Led · Seed · Sep 2024

Aptadir Therapeutics is developing a proprietary platform based on DNMTs Interacting RNAs (DiRs), a newly described class of RNA inhibitors that can block aberrant DNA methylation at a single-gene level to reactivate hypermethylated genes. The platform can generate multiple DiRs targeting specific genes suppressed in cancer and genetic disorders. Its lead programme, Aptadir Ce-49, is being developed for Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) with the aim of entering the clinic by the end of 2025. The company was founded by researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School, the Italian CNR, the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore and City of Hope National Medical Center. Target indications mentioned include adult intractable cancers such as MDS and pediatric genetic conditions such as Fragile X Syndrome. Giovanni Amabile has been appointed Executive Chairman and acting CEO to lead the team. Aptadir is preclinical and has received early translational funding to advance its lead asset.

Participated · Series B · Mar 2024

Tubulis is a Munich-based biotechnology company engineering uniquely matched antibody-drug conjugates with enhanced biophysical properties for improved on-tumor delivery and wider therapeutic windows. Its proprietary Tubutecan and other ADC platform technologies underpin a growing pipeline designed for high-need solid tumor indications. The lead program, TUB-040 targeting NaPi2b, has shown early clinical proof-of-concept in platinum-resistant high-grade serous ovarian cancer, demonstrating anti-tumor activity at low doses with favorable safety. A second clinical-stage candidate, TUB-030, targets 5T4, and several additional ADCs remain in preclinical development. Proceeds from the company’s latest financing will fund pivotal trials of TUB-040, evaluations in earlier-line ovarian cancer, combination regimens and broader solid tumor exploration. The capital will also advance TUB-030 and preclinical assets while driving further innovation of Tubulis’ ADC technologies for internal programs and partnerships. To date, the firm has secured €344 million (US $401 million) in Series C funding from a global syndicate of life-science investors.

Participated · Series C · Dec 2022

Carrick Therapeutics is developing a portfolio of differentiated oncology therapies, including samuraciclib and a novel CDK12/13 inhibitor/Cyclin-K glue-degrader. The company plans to use recent financing to fund ongoing and planned samuraciclib clinical trials and advance IND-enabling toxicology studies for the CDK12/13 program. Management has highlighted CDK7 and CDK12/13 inhibitors as priority assets and intends to accelerate their development across multiple indications. Carrick announced a collaboration and a $35 million investment from Pfizer while retaining full economic ownership and control of samuraciclib and the rest of its pipeline. The company stated proceeds will also be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. The press release lists Dublin, Ireland and Boston as locations for the company. Carrick is building a portfolio of first-in-class cancer treatments that target driver mechanisms of the most aggressive and resistant forms of cancer and aims to tailor therapies to individual patients' tumours. The company plans to progress multiple programmes through hit-to-lead and lead optimisation with the goal of delivering multiple development candidates. To support this work, Evotec will provide its full range of discovery and oncology services via its discovery and pre-clinical platform. Carrick is headquartered in Dublin with R&D located in Oxford and Dublin. The company recently completed a $95M funding round led by ARCH Venture Partners and Woodford Investment Management with participation from Cambridge Enterprise Seed Funds, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Google Ventures (GV), Lightstone Ventures and Evotec AG. Evotec will invest up to $6M towards the round and said the partnership will allow Carrick to rapidly progress its pipeline. No further financial details were disclosed, and Evotec stated its financial guidance for 2016 remains unchanged despite the investment.

Participated · Series A · Nov 2022

Cajal Neuroscience integrates human genetics, functional genomics and advanced microscopy to discover novel targets and therapeutics for neurodegeneration. Headquartered in Seattle, the company launched with the completion of a $96 million Series A financing. Its platform combines integrative human genetics and multi-omics, highly multiplexed functional genomics and industrialized whole-brain imaging to reveal mechanistic, spatial and temporal disease complexity. Cajal aims to systematically validate thousands of targets implicated in Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases and to build foundational systems for target and drug discovery at scale. The leadership team and scientific co‑founders include experienced industry executives and leading neuroscientists such as Ignacio Muñoz-Sanjuán, Huda Zoghbi, Anthony Zador and Charles Zuker. The company plans to accelerate translation by applying sequencing, visualization and computational techniques to prioritize and advance therapeutic programs.

Participated · Series A · Feb 2022

Centauri Therapeutics is developing next-generation immunotherapies based on its proprietary Alphamer® technology, which recruits the body’s immune system to fight pathogens. Its lead programme, ABX-01, has yielded CTX-187, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial designed to combat clinically prevalent and drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria through complement activation, opsonophagocytosis and intrinsic antibacterial activity. CTX-187 is currently being readied for first-in-human trials, with the new funding earmarked to complete Phase I studies and prepare for Phase II. Since 2019 the company has received non-dilutive support from CARB-X to move the programme from lead optimisation to the preclinical stage and, in 2024, it won a grant from the PACE-AMR initiative. Centauri closed an initial £24 million Series A in January 2022 backed by Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, Evotec SE and Novo Holdings REPAIR Impact Fund. The latest £6 million investment extends the Series A to £30 million, strengthening the firm’s financial position to advance its clinical pipeline. Dr. Henni-Karoliina Ropponen of AMR Action Fund has joined the board, adding sector expertise as the company moves toward clinical validation.