Aglaia BioMedical Ventures
Professor Bronkhorstlaan 10 Building 92, Bilthoven, Utrecht, 3723 MB, Netherlands
Overview
Aglaia is founded on the principle that the willingness to take risks on the very early stage ventures of today results in opportunities that may grow into the winning companies of tomorrow. As such, we are typically the first provider of capital for startup and early stage companies and a driving force behind product development. Since the number of technological discoveries in the biomedical field is growing fast, specialized knowledge regarding the translation of these discoveries into novel products is a prerequisite for success. Aglaia's focus on oncology is considered to be a differentiating asset. We invest in novel tools and technologies as well as components of contemporary drug development. Opportunities may be derived from research centers as well as from corporate spinouts. We select, develop and commercialize promising technologies up to a level where the technology becomes attractive to larger investors or pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
- Total investments
- 3
- Lead investments
- 1
- Investments · 12mo
- 0
- Active investors
- 1
Investment portfolio
- Inthera Bioscience
Participated · Series A · May 2017
Inthera Bioscience is a Zurich-based biopharmaceutical company that develops targeted small-molecule therapies for solid tumors. It employs a proprietary technology platform to rationally design small-molecule inhibitors of intracellular protein-protein interactions (PPIs). The company’s drug discovery programs focus on novel oral agents that block aberrant cell signaling in solid tumors and are currently in pre-clinical development. Founded in 2013 by Ulrich Kessler and Paramjit Arora, Inthera’s lead program targets HPV-associated cancers. The company will use the Series A proceeds to complete pre-clinical development of its lead program and to expand operations and the pipeline. As part of the financing, Emmanuelle Coutanceau of Novo Seeds and Keno Gutierrez of Merck Ventures joined Inthera’s Board of Directors. Inthera Bioscience is a Swiss biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class targeted small molecule therapies for solid tumors. The company employs a proprietary technology platform to rationally design inhibitors of protein-protein interactions. It has discovered potent disruptors of hypoxia-inducible signaling and targeted agents against HPV-associated cancer, with programs currently in preclinical development. Inthera aims to advance its lead program from in vivo proof-of-concept into the clinic and to expand its emerging pipeline. The company was founded in 2013 by Dr. Ulrich Kessler and Prof. Paramjit Arora. Inthera recently completed a $3.7 million (EUR 3.4 million) financing to support these near-term development plans.
- Cristal Therapeutics
Led · Equity · Jan 2017
Cristal Therapeutics develops nanomedicines that entrap existing and new drugs in proprietary CriPec® polymer nanoparticles to improve distribution, selective release and tolerability. Its lead candidate, CriPec® docetaxel, has shown enhanced efficacy and safety in preclinical studies and completed a clinical phase Ia trial assessing tolerability and pharmacokinetics. The company is advancing CriPec® docetaxel through a planned clinical phase Ib to confirm recommended phase II dosing and expects to start a larger phase II later in the year. Cristal is also developing CriPec® DUO (dual-drug nanoparticles) and CriPec® oligonucleotide delivery programs to broaden therapeutic applications. The company is privately held and based in Maastricht; a recent €12.8 million financing will support the upcoming clinical trials and intensified platform and preclinical development. Cristal has an existing partnership with iTeos Therapeutics to combine CriPec® nanoparticles with immuno-oncology small-molecule modulators. Cristal Therapeutics develops nanomedicines using its patented CriPec® technology to entrap drugs in polymer nanoparticles (0.0001 mm diameter) to improve distribution and enable more selective drug release. The company’s lead program is CriPec® docetaxel, intended to provide more effective chemotherapy with fewer side effects. Preclinical studies since 2011 have demonstrated safety and efficacy for various CriPec®-based candidates in animal models. Cristal plans to begin the first clinical study of CriPec® docetaxel in early 2015. The company completed a financing round of over €6 million to support that clinical start. Leadership changes accompanied the financing: co‑founder Joost Holthuis was appointed CEO effective 1 December 2014, and founder Cristianne Rijcken moved to Chief Scientific Officer.
Team
Mark Krul
Founder and Director
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