Led · Seed · Nov 2022

Biomemory develops DNA-based end-to-end storage solutions, including a recently launched DNA storage card and a planned data‑center appliance. The company uses proprietary synthetic-biology processes to produce long, bio-sourced, biocompatible DNA fragments stored as inert polymers for thousands of years without energy input. Biomemory says its technology offers ultra-high density, longevity, and improved sustainability versus traditional archival media. The company plans to complete first-generation appliance development, accelerate partnerships with industry and cloud providers, and recruit molecular biology and engineering talent. Biomemory aims to scale its molecular data storage to exabyte scale for data center use by 2030. Founded in 2021 as a spinoff of Sorbonne University and CNRS, the company is based in Paris and positions its technology as a complementary, low‑impact archival solution. Biomemory develops a petrol-free DNA synthesis and copy process and DNA data storage solutions that produce long, bio-sourced, biocompatible and bio-secure DNA fragments which can be stored as inert polymers for thousands of years without energy input. The company leverages synthetic biology mechanisms refined over billions of years to assemble DNA and aims to reduce the climate impact of data centers. Biomemory states it currently has the potential to reduce storage costs to $1 per megabyte and expects that further optimization and scaling could bring costs to $1 per terabyte, compared with a ten-year cost of $17 per terabyte for magnetic tape. To achieve this, the company plans to focus on miniaturization, automation and parallelization of an end-to-end integrated and continuous microfluidic DNA assembly device. Biomemory was founded in 2021 and is led by President Erfane Arwani. It has raised seed funding to support technology optimization.

Participated · Series C · Jan 2022

Founded in 2014 with operations in South San Francisco and Paris, DNA Script develops Enzymatic DNA Synthesis (EDS) as an alternative to traditional chemical DNA synthesis. The company’s first commercial product is the SYNTAX Platform/System, a benchtop enzymatic synthesis instrument that enables labs to print synthetic nucleic acids on demand. SYNTAX is positioned to let researchers iterate more rapidly by removing multi‑day waits for third‑party oligo providers. DNA Script says the platform targets genomics and molecular biology applications and aims to increase access to oligo manufacturing. The company frames SYNTAX as a step toward a new paradigm for DNA and RNA synthesis and to transform life‑sciences research. Financially, DNA Script completed a second tranche of its Series C, raising $200 million and bringing total capital raised to $315 million since founding. DNA Script is pioneering enzymatic DNA synthesis (EDS) and is commercializing the SYNTAX benchtop DNA printer to put DNA writing capabilities directly in research and clinical labs. The SYNTAX system is intended to make writing DNA as simple and straightforward as reading DNA, enabling same‑day synthesis of oligonucleotides for faster experiment iteration and diagnostic development. The company plans testing with a select group of partners, a beta program later this year, and to accept orders for the printer next year. Recent funding will accelerate development of its suite of EDS technologies, support the commercial launch of SYNTAX, and help ramp commercial and manufacturing capabilities. DNA Script is also participating in the Molecular Encoding Consortium with the Broad Institute and Harvard University to develop deployable DNA data storage and retrieval technology, a project funded by a $23 million IARPA grant. The company was founded in 2014 in Paris. DNA Script develops enzymatic DNA and RNA synthesis technology to produce rapid, affordable, high-quality synthetic nucleic acids. The company has demonstrated the ability to synthesize 200 nucleotides of DNA with high accuracy, showcased at an academic conference. Its platform combines novel biochemical processes and nucleotide chemistry intended to enable genome-scale synthesis and same-day results. DNA Script positions its technology for applications across drug discovery, diagnostics, agriculture, industrial and food technologies, and DNA data storage. The company was founded in 2014 in Paris. The Series B financing announced in this article provides additional capital to further develop its enzymatic platform and expand applications. DNA Script develops a novel enzymatic process for de novo DNA and RNA synthesis that mimics natural biochemical mechanisms. The company’s platform aims to produce long DNA constructs with higher quality, faster turnaround and reduced use of harsh chemicals compared with traditional chemical synthesis. DNA Script positions this technology to address unmet manufacturing needs in cell and gene therapy and to accelerate genomics research. The company cites potential applications across therapeutics, sustainable chemical production, improved crops and DNA data storage. DNA Script was founded in 2014 in Paris and has been described as aiming to become a global leader in biomanufacturing for cell and gene therapy. Financially, the company has raised $27M to date and was recently awarded $2.7M in non-dilutive financing from Bpifrance. DNA Script develops enzymatic DNA and RNA synthesis technology that mimics natural processes to produce de novo synthetic nucleic acids. Its biochemical approach aims to deliver faster turnaround, higher quality, and greater manufacturing flexibility than traditional chemical synthesis while minimizing the use of harsh chemicals. The company positions itself to accelerate innovation across life sciences, with applications in therapeutics, sustainable chemical production, improved crops, and DNA data storage. Management says recent breakthroughs on the platform have advanced development and the company aims to become a global leader in synthetic DNA manufacturing. The synthetic nucleic acids market exceeds $1 billion annually and DNA Script is focused on scaling to meet demand. Financially, the company has raised $24M to date, including a $13M Series A in September 2017 led by Illumina Ventures.

Participated · Series B · Jul 2021

Coave Therapeutics is a genetic medicines company based in Paris that develops technologies to improve genetic medicine delivery. Its proprietary ALIGATER™ platform is designed to enhance targeting, specificity, efficacy and manufacturability of genetic medicines. The company is focused on overcoming gene therapy delivery challenges to extra-hepatic tissues and is building a pipeline targeting CNS, neuromuscular and eye diseases. Led by CEO Rodolphe Clerval, Coave positions ALIGATER as a platform with broad clinical applications. The company raised €32M in a Series A to advance the ALIGATER platform. Emmanuelle Coutanceau from Novo Holdings and Jean Francois Morin from Bpifrance will join Coave’s board of directors in connection with the financing. Coave Therapeutics develops targeted genetic medicines using its proprietary ALIGATER™ platform, which chemically modifies AAV capsids or lipid nanoparticles to improve efficacy, safety, and manufacturability. The company’s conjugated vectors (coAAV) enable targeted delivery to the central nervous system and the eye, achieving improved transduction and biodistribution across species at low doses. Its lead disclosed program in the article, CTx-TFEB, is a coAAV-delivered TFEB gene therapy designed to promote autophagy and clear toxic protein aggregates in neurons as a potential pan-ALS treatment. Coave recently received grant funding from the ALS Association to advance CTx-TFEB through preclinical proof-of-concept and aims to establish robust preclinical data to support a clinical transition. The company is headquartered in Paris, France and states its pipeline targets both rare and prevalent neurodegenerative and ocular indications. Coave is backed by unnamed international life sciences investors mentioned in the company description. Coave Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech advancing gene therapies for rare ocular and CNS diseases using its AAV-Ligand Conjugate (ALIGATER) platform. Its lead candidate, CTx-PDE6b, is a first-in-class AAV-based gene therapy designed to deliver a full-length functional PDE6b gene for PDE6b-associated retinitis pigmentosa and is currently in a Phase I/II trial. The company has entered a licensing and co-development partnership with Théa Open Innovation to advance CTx-PDE6b through clinical development and commercialization in Europe and adjacent territories. Under the agreement Coave will co-develop the program with Théa and share development costs while retaining commercialization rights outside the partner territories, including the US. Financially, Coave will receive an upfront payment and an equity investment of €10 million and is eligible to receive up to €65 million in development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, plus double-digit royalties on net sales in licensed territories. Coave is headquartered in Paris and is backed by investors including Seroba Life Sciences, Théa Open Innovation, eureKARE, Fund+, Omnes Capital, V-Bio Ventures, Kurma Partners, Idinvest, GO Capital and Sham Innovation Santé/Turenne. Coave Therapeutics, led by CEO Rodolphe Clerval and based in Paris, is advancing targeted gene therapies using its AAV-Ligand Conjugate (ALIGATER) platform to enhance AAV delivery and transduction. The company is progressing a pipeline that includes the lead clinical program CTx-PDE6b, currently in a Phase I/II trial, and preclinical candidates such as CTx-GBA1 (Parkinson’s disease and Gaucher disease) and CTx-ABCA4 (Stargardt’s disease). Coave will use proceeds to push CTx-PDE6b toward pivotal trials, further develop the ALIGATER platform, advance new preclinical coAAV programs in rare CNS and ocular diseases, and seek partnerships to accelerate clinic entry. The company is clinical-stage and focused on producing targeted gene therapy products via proprietary chemical conjugation of AAV vectors. Financially, the company has raised a total of €33.1M following the Series B expansion.