Participated · Series A · Oct 2024

Epitopea develops accessible, off-the-shelf RNA-based immunotherapies that target a new class of broadly shared tumor-specific antigens termed Cryptigen™ TSAs. The company discovers Cryptigen™ TSAs using its proprietary CryptoMap™ platform, which leverages immunopeptidomics, genomics and a bioinformatics pipeline to identify aberrantly expressed tumour-specific antigens hidden in cancer’s ‘junk’ DNA. Its Cryptigen™ antigens were first discovered through research led by Drs. Claude Perreault and Pierre Thibault at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer at the Université de Montréal. Epitopea intends to use the new funding to support strategic development and the clinical entry of its lead Cryptigen immunotherapeutics. Led by CEO Dr. Alan C. Rigby, the company operates sister entities in Cambridge, UK and Montreal, Canada. To date, Epitopea has raised more than USD $45M in financing. Epitopea, based in Cambridge, UK and Montreal, Canada, develops accessible off-the-shelf RNA-based immunotherapies for hard-to-treat cancers. The company focuses on a new class of untapped antigens—CryptigenTM TSAs—identified by its proprietary CryptoMapTM platform, which leverages immunopeptidomics, genomics, and a bioinformatics pipeline. CryptoMap discovers aberrantly-expressed tumor-specific antigens (aeTSAs) hidden within cancer’s 'junk' DNA; these hidden CryptigenTM TSAs were first discovered through research led by Drs. Claude Perreault and Pierre Thibault at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer at the Université de Montréal. Epitopea is developing both therapeutic vaccines and T cell receptor-based therapies targeting antigens differentially presented by stromal cells. Led by CEO Dr. Alan C. Rigby, the company recently received a £500K non-dilutive grant from Innovate UK’s Cancer Therapeutics programme to support this research. The funding is intended to advance vaccines and TCR-based approaches against antigens that are broadly shared across multiple patients with the same tumor type. Epitopea is a Cambridge, UK and Montreal, Canada‑based biotechnology company developing cancer immunotherapies that target a newly described class of tumour‑specific antigens called Cryptigen™ TSAs. The company discovers these conserved, aberrantly expressed antigens using a proprietary approach combining immunopetidomics, mass spectrometry, genomics, and bioinformatics. Epitopea plans to translate these discoveries into novel cancer immunotherapeutics, including therapeutic vaccines, cell therapies, and TCR‑based biologics. The hidden Cryptigen™ TSAs were identified in research led by Drs. Claude Perreault and Pierre Thibault at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer at Université de Montréal. Led by CEO Dr. Jon Moore (also an Operating Partner at Advent Life Sciences), the company intends to use new funding to build its executive team and advance further research and translational programs. Financially, Epitopea completed a seed financing to support these R&D and team‑building activities.

Participated · Series A · Oct 2022

PIC Therapeutics, based in Natick, Mass., is developing first-in-mechanism, first-in-class small-molecule medicines that modulate protein translation. Its lead program is an allosteric protein translation modulator targeting eIF4E aimed at treating advanced metastatic and drug-resistant breast cancer. Preclinical studies show PIC compounds modulate—but do not block—protein translation and drive cancer cell apoptosis rather than senescence. The company’s selective modulation of the Pre-Initiation Complex is intended to selectively impact oncogene protein production and address tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. PIC will use proceeds from a recently closed $35 million Series A to advance the lead program into first-in-man, first-in-mechanism clinical studies and to expand its pipeline into emerging oncology indications. The scientific approach is founded on work by Dr. Gerhard Wagner (Harvard) and Dr. Nahum Sonenberg (McGill). PIC Therapeutics is a Boston biotechnology company developing a new generation of cancer therapeutics by selectively modulating the Pre-Initiation Complex (PIC), specifically eIF4E, to block oncogene protein production. The company has built a portfolio of proprietary small-molecule modulators and a platform to validate tumor activity, aiming to impact multiple oncogenic drivers and address drug resistance and tumor heterogeneity. PIC was founded on the research of Professor Gerhard Wagner and is led by founding CEO Sun Altbach with Alan Walts as Executive Chairman. The company closed an oversubscribed $5M Series Seed round of preferred equity funding led by Advent Life Sciences. With this funding PIC plans to accelerate its program focused on allosteric regulation of eIF4E and to produce early proof of concept in advance of the clinic. PIC is supported by a world-renowned Scientific Advisory Board and Board of Directors.

Participated · Series A · May 2022

Allyx Therapeutics was founded in 2018 as a spinout from Yale University and is focused on developing therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. Its lead candidate, ALX-001, is preparing to enter a pivotal Phase 2 clinical trial. The company has raised over $60 million in total funding following a recent $26.5 million financing. Allyx is noted as a Connecticut Innovations portfolio company. The recent capital raise is positioned to support the company’s near-term clinical program for ALX-001. Public commentary around the company emphasizes the high unmet need in dementia and Alzheimer’s among older adults.