• Pharmamark

  Led · Equity · Feb 2021

  Pharmamark Nutrition commercializes CSIRO’s IntEncap™ microencapsulation technology to load lipid and bioactive nutrients from marine, algal, vegetable and fungal oils into shelf-stable spray-dried powders. The IntEncap process uses a flexible protein and carbohydrate base with an emulsion film to protect sensitive nutrients, enabling customised dry‑blend infant formula and other human food formulations. Pharmamark is focused primarily on the omega-3 DHA infant formula market in Asia and Oceania and has targeted the US$62.5 billion global baby milk formula market. Funds from the recent investment will be used to develop CSIRO’s microencapsulation technology and to complete a spray dryer facility in Thailand to microencapsulate oils including OPO, anhydrous milk fat and PUFA oils. The executive team includes CEO Guy Drummond, who has long been associated with the CSIRO technology, and personnel experienced in infant formula, manufacturing and omega fatty acids. The article does not disclose revenues or other operating metrics.

• Canary Medical

  Participated · Equity · May 2018

  Canary Medical, Inc. is a Vancouver-based medical data company with U.S. offices in Carlsbad, CA. The firm embeds sensors and connectivity into smart medical devices that self-report functional status, diagnostic information, patient activity, side effects, and treatment failures. By continuously collecting, analyzing, and monetizing this data, Canary Medical seeks to provide clinicians with actionable insights that enhance patient outcomes and enable value-based care. Its platform turns implants into connected, data-generating assets, creating a real-time feedback loop between patients and providers. The company’s technology is designed to reduce complications, detect issues early, and support data-driven clinical decisions. Canary Medical has garnered approximately $45 million in equity funding from investors including Global Health Sciences, Biosciences Managers, and Kobuck Limited, complementing its new venture loan facility.

• Aura Biosciences

  Participated · Equity · Sep 2016

  Aura Biosciences is a clinical-stage oncology company developing a novel VDC (virus-like drug conjugate) technology platform. Its lead candidate, AU-011 (belzupacap sarotalocan), is a first-in-class VDC in Phase 2 development for first-line treatment of choroidal melanoma and has received Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the FDA. AU-011 is activated with infrared light via an ophthalmic laser, is designed to preserve key eye structures and vision, and can be delivered in an ophthalmologist’s office without surgery. The company plans to advance AU-011 into a pivotal Phase 3 program and continue research across additional ocular oncology indications. Aura also intends to expand the VDC platform into non-ophthalmic solid tumors, beginning with bladder cancer. The company is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. Aura Biosciences is developing a new class of targeted therapies for ocular oncology, with its lead program AU-011 aimed at primary choroidal melanoma. AU-011 is a first-in-class light-activated therapy made of proprietary viral-like particle bioconjugates that bind selectively to tumor cells and are activated with an ophthalmic laser to disrupt tumor cell membranes while sparing key eye structures. The therapy can be delivered in an ophthalmologist’s office without a surgical procedure and has received orphan drug and fast track designations from the U.S. FDA. AU-011 is being developed under a CRADA with the National Cancer Institute. Aura plans to use proceeds from its recent financing to support late-stage clinical development of AU-011. The company positions AU-011 as a potentially vision-sparing alternative to plaque radiotherapy and enucleation, addressing a high unmet need for a disease with no approved targeted therapies. Aura Biosciences is developing a new class of light-activated viral nanoparticle therapies that selectively target and destroy cancer cells, with its lead program AU-011 focused on primary treatment of ocular melanoma. AU-011 is being developed under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Cancer Institute. The company is led by founder and CEO Elisabet de los Pinos, Ph.D. Aura closed a $30M Series C to support its clinical programs. Proceeds will be used to expand infrastructure supporting ongoing clinical development and to continue enrolling patients in its Phase 1b/2 study of AU-011. Aura also plans to expand its Cambridge footprint in 2018 with additional employees, space and equipment. Aura Biosciences is a Cambridge, Mass.–based biotechnology company developing a new class of therapies that use viral nanoparticle conjugates to target and selectively destroy tumor cells. Its lead program, AU-011, is being developed for the primary treatment of ocular melanoma, has been granted orphan drug designation by the U.S. FDA, and was developed under a CRADA with the National Cancer Institute. The company secured an additional $8 million round of financing from expanded commitments by existing investors, including Advent Partners, Chiesi Ventures, Ysios Capital, Alexandria Venture Investments and several individual investors. Proceeds from the financing will be used to advance AU-011 into clinical testing, which the company expects to begin early next year. Aura says it has made significant strides since the closing of its Series B over a year ago while also advancing preclinical programs in other indications. The company has strengthened its governance and clinical guidance by adding Henri Termeer to its Board of Directors and expanding its Clinical Advisory Board with leading ocular oncologists. Aura Biosciences develops a platform of viral nanoparticles designed to selectively target solid tumors and metastases while sparing normal epithelium. Its lead product conjugates a viral nanoparticle with a potent, laser-activated cell‑killing molecule (IRDye 700DX) supplied by LI-COR Biosciences. The technology was discovered and developed in partnership with Dr. John Schiller’s lab at the National Cancer Institute and has shown selective tumor uptake in multiple in vitro and in vivo models. Aura positions the therapy to both eliminate tumors and preserve vision for patients with rare ocular cancers that lack targeted or FDA‑approved treatments. The company plans to use its recent financing to advance its candidates into clinical trials for eye cancers and to further develop additional cancer indications. Aura emphasizes a first‑in‑class approach aimed at high tumor specificity and reduced off‑target toxicity.

• Saluda Medical

  Led · Series B · Feb 2015

  Saluda Medical develops a proprietary closed-loop, dose-control neuromodulation platform and is commercial-stage with its first product, the Evoke® System. The Evoke System is a physiologic closed-loop spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system that senses neural responses and automatically adjusts therapy to maintain a targeted level of neural activation. The system is indicated as an aid in the management of chronic intractable pain of the trunk and/or limbs, including failed back surgery syndrome, intractable low back pain, leg pain, and chronic neuropathic pain. Saluda cites randomized, multi-center pivotal-study results with 12-month data published in The Lancet Neurology, 24-month results in JAMA Neurology, and 36-month data in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. Net proceeds from the financing will be used primarily to advance commercialization of the Evoke System. The company is continuing commercial efforts from its Minneapolis base. Saluda Medical, based in Artarmon, Australia, advances a portfolio of therapies driven by advanced closed‑loop technologies for debilitating neurological disorders. Its first product is the Evoke SmartSCS System, an ECAP‑controlled closed‑loop spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system. The Evoke System is indicated as an aid in the management of chronic intractable trunk and/or limb pain, including pain associated with failed back surgery syndrome and intractable low back and leg pain. The device automatically reads, records, and responds to nerves’ responses to stimulation more than 4 million times a day to continually optimize therapy. The company states the Evoke System is proven to be superior to open‑loop SCS for treatment of overall trunk and/or limb pain. Saluda is led by President and CEO Jim Schuermann and is advancing its technology platform alongside commercial plans for Evoke. Saluda Medical is a medical device company developing the Evoke® ECAP-Controlled, Closed-Loop Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) System to treat chronic intractable pain of the trunk and limbs. The Evoke system measures the spinal cord’s response to stimulation via evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs) and adjusts on every pulse to maintain activation within a patient’s therapeutic window. Saluda is advancing Evoke through the first double-blinded, randomized, controlled U.S. pivotal study and is pursuing regulatory approval to market the system. The company intends to use newly raised capital to fund final development stages through commercialization. Saluda is led by CEO John Parker and has offices in Artarmon, Australia; Bloomington, Minnesota; and Harrogate, UK. Saluda Medical Pty Limited is a medical device company developing a platform of closed-loop neuromodulation technologies based on neural response to stimulation. The platform is built to sense neural responses and adapt stimulation accordingly. The company is based in Australia. Saluda secured A$53 million (US$40 million) in an all-equity financing round. That financing was reported as a Series D led by Action Potential VC. Saluda Medical is a Sidney, Australia-based provider of technology and devices to treat chronic pain and other conditions. The company develops Evoke™, a spinal cord stimulation system designed to treat chronic pain of the trunk and limbs. Its neuromodulation technology measures nerve signals and adjusts stimulation in real time. Saluda is exploring applications of its platform for Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and other debilitating disorders. The company plans to use recently raised funds to conduct chronic clinical trials and support commercialization of Evoke. Saluda is a spin-out from NICTA and is led by CEO John Parker.

• Nexvet

  Led · Equity · Oct 2013

  Nexvet Biopharma develops monoclonal antibody therapies for companion animals using its proprietary PETisation™ platform. The platform aims to translate mAbs between species in a single step to create 100% species-specific biologics. Its pipeline includes candidates targeting canine pain, feline pain and canine inflammation. Led by CEO Dr. Mark Heffernan, the company is advancing clinical programs in companion animal health. Nexvet intends to use the Series B proceeds to advance those clinical programs, expand its product pipeline and grow U.S. operations. The company is based in Melbourne, Australia and has previously raised capital, including an AUD$7M round reported in October 2013. Nexvet develops monoclonal antibody therapies for pets, focusing on chronic pain in dogs and cats and atopic dermatitis in dogs. The company uses its PETisation(TM) platform to generate antibodies it says can be safer, less toxic and as effective as small-molecule treatments. Nexvet has demonstrated promising results in recent clinical studies and has more than six antibody programs in development. Leadership includes CEO Dr Mark Heffernan and Vice‑President of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs Dr Colin Giles. The company expects its first product to reach market within 2–3 years and intends to use newly raised funds to continue development and commercialization efforts. Financially, Nexvet has received grants and awards in addition to private capital to support its programs. Nexvet Biopharma is an Australian veterinary medicine developer focused on creating species-equivalent versions of successful human biologics for companion animals such as cats, dogs and horses. Its core technology, PETisation, converts proven human antibody drugs into species-equivalent biologics, allowing the company to leverage a ready supply of validated therapeutic targets. The portfolio targets inflammatory disease, pain and cancer in companion animals. Nexvet is completing a number of further key studies across its pipeline. The company recently signed a licensing deal with a major Japanese animal health company for a canine anti-inflammatory product. The fresh capital will be used to accelerate clinical and business development of its drug portfolio.

No current team members are available.