• Glycomine

  Participated · Series C · Apr 2025

  Glycomine is a clinical-stage biotech based in San Carlos, California, focused on developing transformative therapies for rare orphan diseases. Its lead candidate, GLM101, is a first-in-class mannose-1-phosphate replacement therapy designed to deliver mannose-1-phosphate into cells and bypass disease-causing PMM2 mutations to restore N-glycosylation. GLM101 has received Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. and E.U., and Rare Pediatric Disease and Fast Track designations in the U.S. The company has enrolled more than 20 patients across Europe and the U.S. in an ongoing Phase 2 open-label study and has initiated dosing in pediatric patients. Data from the Phase 2 open-label study showed an average 11.9-point improvement on the ICARS among nine adult and adolescent patients over 24 weeks, providing clinical proof of concept for improvement in ataxia. Glycomine recently announced a $115 million Series C financing to support advancing GLM101 into a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2b safety and efficacy study later this year. Glycomine is a biotechnology company based in San Carlos, California, developing therapies for orphan diseases. Its lead candidate, GLM101, is a mannose-1-phosphate substrate replacement therapy designed to deliver mannose-1-phosphate intracellularly to bypass PMM2 enzyme deficiency and restore N-glycosylation. Preclinical studies have shown GLM101 can restore disrupted glycosylation pathways in PMM2-CDG. GLM101 has received Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. and Europe and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation in the U.S. Glycomine plans to use the Series B proceeds to advance GLM101 into initial clinical trials and confirm clinical potential across PMM2-CDG genotypes. The company focuses on replacement therapies targeted to clinically relevant cellular compartments for rare metabolic and protein-misfolding disorders. Glycomine focuses on developing orphan drugs for serious rare monogenic disorders of metabolism and protein misfolding. The company’s approach combines replacement therapies—substrates, enzymes, or proteins—with delivery vehicles made of bio-nanomaterials or ligands to target molecules to the cell interior of relevant organs. Glycomine intends to use the new capital to advance its substrate replacement therapy for PMM2‑CDG (CDG‑1a) into early-stage clinical studies. The company raised $33m in a Series B financing led by Novo Holdings A/S. In connection with the financing, Peter McWilliams, Ph.D., moved from acting CEO to full-time CEO. Kenneth Harrison, Ph.D., of Novo Ventures and Chris Starr, Ph.D., joined the company’s board. Glycomine is a San Francisco, CA–based biotechnology company developing a new generation of replacement therapies for rare monogenic disorders of metabolism and protein misfolding. Its approach combines replacement therapies—substrates, enzymes, or proteins—with intracellular delivery vehicles consisting of bio‑nanomaterials or targeting ligands to deliver molecules into clinically relevant organs. The company is led by CEO Agnes Rafalko, PhD, with Christopher Starr, PhD serving as Executive Chairman. Glycomine raised $12m in a Series A financing to advance its pipeline. The company intends to use the funds to complete IND‑enabling preclinical studies and initiate clinical studies of a substrate replacement therapy in patients with Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation Type Ia (CDG‑Ia). Proceeds will also be used to accelerate discovery efforts toward an enzyme replacement therapy for N‑glycanase deficiency (Ngly1).

• Aura Biosciences

  Participated · Equity · Mar 2021

  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.

• 4D Molecular Therapeutics

  Participated · Series C · Jun 2020

  4D Molecular Therapeutics is a clinical-stage precision gene medicines company that harnesses directed evolution to develop precision-guided AAV gene therapies. Its proprietary Therapeutic Vector Evolution platform enables a disease-first approach to customize AAV vectors to target specific tissues, aiming for targeted delivery, efficient transduction, reduced immunogenicity, and resistance to pre-existing antibodies. The company focuses on lysosomal storage diseases, ophthalmology, neuromuscular diseases, and cystic fibrosis and pursues both rare and large-market indications. Proceeds from the recently closed financing will be used to advance multiple product candidates through initial clinical proof-of-concept, expand internal GMP manufacturing capabilities, and progress the pipeline and next-generation platform. 4DMT expects to initiate clinical trials in 2020 for 4D-310 (Fabry disease), 4D-125 (X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, subject to an exclusive option for Roche), and 4D-110 (choroideremia, licensed to Roche), and is supporting IND-enabling studies for 4D-710 (aerosol treatment for cystic fibrosis). The company designs vectors to enable routine clinical routes and improved therapeutic profiles to address previously untreatable patient populations. 4D Molecular Therapeutics develops targeted, customized next-generation adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy products using its Therapeutic Vector Evolution discovery platform. The platform applies principles of evolution and natural selection across over 100 million unique AAV variants from more than 35 proprietary libraries to identify vectors that target specific tissues via clinically optimal routes at lower doses. 4DMT engineers vectors with resistance to pre-existing antibodies to improve delivery and efficacy across organs and disease indications. The company intends to treat both rare genetic diseases and larger-market conditions through internal programs and partnered programs. Its lead intravitreally delivered AAV gene therapy candidate for choroideremia is expected to enter clinical trials in 2019. Proceeds from the recent financing will be used to advance the Therapeutic Vector Evolution platform and the company’s pipeline. 4DMT uses a Therapeutic Vector Evolution discovery platform to create proprietary AAV vectors optimized for specific target cells, organs, routes of administration, and antibody evasion. Its lead pulmonary program, 4D-710, employs an AAV vector designed to deliver CFTR to lung airway cells via aerosolized delivery. The company is advancing multiple internal products toward clinical trials while also partnering with biopharma companies including Pfizer, Roche, uniQure, AGTC and Benitec. 4DMT says its platform deploys roughly 100 million unique AAV variants and applies selection methods to identify highly optimized vectors. Management includes co-founders David Kirn (CEO) and David Schaffer (acting CSO), who emphasize collaboration with clinicians and patient advocates. The article reports targeted IND-enabling work for 4D-710 supported by non-dilutive funding from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics.

• VelosBio

  Participated · Series A · Oct 2018

  VelosBio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class therapeutics that target ROR1, a cell-surface antigen expressed across hematologic and solid tumor malignancies. Its lead candidate, VLS-101, is a ROR1-directed antibody-drug conjugate currently in a first-in-human Phase 1 trial in patients with relapsed or refractory hematologic cancers, with solid tumor studies scheduled to begin later this year. The company is also advancing a pipeline of next-generation ROR1-directed ADCs and bispecific antibodies. VelosBio plans to use the recent financing to further clinical development of VLS-101 and to expand its ROR1-directed pipeline. Since its founding in 2017 the company has raised $202 million in gross private financings, including an oversubscribed $137 million Series B. VelosBio is headquartered in San Diego and emphasizes expanding its team of scientists and researchers to develop targeted oncology therapies. VelosBio is a US-based near-term clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for hematological cancers and solid tumors. Its core product approach is ADCs, a targeted therapy designed to selectively deliver cytotoxic agents to cancer cells while limiting effects on healthy tissue. The company is led by CEO Dave Johnson and EVP of Development and CMO Langdon Miller, MD. VelosBio raised $58M in a Series A to complete nonclinical development and advance its lead programs into clinical studies. The financing was co-led by Arix Bioscience and Sofinnova Ventures, with participation from Pappas Ventures, Chiesi Ventures and existing investors Takeda Ventures and Decheng Capital. Arix committed $11M for an 11.2% ownership stake and Arix Investment Director Mark Chin will join VelosBio's board as part of the transaction.

• Minoryx Therapeutics

  Participated · Series B · Sep 2018

  Minoryx Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech developing leriglitazone, a novel brain-penetrant selective PPARγ agonist, for X‑linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X‑ALD) and other CNS diseases. Its lead program, leriglitazone (MIN-102), showed significant clinical benefit in the ADVANCE Phase II/III trial in adult male AMN patients, reducing progression of cerebral lesions and myelopathy symptoms. The company is also running NEXUS, an open-label Phase II/III study in male pediatric patients with early-stage cerebral ALD. Minoryx intends to use the new funding to support the marketing authorization application (MAA) and launch preparations in the EU for adult male X‑ALD patients with AMN and to pursue approval in the US for the same indication. Proceeds will also fund continued development in pediatric cALD and label-expansion efforts into women affected by X‑ALD. The company is led by CEO Marc Martinell and is based in Mataró, Barcelona, Spain, with Belgian facilities. Minoryx Therapeutics is a clinical‑stage biotech focused on new therapies for rare central nervous system (CNS) disorders, with its lead asset leriglitazone (MIN‑102). Leriglitazone is a selective PPARγ agonist being evaluated in three advanced clinical trials: ADVANCE (phase II/III in adrenomyeloneuropathy, AMN), NEXUS (phase II in cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy, cALD) and FRAMES (phase II in Friedreich’s ataxia). The compound has demonstrated brain penetration, a favorable safety profile in phase 1, and preclinical proof‑of‑concept across models of mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, demyelination and axonal degeneration. In October 2020 the European Investment Bank approved a €25M venture debt facility to support the development of leriglitazone, provided under the European Fund for Strategic Investments (FEIE). The financing will fund R&D activities targeting orphan genetic CNS diseases and is expected to create more than 50 jobs during implementation. Minoryx was founded in 2011, operates in Spain and Belgium, and to date has raised more than €60M from a consortium of international investors. Minoryx Therapeutics, based in Mataró, Barcelona, is a clinical-stage company focused on therapies for X‑ALD and other rare diseases. Its lead compound, MIN-102, is an orally bioavailable, selective PPAR gamma agonist with a profile suited to CNS-related diseases. MIN-102 is currently in a phase 2/3 clinical trial for adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN), enrolling adult male patients in Europe and the US, with results expected in 2020. The company intends to use new proceeds to expand the list of indications for MIN-102 and to conduct a new clinical trial for a second orphan CNS indication. Founded in 2011 and led by co-founder and CEO Marc Martinell, Minoryx has raised a total of €50M to date. Khalid Islam serves as chairman of the board. Minoryx Therapeutics, based in Mataró, Barcelona, focuses on discovering new drugs for orphan diseases using its proprietary SEE-Tx platform. Its lead program, MIN-102, is a differentiated PPAR gamma agonist being advanced for multiple CNS indications. The company is exploring MIN-102 for clinical validation in X-ALD, a genetic, progressive neurodegenerative disease with no available pharmacological treatment. Minoryx is also developing a pipeline of non-competitive pharmacological chaperones identified via SEE-Tx. The company intends to use new funds to expand its team, particularly in R&D, and to progress MIN-102 into clinical development. The company is led by CEO and co-founder Marc Martinell. Minoryx focuses on developing therapies for congenital errors of metabolism and other rare or orphan diseases, including a lead program targeting adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). The company was founded in 2011 and is based at Parc TecnoCampus Mataró‑Maresme. Its lead program is a first drug candidate for ALD; with the new funding the company plans to begin clinical trials. Minoryx closed a €1.6 million financing in early 2015 led by Caixa Capital Risc through the Caixa Innvierte BioMed II fund, with participation from the Swiss Sanfilippo Foundation; that operation also saw the exit of Inveready. The business targets indications for which there are often no approved treatments and is positioning its pipeline toward clinical development.

No current team members are available.