Led · Equity · Nov 2025

Dayra Therapeutics is a newly launched biotechnology company pioneering a platform for discovering and optimizing oral macrocyclic peptides that selectively modulate disease-relevant proteins. Spun out of Versant Ventures’ Frontier Discovery Engine in 2024, the startup couples its proprietary macrocycle discovery capabilities with computational design and modeling. The initial focus is on high-value immunology targets, though the technology is applicable to additional therapeutic areas. Dayra’s team draws on deep macrocycle drug-development experience, and the company has already advanced molecules against several targets during its seed-stage work. A strategic collaboration with Biogen will supply validation, development, and commercialization capabilities, while giving Biogen an option to acquire resulting candidates. The company has secured more than $70 million in committed funding, providing a multi-year runway to progress its pipeline toward preclinical and clinical milestones.

Participated · Series C · Jul 2024

Autobahn Therapeutics develops restorative treatments for neuropsychiatric and neuroimmunologic disorders using a brain-targeting chemistry platform. Its lead program, ABX-002, is an oral, selective thyroid hormone beta receptor (TRβ) agonist that showed CNS target engagement and favorable tolerability in Phase 1. The company plans to initiate two Phase 2 trials of ABX-002 in the second half of 2024 as adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder and bipolar depression. Autobahn will also advance ABX-101, a highly CNS-penetrant oral S1P receptor modulator, into Phase 1 clinical testing to target neuroimmunologic and neuroinflammatory disorders. Preclinical data for ABX-101 demonstrated exceptional CNS exposure and robust centrally mediated effects in animal models. The company is based in San Diego and intends to use recent financing to rapidly progress these programs through clinical development. Autobahn Therapeutics leverages a proprietary brain‑targeting chemistry platform to develop precision CNS therapeutics. Its lead program, ABX‑002, is a potent, selective thyroid receptor‑beta (TRβ) agonist designed to augment antidepressant effects and enhance serotonin activity in treatment‑resistant depression (TRD) patients. The company plans to initiate a Phase 1 single‑ and multiple‑ascending dose trial of ABX‑002 in healthy volunteers in the second half of 2022. Autobahn has assembled a TRD‑focused scientific advisory board with leaders from neurology, psychiatry and drug development to guide its program. Beyond TRD, Autobahn will evaluate ABX‑002 for additional indications including remyelination and multiple sclerosis and will use its chemistry platform to identify further programs. The company is based in San Diego. Autobahn Therapeutics is focused on developing next-generation regenerative medicines for CNS disorders by leveraging a brain-targeting chemistry platform and validated thyroid hormone biology. Its lead program, ABX-002, is a thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist being developed for multiple sclerosis and adrenomyeloneuropathy. The company develops small-molecule thyromimetics designed to stimulate remyelination and selectively maximize exposure in the brain. Autobahn intends to use biomarker-driven development to establish on-target activity and early proof-of-mechanism. Leadership includes experienced executives and scientific founders such as Kevin Finney (CEO) and Thomas Scanlan (co-founder and senior advisor). The company is advancing a broader portfolio of CNS programs built on the same platform and has just completed a significant Series B financing to fund near-term development.

Participated · Series C · Mar 2017

Solid Bio completed a $60 million private placement. The article provides no information on the company’s business model, products, pipeline, or operating metrics. It does not disclose investors or the intended use of proceeds. The report gives no details on prior funding rounds, founding year, or location. The item appeared as a brief news headline alongside coverage of EMA backing five medicines. Solid Biosciences is focused solely on finding meaningful therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Its lead candidate, SGT-001, is an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-mediated gene therapy with clinical trials anticipated to begin in the second half of 2017. The company is progressing programs across four scientific platforms: Corrective Therapies, Disease Modifying Therapies, Disease Understanding and Assistive Devices. Solid says it will use recent financing to advance SGT-001 into the clinic, secure manufacturing capacity and capabilities, and support long-term clinical and commercial needs. It also plans to continue building its pipeline with next-generation gene therapy assets and disease-modifying therapies. Solid merged with its gene therapy subsidiary Solid GT to better align talent and resources and consolidate their boards.

Participated · Series A · Feb 2016

Yumanity Therapeutics applies an innovative drug-discovery platform to develop disease-modifying therapies for neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Alzheimer’s disease. The company focuses on reversing cellular phenotypes and disease pathologies caused by protein misfolding. Under a strategic research collaboration and license agreement with Merck, Yumanity will collaborate to advance two preclinical programs targeting ALS and frontotemporal lobar dementia (FTLD) during the research term. After the research term, Merck has the right to continue clinical development and commercialization of those programs. As part of the deal Merck gained exclusive rights to the two programs, joined existing investors by participating in a Series C, and Yumanity received an upfront payment and is eligible for milestone payments totaling approximately $500 million plus royalties on net sales. Existing investors named in the announcement include Fidelity Management & Research Company, Redmile Group, Pfizer Ventures, Alexandria Venture Investments, Tony Coles, and Dolby Family Ventures. Yumanity Therapeutics is focused on transforming drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases caused by protein misfolding. The company leverages three integrated, proprietary discovery platforms developed in the laboratory of Susan Lindquist to identify novel, disease‑modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and ALS. Formed in 2014 and based in Cambridge, Mass., Yumanity was founded by Tony Coles, M.D., and Susan Lindquist, Ph.D., and is led by Dr. Coles as chairman and CEO. The company plans to use recent financing to accelerate advancement of its discovery platforms and devote resources to research and drug discovery. Its approach emphasizes reversing cellular phenotypes and disease pathologies caused by misfolded proteins and uses yeast‑based biology to enable high‑throughput screening. Financially, Yumanity closed a $45 million Series A to fund these efforts.

Led · Preferred · Jan 2016

Rodin Therapeutics is discovering and developing first-in-class therapeutics that boost synaptic resilience to treat neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases. Its discovery strategy targets specific HDAC complexes and leverages novel chemical strategies to produce brain-penetrant small molecules. The company applies a unique translational approach to measure pro-synaptic effects in a clinical setting. Rodin’s programs are intended to address disorders that share impaired neuronal and synaptic function, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The company completed a $27 million financing to advance its product candidates and accelerate programs toward clinical trials. Rodin also expanded its board as part of the financing, reflecting continued investor support for its development strategy. Rodin Therapeutics develops therapeutics for cognitive and other neurological disorders by applying epigenetics insights. The company has advanced an internal pipeline of epigenetic modulators and obtained an exclusive license to an additional chemical series discovered at the Broad Institute. Its drug candidates have potential to treat conditions including Parkinson’s disease, cognitive impairment in schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Rodin was co-founded in 2013 by Atlas Venture and Proteros Biostructures and is led by President and CEO Adam Rosenberg. The company entered a multi-year research collaboration with Biogen tied to its neuroscience epigenetics work. As part of its financing and collaboration activity, Rodin is positioning to advance its preclinical pipeline toward clinical development. Rodin Therapeutics discovers and develops first-in-class therapeutics for cognitive and CNS disorders by targeting epigenetic mechanisms and using structural biology capabilities. The company leverages a strategic partnership with Proteros for structure-accelerated lead discovery and has an exclusive license to an additional chemical series developed at the Broad Institute. Rodin has assembled a Scientific Advisory Board chaired by Li-Huei Tsai and staffed by academic and industry experts. The leadership team includes Bruce Booth (Chairman and acting CEO), Marty Jefson (CSO), Ankit Mahadevia (Acting CBO), and Barbara Tate (Head of Biology). Rodin plans to use its recent financing to advance its pipeline of selective epigenetic modulators toward the clinic.