Participated · Series B · Aug 2025

Incyclix Bio is advancing INX-315, a potent and selective cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) inhibitor, as its lead clinical compound. INX-315 is in a Phase 1/2 open-label, dose-escalation, combination and dose-expansion trial (NCT05735080) targeting advanced and metastatic breast and ovarian cancers, including CDK4/6 inhibitor resistant ER+/HER2- breast cancer and CCNE1-amplified solid tumors. The company positions itself as a scientific leader in understanding CDKs and their role in the cell cycle, and was founded by pioneers in CDK inhibitor discovery, research and development. Headquartered in Research Triangle Park, N.C., Incyclix is focusing resources on advancing INX-315 through clinical development with the recent Series B extension funding. No revenue or user metrics were disclosed in the announcement.

Participated · Series B · Dec 2019

Kinnate Biopharma is developing targeted oncology product candidates. The company raised a $35 million Series A financing to fund a joint venture in China. The financing was led by OrbiMed Asia Partners, with participation from OrbiMed Private Investments and Foresite Capital. Kinnate will be the majority shareholder in the joint venture and appointed Wenn Sun, Ph.D., as the joint venture’s Executive Chair. The company intends to use the funds to form a China joint venture to develop its oncology drugs in Greater China. The effort is aimed at enabling the potential development and commercialization of certain Kinnate targeted oncology product candidates in that region. Kinnate Biopharma is focused on the discovery and development of small molecule kinase inhibitors targeting difficult-to-treat, genomically-defined cancers. The company leverages its Kinnate Discovery Engine—structure-based drug discovery, translational research, and patient-driven precision medicine—to build a wholly owned kinase inhibitor portfolio. Its lead preclinical programs include small molecules against specific classes of BRAF kinase mutations (Class II and Class III) and FGFR2/FGFR3 alterations designed to overcome resistance to existing therapies. Kinnate is collaborating with precision medicine centers including Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center to advance its programs. The company raised $98 million in a Series C financing to fund advancement of at least one lead product candidate into clinical development in the first half of next year. Headquartered in San Diego, Kinnate emphasizes expanding targeted therapeutics for underserved patient populations. Kinnate Biopharma focuses on the discovery and development of selective small-molecule kinase inhibitors targeting genomically defined cancer vulnerabilities. The company has built a broad portfolio of programs aimed at addressing substantial patient populations and resistance mechanisms. Kinnate plans to use new funding to advance several development candidates from existing programs into the clinic and to fund new research efforts. The company also intends to expand its team of oncology drug developers at its headquarters in San Diego. Kinnate emphasizes delivering best-in-class and first-in-class drug candidates with a goal of reaching clinical proof-of-concept. The announcement notes rapid program progression since its Series A financing close.

Participated · Equity · Jul 2019

Aruna Bio is developing proprietary neural exosomes that can cross the blood‑brain barrier to treat a range of neurodegenerative disorders. The company is advancing exosomes both as standalone therapeutics and as delivery vehicles for RNA, oligonucleotides, proteins and other cargos. It leverages a proprietary exosome and manufacturing platform to create synergistic therapies and enhance delivery to the central nervous system. Aruna Bio is working with top‑tier pharmaceutical companies to explore both therapeutic applications and delivery capabilities. The company plans to submit its first Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the FDA late next year. A recently closed financing is intended to support the business through mid‑2022. ArunA Bio develops a proprietary neural exosome delivery platform and a pipeline of neural exosome therapies targeting neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Huntington’s disease and stroke. The company leverages neural exosomes’ ability to cross the blood–brain barrier and to provide anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects, and to deliver therapeutic payloads including siRNAs and antibodies. Proceeds from the recent financing will be used to further validate therapeutic benefits, advance payload delivery capabilities, and expand proprietary manufacturing to meet regulatory requirements. ArunA Bio plans to use data from planned studies to support submission of its first pre‑IND package to the U.S. FDA in the upcoming months. The company also intends to hire key personnel and seek partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies in the neurodegenerative space. ArunA maintains research and manufacturing activities in Athens, Georgia, and has established an office in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. ArunA Bio develops a neural exosome therapeutic platform whose proprietary neural exosomes inherently cross the blood–brain barrier and enable drugs and drug combinations to target diseased cells in neurological disorders. The company emphasizes scalable manufacturing of exosomes and cites more than 13 years of experience manufacturing human neural stem cell lines. ArunA says its exosomes can deliver functional proteins, mRNA transcripts, miRNA and small molecules and play a central role in intracellular communication and cellular repair. The company plans to use recent financing to further develop its neural exosome platform and manufacturing processes across a broad range of neurological disorders. Steven Stice, Ph.D., is co-founder and serves as chief executive and chief scientific officer. ArunA Bio is based in Athens, Ga. The company has secured new external funding to advance its platform and manufacturing capabilities.

Participated · Series C · May 2016

G1 Therapeutics is a clinical-stage oncology company developing novel small-molecule therapies that address unmet needs in people with cancer. Its lead programs are CDK4/6 inhibitors G1T28 and G1T38. G1T28 is a potential first-in-class combination therapy currently in two proof-of-concept trials in patients with small-cell lung cancer. G1T38 is described as a potential best-in-class oral drug and was slated to begin clinical development later this month. The company completed a $47M Series C to advance clinical development of these programs and to expand its pipeline across multiple oncology indications. G1 Therapeutics is led by CEO Mark Velleca, MD, PhD, and is based in Research Triangle Park, NC. G1 Therapeutics is a privately held, clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel small-molecule therapies in oncology. The company leverages a proprietary kinase drug discovery platform to advance a pipeline targeting CDK4/6 antineoplastics and bone marrow chemoprotection. Its lead program, G1T28, is a highly potent and selective CDK4/6 inhibitor currently being evaluated in Phase 1a trials in healthy volunteers. Data from the Phase 1a study will inform dose and schedule for multiple Phase 1b/2a trials in cancer patients planned to begin in 2015. The company intends to use new financing to advance G1T28 through proof of concept as both an antineoplastic agent and a chemoprotectant. G1 Therapeutics is a pharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel small molecules for cancer therapy and biodefense applications. Its lead clinical candidate is a proprietary CDK4/6 inhibitor that has been evaluated in multiple preclinical studies for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression. The company intends to use newly raised capital to advance that candidate through an IND filing and into initial clinical testing. Based on a pre-IND meeting with the FDA, G1 expected to file its IND by summer 2014 and to initiate clinical testing before the end of 2014. G1 was founded by Dr. Ned Sharpless and Dr. Kwok Wong and is led by Executive Chair Christy Shaffer.

Led · Series D · Apr 2015

Innocrin is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on oral, small-molecule CYP17 lyase-selective inhibitors, with lead candidate VT-464 and related compounds wholly owned by the company. Its programs target castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and resistant forms of breast cancer, including ER+ and triple-negative subtypes. Innocrin highlights VT-464's high selectivity for CYP17 lyase and potent androgen receptor antagonist activity. The company plans to accelerate parallel Phase 2 CRPC studies led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and to initiate an MSK-led Phase 1/2 study in women with resistant breast cancer. Management positions the CYP17 lyase program as having potential beyond oncology, including hormonal syndromes such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The company is backed by a syndicate of corporate and venture investors and recently completed a new financing to advance its clinical plans.