Cool Company Spotlight: OrPro Therapeutics

Aug 9, 2022

Welcome To The Cool Companies Spotlight: OrPro Therapeutics

The Class of 2022 Cool Companies is absolutely stellar and we are excited to share them with you. This spotlight series provides the opportunity to learn more about each company from their founders, CEO’s, or Presidents. We will provide you a glimpse into the incredible innovation and talent being cultivated in San Diego.

The fifth spotlight in the series is dedicated to OrPro Therapeutics.

OrPro Therapeutics

OrPro Therapeutics is a preclinical stage Johnson & Johnson JLABS alumni company addressing large unmet medical needs in respiratory, ophthalmology and oncology with a novel cell-protective biologic drug platform

What is the hardest thing about being an entrepreneur?

“Always playing the long game and having to power through the setbacks”

Peter Heifetz

President & CEO, Defined Bioscience

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Why is your company the best solution to the problem you're solving?

Secreted human proteins have proven to be some of the most successful blockbuster therapeutics because of their unusually high safety and efficacy in addressing large unmet medical needs. Our broad platform-in-a-product strategy, advanced manufacturing and formulation, and strong intellectual property create opportunities for early exits and multiple shots on goal vs. proven disease targets.

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Who was your role model growing up?

My father who left the corporate world to start his own business

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Favorite spot around San Diego?

The French Oven in Scripps Ranch. Great place for a breakfast meeting and the best croissants in San Diego.

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What's the best entrepreneurial advice you've received?

“Hope is not a plan”

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What’s your most satisfying entrepreneur moment so far?

Getting great efficacy data back on our drug from independent third parties

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If you could be any superhero which would it be and why?

Iron Man – an entrepreneur with a flying suit, what’s not to like?

Here at Connect our mission is to help San Diego’s incredible startup companies grow and succeed. We hope you enjoyed reading The Cool Company Spotlight. Stay tuned for more upcoming spotlights!