OncoMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a Redwood City company founded to develop therapies targeting “cancer stem cells” — so called because of their similarity to the normal stem cells that drive human growth and the replenishment of skin and similar tissues. Scientists believe that cancer stem cells drive tumor metastasis.

The privately held company has developed a range of antibodies to cancer stem cell proteins for use in the treatment of pancreatic, breast, colorectal and lung cancers.