Participated · Series A · Jan 2023

iVexSol is a Lexington, MA–based technology-driven CDMO focused on production of lentiviral vectors (LVVs) for cell and gene therapies. Its platform uses banks of vector-producing cells to produce LVV at greater quantities than current approaches and to facilitate rapid scale-out within a smaller manufacturing footprint. The company is currently focused on generating stable LVV cell lines using each client’s gene of interest to enable an on-demand supply of vector. iVexSol says these advances enable shorter clinical development timelines, reduced costs, and increased global access for patients. The company intends to use the funds to advance process and analytical technologies, expand technical teams in Quality, Regulatory and cGMP operations, and augment infrastructure to support production of stable LVV producer cell lines. The company is led by co-founder and CEO Dr. Rodney Rietze. iVexSol develops a proprietary, next-generation stable lentiviral vector (LVV) production process intended to produce LVVs at significantly greater quantities than traditional transient transfection methods. The company’s core product is commercial-grade LVV and stable LVV producer cell line master banks for use in cell and gene therapy manufacturing. iVexSol says its technology enables a smaller manufacturing footprint and rapid scale-out to meet global demand, aiming to provide vector supply “on-demand” to shorten clinical timelines and reduce costs. The company plans to use the Series A proceeds to establish a cGMP manufacturing facility in Lexington, MA. Leadership includes co-founder and CEO Dr. Rodney Rietze, who framed the technology as addressing supply bottlenecks and long production wait times. Financially, iVexSol closed a $13.0M Series A as part of $15.2M raised to date. iVexSol is a Boston, MA-based viral vector manufacturing company led by CEO Dr. Rodney Rietze. The company is built on a proprietary, stable lentiviral vector production process intended to transform how gene-delivery vehicles are made. Its technology aims to reduce the complexity, cost, and development time of critical reagents for cell and gene therapies. iVexSol positions its platform to accelerate development and improve access for CGT researchers and manufacturers. In January 2019 the company raised $2.0m in new convertible debt funding. The company intends to use the funds to advance the development of its solutions.

Participated · Equity · Mar 2021

Rapid Micro Biosystems develops the Growth Direct® platform, a growth-based, fully automated system for microbial detection in pharmaceutical, biologics, vaccine, and cell & gene therapy manufacturing. The system is designed to improve data integrity, regulatory compliance, and the efficiency of global QC processes by detecting contamination more quickly than traditional methods. A majority of the global top-20 pharmaceutical companies use the Growth Direct® System, and the company reports accelerating adoption as manufacturers expand drug and vaccine production. Rapid Micro Biosystems positions its technology to reduce errors, decrease risk of contamination events and product recalls, and maximize manufacturing capacity. The company is headquartered in Lowell, Massachusetts, with global locations in Germany and the Netherlands. Recent fundraising supports continued global expansion and commercialization of its automated QC platform across biopharma and advanced therapy manufacturing. Rapid Micro Biosystems develops the Growth Direct™ platform, a fully automated, growth-based system that automates the majority of standard microbial QC tests and delivers results in roughly half the time of manual methods. The platform is used by a majority of the top 20 biopharma companies and supports biologics, sterile injectables, cell and gene therapies, and vaccine manufacturing. Growth Direct reduces human handling, enables remote monitoring and data reporting, and is positioned to help manufacturers meet stricter regulatory and capacity demands. The company has its global headquarters and U.S. manufacturing in Lowell, Massachusetts, and additional global locations in Germany and the Netherlands. Rapid Micro Biosystems completed a $120 million financing to support commercial expansion, global supply chain and manufacturing capability, and product development. Among planned developments is a rapid sterility test being advanced through a partnership with BARDA to shorten final product release timelines. Rapid Micro Biosystems is a Lowell, MA-based provider of automated, growth-based rapid microbial detection technology for the healthcare product manufacturing sector. Led by CEO Robert Spignesi, the company develops the Growth Direct™ system, a growth-based platform that automates traditional microbial testing to detect contamination and improve quality control. Its products target manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, biologics, biotechnology products, medical devices, and personal care products. The company secured $60M in equity financing to support its operations. Rapid Micro intends to use the funds to accelerate global commercial expansion, expand operational capability, and drive product innovation. Rapid Micro Biosystems develops the Growth Direct™ System, an automated, non-destructive rapid detection and enumeration technology for microbial quality control in pharmaceutical and related manufacturing. The system accelerates detection and enumeration for sterility testing, environmental monitoring, and bioburden testing while eliminating manual steps and analysis. Growth Direct uses the natural autofluorescence of microbes, requires no reagents, and is stated to be the first automated technology addressing all microbial quality control applications while fitting current regulatory practices. The technology is in use by some of the largest organizations in the world. The company plans to use new investment to expand global commercial and manufacturing operations, with a strategic focus on growing commercial and operational capabilities in Asia, specifically Singapore. Management cites the expansion as supporting broader adoption of the Growth Direct system in pharmaceutical and medical technology plants across the region. Rapid Micro Biosystems delivers the Growth Direct System, an automated, non-destructive rapid detection and enumeration technology for microbial quality control in pharmaceutical manufacturing and related industries. The system automates sterility testing, environmental monitoring, and bioburden testing, using microbes' natural autofluorescence and requiring no reagents; the detection technology was first developed and patented by Dr. Don Straus, Ph.D. Growth Direct is used by some of the largest companies in the industry and is designed to fit with current regulatory practices to accelerate adoption. In July 2015 the company closed $19 million in senior credit facilities — a $16 million term loan with Solar Capital and a $3 million revolving credit facility with Comerica Bank — to provide working capital. Management said the financing provides additional flexibility to invest in new opportunities and to accelerate global commercialization and expansion of the technology.

Led · Equity · Jan 2019

Laminate Medical Technologies develops the VasQ, an external vascular support device implanted during AV fistula creation to reduce vein wall tension and regulate fistula geometry for dialysis patients. The VasQ already has CE approval and has been applied successfully in Germany and other European countries for hundreds of patients. The company has begun clinical trials at 16 leading U.S. hospitals as part of a push to obtain FDA approval and enter the American market. Laminate operates an R&D center in Ramat HaHayal, Tel Aviv, with branches in the U.S. and Germany and a distributor network in several European countries. The device is in use in two Israeli hospitals (Sheba and Hadassah Ein Kerem) and enjoys expanded reimbursement coverage in 260 German hospitals. Laminate has 18 employees and aims to reduce fistula failure, re-interventions, and the cost burden of vascular access complications. Laminate Medical Technologies, founded in 2012, develops VasQ, a blood vessel support device implanted in patients with kidney failure who require dialysis. VasQ is already in use in hospitals in Europe and Israel, including leading centers in the UK, Switzerland, Italy and Germany. The device is intended to reduce the high failure rate of fistula surgery and the need for repeat operations. Laminate is completing US clinical trials and pursuing FDA approval while expanding its activities in the European market. To support these efforts the company is expanding its experienced medical‑device staff and opening a US branch. Financially, Laminate raised $8 million in the current Series B and has raised $13 million to date.