Led · Equity · Apr 2023

Sangon Biotech is a Chinese life sciences research and development services firm. The company provides R&D services to the life sciences sector. It completed its first strategic financing, raising 2 billion yuan (about $290.3 million). The financing was led by healthcare-focused GL Capital Group. The article does not disclose additional details such as other investors, the specific instrument beyond the strategic financing label, or the use of proceeds. No operating metrics or financial history were reported in the article. Sangon Biotech provides life science research tools and services including biochemical reagents, proteins, antibodies, research kits and DNA synthesis services. The company is a Shanghai-based subsidiary of Toronto-based Bio Basic Inc., which operates a sales network across 40 countries. Sangon supplies molecular biology kits, biochemicals, synthetic genes and synthetic oligos through that network. The company plans to use new funding to scale research and development, marketing and sales to meet increasing demand. In conjunction with the financing, representatives from the lead investor joined Sangon’s board, strengthening its governance as it expands commercially. No operating metrics are provided in the article.

Participated · Series B · Jun 2022

ImmunOs Therapeutics leverages an HLA-based technology platform to develop first-in-class therapeutics targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases. Its lead program, IOS-1002, is a multi-functional HLA-fusion protein that binds specific LILRB and KIR receptors to stimulate both the innate and adaptive immune systems. The company is developing IOS-1002 as a cancer therapeutic intended to eliminate tumor cells and is also exploring different modalities to agonize receptors for autoimmune disease modulation. ImmunOs is advancing IOS-1002 through a Phase Ia dose-escalation clinical trial as a monotherapy and in combination with MSD’s anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab). The company is led by Executive Chairman Reinhard Ambros and is based in Schlieren, Switzerland. ImmunOs Therapeutics AG leverages an HLA-based technology platform to develop first-in-class therapeutics for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Its lead program, IOS-1002 (formerly iosH2), is a multi-functional fusion protein based on a naturally occurring HLA that targets LILRB1, LILRB2 and KIR3DL1 and synergizes with the adaptive immune system to drive anti-tumor activity. A Phase 1 clinical trial for IOS-1002 is planned to start in the second half of 2022, and the company intends to progress the program through Phase 2. ImmunOs is also developing antibodies to block activation of specific HLA proteins associated with autoimmune diseases and is advancing additional oncology and autoimmune programs toward clinical development. The company has established a U.S. subsidiary to expand its international reach, execute future U.S. clinical trials, and strengthen transatlantic operations and team. ImmunOs Therapeutics AG is a Swiss biotechnology company developing a new class of HLA-based biologic therapeutics for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Its proprietary R&D platform creates HLA-based therapeutics that address multiple targets via a single fusion protein; the company's lead program is a multifunctional fusion protein that blocks specific LILRB receptors to activate anti-tumor responses. ImmunOs is also developing a novel HLA‑open conformer‑specific monoclonal antibody, OCi, intended to treat immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and to act upstream of current therapies. The company plans in vivo proof-of-concept studies in spondyloarthritis and intends to extend OCi development to psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease following successful results. Research is being conducted through an international consortium with ProteoGenix SAS (optimizing phage display for HLA mAb development) and Amsterdam UMC (providing animal models and clinical expertise). ImmunOs has received public funding from the EU’s Eurostars-2 programme and the Swiss Innovation Agency Innosuisse and is supported by investors including Pfizer Ventures, BioMed Partners and Redalpine. ImmunOs Therapeutics AG develops novel human immunomodulatory proteins that act on the innate immune system to activate anti-tumor responses. Its lead program is the iosH platform, with lead agent iosH2 being advanced as a potential treatment for both solid and liquid tumors. The company’s approach builds on research into HLA open conformer modulation of immune cells and targets diverse immunoregulatory receptors to modulate the tumor microenvironment. ImmunOs plans to complete first-in-human trials of iosH2 and to broaden the iosH platform by advancing additional preclinical programs in cancer and auto-immunity. The company is a spin-off of the University of Zurich and the University of Basel. Leadership includes CEO Sean R. Smith and CSO and co-founder Dr. Osiris Marroquin Belaunzaran, and the company states its mission is to develop novel therapeutics to improve the lives of patients with serious disease. ImmunOs Therapeutics AG is a Swiss biotechnology spin-off of the University of Zurich and University of Basel developing a next-generation platform of multitasking human immunomodulatory proteins for cancer. Its lead clinical candidate is a single multitasking protein agent aimed at treating solid tumors. The platform targets diverse immunoregulatory receptors to activate anti-tumor responses, working directly on the innate immune system (MDSCs, macrophages, NK cells and neutrophils) and indirectly on the adaptive system by enabling T cell expansion. ImmunOs positions its proteins for use both as monotherapy and in combination with checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1, CTLA-4, PD-L1) and costimulatory agonists (e.g., 4-1BB). The team brings experience in drug development and global commercialization in immunotherapy, immunology, and oncology. Proceeds from the announced financing will be used to advance the lead clinical candidate.

Participated · Series A · Jan 2021

NewAmsterdam Pharma is a clinical-stage company focused on research and development of therapies for cardiometabolic diseases. Its lead program is obicetrapib, a small-molecule cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor that targets Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and LDL‑c to reduce atherosclerotic risk. A Phase 2b study (TULIP) showed obicetrapib significantly reduced ApoB-containing particles and was well tolerated; two Phase 2b trials are underway with targeted completion in Q2 2021. The company plans to initiate a large Phase 3 development program in Q4 2021 to support regulatory and clinical objectives. NewAmsterdam acquired Dezima Pharma from Amgen in April 2020, including rights to obicetrapib. The company completed a $196M Series A to fund the full Phase 3 program; it was founded in 2019 by Forbion and John Kastelein and is headquartered in Naarden, the Netherlands.

Participated · Equity · Apr 2014

Arrail Group is a Beijing-based dental services provider. The company provides dental care services in China. Arrail completed a Series E funding round that raised nearly $200 million. The round was led by Singapore state investor Temasek Holdings, per a company statement. The article does not disclose other participating investors, use of proceeds, or operating metrics. Founded in 1998, 瑞尔集团 operates a leading high-end oral healthcare chain in China under the brands “瑞尔” and “瑞泰”. The group runs nearly 100 clinics and hospitals across major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Tianjin, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi'an, Qingdao, Ningbo, Changsha, Jinan and Wuxi, and has served over 5 million patient visits. Its core offering is professional mid-to-high-end dental care delivered through integrated clinics and hospitals staffed by experienced medical teams. Management emphasizes growing demand for quality dental services as incomes rise and positions the market as a large long-term opportunity. Following the financing, the company formally announced a “thousand-store plan,” targeting the opening of more than 1,000 clinics and hospitals nationwide within 5–8 years. The article highlights the company’s accumulated customer-relationship management, clinical capabilities, and its role as a private-sector leader in China’s dental market. 瑞尔齿科 provides dental and oral healthcare services and has built a 15-year reputation in the sector. The company announced a significant new financing round totaling $70 million. The infusion reflects growing private capital interest as national policies encourage private investment in medical services. Management says the financing will further consolidate 瑞尔齿科's leading position in the dental industry. The deal is expected to accelerate competition and consolidation within the oral healthcare market. 易凯资本 served as the company's exclusive financial advisor on the transaction. Founded in 1998, Rui'er Group operates a leading high-end dental clinic chain in China. The company runs 16 directly operated clinics across Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Xiamen and offers routine exams, cleaning and whitening, implants, orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry and pediatric dentistry. Rui'er is described in the articles as a recognized leader in China's high-end dental market based on its technical strength, service quality, scale and brand influence. The company completed a $20 million Series B financing in August 2011, reflecting strong market confidence. Rui'er expects to leverage the lead investor's healthcare experience and industry resources to accelerate business development. Yikai Capital acted as the exclusive financial adviser on the transaction. Arrail Dental operates a chain of high-end dental clinics providing international-standard dental care to China’s middle class and expatriates. Founded by Zou Qifang with its first clinic opened in April 1999 in Beijing, the group has expanded to 11 clinics across Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. The company employs nearly 400 professional medical and management staff, about 60% of whom hold master’s or doctoral degrees. Arrail has established a leading brand position in China’s premium dental market. The recent transaction involved an equity restructuring and external financing intended to strengthen the company’s capital structure and support growth beyond directly operated high-end clinics. Management expects the new ownership structure and capital to pave the way for an eventual independent public listing and to enable broader partnerships with domestic and overseas dental schools, institutions and experts.

Participated · Series C · Feb 2011

Pharmaron is a private, premier R&D service provider for the life‑science industry offering a broad spectrum of drug R&D capabilities. Its services include synthetic and medicinal chemistry, biology, DMPK, pharmacology and toxicology, and chemical & pharmaceutical development. Founded in 2003, Pharmaron employs over 3,000 people and operates in China and the U.S., serving partners in North America, Europe, Japan and China. The company plans to use new funding to strengthen core R&D service platforms, significantly expand capabilities and capacity, and adopt cutting‑edge technology. Management says these moves will expand its service offerings and domestic and international footprint as it pursues leadership in small‑molecule drug R&D services. Pharmaron recently reached a definitive agreement for an investment of over US$280 million to capitalize the company for future growth and allow certain shareholders to realize gains. Pharmaron provides pharmaceutical and biotech companies with R&D services including discovery chemistry, biology, DMPK, in vivo pharmacology, GLP bioanalytical services, GLP toxicology and pharmaceutical development and manufacturing. The company has substantially expanded its capability and capacity in integrated drug discovery and development and in 2010 integrated U.S. FDA GLP‑compliant toxicology expertise, enabling end‑to‑end support from discovery to IND. Pharmaron said it will use new capital to strengthen and expand drug discovery services, preclinical GLP toxicology capabilities and GMP chemical synthesis services. The firm operates in China and the U.S. and employs more than 1,200 people. Founded in 2003, Pharmaron serves small and large pharmaceutical companies across North America, Europe and Japan. The announcement cites a Frost & Sullivan estimate that the worldwide CRO market will reach $27 billion in 2011 with a 15% CAGR.