• Pulmotect

  Led · Series C · Sep 2024

  Pulmotect is developing PUL-042, a first-in-class inhaled, synergistic combination of two toll-like receptor agonists that amplifies the lung epithelial innate immune response. PUL-042 triggers release of antimicrobial peptides and reactive oxygen species to provide broad-spectrum, pathogen-agnostic protection against viral, bacterial and fungal respiratory pathogens. Preclinical models, including immunocompromised animals, demonstrated protection across a range of pathogens. Phase 1 and 2 trials in more than 200 subjects have shown favorable tolerability and evidence of antiviral activity, including activity against SARS-CoV-2 when dosed early. The company holds patents issued in 28 countries and its R&D has been supported by DoD, NIH (NIAID, NIGMS), CPRIT and other agencies. Pulmotect plans to use recent financing and grant support to fund a Phase 2 multiple-dose antiviral trial in immunosuppressed patients with hematologic malignancies and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

• Procyrion

  Led · Series E · Feb 2024

  Procyrion is a Houston, TX-based medical device company developing the Aortix percutaneous mechanical circulatory support (pMCS) device, a catheter-deployed pump that harnesses fluid entrainment to move blood. Led by CEO Eric S. Fain, the company targets treatment options for patients with cardiac and renal impairment, including acute decompensated heart failure and cardiorenal syndrome. Aortix is limited by Federal law to investigational use only and is not approved for sale in any geography. The company plans to use the new financing to support the ongoing DRAIN-HF pivotal IDE trial evaluating Aortix in ADHF patients who remain congested despite standard medical therapy. Additional proceeds will fund internal programs to improve product manufacturability and to prepare for commercialization. Procyrion is developing Aortix, a catheter-deployed, intra-aortic percutaneous blood pump designed to reduce cardiac afterload while increasing renal blood flow for cardiorenal syndrome patients. The device is placed in the descending thoracic aorta and uses fluid entrainment to increase aortic velocity and flow without a valve. Procyrion plans to use the new funding to complete a pilot study and to support activities required for an FDA IDE submission for a pivotal trial. The company is clinical-stage and its Aortix device is not approved for use or sale. Procyrion is Houston-based and conceived at the Texas Heart Institute and Fannin Innovation Studio. To date the company has raised more than $59 million in funding. Procyrion is developing Aortix, described as the first catheter-deployed, intra-aortic pump designed for ambulatory use to unload the heart and improve renal perfusion. The device is thinner than a pencil and intended to be placed in a simple cath-lab procedure to help patients too sick for medication alone but not candidates for transplant or LVAD. Procyrion plans to advance Aortix into pilot trials in Acutely Decompensated Heart Failure patients and to further enhance the system's features and performance. The company is clinical-stage and Aortix is not approved for use or sale. Benjamin Hertzog, Ph.D., is named as Procyrion’s chief executive officer in the announcement. The device concept is credited to cardiologist Dr. Reynolds M. Delgado, III. Procyrion is described in the article as a Houston heart-failure biotech. The coverage notes the company has raised $10 million. The article does not provide details on Procyrion’s specific product(s) or pipeline. It does not disclose operating metrics such as revenue or user counts. The article also does not specify the investors or the instrument(s) used in the raise. No information on use of proceeds, prior financings, or founding year is provided in the article.

No current team members are available.