Participated · Series B · Nov 2022

Novadip Biosciences develops a 3M³ adipose-derived stem cell tissue regeneration platform intended to deliver one-time or off-the-shelf therapies for large bone defects and related orthopedic indications. Its lead allogeneic product, NVD-X3, is designed as an off-the-shelf matrix to accelerate durable bone union in spinal fusion and non-healing fractures and can be stored at room temperature for easy distribution. Its autologous program, NVD-003, targets critical-size bone defects such as congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) and is supported by Phase 1b/2a and compassionate-use data from more than 50 adult and pediatric patients with up to five years of follow-up. Novadip plans to initiate a Phase 1/2 trial for NVD-X3 in Europe and Phase 1b/2a CPT trials in the US and EU by end of 2022. NVD-003 has received orphan drug and rare pediatric disease designations from the FDA; if approved, the company could be eligible for a priority review voucher worth more than $100 million. The company estimates a $7 billion addressable market for its 3MALLO program and a $2.2 billion peak sales opportunity for NVD-X3; Novadip is headquartered in Mont Saint-Guibert, Belgium and was co-founded in 2013. Novadip Biosciences is a clinical-stage company leveraging its proprietary 3M³ 3D extracellular-matrix platform, which uses adipose-derived stem cells to deliver growth factors and miRNAs for tissue reconstruction. Its lead autologous product, NVD-003, has positive interim Phase I/IIa adult data and an FDA IND allowing a US pilot study in pediatric congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (ages 2–8). The company is also developing an allogeneic off-the-shelf product, NVD-X3, with a first clinical trial expected in 2022, and is exploring exosomal miRNA applications for solid tumors with trials planned in the US and Europe. Novadip was spun off from the University of Louvain (UCL) and Saint-Luc University Hospital and is advancing both autologous and allogeneic programs to address critical-size bone reconstruction and broader indications. The financing announced strengthens the balance sheet to support continued clinical development, platform innovation and potential future clinical paths in China. The company is based in Mont Saint-Guibert, Belgium. Novadip Biosciences is a biopharmaceutical spin‑off of Université catholique de Louvain advancing Creost, a ready‑to‑use natural three‑dimensional tissue that can be modelled to fill large and small bone defects. Creost will initially be investigated for complex lumbar spine fusion, an unmet medical need affecting more than 100,000 patients per year worldwide. The company plans to use the proceeds from its recent financing for clinical development and process industrialization of its lead compound. Leadership includes CEO and co‑founder Jean‑François Pollet and CSO and co‑founder Denis Dufrane. The technology originates from research led by Prof Denis Dufrane at the Cell and Tissue Therapy Centre of St Luc University Hospital and Université catholique de Louvain. Novadip closed a €28M Series A to fund these next development steps.

Led · Equity · Jun 2022

NuProbe Global is a genomics and molecular diagnostics company with sites in Houston, TX, Shanghai, and Suzhou. The company develops molecular diagnostic technologies that improve the sensitivity of sequencing mutations and copy number variations by over 10-fold. NuProbe is led by CEO Yingshuang Chai and co-founder David Zhang, who is also CEO of NuProbe USA. The company raised $50M in funding to support its growth. Proceeds will be used to expand commercial operations, accelerate IVD product clinical studies and regulatory submissions, and develop new genomics and molecular diagnostics technologies. Since its last fundraising in 2021, NuProbe has engaged in research collaborations with several multinational companies and clinical collaborations with over 400 hospitals. NuProbe develops molecular diagnostic technologies and ultrasensitive NGS panels that it says improve detection of sequencing mutations and copy number variations by over 10-fold. The company has signed partnership and licensing deals with Illumina, Qiagen, Oxford Nanopore and the Wego Group, and has begun partnering with pharma companies for clinical research using its Augury™ custom NGS panels. In China’s reproductive health market NuProbe has built collaborations with most top hospitals and is described as a leader in infertility testing. Led by co-founder and CEO Yingshuang Chai, the team includes co-founder and Head of Innovation David Zhang and a scientific advisory board featuring David Walt and George Church. NuProbe operates out of Houston (USA), Shanghai and Suzhou (China). The company plans to expand its commercial teams in the US and China, develop new NGS products, and pursue regulatory approval in China for its clinical products. NuProbe develops toehold probe–based molecular diagnostics technology licensed from Harvard’s Wyss Institute and Rice University to enable highly sensitive, multiplexed detection of disease signatures in cell-free DNA. Its core product focus is on ultra-sensitive, non-invasive blood tests for early cancer detection, infectious disease, and other genomics applications, with platforms intended for cancer, NIPT, and infectious-disease diagnostics. In pre-clinical work the technology improved qPCR and NGS mutation detection sensitivity by 10–100×, achieving limits of detection down to 0.01% and demonstrating multiplexing of 10–100 reactions capable of detecting hundreds of mutations. The proprietary assays are compatible with common PCR and sequencing workflows, which the company says supports clinical applicability. NuProbe plans to use new funding to grow staff in its Cambridge, Mass. and China offices and to continue technology development, clinical trials, and commercialization efforts. Financially, the company recently completed an $11 million Series A to support these development and go-to-market activities.

Led · Series C · Mar 2021

EyeYon Medical develops EndoArt®, a synthetic artificial endothelial layer designed to be attached to the posterior corneal surface to treat chronic corneal edema caused by endothelial dysfunction. The minimally invasive implant aims to replace dysfunctional endothelium, restore corneal homeostasis and reduce vision loss, offering a potentially safer and simpler alternative to corneal transplantation. The company also markets an FDA‑approved therapeutic contact lens, Hyper CL™, for various corneal pathologies. EyeYon says additional funding will accelerate pivotal clinical studies and support regulatory clearances across multiple regions. The company has generated first‑in‑human clinical evidence validating EndoArt® safety and is now pursuing expanded trials. Recent financing is intended to advance EndoArt® clinical trials in the USA, China and Europe and to broaden surgeon access to the therapy. EyeYon Medical is an Israeli medtech company founded in 2011 at the VLX Technological Incubator by ophthalmologists. The company is developing a silicone disc implanted in place of the corneal endothelium as a synthetic substitute for corneal transplants. The new capital will be used to finance human clinical trials for that implant. EyeYon also markets Hyper-CL, a contact lens that has received FDA and CE certification and is being sold in Spain, Poland, India, and the US. The company has raised a total of $10 million to date. Nahum Ferera serves as CEO.

Led · 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 · Jul 2020

Belkin Laser develops an automated, non-contact, painless laser treatment for glaucoma that is activated by a touchscreen and controlled by a high-resolution image acquisition algorithm and a proprietary eye tracker. The technology, originated by Prof. Michael Belkin and led by CEO Daria Lemann-Blumenthal, is designed to be used by all ophthalmologists to increase treated patient volumes in both central and rural areas and to open a new revenue stream for clinics and hospitals. The company closed a $12.25M Series B and intends to use the funds to continue GLAUrious, its multi-center trial in Europe, and to initiate trials in Asia. Prior to the Series B, Belkin had raised $6.6M, which included an Israel Innovation Authority incubator grant at the Rad Biomed Accelerator and a $3M European Horizon 2020 grant. The company also raised an additional $2.5M as part of a Series A financing led by ZIG Ventures from Singapore. No operational metrics or valuation were disclosed in the article.