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 Strategy
    Search & evaluation, portfolio prioritization, and strategic positioning to maximize long-term value.
  • Partnerships &
    Transactions
    Leading external engagement, negotiations, and licensing to secure collaborations that matter.
  • Drug Development Leadership
    Designing and guiding preclinical and early clinical programs with scientific and operational rigor.
Managing Partner
Askar Kuchumov, Ph.D.
Former VC turned drug developer and BD executive with a track record of bridging science and business. I’ve led 12+ strategic BD transactions, advanced 4 INDs, and progressed 2 programs into Phase II. My scientific contribution includes 20+ peer-reviewed publications, a book chapter, and three patent applications.

Drawing on my scientific and venture background, I help companies build partnerships and advance drug development programs. Current focus areas include peptide-based modalities and the application of AI in drug discovery.
Selected Biotech Engagements
Programs and collaborations spanning discovery to clinical development.
Incuron, Inc.
CEO - From Discovery to Clinic


Advanced a small molecule first-in-class necroptosis inducer CBL0137 (Curaxin) to ongoing Phase I/II oncology studies with NIH Children's Oncology Group, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic.
Cleveland Biolabs, Inc.
Head of BD / subsidiary CEO - From Discovery to Clinic

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 in chemo.


Marlin Biotech, LLC
Interim CEO - Preclinical Development


Gene therapy (a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector encoding the microdystrophin gene) for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, licensed to Generium; now in Phase I/II.
Lactocore, Inc.
CEO - Strategy & Partnerships


Strategy, BD, and peptide-based drug development programs for CNS/psychiatry and metabolic disorders, advancing lead candidates toward preclinical proof of concept.
Esperovax, Inc.
Head of BD — Strategy & Partnerships


External collaborations and partnership strategy for the company’s mucosal vaccine technology platform, aligning scientific innovation with commercial and funding objectives.
Longevica Therapeutics, Inc.
Strategic Advisor — Strategy & Partnerships

Drug development and translational planning across longevity and metabolic programs, defining value-creation pathways and partnership models.

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
  • Receptor.AI, Inc.
    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.


    Learn more
  • MetaTarget Therapeutics, Inc.
    Synthetic Drug Conjugate Platform for Precision Oncology

    MetaTarget Therapeutics, Inc., where I am an interim CEO, has an exclusive collaboration with the lab of Dr. Morten Meldal, co-recipient of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for “click chemistry”, at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

    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.

    Learn more
Contacts:
ark@astrotide.com
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