The Venture Codex

Participated · Series A · Dec 2025

Based in Clermont-Ferrand with offices in Lyon, Axoltis Pharma researches and develops innovative treatments for neurodegenerative and neurotraumatic diseases. Its lead asset, NX210c, is a 12-amino-acid cyclic peptide derived from SCO-Spondin that promotes blood–brain barrier restoration, offers neuroprotection, and enhances neurotransmission. The candidate holds orphan-drug designations from both the FDA and the EMA and demonstrated a favorable safety profile in a 2023 Phase 1b study. NX210c is now being evaluated in the Phase 2 SEALS trial in 82 ALS patients across 16 investigational centers, with results expected in Q2 2026. Proceeds from the latest capital raise will fund completion of this study and support exploratory work in additional neurological indications. The compound is protected by seven patents owned by Axoltis, and the company is actively pursuing a global pharmaceutical partnership, targeting discussions at the 2026 JP Morgan Healthcare Conference. While the company has not yet disclosed revenue, its financing underscores investor confidence in the differentiated technology and market potential.

Participated · Equity · Dec 2018

Lucky Cart offers an AI-based SaaS platform that personalises promotions for retailers and suppliers to optimise the performance of their promotional investments. The platform analyses transactional data using artificial intelligence and econometrics to personalise the promotional mechanic, eligibility thresholds, and validity periods of offers. The company says retailers and suppliers in France dedicate more than €10 billion to promotion each year and that 61% of promotions are a loss. Lucky Cart operates in France, Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, Belgium and the United Kingdom and serves more than 150 clients, including Intermarché, Casino, Carrefour, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Pepsico, Henkel and Nestlé. The startup says its approach can deliver a return on investment of "4 or 53" while improving customer loyalty through personalised buying experiences. The recent funding will be used to invest in R&D and deploy the solution to key actors in the grocery sector in France. Lucky Cart is a French startup that provides a "promogaming" promotional solution for online retailers. Its product places a small lottery on the order confirmation page, letting customers play for a chance to win a refund equal to their shopping cart. The company says shoppers prefer that game-based option over small discounts, helping merchants create appealing promotions while controlling operating costs. Major French retailers such as Cdiscount and PriceMinister already use the solution. Lucky Cart has raised €1.6 million from Partech Ventures, Kima Ventures, Venture Pleiades, Fa Diese and Edenred and plans to use the funding to expand across Europe, grow its sales team and develop a SaaS platform. The fundraising and strategy were discussed by founder Cyril Marchal in an interview with Frenchweb.fr.

Led · Series B · Feb 2012

InnaVirVax focuses on research and development of therapeutic solutions for infectious and major chronic diseases, with an emphasis on immunotherapies. Its lead candidate, VAC-3S, is an immunotherapy intended to restore immune function in people living with HIV as part of a functional cure approach. VAC-3S is currently in a Phase 2a, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (IPROTECT1) that began in 2014 and has recruited 86 patients across 13 clinical centres in France, Germany and Spain. The company says the primary endpoint is to evaluate the immune response to three different doses of VAC-3S in adults on antiretroviral therapy. With new capital and institutional support, InnaVirVax plans to accelerate the clinical development of VAC-3S and advance the PROTHEVIH collaborative project. The company is based at the Genopole in Évry and was incorporated in 2008. InnaVirVax, founded in 2008 and based in Evry, France, focuses on therapy, prevention and prognostic solutions for AIDS/HIV, other infectious diseases, and new cancer therapies. Its lead clinical program is VAC-3S immunotherapy, which has received authorization from the AFSSAPS (the French Drug Agency). The company plans to use the new capital to conduct phase I/IIa clinical trials of VAC-3S at two Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris centers: Pitié Salpêtrière and Cochin Hospitals. InnaVirVax also intends to advance other research projects with the funding. The company is led by CEO Joël Crouzet. The announcement reports the completion of a Series B financing totaling €3.7m (approximately $4.9m).