Mark Frigerio
Vice President, Chemistry
Bicycle Therapeutics
Talk Information
Peptides in Oncology
18 June 2025, 11:25am - 11:50am, in the Pacific Jewel Ballroom
L43 – Bicycle® Molecules as an Innovative and Unique Therapeutic Class
Dr. Mark Frigerio serves as Vice President of Chemistry at Bicycle Therapeutics, where he leads platform technology and scientific innovation. With over two decades of experience in medicinal chemistry and bioconjugation, he plays a pivotal role in advancing Bicycle’s proprietary bicyclic peptide, Bicycle®, platform for oncology therapeutics.
Academic Background
Dr. Frigerio earned his MSci and Ph.D. in Chemistry from University College London. He further expanded his expertise by completing an Executive MBA at the Cambridge Judge Business School. His academic foundation has equipped him with a unique blend of scientific and strategic insights, essential for driving innovation in the biotech industry.
Research Focus
At Bicycle Therapeutics, Dr. Frigerio focuses on the design and development of Bicycle® conjugates, including:
Bicycle Toxin Conjugates, BTCs: These are chemically synthesized molecules that combine the targeting capabilities of peptides with potent cytotoxic agents, aiming for precise tumor targeting with reduced systemic toxicity.
Bicycle Tumor-Targeted Immune Cell Agonists, TICAs: These conjugates are designed to engage immune cells selectively within the tumor microenvironment, enhancing anti-tumor immune responses. His work emphasizes the modularity and synthetic accessibility of Bicycles, enabling rapid optimization and diversification for various therapeutic applications.
Notable Contributions
Dr. Frigerio has significantly contributed to the advancement of bioconjugation strategies, particularly in the development of novel linker technologies that enhance the stability and efficacy of peptide-drug conjugates. His leadership has been instrumental in progressing multiple Bicycle® programs into clinical development, demonstrating the platform's potential in addressing unmet medical needs in oncology.
Professional Engagements
Beyond his role at Bicycle Therapeutics, Dr. Frigerio actively participates in the scientific community. He has presented at various conferences, including the PEGS Boston Summit, sharing insights into the design and application of Bicycle® conjugates. His commitment to mentorship and collaboration continues to foster innovation within the field of chemical biology.
Through his expertise in chemistry and strategic leadership, Dr. Mark Frigerio continues to drive the development of next-generation therapeutics, contributing to the evolving landscape of targeted cancer treatments.
Bicycle® Molecules as an Innovative and Unique Therapeutic Class
Bicycle Therapeutics, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Bicycle® molecules are a novel molecule formed by constraining short linear peptides into a stabilized bi-cyclic structure using a central chemical scaffold. Bicycle molecules have a unique structure that can deliver high precision to their chosen targets, while their size and surface area means they can potentially engage targets that have historically been resistant to conventional modalities.
Bicycle molecules can be readily conjugated to other payloads, such as Bicycle Drug Conjugates containing a selectively cleavable linker and a small molecule toxin payload, and Bicycle Radionuclide Conjugates® containing a stable linker-chelator system and a highly potent radioisotope.
They are designed to address significant unmet medical needs in patients.