Led · Equity · Jan 2026

KAHR Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Modi’in, Israel that creates dual-targeting fusion protein therapeutics designed to activate both the innate and adaptive immune systems within the tumor microenvironment. Its lead candidate, DSP107, is a first-in-class bispecific CD47×4-1BB T-cell engager that anchors to CD47-expressing tumor cells while delivering a potent 4-1BB co-stimulatory signal to recruit and activate cytotoxic T cells. Across more than 130 treated patients, DSP107 has shown a favorable safety and tolerability profile. In a Phase 2a study of heavily pre-treated metastatic microsatellite stable colorectal cancer (MSS-CRC), DSP107 combined with atezolizumab achieved a 17.5-month median overall survival, outperforming the 6.4–10.8 months generally seen with approved therapies, even though 75% of patients had liver metastases. Encouraged by these data, the company has launched a randomized, controlled Phase 2b trial comparing DSP107 plus atezolizumab to fruquintinib in fourth-line MSS-CRC, with interim results expected in late 2026 and topline data in the second half of 2027. Proceeds from its latest financing and an accompanying debt facility are intended to fully fund this Phase 2b program and other R&D activities.

Participated · Series A · Jan 2025

AnaCardio is a privately held Swedish clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2017 and based on research from Karolinska Institutet. Its lead candidate, AC01, is a first-in-class oral ghrelin receptor agonist designed to enhance cardiac contractility without the adverse effects typical of conventional inotropes. The company reported positive results from an initial study showing safety, target engagement, and improved contractility. Funds from the recent financing will support completion of the phase 1b/2a GOAL-HF1 study, including a 28-day cohort expansion planned for early 2025. Management positions the data and funding as enabling advancement to proof-of-concept and progression toward late-stage clinical development. AnaCardio AB is a Swedish clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapies for heart failure. Its lead asset, AC01, is being developed for patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The company plans a clinical phase 1b/2a study of AC01 in HFrEF patients, expected to begin at selected centers in several European countries in fall/winter 2022. Proceeds from the recent financing will fund that planned study. AnaCardio was founded on research from Karolinska Institutet showing improved contractility of the heart muscle through a unique and differentiated mechanism. The company frames heart failure as a potentially fatal disease and the most common cause of hospitalization. AnaCardio AB is a privately held Swedish clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel drugs to treat heart failure based on research from Karolinska Institutet. Its lead asset, AC01, targets improved contractility of the heart muscle through a unique and differentiated mechanism. The company completed a fundraising to progress clinical development and is preparing to start a phase 1b/2a study with AC01 in 2022. The new capital enables AnaCardio to complete those preparations and advance its clinical plans. Karolinska Development is a strategic investor and has direct ownership interest amounting to 21 percent. The financing structure and participation signal continued backing from the Nordic life-sciences ecosystem.

Participated · Series B · Nov 2024

Vitara Biomedical is developing the Vitara System, a special life‑support platform that creates a fluid environment intended to mimic the womb and support healthy growth and organ development in preterm newborns. The company’s technology was developed at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and has demonstrated in fetal lamb studies the ability to support mid‑ and late‑term gestation for 10 to 28 days without harm and with continued organ development. Vitara is pursuing a first‑in‑human clinical study of the system and is using its recent financing to advance toward that milestone. The company is privately held and positions its technology as a potential transformative improvement to neonatal intensive care for extremely premature infants. Vitara also announced the appointment of Kim Rodriguez as CEO; she brings extensive global healthcare and medical device leadership experience. The new capital is intended to further the company’s efforts leading to its planned clinical study.

Led · Equity · Feb 2023

Prokarium is developing a synthetic‑biology platform that re‑engineers a proprietary strain of Salmonella with bespoke synthetic circuits to deliver diverse therapeutic payloads. Its lead program targets bladder cancer and is intended to offer an alternative to BCG with immune‑driven, long‑lasting antitumor effects. Prokarium is advancing that lead oncology program into clinical development this year. The company is building a bactofection platform to deliver novel payloads, including RNA, via its proprietary bacteria. Prokarium announced a partnership with Ginkgo Bioworks to leverage Ginkgo’s Foundry and Codebase for strain engineering and platform optimization. The company also added two scientific advisors, Professor Adrian Hayday and Sam Chang, as it transitions to a clinical‑stage company. Prokarium is based in London, UK and announced a $30 million financing to support these plans. Prokarium is a privately-held biotechnology company focused on developing novel immunotherapies and vaccines based on an engineered microbial platform. Its lead oncology program is a microbial immunotherapy targeting non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, planned to enter the clinic in 2022. The company is also leveraging its platform with the Wellcome Trust for phase 1 and phase 2 clinical evaluation of a combination typhoid and paratyphoid vaccine. Prokarium said the new financing will support advancement of the bladder cancer program and expansion of its pipeline across multiple solid tumours. The company is headquartered in London and recently strengthened its leadership team. Prokarium also announced executive promotions and the appointment of Hyam Levitsky, MD, to its Board of Directors. Prokarium develops oral microbial immunotherapies and vaccines delivered as capsules or sachets, aiming to elicit mucosal, systemic and cellular immunity. Its lead programme, Entervax™, is a bivalent oral vaccine against enteric fever based on the Vaxonella® platform and combining the proprietary ZH9 strain with a novel strain targeting Salmonella Paratyphi A. ZH9 has been safely administered to 351 individuals, including 101 children, in the UK, US and Vietnam. The company plans a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1 study in the UK and an age-descending, dose-escalation Phase 1b study in an endemic region in South Asia, with dosing planned to start in the first half of 2020. Prokarium is also developing microbial immunotherapies for solid tumours and oral vaccines against Chlamydia trachomatis and Yersinia pestis (the latter in collaboration with the UK government). The company emphasizes oral delivery as easier to distribute and administer than injectable vaccines, potentially increasing vaccination rates in endemic regions. Prokarium is a UK-based synthetic biology company that has developed Vaxonella, an oral thermostable vaccine delivery platform. Vaxonella enables thermostable microbes to be taken orally to produce vaccines inside the body’s immune cells, triggering mucosal and cellular immunity with minimal side effects and at lower cost than injectable vaccines. The platform offers 12-week thermostability at 40°C, which improves transport to remote locations and access to underserved markets. Prokarium’s pipeline targets Chlamydia, Clostridium difficile and enteric fever (typhoid and paratyphoid), and includes a plague vaccine entering a phase 1 clinical trial under an SBRI contract funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care and managed by Innovate UK. The company operates a dual business model of in-house vaccine development and out-licensing of the Vaxonella platform and is expanding R&D into immuno-oncology. Prokarium plans to grow its team and pursue partnerships with global biopharmaceutical companies to commercialize its thermostable oral vaccines and immunotherapies.

Led · Equity · Mar 2022

XNK Therapeutics is a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing autologous NK cell-based products on a proprietary technology platform. Its lead investigational candidate is being evaluated in a Phase II study in multiple myeloma in combination with Sanofi’s anti-CD38 antibody Sarclisa (isatuximab). The company is also pursuing a proof-of-concept study in acute myeloid leukemia using patient samples from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. XNK’s platform was developed to target cancers, including settings where allogeneic cell products are not readily applicable. The recent capital raise is intended primarily to finance clinical development in multiple myeloma and other indications. XNK is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and emphasizes commercialisation and global growth of its product portfolio.