In Conversation with Clasp Therapeutics, 2024 Startup of the Year Award Finalist

BioBuzz's Startup of the Year Award recognizes outstanding achievements and innovations within the field of life sciences, honoring startups that have demonstrated exceptional contributions to advancing healthcare, biotechnology, and related industries. 

Recipients of this award are celebrated for their groundbreaking research, technological advancements, and overall impact on improving the quality of human life through cutting-edge solutions in life sciences. The award serves as a testament to the dedication and excellence of startups shaping the future of healthcare and biomedicine and who have pursued their mission with dedication and perseverance to build momentum toward commercialization.

Clasp Therapeutics is one of BioBuzz's 2024 Startup of the Year Award finalists in the BioHealth Capital Region (Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia). We recently sat down with Robert Ross, CEO, and Jimg Bingham, CTO for an "In Conversation."

About Robert Ross, CEO

Rob joined Clasp Therapeutics in November 2023. He most recently served as the Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors of Surface Oncology, Inc. before its acquisition by Coherus Biosciences. Before Surface, Rob served as the Head of Oncology at bluebird bio, Inc. Earlier in his career, Rob worked at Genentech and Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Rob was a Fellow in Medical Oncology and a faculty member at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). He received a B.S. in Biological Sciences and a B.A. in Philosophy from Stanford University, an M.S. in Medical Science from Harvard Medical School and an M.D. from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed his residency training in Internal Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Rob is an independent Director on the boards of Obsidian Therapeutics, Inc. and Xilio Therapeutics.

About Jim Bingham, CTO

Dr. Bingham has a broad range of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, including the fields of immunology, process development; process validation; formulation & stability; protein conjugation; fill & finish; analytical method development, qualification, and validation; drug delivery technology; quality control; quality assurance; manufacturing; CMC regulatory affairs; and facilities engineering, design and construction. Dr. Bingham has served as the Chief Technology Officer for Clasp Therapeutics since March 2021. He was a founder of NextCure, Inc. in 2015 and served as the Chief Development Officer until March 2021.  Dr. Bingham was the SVP, Development, Manufacturing and Quality while part of the team building Amplimmune, Inc., and supported the sale and integration of Amplimmune to AstraZeneca. He also brings his experience as Associate Director of Microbial R&D with Lonza (and Cambrex) in financial management, organizational and resource management, corporate integration, customer relations and technical support of sales and marketing. Prior to joining Lonza, Dr. Bingham managed teams in process development, formulation, analytical, drug delivery and in-process technologies groups with Human Genome Sciences in Rockville, Maryland. Prior to his tenure at HGS, Jim was also employed at MedImmune in Gaithersburg, Maryland,  (now part of Astra Zeneca) and Integrated Genetics in Framingham, Massachusetts (now part of Genzyme Corporation). Dr. Bingham received his Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from The Johns Hopkins University and completed a concurrent fellowship at The Marine Biological Labs, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. His B.S. in Biology with a strong focus in organic chemistry and protein chemistry was earned at St. Michael’s College in Winooski, Vermont.

Q: What does this recognition by BioBuzz, and from the overall life sciences community, mean to you and your work?

The recognition from BioBuzz and the vibrant DC life sciences community is a tremendous honor. It underscores the strides we’ve made this past year—advancing from discoveries in the lab to preparing for our first clinical trials. More than that, it celebrates the collective innovation of a region that is shaping the future of science and medicine. Being part of such a dynamic and patient-focused community drives us to push boundaries, pursue bold ideas, and deliver on the promise of transformative therapies.

Q: What experience has been the most influential in getting you to this point and who would you like to thank most for this honor?

Our most influential experience has been working alongside a team of visionary scientists and innovators who never lose sight of the impact we can make for patients. We are grateful for our founders at Johns Hopkins, and in particular, Dr. Bert Vogelstein, whose pioneering contributions to cancer genetics have set the foundation for everything we do.

Q: How do you envision your organization evolving in the next five years, and what role do you see it playing in the continued growth of the region?

In early 2025, we are set to achieve a major milestone by advancing the first T cell engager with absolute tumor specificity into clinical development.  There has been a growing interest in T cell engagers for solid tumors after recent approvals, but the field continues to face challenges in balancing efficacy and safety.  The majority of T cell engager targets are expressed on both tumor and normal cells, posing a high risk of off-tumor toxicity that can limit the ability to dose to efficacy. At Clasp, our approach is to target antigens that are found exclusively on tumor cells – the mutations that define cancer itself – enabling us to optimize therapeutic potency without compromising patient safety.

Over the next five years, we aim to redefine the landscape of precision oncology. Being in the clinic will open doors for deeper collaboration with industry and academic partners, attract top talent to the region, and foster an ecosystem of innovation. We are proud to contribute to the DC area’s emergence as a global hub for cutting-edge biotech, and we look forward to playing an active role in shaping the future of the life sciences community.

Q: What challenges have you faced in your journey, and what lessons have you learned that you would like to share with others?

Building a biotech company is filled with challenges—from securing funding to navigating scientific unknowns—but resilience and focus on the mission make all the difference. One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is the value of a strong team and broader stakeholder community. Leaning on the expertise and support of others has been critical to overcoming obstacles and turning setbacks into opportunities. To anyone embarking on this journey: stay persistent, stay open to learning, and never lose sight of the patients who inspire the work we do.