A new hub-and-spoke model in biopharma
FireWheel Bio creates and in-licenses de-risked, mid- to late-stage clinical assets, advances them through lean spoke companies, and exits at value inflection — in two to three years, not ten.
Why FireWheel
The hub-and-spoke model, rebuilt for near-term value
FireWheel keeps the advantages of the hub-and-spoke model — operating efficiency, risk diversification, financing flexibility — and cuts the drag. Lean, capital-efficient, and built to reach milestones fast.
Near-term focus
Hit clinical milestones fast for high-impact, near-term value creation.
Robust portfolio
A diversified mix of high-value internal and externally sourced assets.
Asset expertise
Deep strength in formulation, intellectual property, regulatory and clinical development.
Market timing
Capturing shelved 505(b)(2) and non-lead assets freed up by industry capital constraints.
In-licensing access
Access to China and Asia assets developed and packaged for Western markets.
Lean & partnered
Minimal hub overhead and strategic partners drive capital efficiency at every level.
Hub
FireWheel Bio
Strategy · Business Development · Finance · Legal · IT/HR. Sources and structures capital-efficient deals, supports spoke companies, and drives maximum-value exits.
Pipeline
Spoke companies and near-term opportunities
Three spoke companies built on FireWheel-created intellectual property, alongside a set of near-term in-licensing opportunities.
FireWheel CNS Therapeutics
FireWheel CNS Therapeutics, Inc.
Developing reformulations of CNS drugs to meet unmet clinical needs in mental health. 505(b)(2) path, 18–24 months to NDA.
Large market opportunity >750K U.S. patients
NDA in 18–24 months
FireWheel 2nd Spoke Company
FireWheel 2nd, Inc.
A dual-chamber injection for acute vestibular attacks: an immediate burst stops the attack, a depot covers roughly three days of relief. No pill, no repeat dosing.
17M+ U.S. adults affected
24-30 months to NDA via 505(b)(2)
FireWheel Corrections
FireWheel Corrections
A dedicated spoke acquiring commercial rights to branded pharmaceuticals for the U.S. corrections channel — a specialized, hard-to-reach market.
~1.9M incarcerated individuals; 6,000+ facilities
Leadership
Operators who have built and sold biopharma companies
Michael Derby
Co-founder & Partner
Serial entrepreneur, operating executive and investor with 25+ years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry and the broader life sciences sector.
Kevin Palisi
Co-founder & Partner
20+ years of talent advisory and HR experience in life science and healthcare, with roles at Korn Ferry, Magellan Health and Ancora Search.
Maria Beconi, PhD
Chief Scientific Advisor
Successfully built discovery portfolios through clinical development for multiple biotech startups. Supported more than 30 successful international regulatory submissions across multiple therapeutic areas.
Jeff Yablon
SVP of Clinical Operations
30+ years of industry experience in senior leadership roles at Abbott Laboratories, ICON plc, Parexel and Cognizant Technology, plus entrepreneurial experience founding three companies. Extensive global clinical operations experience running CRO companies.
Let's talk
FireWheel Bio works with investors, licensors and strategic pharmaceutical partners to build and exit spoke companies. We would welcome a conversation.