Mission
To develop highly selective, well-tolerated, and highly effective anti-cancer agents, by selectively targeting cancer metabolism by inhibiting pro-cancer cells while preserving and stimulating anti-cancer immune system cells. Our immediate goal is to improve the quality of life of patients with pancreatic cancer, which is the deadliest cancer worldwide and has limited treatment options.
Vision
We aspire to be a high growth, fully integrated cancer metabolism therapeutics leader focused on improving and extending the lives of patients.
Learn more about our Clinical Trials:
CPI-613® (devimistat)
Rafael Pharmaceutical’s first-in-class clinical lead compound, devimistat, targets enzymes that are involved in cancer cell metabolism and are located in the mitochondria of cancer cells. Devimistat is being evaluated in multiple clinical studies as a single agent, as well as in combination with standard drug therapies, in patients diagnosed with rare solid tumors or blood cancers.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated devimistat as an orphan drug for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), peripheral T-cell lymphoma, Burkitt’s lymphoma and soft tissue sarcoma and biliary tract cancer. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has granted orphan drug designation to devimistat for pancreatic cancer, acute myeloid leukemia ( and AML) and Burkitt’s lymphoma.
Dr. Sol J. Barer, Ph.D.
Advisor to the Board of Directors, Rafael Pharmaceuticals
Dr. Sol J. Barer is a co-founder of Celgene Corporation and currently Chairman of the Board of Teva Pharmaceuticals, Chairman of Centrexion Therapeutics and Neximmune, Lead Director of Contrafect Corp, and Board member of 3DBiotherapeutics, Cerecor, founding Chair of the Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation and advisor to the Israel Biotech Fund.
Chi Van Dang, M.D., Ph.D.
Chairman of Rafael’s Scientific and Medical Advisory Boards
Director of the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Dang is considered by many to be the world’s leading authority on cancer metabolism. Dr. Dang currently serves as Rafael’s Chairman of the Scientific and Medical Advisory Boards.
Jorge Cortes, M.D.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia Advisor
Director of The Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University. He is designated as a Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Cancer in the Medical College of Georgia.
Steven I. Park, M.D.
Lymphoma Advisor
Division Chief, Hematology and Oncology, Levine Cancer Institute, CHS-Northeast; Director of Investigational Therapeutics in Hematologic Malignancies, Levine Cancer Institute/Carolinas HealthCare System; Associate Professor of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Dafna Bar-Sagi, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, Vice Dean for Science, Chief Scientific Officer, Professor, Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, and Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center
Philip A. Philip, M.D., Ph.D., FRCP
Pancreatic Cancer Advisor
Professor of Oncology and Pharmacology, Leader, GI and Neuroendocrine Oncology, Vice President of Medical Affairs, Karmanos Cancer Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
Greg Semenza, M.D., Ph.D.
Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine
Director, Vascular Program, Institute for Cell Engineering; Professor of Pediatrics, Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Biological Chemistry, Medicine, and Oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Semenza won The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2019 and 2016 Lasker Award.
World Class Team
Innovation in oncology drug development requires a deep well of scientific, medical and business expertise, and we have assembled an unparalleled team of directors and advisors who are working with Rafael to revolutionize anticancer treatment.
Our Board of Directors and Scientific & Medical Advisory Boards are drawn from the highest echelons of oncology and hematology researchers and physicians, and include seasoned managers from the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors.