• Voyager Therapeutics

  Led · Equity · Feb 2015

  Voyager Therapeutics develops neurogenetic medicines focused on CNS disorders, including proprietary TRACER AAV capsids and AAV gene therapy payloads. The company’s TRACER capsid discovery platform generates novel capsids that Voyager licenses to partners. Voyager is advancing a preclinical AAV gene therapy program for Huntington’s disease and has granted target‑exclusive access to TRACER capsids for spinal muscular atrophy. Under its new agreement with Novartis, Voyager will remain responsible for preclinical advancement of the HD program while Novartis takes on clinical development and commercialization. The deal provides immediate non-dilutive capital and a $20 million equity purchase, which Voyager says will strengthen its balance sheet and extend its runway into mid-2026. Chestnut Partners served as Voyager’s exclusive financial advisor on the transaction. Voyager Therapeutics develops AAV-based gene therapies targeting CNS diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, a monogenic form of ALS, Friedreich’s ataxia and Huntington’s disease. The company emphasizes vector optimization, dosing and delivery techniques, and process development for its AAV product engine. Voyager’s pipeline comprises five clinical and preclinical programs that the company plans to advance with new funding. Voyager has broad strategic collaborations with Genzyme (a Sanofi company) and the University of Massachusetts Medical School. The company was launched in 2014 with funding from Third Rock Ventures and is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass. Management states the company’s mission is to become a leading AAV gene therapy company and to develop breakthrough therapies for patients with CNS disorders. Voyager Therapeutics focuses on developing life-changing AAV (adeno-associated virus) gene therapies for fatal and debilitating CNS diseases. The company emphasizes AAV product engine optimization, vector engineering, dosing and delivery techniques, and process development and production. Its pipeline includes programs for Parkinson's disease (VY-AADC01), Friedreich's ataxia (VY-FXN01), Huntington's disease (VY-HTT01) and an ALS program (VY-SOD101), with the ALS program outside the Genzyme collaboration. Under the strategic collaboration with Genzyme, Voyager will drive R&D for multiple programs and may license programs to Genzyme after proof-of-concept human trials while retaining U.S. rights to its lead Parkinson's and Friedreich's programs. Genzyme's upfront commitment, including $65 million in cash, a $30 million equity investment and in-kind contributions, provides significant funding to advance Voyager's expanded pipeline while allowing the company to remain independent. Voyager was launched in 2014 with funding from Third Rock Ventures and is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass. Voyager Therapeutics develops adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapies aimed at treating a range of CNS diseases through one-time interventions. The company focuses on vector optimization and engineering, dosing techniques, and scalable process development and production. Its pipeline includes a Parkinson’s disease program in an ongoing Phase 1b study with collaborators at UCSF, and preclinical programs targeting a monogenic form of ALS and Friedreich’s ataxia. Programs use either gene replacement or gene knockdown (including expressed RNAi) depending on disease biology. Voyager has entered license and other agreements with UMMS, UCSF and Stanford and maintains a broad strategic collaboration with UMMS to accelerate R&D. The company was founded by leaders in AAV, RNAi and neuroscience and works closely with patient advocacy groups such as FARA and The Michael J. Fox Foundation.

• Ceregene

  Participated · Equity · Jun 2007

  Ceregene is a San Diego-based biotechnology company focused on delivering nervous system growth (neurotrophic) factors via gene delivery to treat neurodegenerative and retinal disorders. Its lead programs include CERE-120, targeted for Parkinson’s disease (moving into a Phase 2b study), and CERE-110, in a Phase 2 study for Alzheimer’s disease; the company also maintains an ocular disease program. Ceregene closed an $11.5M Series D financing and additionally received $733,437 in Therapeutic Discovery Tax Credit grants (three awards of $244,479). The new capital and grants will be used to advance the Phase 2b study of CERE-120 and to support the Alzheimer’s and ocular programs, supplementing recent support from The Michael J. Fox Foundation. As part of the financing, Kerry Dance, Ph.D., Managing Director of Hamilton BioVentures, will join the company’s board. Ceregene is developing CERE-120, a gene therapy that uses modified adeno-associated viruses to deliver genes encoding neurotrophic factors to neurons. The approach aims to have cells produce neurotrophic proteins that cannot cross the blood–brain barrier when delivered as standalone drugs. In a 12-patient early trial, CERE-120 administration was associated with a 36% reduction in symptoms at 12 months, though the study lacked rigorous controls. Ceregene is running a 51-patient follow-up trial that may generate data by fall 2008. Financially, the company has completed an open third funding round raising roughly $28–28.1 million and struck a development partnership with Genzyme that included a $25 million up-front payment and potential additional payments and royalties. Cell Genesys, Ceregene’s former corporate parent, participated in the financing alongside institutional investors.

No current team members are available.