Day One Biopharmaceuticals Business Summary

Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (DAWN) is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company that generates revenue primarily through the sale of its lead product, OJEMDA (tovorafenib), an oral, brain-penetrant type II RAF kinase inhibitor approved for pediatric low-grade glioma (pLGG). The company operates within the targeted oncology segment, leveraging a precision medicine platform to address genetically defined cancers in underserved pediatric and young adult populations. Revenue is supplemented by strategic licensing agreements, most notably a 2024 deal with Ipsen for ex-U.S. commercial rights to OJEMDA, which provided significant upfront capital and potential milestone payments. As of February 2026, the company is expanding its clinical footprint through the Phase 3 FIREFLY-2 trial for first-line pLGG and the integration of its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) pipeline, including Emi-Le (emiltatug ledadotin) and DAY301. Day One competes directly with global oncology leaders such as Novartis (Tafinlar/Mekinist), AstraZeneca, and Pfizer, distinguishing itself by offering the first targeted therapy specifically indicated for both BRAF fusions and V600 mutations in the pLGG market. Day One was co-founded by Julie Grant, a General Partner at Canaan, and Dr. Samuel Blackman, a pediatric oncologist who transitioned to a strategic advisory role following his retirement as Head of R&D in late 2024. The executive team is led by CEO and President Jeremy Bender, Ph.D., MBA, who previously held senior corporate development roles at Gilead Sciences and served as COO of Tizona Therapeutics. The leadership suite includes Dr. Michael Vasconcelles as Head of Research and Development, who joined in June 2025 from ImmunoGen, and Dr. Heather Adkins Huet, who was appointed Chief Scientific Officer in September 2025. Financial and operational strategy is overseen by Charles N. York II, serving as both Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, while Dr. Elly Barry serves as Chief Medical Officer. The company maintains a strong institutional backing from notable investors including Canaan, Atlas Venture, and Access Industries, with a board of directors that features industry veterans such as John Josey and Saira Ramasastry.