Led · Series B · Apr 2023

Evommune is a Palo Alto-based clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing treatments for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Led by CEO Luis Pena, its lead programs include EVO756, a potent, highly selective small-molecule antagonist of MRGPRX2, and EVO301, a long-acting serum albumin-binding injectable therapeutic fusion-protein targeting IL-18 signaling. EVO756 is implicated in mast cell activation and neuroinflammation and is being developed as a potentially targeted, safe oral therapy for multiple mast cell–mediated diseases. EVO301 is designed to neutralize IL-18 signaling to regulate inflammation across chronic inflammatory diseases. The company plans multiple Phase 2 studies of EVO756 and a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study of EVO301. Evommune raised $115M in a Series C and intends to use the proceeds to advance these lead clinical programs. Evommune is a private, clinical-stage R&D biotechnology company focused on treating inflammatory diseases. The company uses a human tissue–based approach to discover, develop, and deliver therapies intended to address symptoms and halt progressive disease. Led by President and CEO Luis Peña, Evommune pursues translational immunology research to advance its therapeutic candidates. Founded in 2020, the company is advancing its pipeline through clinical-stage development. Evommune recently expanded funding for its Series B round, strengthening its financial position for near-term work. The company intends to use the new funds to expand operations and broaden its business reach. Evommune is a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing therapies to treat inflammatory diseases using a dynamic human tissue-based approach. Its prioritized pipeline includes EVO101, a novel small-molecule IRAK4 inhibitor currently in a Phase 2a proof-of-concept trial for atopic dermatitis, with data expected later this year. The company is also developing EVO756, a preclinical program that targets mast cells by selectively modulating MRGPRX2 to treat chronic spontaneous urticaria and interstitial cystitis. In addition, Evommune runs a discovery program targeting autoimmune diseases via PKCθ. The company intends to use the proceeds from its recent financing to support these three prioritized programs. Evommune was founded in 2020 and is led by President and CEO Luis Peña in Palo Alto, CA. Evommune is a private R&D company and innovation engine that uses the skin as a lens to uncover approaches for accelerating development of medicines across immunology and dermatology. The company has four investigational compounds in its pipeline, three of which were in‑licensed via an exclusive agreement with Dermira, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company. Evommune is led by co‑founders Luis Pena (President & CEO), Eugene A. Bauer, M.D. (Chief Medical Officer), and Hans Hofland, PhD (SVP of Research). The company says it is developing transformative therapies to treat patients with immune‑mediated and chronic inflammatory diseases. Evommune recently won the Gore Range Capital Skin Health Innovation Competition at the Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference, reflecting engagement with clinicians and industry thought leaders. The company plans to use its recent funding to continue research and development of its pipeline. Evommune applies a tissue‑based, skin‑centered approach and a novel screening platform to discover molecules aimed at treating chronic inflammatory and dermatologic diseases. The company is building a pipeline intended to include both discovery-stage and clinical‑stage development programs and has established academic and industry collaborations to support that work. Leadership includes industry veterans Luis Peña (CEO), Eugene A. Bauer, MD (CMO), Hans Hofland, PhD (SVP, research), and Janice Drew, MPH (SVP, product development), who previously held senior roles at Dermira. The team highlights a track record of rapid regulatory approvals and drug development across immunology and dermatology; Dermira was sold to Eli Lilly for approximately $1.1 billion in 2020. Evommune says the seed financing will be used to set up and drive execution of its longer‑term strategy to accelerate development of transformative medicines. The company was founded in 2020 and is headquartered in Los Altos, California.

Led · Series B · Jan 2023

Ensoma is a Boston-based biotechnology company focused on engineering hematopoietic stem cells directly inside the body to create durable genetic medicines for genetic diseases, immune disorders, and cancer. Its platform uses high-capacity virus-like particles (VLPs) that selectively target HSCs and can deliver up to 35 kb of genetic cargo, enabling single-base edits through large multi-gene insertions. The company combines these VLPs with proprietary base-editing and gene-integration systems, aiming for one-time intravenous administration. Proceeds from its latest financing will fund a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of lead candidate EN-374 for X-linked chronic granulomatous disease and support platform expansion into immuno-oncology and sickle cell programs. Ensoma’s strategy centers on creating off-the-shelf, non-myeloablative treatments that avoid the complexity and cost of ex vivo cell processing. The firm’s board now includes a Gilead appointee following the strategic investment. No financial metrics or commercial revenues have been disclosed to date.

Led · Series A · Dec 2021

Sorriso Pharmaceuticals is a Salt Lake City, UT–based biotechnology company led by president and CEO Ciara Kennedy that is advancing disease-modifying antibodies for inflammatory diseases including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Its platform generates potent antibodies that can be delivered orally and are designed to maintain activity throughout the intestinal system. The lead program, SOR102, is in development for inflammatory bowel disease and simultaneously inhibits TNFα and IL-23, two clinically validated drivers of IBD. The company’s approach seeks to combine the clinical impact of injectable antibody therapeutics with the benefits of oral administration, producing targeted activity, negligible systemic exposure, and minimal immunogenicity. Sorriso intends to use the financing to advance its pipeline of novel oral antibodies to address unmet needs in immune-mediated diseases. The company recently closed a $31M Series A financing to fund those efforts.

Participated · Series A · Dec 2021

Depixus develops the MAGNA™ instrument system, workflows, and reagents to extract multiomic information from DNA, RNA and proteins, enabling analysis of dynamic, three‑dimensional genomic features. Its MAGNA™ technology uses a ‘magnetic trap’ instrument and flow cell to capture and analyze nucleic acid samples at multiple levels of resolution. The company plans to use new funding to recruit talent in France and the UK and to advance the platform toward commercial launch. Depixus aims to move research from linear one-dimensional sequence measurement to scalable analysis of base modifications and 3D genomic dynamics. The company is a spin-out from École Normale Supérieure and is led by CEO and co-founder Gordon Hamilton and Chairman John Berriman. Depixus has been financed through equity investment and numerous grants, including from the EU’s Horizon 2020 SME Instrument and Innovate UK programmes. The company operates out of Paris, France and Cambridge, England, UK.

Participated · Series B · Sep 2021

Disc Medicine focuses on developing therapies for serious and debilitating hematologic diseases, led by CEO John Quisel. Its lead programs include bitopertin, an oral GlyT1 inhibitor being evaluated as a potential disease-modifying treatment for erythropoietic porphyrias, and DISC-0974, an anti-hemojuvelin monoclonal antibody designed to suppress hepcidin for anemia of inflammation. Bitopertin has been studied in over 4,000 healthy volunteers and patients across more than 30 clinical trials and has a well-defined safety profile, though it is not approved for any indication. DISC-0974 is in a phase 1 trial in healthy volunteers, with data expected later this year, and was licensed from AbbVie in October 2019. The company intends to use new funding to conduct phase 2 studies of bitopertin and DISC-0974 and to expand clinical development into additional hematologic disorders. Both programs are experimental and not approved for use in any jurisdiction. Disc Medicine applies insights in hepcidin biology to develop therapies that restore red blood cell production in hematologic diseases. The company is advancing two therapeutic programs: an orally administered matriptase-2 inhibitor to increase hepcidin expression for iron‑loading anemias, and a hemojuvelin‑antagonist monoclonal antibody to reduce hepcidin expression for anemia in chronic inflammatory and hematologic diseases. Disc was founded in 2017 by Atlas Venture and Brian MacDonald, who serves as interim CEO. The team is supported by a board chaired by Donald Nicholson and by medical advisors from institutions including The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Disc is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and completed a Series A financing in 2019.