• Hera Biotech

  Participated · Seed · Aug 2022

  Hera Biotech is commercializing MetriDx™, a category‑defining non-surgical diagnostic test that collects an endometrial sample in an in‑office procedure and uses micro‑fluidic single‑cell analysis to diagnose and stage endometriosis. The test is intended to eliminate the need for laparoscopic surgery for diagnosis, reduce time to diagnosis, lower hospital liability risk, and preserve tissue collection for pathology. While pursuing FDA clearance, Hera plans to offer MetriDx™ initially as a laboratory developed test (LDT) to OB/GYN practices, fertility clinics and reproductive endocrinologists. The company closed an oversubscribed $1.9 million seed financing to fund completion of an in‑patient human clinical study, expand its IP portfolio, and support a regulatory pathway with the U.S. FDA. Hera intends to launch a $15 million Series A in late 2022 to support a planned commercial product launch in 2024. The company was formed to apply advances in biotechnology to unmet needs in women’s health and reproductive medicine.

• kegg

  Participated · Seed · Sep 2021

  Lady Technologies' first product, kegg, is a wearable fertility tracker and pelvic floor trainer that analyzes vaginal data by measuring changes in cervical mucus. The company says its form factor enabled it to collect the largest dataset on cervical fluid changes, which it uses to power a proprietary vaginal health platform. kegg provides actionable insights for women on fertility and intimate health and to date has supported 50,000 women and families on their trying-to-conceive journeys. With new capital, the company plans to invest in its proprietary technology and research and development focused on cervical mucus and adjacent vaginal health markers. Lady Technologies intends to expand kegg's applications beyond trying-to-conceive to postpartum care, contraception (including non-hormonal approaches) and detection/support around infections. The company emphasizes a personalized, data-driven approach to surface previously overlooked vaginal health information. kegg develops a small egg-shaped intravaginal device called the kegg and a companion smartphone app to analyze cervical fluid and help users pinpoint their fertility window. The device has a "tail," vibrates to indicate test start and completion, and the reading takes about two minutes; results and cycle insights appear in the app where users can log notes and LH tests. Users are instructed to take the test once a day within the same two-hour window, except during their period or within eight hours of intercourse. The kegg device also functions as a kegel ball for pelvic floor exercises and helps users track their cycles. The company plans to use the new funding to expand services into perimenopause, menopause, postpartum care and infections, and to grow research collaborations and pilots; the article does not disclose revenue or user metrics. Lady Technologies’ product kegg is an egg-shaped, FDA-registered device that measures electrolyte/impedance changes in cervical fluid to detect the hormonal shift around ovulation and also functions as a connected Kegel trainer. The device pairs with a companion app, uploads anonymized/pseudonymized impedance readings to the cloud, and uses algorithms to provide personalized fertile-window predictions. Kegg records at least one fertile window per user to personalize predictions, and the company holds numerous patents on the device design and operation. The startup sold the device in a U.S. launch priced at $275 and built a roughly 2,000-strong community during its beta period. Lady Technologies has provided devices for an independent clinical study and says fertility instructors and doctors are using kegg for patient monitoring. The company plans international expansion (Singapore in late October, then Japan and Canada next year) and is exploring subscription services and expanded research/health-monitoring use cases.

• Oisin Biotechnologies

  Led · Seed · May 2021

  Oisín Biotechnologies is a privately held Seattle company developing genetic medicines to address age-related diseases using its Fusogenix Proteo-Lipid Vehicle (PLV) technology to deliver DNA directly to cells. Its lead programs focus on targeted fat reduction, muscle regeneration, and cellular senescence, with the fat reduction program delivering a fat‑killing genetic payload via direct injection to adipose tissue. A prior tolerability study in pigs demonstrated an excellent safety profile with no adverse effects or injection-site reactions. The company has been awarded a grant from the Methuselah Foundation to complete its first efficacy study in pigs, which will evaluate the efficacy and selectivity of two lead development candidates. The grant is described as a critical milestone in the company’s Series A workplan and support for advancing the program toward the clinic. Oisín says its technologies have attracted interest from leading pharmaceutical companies and advocacy groups, highlighting potential applicability across age-related conditions. Oisín Biotechnologies develops genetic medicines aimed at mitigating the effects of age-related diseases. The company utilizes the Fusogenix Proteo-Lipid Vehicle (PLV) delivery system developed by Entos Pharmaceuticals to deliver DNA directly to cells throughout the body. Its initial programs focus on eliminating unwanted fat cells and building muscle mass to address frailty. Oisín will use proceeds from its Series A financing to advance its pipeline toward clinical development. The company cites growing demand for therapies that address muscle loss associated with popular GLP-1 agonists. Oisín is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Oisín Biotechnologies is a late preclinical biotechnology company focused on mitigating the effects of age-related diseases by clearing senescent cells. Its interventions are DNA-based and employ a proprietary SENSOlytics® proteo-lipid vehicle platform designed to induce apoptosis in senescent cells without harming healthy cells. In preclinical studies the company’s investigational therapeutics significantly reduced senescent cell burden in naturally aged mice and extended lifespan by more than 20%, even when treatment began in old age. The company’s most advanced program targets chronic kidney disease (CKD), with the OB-001 preclinical study readouts expected later this year. Oisín will use the new funding to advance its preclinical pipeline, progress additional indications, and move toward a regulatory filing to begin its first clinical trial. Headquartered in Seattle, the company says it will continue to explore other applications in tandem. The business completed an oversubscribed seed round raising $5 million, bringing total funding to $9.5 million.

No current team members are available.