing therapies, ensuring the company remains both ambitious and grounded.
Life at Onconaut is highly collaborative, with each member sharing a deep commitment to patients and a respect for the science. The team regularly celebrates small wins, knowing each milestone represents progress toward a future where advanced cancer patients have more effective, hopeful options. Their shared mission creates a supportive, energetic culture that values both scientific excellence and compassionate patient focus.
Founder Quote
“At Onconaut, we’re not just developing a drug; we’re pioneering a future where advanced cancers are no longer life sentences. Every breakthrough we make is a testament to resilience and the power of science to turn hope into reality.”
-Dr. Dan LaBarbera, Founder and CEO
Learn More
To discover how Onconaut is transforming cancer treatment and offering new hope for patients facing the toughest battles, visit https://onconaut.com