• Imcyse

  Participated · Series B · Feb 2021

  Imcyse develops a next-generation Imotope™ platform that induces cytolytic CD4+ T cells to selectively eliminate disease-causing immune cells while sparing the rest of the immune system. The company is conducting a Phase 2 program in Type 1 Diabetes and has additional programs in Multiple Sclerosis, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders, Celiac Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Its Multiple Sclerosis candidate is expected to commence clinical trials by 2022. Imcyse is pursuing collaborations to advance its pipeline, including a license and collaboration with Pfizer on the RA program. The company intends to use recent proceeds to accelerate development of several first-in-class targeted disease‑modifying immunotherapeutics and to support expansion into the U.S. Imcyse was founded as a spin-off of the Catholic University of Leuven and is located in Liège, Belgium. Imcyse develops active targeted immunotherapies based on its Imotopes™ platform to treat and prevent severe chronic diseases caused by immune system disruptions. The platform administers specific modified peptides (Imotopes™) that generate cytolytic CD4 T‑cells to locally destroy the immune cells attacking the diseased organ. Led by Pierre Vandepapelière (CEO and CMO), the company plans to advance phase 2 development in type 1 diabetes and to initiate clinical trials in multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. It also intends to expand the technology to additional indications. Recently Imcyse secured €35M in funding—€28M equity, a €4.6M grant from the Walloon region (DGO6) and a €2M bank loan from Belfius—to support these clinical programs. Founded in 2010 as a spin‑off from KU Leuven and based in Liège, Belgium, Imcyse focuses on antigen‑specific immune modulation rather than broad immunosuppression.

• Ncardia

  Led · Series B · Nov 2017

  Ncardia develops stem cell–based solutions built on human iPSC technology to accelerate drug discovery and enable iPSC‑based cell therapies. Its service and technology platform includes bioreactor‑based scalable manufacturing of iPSC‑derived cells, assay development, disease modeling, and cell‑based screening. The company operates worldwide with facilities, offices, and staff throughout Europe and North America. Ncardia announced a strategic partnership that brings more than $60 million in capital from Kiniciti, which takes a control stake. Management says the funding will be used to expand globally and to invest in cGMP/GMP capabilities for iPSC‑based cell therapy platforms, build additional human cellular models to better predict safety and efficacy, and develop novel manufacturing technologies for allogeneic immuno‑oncology platforms. Ncardia’s stated goal is to enable biopharmaceutical companies to accelerate development by integrating human iPSC technologies into discovery and cell therapy workflows. Ncardia develops, produces and commercializes high-quality, fully functional human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiovascular and neuronal cell types and ready-to-use assay systems. Its product portfolio includes frozen cardiac and neural products and the CardioplateTM quality-controlled assay plates, and the company provides in-house assay development and extensive customer support. Ncardia commercializes assay services for drug safety and efficacy testing and offers cardiovascular services from disease modeling to drug efficacy screening. The company has built a strong portfolio of patents covering the use of stem cell models for these applications. Ncardia is privately held, operates in Europe and the US, and was established following the merger of Pluriomics and Axiogenesis. Management says the company plans continued international growth and further development of next-generation safety assays and high-throughput cardiovascular screening capabilities. Pluriomics is a biotechnology company based in Leiden, The Netherlands, and Gosselies, Belgium, focused on human cardiovascular stem cell technology. It manufactures human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes (Pluricyte® Cardiomyocytes) using a serum-free medium intended to enhance maturation and function. Led by CEO Stefan Braam, the company aims to deliver cardiac drug discovery and safety solutions built on its iPSC-derived cardiomyocyte technology. The company plans to use new funding to speed international growth and broaden its product capabilities. Specific product development priorities include cardiac safety assays and expanded capabilities in cardiovascular drug discovery and high-throughput screening. The article does not disclose operating metrics such as revenue or user numbers. Pluriomics develops stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes and related assays intended for drug discovery and development. The company is preparing to launch its Pluricyte cardiomyocytes, human cardiac muscle cells for use in screening and research. Its Pluricyte cell‑based assays are designed to detect potentially toxic side‑effects of new medicines early in development with high accuracy. Pluriomics will use the Series A proceeds to further develop these cardiomyocytes and assays and to commercialize the technologies. The company plans to strengthen its R&D and commercial team in Leiden and to set up a production facility in Gosselies, Belgium. Pluriomics is led by co‑founders Herman Spolders (CEO) and Stefan Braam (Chief Scientific Officer).

• Diagenode

  Participated · Equity · Jun 2016

  Diagenode develops and sells complete solutions for epigenetics research, including shearing and automation instruments, reagent kits and antibodies to streamline sample preparation workflows. The company also develops and commercializes CE‑marked qPCR-based IVD kits for clinical biology laboratories targeting respiratory, gastric and urinary infectious diseases, with kits developed both proprietary and via partnerships with major diagnostic companies. Diagenode sells products directly and through distributors in more than 50 countries. The recently secured capital will be used to expand the scale of operations across R&D, sales and marketing. In its most recent fiscal year Diagenode reported revenues of €15m and a positive EBITDA margin. The company was founded in 2003 and is led by CEO Didier Allaer.

No current team members are available.