Redwood Bioscience

About Redwood Bioscience

Redwood Bioscience, incorporated in 2008, operates in the biotechnology sector, specializing in protein-chemical engineering to create next-generation biotherapeutics. The company was co-founded by Dr. David Rabuka, then a Ph.D. student, and his mentor, UC Berkeley Professor and eventual Nobel laureate, Dr. Carolyn Bertozzi. Their collaboration commercialized research born from Bertozzi's lab, particularly leveraging her pioneering work in bioorthogonal chemistry.

The company's core offering is the SMARTag™ technology platform, a method for precise, site-specific protein modification. This technology addresses a key challenge in the development of Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs), which are treatments that combine the targeting ability of antibodies with the cell-killing power of small molecule drugs. Conventional methods often result in a heterogeneous mixture of ADCs with inconsistent drug-to-antibody ratios and payload placement, which can affect both potency and safety. Redwood's SMARTag platform overcomes this by using a chemoenzymatic process to create a specific 'aldehyde tag' on a protein, allowing for a controlled and stable attachment of a therapeutic payload. This results in homogenous bioconjugates engineered for enhanced potency, stability, and an improved safety profile.

The business primarily serves pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies looking to develop advanced ADC therapies. Its business model initially involved licensing its proprietary platform and collaborating on development programs. In April 2013, Catalent Pharma Solutions acquired an exclusive license to market the SMARTag technology and took a minority equity stake in the company. This partnership evolved into a full acquisition in October 2014, when Catalent acquired all remaining stakes in Redwood Bioscience. The acquisition was prompted by successful proof-of-concept milestones and strong customer interest. Following the acquisition, the Redwood Bioscience team and its Emeryville, California, base became part of Catalent's biologics division, with founder David Rabuka continuing to lead the technology's development.