Astrotide, LLC
Transforming Innovative Science into Clinical Impact
We provide fractional leadership in business development and drug development to drive biotech programs forward
How We Help
- Business Development StrategySearch & evaluation, pipeline prioritization, and strategic positioning to maximize long-term value.
- Partnerships &
TransactionsLeading external engagement, negotiations, and licensing to secure collaborations that matter. - Drug Development LeadershipDesigning and guiding preclinical and early clinical programs with scientific and operational rigor.
Managing Partner
Askar Kuchumov, Ph.D.
Scientist and business development executive with 15+ years of experience leading partnerships, transactions, and drug development programs from discovery through early clinical trials.
I have opened four INDs, advanced two programs into Phase II, and led 12+ strategic transactions with global pharma and biotech. My expertise spans portfolio strategy, search and evaluation, licensing, and cross-functional leadership in the design and execution of preclinical and early clinical studies.
Current focus areas include peptide-based modalities and the application of AI in drug discovery. My scientific contribution includes 20+ peer-reviewed publications, a book chapter, and three patent applications.
I have opened four INDs, advanced two programs into Phase II, and led 12+ strategic transactions with global pharma and biotech. My expertise spans portfolio strategy, search and evaluation, licensing, and cross-functional leadership in the design and execution of preclinical and early clinical studies.
Current focus areas include peptide-based modalities and the application of AI in drug discovery. My scientific contribution includes 20+ peer-reviewed publications, a book chapter, and three patent applications.
Selected Drug Development Achievements
Highlights of biotech programs I’ve led from discovery through clinical development.
CBL0137 (“Curaxin”), a small molecule first-in-class necroptosis inducer, in NIH Children’s Oncology Group, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic, Phase Ib/II studies (ongoing).
First-in-class TLR cancer immunotherapies:
TLR5 agonist CBLB502 (Entolimod) - completed Phase IIa in colorectal, and lipopeptide TLR2/6 agonist CBLB612 - completed Phase IIa in myelosuppressive prophylaxis with chemo.
Gene therapy (a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector encoding the microdystrophin gene) for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, licensed to Generium; now in Phase I/II.
Partnerships & Funding
- 12+
Number of closed strategic transactions with partners including Ono Pharma, Novo Nordisk, Ginkgo Bioworks, Humanwell, Hisun, Novovax. - $39M
Raised in equity investments - $14M
Raised in non-dilutive funding
Current Engagements
- Integrated drug discovery ecosystem for small molecules and peptides
As Chief Business Officer, I drive strategy and partnerships at the intersection of AI and drug discovery.
I focus on building collaborations with pharma and biotech and on guiding portfolio strategy that demonstrates how in silico design can advance into real drug development programs.
- MetaTarget Therapeutics, Inc.Synthetic Drug Conjugate Platform for Precision Oncology
I am co-founder of MTTx, together with Dr. Morten Meldal, co-recipient of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for “click chemistry” (University of Copenhagen).
We are developing Tumor-Anchored Conjugates™ (TACs) - a proprietary peptide-based platform that takes solid tumor targeting to the next level with a built-in anchoring mechanism that keeps drugs concentrated where they are needed most.
