Participated · Equity · Sep 2024

F2G is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel therapies to treat invasive fungal infections. The company discovered the orotomide class, which selectively targets a key enzyme in the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway. Its lead candidate, olorofim, is the first orotomide antifungal and an oral therapy with a mechanism distinct from existing antifungal classes. Olorofim has been awarded Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the FDA for multiple indications and is intended for serious invasive or rare fungal diseases where current treatments are inappropriate or ineffective. F2G plans to use the recent financing to complete late-stage development, seek regulatory approval, and prepare for U.S. commercialization of olorofim. Led by CEO Francesco Maria Lavino, the company operates in the UK, US, and Austria and has a 100%-owned subsidiary in Austria. F2G Ltd is a Manchester, UK-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovery and development of novel therapies to treat potentially life‑threatening invasive fungal infections. Its lead asset is olorofim, a novel oral antifungal from a new class called the orotomides that selectively targets a key enzyme in the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway. Olorofim is in a Phase 2b open‑label study (NCT03583164) for patients with limited treatment options for invasive aspergillosis and other rare mold infections. F2G raised $70M in financing to advance late‑stage development and US commercialization of olorofim. The round was co‑led by new investors Forbion and Sofinnova Partners, with participation from existing backers including Novo Holdings, Morningside Ventures, Cowen Healthcare Investments and Advent Life Sciences. Nanna Lüneborg (Forbion) and Joe Anderson (Sofinnova Partners) will join the F2G board. In May 2022 the company entered a $480M strategic collaboration with Shionogi to develop and commercialize olorofim in Europe and Asia, which included $100M upfront, $380M in regulatory and commercialization milestones, and double‑digit royalties on sales. F2G operates in the UK, US and Austria and is led by CEO Francesco Maria Lavino. F2G discovers and develops antifungal therapies, including a new class of agents called the orotomides that target DHODH (dihydroorotate dehydrogenase). Its lead candidate, olorofim, is a novel antifungal in a Phase 2b open-label study focused on rare and resistant invasive fungal infections. Olorofim has been granted Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA (November 2019), the only antifungal to receive that status based on early tolerability and efficacy data. The company is advancing late-stage clinical programs and preparing for commercialisation. Proceeds from the recent financing will fund those clinical programs and organisational scale-up. Ian Nicholson is CEO of the company. F2G is a Manchester-based biotech focused on discovering and developing antifungal drugs. It is advancing F901318, a novel clinical-stage candidate for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and other serious rare mould infections. The company planned a small PK Phase 2 clinical trial for F901318 in the second half of 2016 and aimed to begin pivotal registration trials for invasive aspergillosis in the first half of 2017 via an accelerated regulatory pathway. F2G raised $60M in financing led by Sectoral Asset Management to support development of its pipeline. Investors in the round include Novo A/S, Aisling Capital, Brace Pharma Capital and existing backers Advent Life Sciences LLP, Novartis Venture Fund, Sunstone Capital and Merifin Capital. Dr Maha Katabi and Dr Martin Edwards are joining the board as part of the financing, and Ian Nicholson serves as CEO.

Participated · Series D · Nov 2021

Antiva Biosciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on novel topical therapeutics to treat diseases caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. Its lead candidate, ABI-2280, is being developed as a topical vaginal tablet for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (HSIL, CIN 2,3) and for women with high-risk HPV infection. ABI-2280 is reported to have potent antiviral activity across all HPV serotypes, working by blocking HPV replication and inducing apoptosis in infected lesions while sparing normal cells. Antiva plans to advance ABI-2280 into key efficacy studies after completing ongoing Phase 1 trials, including a Phase 2 trial in CIN 2,3 and an exploratory study for high-risk HPV subtypes that can lead to cancer. The company has formulated a self-administered vaginal tablet to facilitate diagnosis-time treatment and worldwide distribution. The recently closed financing will underwrite these clinical programs and support development into late 2025. Antiva Biosciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on novel topical therapeutics for diseases caused by HPV infection. Its lead candidate, ABI-2280, is a topical prodrug of an acyclic nucleoside phosphonate that directly blocks HPV replication and induces apoptosis in infected lesions while sparing normal cells. The company formulated ABI-2280 for rapid uptake into epithelial cells to avoid potential systemic toxicity. Proceeds from a $31 million Series D will support advancement of ABI-2280 into Phase 1 and 2a clinical trials, with a Phase 1 initiation planned for Q4 2021 and data expected in the first half of 2022. Antiva is establishing a global health committee to accelerate development and commercialization in lower- and middle-income countries and intends to expand development to other HPV-attributed pre-cancers such as vulvar and anal neoplasias. The company is based in South San Francisco and was founded in 2012. Antiva Biosciences is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel topical therapeutics for the treatment of pre-cancerous lesions caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. Its lead compound, ABI-1968, is being assessed in two Phase 1b clinical studies: intravaginal delivery for women with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2,3) and topical treatment for high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN 2,3). The company notes there are currently no FDA-approved drugs for either indication. Antiva intends to use the funds from its recent financing to support additional clinical studies in both indications over the next year. Founded in 2012 and led by president and CEO Gail Maderis, Antiva was cofounded by Dr. Karl Hostetler of UC San Diego and is based in South San Francisco, CA. The company has raised a $15M Series C-1 to advance these clinical programs. Antiva Biosciences develops novel topical therapeutics to treat diseases caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, notably precancerous cervical lesions. Its lead compound is ABI-1968, a topical therapy intended for intravaginal administration. The company recently initiated a Phase 1 study to assess tolerability and safety of ABI-1968 in healthy women and plans a Phase 1b study in patients with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2,3) later this year. Antiva intends to use the proceeds from its financing to advance ABI-1968 into clinical studies. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in South San Francisco, CA, and is led by president and CEO Gail Maderis. Antiva positions its product approach as a non-surgical, topical option for HPV-related precancerous conditions. Antiva Biosciences (formerly Hera Therapeutics) is a Menlo Park, CA–based biopharmaceutical company using a medicinal chemistry platform to develop antiviral therapies. Its lead program is ABI-1968, a topical antiviral for treatment of high‑risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, the primary cause of cervical cancer. The company has additional molecules targeting HIV, herpes virus, cytomegalovirus and other viral indications. Antiva intends to advance ABI-1968 into Phase 1 clinical trials using proceeds from its recent financing. Leadership changes announced alongside the financing include Gail Maderis as president and CEO and Steven P. James as executive chairman of the board. The company is positioning its platform to generate multiple antiviral candidates beyond its HPV program.

Participated · Series D · Jul 2021

Turnstone Biologics is a clinical-stage biotech pioneering next-generation cancer immunotherapies using two core platforms: a proprietary vaccinia-based oncolytic virus platform and a novel TIL therapy platform. Its lead oncolytic candidate, RIVAL-01/TAK-605, is in the dose-escalation stage of a Phase 1/2a trial conducted in collaboration with Takeda. The vaccinia platform is engineered for enhanced immune stimulation, tumor cell selectivity, large transgene carrying capacity, and both intratumoral and intravenous delivery. The TIL program is designed to enrich for the most relevant tumor-reactive T-cells, preserve broad antigen diversity, and minimize time to treatment, with the lead TIL candidate TIDAL-01 expected to enter the clinic by early 2022. Proceeds from the recently completed financing will be used to advance programs across both platforms. The company states its goal is to extend the benefit of these immunotherapies to a wider range of solid tumor patients underserved by current options. Turnstone Biologics is developing a first‑in‑class oncolytic vaccine platform that functions both as a tumor‑destroying oncolytic agent and as an immune‑stimulating vaccine directed at specific cancer antigens. Its most advanced product is an engineered oncolytic Maraba virus expressing MAGEA3, currently in a Phase I/II monotherapy trial. Completion of that trial is expected in 2017, and Turnstone plans a Phase I/II combination trial with an approved checkpoint inhibitor in NSCLC later this year. Two additional Maraba programs expressing different tumor antigens are expected to enter clinical trials by the end of next year. The company is also advancing neoantigen‑based personalized cancer vaccines and new oncolytic virus development. Turnstone raised a $41.4M Series B to support completion of the ongoing trial and to fund three additional clinical programs. Turnstone Biologics develops novel oncolytic viral immunotherapies aimed at treating advanced and metastatic solid tumours. Its first programs are currently in Phase I/II clinical trials in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumours. The company is also developing additional oncolytic virus strategies and immunotherapy combination treatments. Turnstone was co-founded by Drs. John Bell, Brian Lichty and David Stojdl. The company is led by CEO Sammy J. Farah, PhD, MBA, and CTO Brian D. Lichty, PhD—appointments enabled by recent investment. Turnstone completed an $11.3M Series A and has follow-on capital committed in excess of $20.0M.

Participated · Series C · Aug 2020

ReViral is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing antiviral therapeutics for RSV. Its lead candidate, sisunatovir, is an oral fusion inhibitor being evaluated in two global Phase 2 studies (pediatric and adult stem-cell transplant populations). Sisunatovir has FDA Fast Track designation and showed target exposures with no serious adverse events in Phase 1 and statistically significant reductions in viral load and symptoms in a 2018 Phase 2a challenge study. ReViral also has an in-house N-protein replication inhibitor program in late preclinical development. The company has retained worldwide development and commercialization rights for both programs. ReViral announced a $44 million Series C to support sisunatovir Phase 2 development and to advance the N-protein program into Phase 1. ReViral is an antiviral drug discovery and development company focused on novel treatments for diseases caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Its lead candidate, RV521, is described as a highly potent, orally bioavailable potential treatment and is expected to enter an international multicentre Phase IIa paediatric trial soon, followed by trials in adult stem cell transplant patients. The company also continues development of a novel series of antiviral inhibitors targeting RSV replication and plans to expand its pipeline. ReViral highlights the high unmet need for RSV therapies, citing global RSV disease burden in children and vulnerable adult populations. Financially, the company completed a US$55 million Series B financing to advance RV521 and its programmes and previously raised US$21 million in a Series A in September 2015. New investors will join the Board of Directors as part of the financing.

Participated · Series B · May 2020

HotSpot Therapeutics leverages its Smart Allostery™ platform to discover and develop first-in-class allosteric therapies by identifying protein pockets termed 'natural hotspots'. The platform combines AI-enabled technologies with a large, diverse chemical library tailored to hotspots. The company is applying the platform across a wide array of disease-relevant and previously undrugged or poorly druggable targets. HotSpot intends to use the new funding to continue advancing the Smart Allostery™ platform and its existing pipeline. The company is led by CEO Jonathan Montagu and emphasizes capturing and drugging natural hotspots through its technology suite. Financially, HotSpot closed a $100M Series C, bringing total funding to $190M. HotSpot Therapeutics develops allosteric medicines by exploiting natural protein control mechanisms, using its SpotFinder™ platform to identify regulatory “hotspots” amenable to small-molecule discovery. The platform leverages advanced machine learning and 3D structure insights to uncover regulatory pockets, and the company has designed in-house DNA-encoded libraries (DELs) comprising millions of tailored molecules. A proprietary screening paradigm using custom protein constructs, phenotypic screens and biophysics assays is used to validate hotspot-targeted molecules. The company intends to use the proceeds from its recent financing to advance lead programs to the clinic, including protein kinase C (PKC‑theta) antagonists for Th2- and T‑reg-driven autoimmune disease and S6 kinase (S6K) antagonists for rare metabolic disease. HotSpot also plans to accelerate its discovery-stage pipeline targeting genetically validated transcription factors and E3 ligases, including CBL‑B. Jonathan Montagu leads the company. HotSpot Therapeutics uses its proprietary SpotFinder™ technology to systematically identify regulatory "hotspots"—a family of allosteric sites used by nature to regulate protein function. The company applies bespoke chemistry to develop first‑in‑class allosteric medicines for serious autoimmune and metabolic diseases. Its pipeline includes lead allosteric inhibitors targeting PKC‑theta for autoimmune indications and S6 kinase, an immunometabolic enzyme relevant to hepatic insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function for NASH and metabolic diseases. HotSpot has identified over 100 regulatory hotspots across multiple proteins and pathways. Financially, the company completed a $45M Series A financing. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in Cambridge, Mass.