Onquera
Therapeutics
Conquering Cancer Through Scientific Inquiry
About Us
At Onquera, we believe timing, environment, and collaboration are the keys to discovery - 天时、地利、人和 ("the right time, the right place, and harmony among people"). Founded by physician-scientists and drug developers, we combine world-class expertise in apoptosis biology with a commitment to addressing urgent unmet medical needs.
Our culture is rooted in:
Scientific Rigour - in structural biology, pharmacology, and translational medicine.
Patient Focus - Targeting diseases where current options fall short.
Collaboration & Harmony - Bridging science, medicine, and partnerships for impact.
Pipeline
Onquera is building a pipeline of first-in-class apoptosis-modulating therapeutics:
Onq_Mcl001
Target: MCL-1 inhibition
Rationale: MCL-1 is a critical survival factor in multiple cancers. Selective inhibition has shown promising anti-tumor activity.
Differentiation: Designed to overcome limitations of current approaches while minimizing cardiotoxicity concerns.
Onq_Bax001
Target: Direct BAX activation
Rationale: BAX is a pro-apoptotic protein central to programmed cell death. No direct BAX activator has yet reached the clinic.
Potential: First-in-class BAX activator with applications across solid tumors and hematologic cancers.
Combination opportunities: KRAS inhibitors, EGFR/TKI therapies, immunotherapies.
Science
Apoptosis - or programmed cell death - is one of the body’s most fundamental defence mechanisms against cancer. Many tumours evade apoptosis by hijacking proteins like MCL-1 or suppressing key effectors like BAX.
Onquera’s discovery platforms unlock these pathways to restore natural cell death programs, offering a new frontier in precision oncology.
First-in-Class Science – Developing novel drugs that directly modulate apoptotic proteins such as MCL-1 and BAX.
Collaborative Approach – Partnering with innovators, clinicians, and researchers to accelerate impact.
Unmet Need – Addressing cancers that remain resistant to current therapies.
Translational Focus – Moving from strong biological rationale to meaningful clinical outcomes.
Hongwei Cheng, MD, PhD
CEO
Dr. Hongwei Cheng is a distinguished and visionary entrepreneur in biomedical research and drug development.
Xingming Deng, MD, PhD
CSO
Professor and inaugural Chair in Cancer Biology at Emory University School of Medicine.
Jun Zhang, MD, PhD
CMO
Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Onquera Therapeutics, Inc.
Our Mission
To transform cutting-edge apoptosis biology into life-changing medicines for patients, starting with oncology and expanding into other high-need therapeutic areas.
Our Scientific Platform
Why invest in Oquera?
For Investors
At Onquera, we are pioneering a new frontier in apoptosis-targeted therapeutics. Our approach combines first-in-class science with a clear path to clinical translation, addressing cancers that remain resistant to current therapies.
Why Invest in Onquera?
Innovative Science: Developing novel drugs that directly modulate apoptotic proteins such as MCL-1 and BAX.
Clear Differentiation: Our pipeline is designed to overcome limitations of current therapies while minimizing safety concerns.
Strategic Opportunity: Leveraging combination potential with KRAS inhibitors, EGFR/TKI therapies, and immunotherapies.
Experienced Leadership: Physician-scientist founders with proven expertise in drug development and translational medicine.
Collaborative Culture: Partnerships with academic, clinical, and industry leaders accelerate progress.
