Leading the FightAgainst Solid Tumors
About Us
Pioneering Novel Approaches
to Deliver on the Promise of TILs
At Turnstone, our mission is to develop new medicines to treat and cure patients with solid tumors.
Solid tumors present a major burden to society, with high mortality and poor outcomes associated with more advanced disease. Approved immunotherapies represent a significant advancement in the treatment of solid tumors, but many patients either do not respond or experience relapsed disease following an initial response. We believe the most significant challenge to creating curative immunotherapies in these patients is the low numbers of T cells that can recognize and attack the tumor, which we refer to as tumor‑reactive T cells.
To address this problem, we are pioneering a differentiated approach to tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, or TILs. We are developing next-generation TIL therapies by selecting the most potent (meaning able to mediate an anti-tumor response) and tumor-reactive T cells, which we refer to as Selected TILs. We are developing next-generation TIL therapies for potential treatment across multiple solid tumors.
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One Turnstone
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One Focus
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One Fight
Leadership
Experienced Team of
Leaders and Innovators
Turnstone has assembled a seasoned management team, an accomplished Board of Directors and a distinguished Scientific Advisory Board whose contributions to science have meaningfully advanced the field and helped inform our understanding of the relationship between cancer and the immune system.
Our passionate team of leaders comprises world-renowned professionals with deep expertise in TILs, cell therapy, tumor immunology, innate and adaptive immunity, oncolytic viruses, and in the discovery and development, manufacturing, and business and commercial development of complex biologics.
Sammy Farah, PhD, MBA
President & Chief Executive Officer
Saryah Azmat
Chief Operating Officer
Michael Fitch, PhD
SVP, Manufacturing
David Stojdl, PhD
SVP, Research and Discovery
Ines Verdon, MD
SVP, Clinical Development
Wendy Worcester, CPA
VP, Principal Finance and Accounting Officer
David Stojdl, PhD
SVP, Discovery Research
Chad Green, PhD
SVP, Technical Operations
TJ Langer
SVP, Cell Therapy Development and External Innovation
Adina Pelusio
SVP, Clinical Operations
Karen Major
VP, Regulatory
George Smith, MBA, PhD
VP, Cell Therapy Business Operations
Jerel Davis, PhD
Chairman & Director
Versant Ventures
Mike Burgess, MBChB, PhD
Executive Director
Turnstone Biologics
Sammy Farah, PhD, MBA
Director
Turnstone Biologics
Robert Gould, PhD
Director
Fulcrum Therapeutics
Rishi Gupta, JD
Director
OrbiMed
Kanya Rajangam, MD, PhD
Director
Senti Biosciences
William Waddill
Director
Former CFO Calithera Biosciences, OncoMed, and Ilypsa
Jeff Courtney
In Memoriam
Our Approach
Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are a type of cell therapy that harness the patient’s own immune cells to target their own tumors. TIL therapy involves the isolation of lymphocytes from the patient’s tumor, expansion of the isolated cells outside the body, and then infusion of the cells back into the patient. TILs have the ability to penetrate, recognize, and kill cancer cells and offer potential to treat or cure solid tumors.
Turnstone’s next-generation Selected TILs have the potential for treatment of multiple solid tumors. Our innovative Selected TIL approach focuses on selecting and expanding the most potent tumor-reactive T cells to overcome the limitations of bulk TILs. This approach is grounded in work conducted in academia that demonstrated improved clinical responses for Selected TILs in solid tumors. We are leveraging this work to establish a standardized manufacturing process for large scale production of our Selected TILs.
Our Selected TIL approach employs the following foundational principles with the goal of yielding the greatest number and proportion of tumor-reactive T cells in our TIL products:
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Unbiased identification of patient-specific tumor antigens.
We seek to identify the most comprehensive set of patient-specific tumor antigens. We use an unbiased identification process that aims to find and capture the greatest diversity of antigens with the potential to drive the most robust T cell response. Our proprietary approach is unlike other TIL products that are biased toward a specific subset or class of antigen(s), which may miss relevant tumor antigens or focus on the wrong targets.
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Selection of greatest breadth of tumor-reactive T cells from patient extracted TILs.
Our goal is to capture and isolate the greatest number and proportion of a patient’s tumor-reactive T cells that have the potential to attack and destroy heterogeneous solid tumors. We aim to select the greatest diversity of T cells by using a function-based screening process that confirms reactivity to the identified patient-specific tumor antigens rather than relying on a bioinformatics-based prediction algorithm that may not be truly predictive.
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Expansion of tumor-reactive T cells and removal of non-tumor-reactive bystander cells.
We expand our selected tumor-reactive TIL population to magnitudes consistent with bulk TIL products and actively remove unnecessary bystander cells. This selective expansion resulted in a substantially higher proportion of tumor-reactive T cells in the final product, which we believe will result in targeted tumor killing.
Our Superior Killing Virus, or SKV Vaccinia, is derived from the Copenhagen strain of vaccinia that exhibits powerful oncolytic activity in human tumors and we have engineered the viral backbone to develop a highly potent viral immunotherapy. The SKV Vaccinia backbone modifications were specifically designed and selected to support:
- Enhanced immune activation through removal of immunosuppressive genes
- Highly selective tumor targeting for increased potency and safety
- Delivery of multiple transgenes to encode for specific functions
- Optimized viral spread and infection in the tumor
- Systemic and intra-tumoral (IT) administration
RIVAL-01, our lead clinical stage viral immunotherapy program, being developed in partnership with Takeda, utilizes the inherent activity of the SKV Vaccinia backbone and includes a rationally selected payload combination designed to further drive oncolytic and immune-mediated killing of the tumor. The three key payloads encoded in RIVAL-01 include:
- Flt3L, a growth factor to support the differentiation and expansion of highly relevant antigen-presenting dendritic cells which are critical for anti-tumor immune response
- IL-12, a pro-inflammatory cytokine to promote T-cell cytotoxicity, activate innate immune cells and minimize immunosuppression
- Anti-CTLA-4, an antibody that inhibits CTLA-4-mediated immunosuppression and downregulation of T-cell activation
We believe that Turnstone is strongly positioned to be a leader in leveraging viral immunotherapy to further increase the activity of our TIL therapies, if approved.
Viral immunotherapy is a therapeutic modality with widespread potential to drive and modulate immune responses to solid tumors. Many viruses have inherent oncolytic activity that can be modulated through genetic engineering. These viruses preferentially infect, replicate within, and kill malignant tumor cells, and can induce broad immune responses. Viral immunotherapies are designed to convert immunologically unresponsive “cold” tumor microenvironments to more reactive “hot” tumor microenvironments and thereby enhance the activity of other immunotherapies.
We are initially evaluating viral immunotherapies in combination with our lead Selected TIL product candidate, TIDAL-01, via two approaches:
- Administration of virus prior to TIL extraction to optimize TIL harvest and broaden applicability to additional tumor types with low immune cell infiltration, and
- Administration of virus following treatment with TIDAL-01 to optimize TIL trafficking and infiltration into solid tumors and to support the anti-tumor functions of infiltrating immune cells.
Scientific Resources
Explore academic selection strategies that have demonstrated clinical proof of concept, relevant to Turnstone’s differentiated approach to TIL therapy:
Learn more about our scientific and clinical research, and the potential of Turnstone’s Selected TIL therapy in a broad range of solid tumors:
Pipeline
Designed to Shift the Paradigm
for the Treatment of Solid Tumors
We are applying our Selected TIL approach and developing a pipeline aimed at improving outcomes for patients with a wide range of solid tumors, as illustrated in the chart below.
| Program | Product Overview | Key Indications | Preclinical | Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Phase 3 | |
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| Selected TILs | |||||||
| TIDAL-01 | Tumor-reactive Selected TILs | CRC, HNSCC, Uveal melanoma |
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| CRC, HNSCC, Uveal melanoma |
+ Moffitt Collaboration*
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| Selected TILs | |||
| Preclinical | Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Phase 3 |
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TIDAL-01Tumor-reactive Selected TILs +
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TIDAL-01Tumor-reactive selected TILs 
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CRC = Colorectal cancer; HNSCC = Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Partners
Optimizing Technological Innovations
Through Strategic Partnerships
We are backed by successful top-tier life science and biotech investors committed to Turnstone’s growth, and have forged select collaborations with key academic institutions, elite researchers, and prominent international cancer medical centers to support the development of our next-generation Selected TILs.
Together with our strategic partners, we are devoted to delivering transformative therapies to the millions of cancer patients underserved by current treatment options.
Key Collaborators
In July 2022, Turnstone announced a strategic alliance with Moffitt Cancer Center focused on the development of Turnstone’s pipeline of tumor-reactive selected TILs targeting solid tumors.
In April 2022, Turnstone announced a TIL therapy research collaboration with CRCHUM to develop novel strategies for tumor-reactive T-cell selection in Turnstone’s TIL therapy candidates against solid tumor indications.
News
Careers
Empowering Our People
to Drive Science Forward
Turnstone is committed to true innovation, fearless execution and operational excellence. Our team work with an unrelenting sense of urgency to fulfill our mission. Our decision-making is driven by bold science and our therapeutics are designed with the patient at the forefront of our thoughts.
We continue to build a values-driven organization that embraces diversity, equity, and recognizes that the sum of our parts drives more success than any single individual. Our talented people and deeply ingrained culture are vital elements in maintaining our competitive edge in the vast biotech universe and key to unlocking the full potential of cancer immunotherapy.
If you are passionate about making a difference for patients and are excited by our mission and science, Turnstone might just be for you.
Team Opportunities
Turnstone Biologics (“Turnstone”), a public clinical stage biotech company, is developing breakthrough cancer immunotherapies by advancing two leading and complementary platforms that drive innate and adaptive tumor immunity, to provide benefit to the millions of cancer patients underserved by current treatment options. Turnstone’s proprietary vaccinia virus platform is engineered to drive coordinated immune activation, potent viral activity, and local expression of encoded therapeutics. The innovative TIL cell therapy platform leverages clinically validated treatment protocols and has been specifically designed to extend beyond the use of bulk TILs to enrich for the most relevant T-cells for tumor eradication, preserving broad antigen diversity and minimizing time to treatment for patients. The Company has an ongoing Phase 1 trial in solid tumors for the lead TIL therapy candidate, TIDAL-01, and a Phase 1 trial in partnership with the Moffitt Cancer Center.
At Turnstone, the science drives decision-making and our therapeutics are designed with the patient foremost in mind. We continue to build a world-class, high-performing company that embraces being a learning organization with a sense of urgency. Imagine coming to work every day where over-communication, transparency, teaching, listening, asking, thinking, working hard, and having fun are normal – actually, expected? Imagine having a coach, mentor, peers, and partners where candid feedback, self-improvement, risk taking, failing, learning from that failing, and succeeding thereafter are what we call ‘another day at Turnstone’? If you are a passionate person, and our science excites you – this opportunity may be for you.
Summary:
We are seeking an innovative, self-motivated and versatile individual to join us as a Senior Scientist, QC within the Quality organization. This is a key role focused on method qualification/validation, method life-cycle management, technical support of external manufacturing partners, including supporting method transfer, method optimization, technical document authoring, IND support impact assessment, laboratory investigation, data trending and method trending/monitoring. The candidate will work closely with Analytical Development, Process Development, Quality Assurance, Translational Science and Regulatory team members. This role is critical in developing a strong partnership with our CDMOs in pursuit of advancing our pipeline and is expected to be hands-on in the technical and operational details of the Manufacturing and Quality Control operation at CDMOs.
Responsibilities:
- Contribute to and implement QC method qualification and validation strategy in collaboration with Analytical Development. Accountable and responsible for implementing the detailed method qualification and validation strategy with key stakeholders.
- Technical review and approval of method qualification/validation protocols and reports, transfer protocols and reports, and stability reports.
- Technical review and approval of executed test methods at the CDMO and ensure they meet the requirements of Turnstone’s process and regulatory guidelines.
- Support timely and accurate documentation in support of the various Quality records (laboratory investigation, deviations, impact assessments, CAPAs, change controls).
- Provide hands-on technical support to laboratory investigation, deviations, non-conformance events, and ensure batch disposition decisions are guided by sound technical rationale.
- Collaborate in cross-functional teams to support, execute and/or provide oversight in the execution of method optimization, extended characterization, troubleshooting, transfer, and qualification/validation.
- Develop, revise, review, approve, and own SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and technical (transfer, validation, bridging, etc.) protocols/reports.
- Assist in reviewing data and assist with product and assay control trending and monitoring.
- Cultivate a team culture of high standards, collaboration, empowerment, and trust.
- Additional duties as assigned.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with demonstrated experience in cell therapy, immunology, cancer biology or a closely related field, and 7+ years of industry experience, preferably in gene and cell therapy.
- Expeience with different phases of drug development
- Experience with relevant technologies on flow cytometry, ELISA/ELLA, cell counter, qPCR, ddPCR methods, endotoxin, sterility testing (e.g. BacT/alert).
- Experience and successful track record of method transfer/verification/qualification/validation, routine testing in QC environment.
- Knowledge related to scientific data analysis applications such as GraphPad Prism, FlowJo, FACSDiva, Novocyte, Spotfire, and JMP software packages.
- Excellent technical writing experience in a regulatory environment (such as protocols, reports, and SOPs).
- Implementation of “best practices” or leading-edge quality standards.
- Project Management skills, including the ability to manage project resource requirements (material, manpower, time, etc.), and ability to elevate relevant issues to project lead and line-management.
- Experience in IND, NDA and BLA submission is highly preferred.
- Comfortable in a fast-paced environment with minimal direction and able to adjust workload based upon changing priorities.
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and willing to accept temporary responsibilities outside of initial job description.
- Highly effective organization, written, and verbal communication skills to address a wide variety of audiences and governing bodies.
- Demonstrated resilience, diplomacy, influence, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills in various situations.
- Leads by example to foster Turnstone Biologics culture.
- Occasional travel to support cross-functional workshops or strategy/planning activities
COMPENSATION
At Turnstone, we prioritize the well-being and success of our team. Join us and enjoy a competitive compensation package, including a base salary and performance-based bonuses. Our comprehensive benefits include:
- Healthcare Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents.
- Retirement Planning: 401(k) plan with employer contributions.
- Time Off: Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
- Workplace Flexibility: Flexible schedules and remote work options.
To Apply:
Turnstone Biologics welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected will be invited for an interview.
Turnstone Biologics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing new medicines to treat and cure solid tumors by pioneering a differentiated approach to TIL therapy. Turnstone’s innovative TIL therapy is based upon the identification, selection, and expansion of the most potent tumor-reactive T cells, known as Selected TILs, and is designed to overcome the limitations of first-generation bulk TILs that have demonstrated objective responses only in limited tumor types. Turnstone’s most advanced program, TIDAL-01, is currently being evaluated in two Phase 1 studies in patients with melanoma, breast cancer and colorectal cancer, and the Company is also actively advancing its preclinical pipeline programs including TIDAL-02, its next Selected TIL program, and its TIDAL-01 and viral immunotherapy combination program.
At Turnstone, the science drives decision-making and our therapeutics are designed with the patient foremost in mind. We continue to build a world-class, high-performing company that embraces being a learning organization with a sense of urgency. Imagine coming to work every day where over-communication, transparency, teaching, listening, asking, thinking, working hard, and having fun are normal – actually, expected? Imagine having a coach, mentor, peers, and partners where candid feedback, self-improvement, risk taking, failing, learning from that failing, and succeeding thereafter are what we call ‘another day at Turnstone’? If you are a passionate person, and our science excites you – this opportunity may be for you.
Job Description:
We are seeking a highly effective, self-motivated Senior Research Associate to join our Analytical Development team at Turnstone Biologics. In this role, you will contribute to the advancement of our cell therapy programs, particularly in developing next-generation T-cell therapies for solid tumors. The ideal candidate will be responsible for supporting analytical method development and implementing methods for drug product (DP)/in-process sample characterization with minimal guidance. Key responsibilities include designing and conducting experiments, analyzing, and interpreting results, and communicating findings in team meetings. The position is an onsite, lab-based role in La Jolla, CA, with responsibilities as an individual contributor, reporting to the Director of Analytical Development.
Responsibilities:
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- Contribute to development, optimization and pre-qualification of analytical methods and provide analytical service support
- Perform analytical testing in support of drug product characterization, in-process control, lot release, and stability testing.
- Provide analytical support for process development and manufacturing operations.
- Draft Test Methods, protocols and reports
- Analyze/summarize experimental data and present findings at internal group meetings.
- Manage lab reagent inventory and participate in lab maintenance activities as assigned
- Document laboratory procedures and experiments in an Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN).
- Support method transfer to partners at external contract manufacturing organizations.
- Additional duties as assigned.
Education and Experience:
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- BS or MS in Biology with 2-5 years of analytical development experience in the cell and gene therapy
- Hands-on experience with multi-color flow cytometry and ELISA-based method development and troubleshooting is required.
- Experience with immune cell culture and cell-based functional assay development is desired.
- Experience in writing/reviewing SOPs and technical reports is required.
- Experience with statistical data analysis and plotting using JMP and SQL is a plus.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Basic understanding of ICH guidelines for method qualification/validation.
- Demonstrates self-awareness, integrity, authenticity, and a growth mindset in a startup environment.
- Self-motivated, and willing to accept temporary responsibilities outside of initial job description.
- Strong interpersonal, teamwork, and organizational skills; effective oral and written communication skills.
COMPENSATION
An attractive compensation package commensurate with this senior leadership role will be provided.
- To Apply:
Please click here to apply!
Turnstone Biologics welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected will be invited for an interview.
Turnstone Biologics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing new medicines to treat and cure solid tumors by pioneering a differentiated approach to TIL therapy. Turnstone’s innovative TIL therapy is based upon the identification, selection, and expansion of the most potent tumor-reactive T cells, known as Selected TILs, and is designed to overcome the limitations of first-generation bulk TILs that have demonstrated objective responses only in limited tumor types. Turnstone’s most advanced program, TIDAL-01, is currently being evaluated in two Phase 1 studies in patients with melanoma, breast cancer and colorectal cancer, and the Company is also actively advancing its preclinical pipeline programs including TIDAL-02, its next Selected TIL program, and its TIDAL-01 and viral immunotherapy combination program.
At Turnstone, the science drives decision-making and our therapeutics are designed with the patient foremost in mind. We continue to build a world-class, high-performing company that embraces being a learning organization with a sense of urgency. Imagine coming to work every day where over-communication, transparency, teaching, listening, asking, thinking, working hard, and having fun are normal – actually, expected? Imagine having a coach, mentor, peers, and partners where candid feedback, self-improvement, risk taking, failing, learning from that failing, and succeeding thereafter are what we call ‘another day at Turnstone’? If you are a passionate person, and our science excites you – this opportunity may be for you.
Job Description:
Turnstone Biologics is seeking a driven and experienced Senior Process Engineer to support the Manufacturing Science & Technology Team (MSAT). This successful candidate will support the Turnstone manufacturing network by providing technical and scientific support of the TIDAL-01 operations process, such as: leading or supporting technology transfers, Person-In-Plant (PIP) support, root cause investigations, impact assessments, process improvements, and process monitoring. The successful candidate should be detail-oriented and enjoy working in a dynamic, high-paced environment to deliver innovative therapies to patients in need.
This is a key position requiring routine interactions, Internal and External Manufacturing Operations, MSAT, Process Development, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Supply Chain. The role will support the Turnstone Manufacturing team, based in both Ottawa, CAN and San Diego, California, and external manufacturing partners. As such, flexibility to provide remote support for manufacturing operations is required. In addition, this candidate will support the evaluation of new or future external and internal manufacturing capabilities.
Responsibilities:
- Interact with Manufacturing leadership to influence strategic and technical guidance on ongoing clinical production
- Provide on-site/remote Subject Matter Expert (SME) support for GMP operations at CMOs as Person-In-Plant (PIP)
- Provide technical process and operational trainings to support clinical manufacturing execution, process changes, and process knowledge
- Lead technology transfers and support execution of verification runs
- Lead investigations from process deviations and impact assessments, identifying appropriate subsequent CAPAs for clinical MFG productions
- Collaborate with Process Development teams on implementation of process optimizations, and new technology, critical reagents, and materials
- Write and review technical documentation (batch records, SOPs, protocols & reports)
- Author impact assessments in support of deviations and change controls
- Lead/Support process improvement activities involving cross-functional teams including Manufacturing, Quality, and Process Development
- Perform risk assessments and investigations including root cause analysis utilizing a systematic approach and industry best practices
- Lead/Support process FMEA
- Participate and report to a cross-functional development team to advance production activities
- Ensure successful manufacturing production runs by assessing risk, setting preventative measures in place, investigating, and troubleshooting equipment and process issues
- Additional duties as assigned.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree, in life sciences, engineering or related field and 6+ years of industry experience; Masters degree with 5+ years of experience; PhD and 3+ years of experience
- 3+ years experience with the manufacturing and operational complexity of cell therapy-based therapeutics such as TIL, CAR-T, TCR, or stem cell products is required.
- Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, able to manage competing priorities effectively and adapt to changing priorities
- Prior experience with GMP manufacturing to enable support of person-in-plant and manufacturing workflows
- Experience managing external relationships such as CMO partners or clients as a CMO provider, with a mature and thoughtful communication approach to support strong partnerships
- Be able to travel to perform and complete listed responsibilities.
- Experience in Process Development, Manufacturing, and/or Manufacturing Science and Technology (MSAT) for cell or gene therapies preferred
- Strong communication skills, both written and oral
- Strong interpersonal skills and a communication style that matches the Turnstone style: respectful, transparent, and constant
- This role will be formally positioned out of Memphis, TN or San Diego, CA although consideration will be made for remote candidates in the US.
COMPENSATION
At Turnstone, we prioritize the well-being and success of our team. Join us and enjoy a competitive compensation package, including a base salary and performance-based bonuses. Our comprehensive benefits include:
- Healthcare Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents.
- Retirement Planning: 401(k) plan with employer contributions.
- Time Off: Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
- Workplace Flexibility: Flexible schedules and remote work options.
To Apply:
Turnstone Biologics welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected will be invited for an interview.
Contact
General Inquiries
info@turnstonebio.com
Partner
with Us
bd@turnstonebio.com
Talent Acquisition
hr@turnstonebio.com
Investors & Media
ir@turnstonebio.com
Clinical Trial Inquiries
ct@turnstonebio.com
California
9310 Athena Circle
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La Jolla, CA 92037
USA
(347) 897-5988
Ontario
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Ottawa, ON K1N 5S6
CANADA
(613) 421-8930