I. What changes - news to watch this week

👻 Ottimo Pharma Steps Out of Stealth: A New Era of Dual-Targeted Cancer Therapy Begins

Basel, Switzerland – On October 28th, Ottimo Pharma emerged from stealth mode with a press release unveiling its plans to advance a novel bi-functional antibody for cancer treatment, backed by Medicxi, a European investment firm, and led by biotech veteran David Epstein.

Finally coming out of the shadow, Ottimo Pharma announced its first major project—a PD-1/VEGFR-2 bi-functional antibody designed to address two crucial cancer pathways simultaneously. This innovative approach aims to enhance immune response by targeting PD-1, a checkpoint used by cancer cells to evade detection, while also inhibiting VEGFR-2, which is essential for tumor blood vessel growth. With this combined strategy, Ottimo’s therapy has the potential to disrupt tumor growth on multiple levels, setting it apart in the immunotherapy landscape.

Ottimo Pharma anticipates filing an Investigation New Drug (IND) to the FDA in late 2025.

Who is David Epstein?

The leadership of David Epstein, known for his strategic vision and experience in the industry, adds weight to Ottimo’s ambitions. With clinical trials slated to begin soon, Ottimo Pharma is taking significant steps to establish its bi-functional antibody as a pioneering treatment in oncology, offering an integrative approach that could reshape how we approach complex cancers.

David Epstein was previously the CEO of Novartis Pharmaceuticals, where he led significant expansions in their oncology portfolio, including the launch of groundbreaking therapies. Epstein is known for his strategic vision in drug development and has played a crucial role in advancing innovative treatments through various leadership roles in top pharma companies.

What is Medicxi?

Medicxi is a European life sciences investment firm focused on funding early- and late-stage biotech companies, particularly those pursuing innovative drug discovery and development. Founded by former partners of the venture capital firm Index Ventures, Medicxi is known for its deep expertise in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors and has a reputation for supporting high-potential startups in their journey to bring novel therapies to market.

What to watch?

With this launch, Ottimo Pharma not only enters the market with a unique therapeutic candidate but also reinforces the potential of bi-functional antibodies in oncology. As cancer treatment increasingly moves toward targeted, multi-mechanistic approaches, Ottimo’s platform could pave the way for future breakthroughs, underscoring the importance of bold, innovative thinking in advancing healthcare.

Read more about the exit strategy of biotech companies here.

II. What never changes - timeless wisdom

🧠🚶 Mind Wandering: More than a Bad Habit

Is daydreaming bad and counterproductive? Researchers don’t think so.

Here’s the link to the PDF.

In exploring the science of mind-wandering, researchers reveal that it’s more than a random mental drift; it’s a deeply ingrained habit that occupies almost half of our waking hours. 

This “tenacious tendency” for our minds to wander has both light and dark sides, as it draws us away from the present and into thoughts unconnected to what’s happening right in front of us.

Daydreaming is not a completely subconscious activity - it is editable and influenced by our daily activities. Too much daydreaming hurts our productivity, while a good amount of daydreaming actually brings us insights into daily life.

This insight resonates deeply with entrepreneurial and creative mindsets.

Think of it as a form of cognitive freedom akin to the exploratory spirit that David Deutsch describes in The Beginning of Infinity. To cultivate breakthroughs, we need moments when our minds can roam freely, making unexpected connections and imagining scenarios without strict boundaries.

Creating space for mind-wandering—while staying aware of its hidden habits—might allow us to access ideas that are out of reach during focused work.

Here’s the link to the PDF.

III. Book Quotes

Here are some book quotes for you to ponder over the weekend.

Thanks for reading,

— Anthony