Participated · Equity · Aug 2024

Hedera-22 is a Belgian spin-off from the University of Liège developing an intelligent platform to discover new biomolecules with biopesticide activity. Founded in 2015 by ULiege scientists and professors, the company transitioned from supplying bioinformatics services to actively discovering novel natural compounds. Since 2023 it has been executing the Ab-Initio project to build an advanced natural product discovery platform that integrates molecular biology technologies with proprietary predictive bioinformatics tools based on machine learning. The company says the first version of the Ab-Initio platform will be available in early 2026 and has filed a patent for its prediction method. The recent financing of about €2 million — a capital increase from shareholders combined with subsidies from the Walloon Region — will fund R&D, team expansion and further development of its bioinformatics tools. Hedera-22 plans to commercialize a large library of identified molecules for the bioprotection sector via licensing and partnerships and aims to position itself as a world leader in discovery of novel biopesticidal compounds. Founded in 2015 as a spin-off of the University of Liège, Hedera-22 provides tailored bioinformatic services for healthcare and biotech industries while developing its own discovery platform. The company combines environmental microbiology and bioinformatics to accelerate identification and production of novel biomolecules for human medicine and the agro-industry. A proof of concept resulting in production of thaxtomin, a promising bioherbicide, attracted strategic interest from Globachem. Hedera-22 plans to set up laboratories at Sart-Tilman, acquire cutting-edge equipment, and consolidate its team to speed development and commercialization. The startup raised more than €1 million in its first financing round to fund these activities. Globachem has become a key shareholder as part of the deal.

Participated · Series B · Mar 2014

RuiYi is a La Jolla, California-based global therapeutic innovation provider focused on discovering and developing monoclonal antibodies against G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Its core pipeline includes RYI-008, a novel anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody for rheumatoid arthritis and cancer, and RYI-018, a monoclonal antibody to cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB-1). RYI-018 was identified via the company’s iCAPS platform and targets a commercially validated but previously intractable drug target. The company plans to file an IND and initiate clinical trials in multiple countries in 2015 for RYI-008 and to advance RYI-018 into preclinical studies. Financially, RuiYi closed a $4M debt financing from Silicon Valley Bank and previously completed a $15M Series B in March 2014. Discovery efforts and its research facility are located in the Zhangjiang Hi‑Tech Park in Pudong, Shanghai, China. RuiYi develops innovative monoclonal antibodies directed at previously untargeted G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) to address global therapeutic needs. Its pipeline includes a lead anti‑IL‑6 antibody, RYI‑008, and discovery programs against GPCRs such as cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB‑1). The company intends to use new funding to advance RYI‑008 and to discover and develop additional therapeutic mAbs targeting GPCRs. RuiYi is led by Paul A. Grayson (President & CEO), Erik Karrer, Ph.D. (Chief Scientific Officer), and Brian Campion, Ph.D. (VP of Business Development). It maintains a research facility at Zhangjiang Hi‑Tech Park in Pudong, Shanghai and is based in La Jolla, California. The company raised $15m in a Series B to support continued development and discovery work.

Led · Equity · Jan 2012

Telormedix is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on targeted modulation of the innate immune system through TLR7 agonists to treat cancer and autoimmune/inflammatory diseases. Its lead product, TMX-101, is in a Phase I/II clinical trial for Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC). The company is also developing two TLR7-targeted molecules, TMX-201 and TMX-202, as vaccine adjuvants; TMX-202 has shown significant preclinical results and was selected for preclinical study as a topical treatment for skin cancers. Telormedix plans to use recently raised funds to further advance its product candidates through preclinical and clinical trials and to support development of additional molecules. The company was founded in October 2007 and is located in Switzerland. Management states the financing from existing investors will allow it to reach next development milestones.

Participated · Series C · Oct 2010

Synosia Therapeutics is a Basel, Switzerland–based biotherapeutics company developing treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders. The company has six clinical-stage compounds in its pipeline targeting conditions including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Its lead compounds, SYN-115 and SYN-118, are in development to treat Parkinson's disease. Synosia announced a strategic collaboration with UCB that covers those lead compounds. The company raised $30M in a Series C financing as part of the collaboration. UCB executives Greg Duncan and Ismail Kola will join Synosia's board of directors under the agreement.

Participated · Series B · Dec 2009

Evolva Holding SA issued an announcement stating it had secured additional funding intended to support future growth. The notice was published as an EQS Group ad hoc release under the headline 'Evolva secures additional funding for future growth.' The release is dated 17‑May‑2021 and timed at 07:01 CET/CEST. The ad hoc announcement was made pursuant to Art. 53. The announcement does not specify the financing amount, instrument type, or any participating investors. It contains no operating metrics, past-round details, founding year, or location information. Evolva SA is a Swiss biotech that uses a genetic chemistry platform to develop small-molecule drugs. The company recently completed additional fundraising tied to a reverse merger that altered its corporate structure. Evolva added CHF16 million in additional Series B financing, bringing the round total to CHF44 million after an initial CHF28 million close in October. Backers named in the Series B include Wellington Partners, Aravis, Auriga Partners and Vinci Capital – Renaissance PME. The additional investment was part of Evolva’s reverse merger with Switzerland-listed Arpida Ltd. Separately, Evolva’s Indian subsidiary secured a CHF5 million funding commitment from Ventureast Trustee Company Pte Ltd. Evolva is a Basel-based Swiss biotech that develops clearly differentiated drug candidates and runs discovery partnerships that generate revenues. The company intends to progress its clinical compounds through phase II proof-of-concept trials over the next two to three years. To fund that work it will conduct a CHF 25m equity financing and says it has received positive feedback from existing and new investors. Evolva previously raised around $20m in venture capital from Novartis Venture, Aravis, Sunstone Capital and Dansk Innovationsinvestering. It currently employs 75 people, 30 of whom are located in Basel, and has operations in Denmark, the USA and India. The company has agreed to go public via a reverse merger with Arpida, which is listed on the Swiss stock exchange, and says the combined business will have promising growth prospects.