• Isarna Therapeutics

  Participated · Equity · Apr 2014

  Isarna Therapeutics is a leader in TGF-β therapeutics developing inhibitors intended to stimulate the human immune system to fight cancer and other diseases. The company is advancing a pipeline of novel oligonucleotides and combination modalities aimed at transcending clinical response and improving patient outcomes. Isarna announced it raised €5.5M (US$7.6M) in equity from current investors including AT NewTec, Global Asset Funds, and MIG Fonds. It also named Elizabeth Czerepak as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer to lead a new New York City office. Management described the hire and U.S. expansion as key strategic steps toward building the company’s presence in the global biotech industry. The company lists headquarters in Munich and a U.S. address on Madison Avenue in New York. Isarna Therapeutics is a Munich, Germany-based company that develops TGF-β inhibitors to fight cancer. Its core programs are oligonucleotide candidates designed to inhibit various isoforms of TGF-β, a pathway implicated in tumor immune evasion and proliferation. The company raised €13m (US$17.8m) in equity to advance this pipeline. Backers included new private investor AT NewTec and existing MIG-managed funds. Isarna is led by CEO Dr. Philippe Calais and intends to use the proceeds to push development of its oligonucleotide portfolio.

• AMSilk

  Participated · Series B · Mar 2011

  AMSilk develops advanced biomaterials from silk-based proteins using a patented technology platform and a supporting patent portfolio. It converts man-made proteins into formulations including fibers and yarns, hydrogels, and silk powder. The company’s high-performance materials target applications across the textile, homecare, biomedical, and automobile industries. AMSilk has collaborated with global companies and intends to continue partnering with enterprises worldwide. The company plans to use the new funds to build further commercial traction and to support the next phase of industrial scale-up to meet growing global demand. The raise followed an extension of its Series C financing in 2023. AMSilk produces bio-fabricated silk protein materials using a patented biotechnological process, converting plant-based renewable inputs into powders, hydrogels, fibers, and coatings. Its materials are 100% protein, do not involve natural farming processes, and are fully biodegradable under aerobic and marine conditions without generating microplastics. The company plans to use the new funding to accelerate industrial scale-up and expand commercial operations for its biotech materials. AMSilk raised an additional €25M in a Series C extension, bringing the total Series C to €54M. The extension was led by ATHOS (AT Newtec) with participation from Novo Holdings, Cargill, and MIG Capital. Since a €29M financing in 2021, AMSilk has invested in partnership agreements and supply contracts with leading apparel, medical, automotive, and biotech companies. AMSilk is an industrial supplier of synthetic silk biopolymers based in Planegg, near Munich, Germany. Its products are produced from plant-based raw material via bacterial fermentation and possess mechanical and biochemical properties suitable for multiple industries. The company offers high-performance Biosteel® fibers for textiles and industrial applications worldwide and cites use cases in medical devices and personal care products. AMSilk has announced collaborations and partnerships with brands like Adidas and Airbus. Led by CEO Ulrich Scherbel, the company plans to accelerate scale-up of its industrial projects and internationalize commercial activities to expand its customer base into new markets. It raised €29M in a Series C round to fund these efforts. AMSilk produces and processes SPIDERSILK biopolymers copied from the proteins of web-weaving spiders. These biopolymers enable new technical products and improvements to existing products. According to the company, the materials offer mechanical toughness, chemical resistance and biocompatibility while being completely biodegradable. AMSilk completed a €5m Series B financing and intends to use the capital to expand development and sales efforts for its first spider silk-based products. The company plans to pursue those efforts through partnerships with leading companies across major industries. Founded in 2008 as a spin-off from the Technische Universität München, AMSilk is led by Managing Director Axel Leimer.

No current team members are available.