• Esphera SynBio

  Participated · Seed · Jan 2025

  Esphera SynBio is a seed-stage biotechnology company that engineers exosomes as nanomedicines using synthetic biology approaches. It combines technologies developed at McMaster University and the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute to modify cells through expression of proprietary transgenes that drive production of engineered exosomes. The company is developing cancer immunotherapies, vaccines and immunomodulatory therapies for a range of human diseases. Led by CEO Dr. Brian Lichty, Esphera is based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The company raised USD2M in Seed funding and intends to use the proceeds to expand operations and its R&D sector.

• Hyivy Health

  Participated · Seed · Sep 2024

  Hyivy Health builds a medical-first pelvic rehab system that pairs a novel therapeutic device with an app and clinician portal to benchmark, monitor and treat pelvic pain. The technology is described as first-of-its-kind for measuring contributors and impact of pelvic pain in endometriosis patients and may help identify more than 51 conditions associated with pelvic pain, including cervical and ovarian cancers. Hyivy prioritized clinical validation and regulatory approval over a direct-to-consumer push and is conducting clinical trials addressing complex gynecological and colorectal patient populations. The company is preparing for U.S. market entry, starting rollout in California with over 25 clinics and actively recruiting additional gynecological and pelvic floor physiotherapy clinics. Hyivy is in the beginning stages of pursuing FDA approval. Founded in 2020 by Rachel Bartholomew following her cervical cancer diagnosis, the team says the product aims to make pelvic rehabilitation more gradual, manageable and clinically connected.

• Radiant Biotherapeutics

  Participated · Series A · Sep 2024

  Radiant Biotherapeutics is a preclinical biotechnology company built around a proprietary Multabody™ platform that generates multivalent, multi-specific antibodies. The platform leverages avidity and multi-specificity to target multiple disease-modifying proteins or epitopes, producing potent candidates against solid tumors, blood cancers, infectious pathogens, and other indications. Radiant's lead clinical candidate targets 4-1BB, and the company intends to use the Series A proceeds to advance that program toward clinical trials. The company states Multabody production and manufacturing are flexible, modular, scalable, and leverage standard antibody CMC processes. Radiant emerged from foundational science at The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, was founded in 2020, and maintains offices in Toronto and Philadelphia. The financing is intended to support expansion of the pipeline across oncology, inflammation and immunology, and global health and infectious disease including HIV. Radiant Biotherapeutics is developing a proprietary Multabody™ platform that produces multi-valent, multi-specific antibody therapeutics with high avidity and potency. The company is building a pipeline of mono-, bi- and tri-specific biologics across multiple disease areas, including infectious disease and oncology. Radiant says Multabody™ candidates can target multiple binding sites simultaneously, potentially overcoming viral mutation and enabling destruction of latent viral reservoirs and circulating particles. The company received a $2 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to advance HIV-focused work and to support a two-year evaluation of the platform against latent and circulating HIV. The Gates agreement covers three potential infectious-disease targets and includes interest in a potential equity investment. Radiant emerged from stealth earlier this year with funding from Amplitude Ventures and maintains offices in Toronto and Philadelphia. Radiant Biotherapeutics develops a Multabody platform that creates multivalent, multi-specific biologics by exploiting avidity for increased potency while retaining monoclonal antibody–like developability and pharmacokinetics. The platform is modular and scalable, leveraging standard antibody CMC processes to produce mono-, bi- and tri-specific candidates. Radiant says the technology can address complex diseases across oncology, autoimmune conditions and infectious diseases. The company emerged from stealth with an $8 million seed financing to advance and validate several oncology programs and build an internal pipeline. Foundational IP comes from labs at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and the University of Toronto. Radiant also announced two undisclosed collaborations with global pharmaceutical partners to validate the platform's scientific and clinical utility.

• HDAX Therapeutics

  Led · Seed · Sep 2024

  HDAX Therapeutics is developing best-in-class HDAC6-targeting small-molecule therapeutics via a novel molecular recognition mechanism aimed at overcoming weak binding, poor pharmacokinetics, and off-target toxicities. The company’s platform originates from over seven years of research in Professor Patrick Gunning’s lab at the University of Toronto. HDAX is focused on discovery and preclinical development toward candidate nomination across neurological and cardiometabolic indications. Management emphasizes the potential for differentiated safety and efficacy versus prior HDAC6 efforts. The company is privately held and plans to use proceeds from its seed financing to advance its pipeline programs and nominate a preclinical development candidate. HDAX highlights a leadership team with deep small-molecule development expertise.

• Tenomix

  Led · Seed · Mar 2024

  Tenomix has developed a benchtop, printer-sized robotics system that uses ultrasound and artificial intelligence to automate the manual lymph node screening process used in colorectal cancer staging. The system is intended to reduce missed cancerous lymph nodes that can lead to improper staging and treatment. The device is currently undergoing validation in hospitals across the U.S. and Canada. Tenomix envisions the technology as a versatile platform with scalable software to support the pathology workflow. The company closed a $2 million all‑Canadian seed round to advance development and commercialization. Leadership says the funding and local ecosystem support will help the company build a profitable business and give pathology staff better tools to improve patient care.

No current team members are available.